Articles written by Loni Stel

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About me - Loni Stel

I am a mom of a dozen children, ten which are living at home. One of our babies was stillborn at 36 weeks and in December of 2004 we lost a 16 year old son to the choking game (MatthewsStory.com). My husband and I have been married for 22 years and we homeschool

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Education > Colleges & Universities (Other) Are parents justified in pressuring their teenage children to get a college education?: 1 of 22

As a mom of ten children, with our four oldest having graduated from high school, I absolutely do not believe in pressuring children to get a college education. To just go to college to "see what they want to be when they grow up" may never accumulate to what they want to be, but instead, accumulate much college education de...
Relationships & Family > Grief & Loss Coping after murder, suicide, accident and death of a loved one: 1 of 10

We thought it was suicide when our son was found dead in our home. Hours later we learned of a dangerous game that 500-1000 kids each year are dying from the choking game which took our son's life. The two years that followed his death were horrible. My marriage of over 20 years barely made it. Not only did my husband and I ...
Parenting & Pregnancy > Common Baby Ailments Is circumcising baby boys a good or bad choice?: 3 of 21

I am a blessed mama of 12 children including 5 boys. Our first three were circumcised in the hospital, generally within 24 hours after birth. As far as whether to do it or not, I most certainly believe for health reasons to have it done. Boys don't always keep themselves real clean, and I personally can see a boy not taking ...
Society & Lifestyle > Social Values & Norms Behind the name: Lilly: 2 of 13

If you listen carefully, or watch the newspaper birth announcements, you will find that the name Lilly is quite a popular name. Lily, (pronounced LIL ee) is an old name that is making a new comeback and not necessarily considered an old-fashioned name anymore. POPULARITY: In the 1880's the name Lillie was at it's peak for be...
Parenting & Pregnancy > Children's Activities (Other) Great rainy day activities to do with your children: 4 of 24

Keeping children from being glued to the TV or computer games on rainy days can be a difficult task for parents. As a home school mom of ten children, creativity is a part of our everyday life, including on rainy days. Computer games are limited, so seeking fun and educational activities is a priority. We have many games in ...
Creative Writing > Memoirs Good-bye: True gardening stories relating to love, life and gardening: 49 of 257

Come and take a walk with me in my memory garden, a garden planted to remember my children not walking beside me, but running in heaven above. It's watered with my tears, as I kneel down and touch the petals of five different rose bushes or take in the scent of the deep emerald evergreen tree. It tells a story of four precio...
Celebrations & Holidays > Gifts for Women Best baby gifts for new mothers: 13 of 65

With having had a dozen children, I have been to many of my own baby showers! I've received many at times too many of the common items from basic layettes, receiving blankets, diapers, baby lotions and soaps. Finding unique baby gifts can be difficult but I try to find gift that I know others would not buy or make, and know ...
Parenting & Pregnancy > Parenting Teens 'Red flags' and trouble signals to watch for in the lives of our kids: 1 of 5

The screams of that Saturday morning shortly after 11 a.m. will never be forgotten. The images of two brothers finding their older brother hanging, dead, will never leave their minds. At first we thought it was suicide, but later learned of a "game" kids are playing to get a high - the choking game. It was a nightmare, one t...
Celebrations & Holidays > Celebrations & Holidays (Other) Creative ways to celebrate America Recycles Day: 1 of 5

As a homeschooling mom of over 18 years to ten children, teaching recycling begins right in the home and becoming a part of our everyday lives. Our recycling has not just been to keep things clean and green, but also for financial reasons. We have learned to reuse things. We have bought has many hard covere...
Relationships & Family > Grief & Loss Final gifts, and the gift of presence: 1 of 4

I have as very precious keepsakes some final gifts that were given in memory after the deaths of my two children. So often people do not know what to say, but mementos that are given can last a lifetime. Besides having a boxful of cards and letters from family and friends sharing their comforting words and drawings from youn...