"You are tenacious. I love a woman who won't give up." William Luse 6/1/04
"Kudos also to Elena, who proved that she can take it as well as she can dish it." TSO 6/4/04
"the wonderful Elena" Nathan Nelson 8/1/04
"Elena, I quake at the sound of your name" John B-Catholic Packer Fan 8-12-04
"I like your writing and your spunk." Todd Flowerday, Catholic Sensibility 11-8-04
"Elena is is so many shades of stupid they don't make a Crayola box big enough to begin coloring her" Anonymous TWA blog 2/05
"Well, Elena cuts to the chase. Says it like it is and doesn't mince her words." Alexa of Domestic Excellence
"Elena, a woman I have little in common with but have come to be fond of" Cecily Kellog 9/15/05
"I work nonstop to help people with stupidly limited perspectives, like you, accept this reality. Even when it’s hopeless, like in your case. You live in a fantasy. I can’t help you" Also Cecily Kellog 07/2020
"Your witness is horrendous" JCecil of Liberal Catholic News
"Truth, love, charity, and, oh yeah, sensitivity, decorum, good taste and a dollop of wit. That's more like it. Keep rockin'!" PMC 12/05
"I've also been reading this blog for some time and just noticed I hadn't added you to my favorite blogs. Done!" The Mighty Barrister 5/21/04
"Now go haul your huge, sagging, obese, smelly old body out of the chair and take care of those kids of yours before I call CPS and have them do an inspection and see what you're really up to when you're supposed to be homeschooling them." NMH 2006
"That you are one narcissistic, bizaare individual." Jill Filipovic on Feministe Blog September 2006
"I could certainly continue to go back and forth (and believe me, I would love to!!!!!), but that would be answering a fool according to his folly." Amy-anti-Catholic blogger at Blessed Motherhood 7/07/07!
"Where's Elena? We need Elena." Kathryn the Daring Young Mom 2/17/06
"I have no problem with Elena. I find her answers to be quite lucid, witty, and insightful." David B commenting on In Today's News 10/29/05
"She's not cranky, she just senses happiness and snuffs it out." Gabe, age 9, after being scolded for not being ready for swim practice. 12/0
"you are one narcissistic, bizaare, individual." Jill Filipovic 9/11/2006
"Elena of My Domestic Church get’s my nomination for living a life of loveliness that I could only ever dream of. She’s an awesome wife and mother, a deeply committed Catholic, a proponent of pro-life issues, a hands on make-and-bake-and-cut-and-stick-musical-momma, a prayerful, compassionate, thoughtful and passionate woman who endeavours to live a christocentric life in her own euphonious way. Yes, I am proud to know her as a blog buddy and sharing in her trials and her triumphs via reading her blog over the last few years has impacted me more than she could know… and always for the better." Deb from Ukok's Place 08/2007
"I have a feeling elena never moves on from anything. other than the couch to the fridge." 08/2007 commenter on the now defunct Rock Star Mommy Blog.
"I think you're a shrew." Anne Basso 7/08
"Even with our differences, I will say one thing--she's smart. I may not always agree with what she says, but she doesn't spout unsupported garbage as fact." Ruthjoec aka JAnn from AOL Catholic message boards and This That and the Other Thing Blog
"I was wrong. You were right. God bless you" T from LO2W blog 3/6/2008
"As a Catholic Mother myself, I enjoy reading My Domestic Church. It's one of the many blogs that I follow and read regularly. It's refreshing to read comments from a mother that shares your views. So much of what Elena has me nodding my head in agreement. I'm sure that any Catholic-Mother will enjoy reading Elena's blog." SAMinIL on Blog Catalog 9/09
"Because of my interest in Benedictine spirituality and monasticism, began reading about the Domestic Church. This site is an excellent resource. Like any good family it is alive with energy and the Holy Spirit." John on Blog Catalog 12/08
"I watched your talk on YouTube and thought you and your husband did a wonderful job. Very natural, not stilted. Your account of your child, Raphael's, life and death were extremely touching and profound." Eileen via e-mail 02/21/2010
"Happy Easter to you Elena! Four years ago I discovered Candy. Two years ago I discovered you. Last night (Easter Vigil) I was received into full communion with the Catholic Church. It was a beautiful night and one I will remember forever. Thanks to you and Kelly for clearing up any confusion there may be about what the Church believes, teaches, and proclaims. Have a blessed Easter season!" From a VTC reader. 05/2010
"Elena, You completely 'foul up' the catechism. I repeat you are a nice lady, but your lack of education and knowledge, as your distorted answers show," Jack from Liberal Catholic Sports Music 1/9/2009
"you repeatedly impress me. I know we have very different political views that show up in our comments to each other at times, but I have never once felt anything but generosity from you toward who I am." JB via e-mail 7/23/2010
"The post I really love, though is 28 Things I Learned About Marriage in 28 Years at My Domestic Church. In fact, it's so good I plan to show it on the first day of class for my Family and Society course this." Sister Edith at Monastic Musings
Elena was animated, enthusiastic, faith shined through! She was very real. For us, she was relatable and so honest and open. She motivated us the most and we are thankful that she shared so much of her personal life to show example. some PreCana evals from 2014
"you never cease to amaze me, and everyone else! You are unbelievably unforgettably wow! I'm so blessed to be your cousin and friend. Dan - My domestic cousin 5/2014
"Elena: A flute could never sound or feel so etherial as when you play." Marissa
"Your comments are continually provoking, idiotic and condescending" my nephew 11/2018
" As a mom of littles, I really appreciate moms like you tackling these tough issues and sharing your wisdom!" Laura commenting on Catholicmom 06/2019
"Thanks so much for a thoughtful article faithful to the teachings of our faith, while being compassionate towards gay people."Tim commenting on Catholicmom dot com 06/2019
"Grandma, snuggle me!" - My domestic granddaughter 2017
"When Elena turns the other cheek, it's so she can whip around the other side with full force!" Mr. Pete My Domestic Husband!
Elena 
I love this idea! I’m also happy to share my conversion story with your pre-cana class. Let me know if you want me to write something special for them. Hurrah for pre-cana. That’s what encouraged me to come into the Catholic church after 25 years of being a good Methodist.
Did you buy a piano? My daughter would really like piano or other music lessons, but I’m skittish of the instrument cost.
So smart!
I priced piano lessons for my kindergartener ths week…$50 a lesson! I’m glad to have your price comparison.
$50 a lesson! Wow. The highest quote I received when I was looking was $35 and I thought that was outrageous! Keep looking Meredith!!
Kelly, here is my Piano post about how we got our piano. Before this one though, two people gave us pianos and then we passed them along as we needed to. It seems people are always getting rid of older pianos that just need some repair work or that aren’t perfect pieces of furniture any more. Our first gorgeous upright came from a frat house – and had all the beer stein rings to prove it! But it worked for us!
Thank you Abigail!
Very smart idea. And it’s a wonderful experience for your son to learn how to be a teacher at a young age.
I love this idea…it’s a wonderful thing in so many ways!
I have to admit that I bought the beginner’s book but haven’t carved out a regular time slot and made this a priority with my girls (ages 5 and 8) but I should!
But it’s true…I’ve seen my oldest teach just the little bit she knows to my youngest and it’s amazing what they can pick up this way!
Blessings!
For those who are looking at piano lessons, don’t compare prices online. Call several teachers in your own area. Here’s why:
Since kids are in school all day, the most a piano teacher can reasonably work is from about 4:00-8:00 pm. That’s half a regular work day for everyone else.
Some teachers do this as a hobby. Others, like myself, do it for a living. For the professional to make below minimum wage to offer a service they spent 20+ years training for is unreasonable.
So consider what a good normal wage is in your city (cost of living is a huge factor). $25/hour is a reasonable rate for a professional business person in your area, then $50/hour for piano lessons is well within reason. If $12.50 seems like a good wage for full time SKILLED PROFESSIONAL WORK (and I don’t know any secretaries who spend 20 years in school to learn filing and faxing), then $25/hour for piano lessons is respectable.
Everything is relative to the market where you live, so don’t assume that $35 or even $50 per lesson is out of line. Find out what other teachers in the same market are charging first.
For the professional to make below minimum wage to offer a service they spent 20+ years training for is unreasonable.
try being a church musician!
I understand what you’re saying, but you can’t charge more than people will pay. BTW, I am a medical transcriptionist. My wages essentially have not gone up in ten years because of voice recognition technology and India. I have to keep my skills up and am expected to turn in perfect work at 1998 pay- because that what the market will bear!
try being a church musician!
I am a church musician, but not in the Catholic church (I’m also not Catholic…but I do enjoy reading your blog). We’ll not get into that…but suffice it to say that working in the Presbyterian Church pays my rent.
but you can’t charge more than people will pay.
Granted. But if there is a general understanding among teachers of what the market should bear, you won’t get price cutting. And people will simply have to pay what it costs.
Ask your plumber about that 🙂
The real point I was making is that price comparisons for things like piano lessons have to be done within the local market. I charge $40/hour (CDN) for lessons in my town. My colleagues in Ottawa charge $60, while I know people in Brandon Manitoba who charge $25/hour.
But Darth, isn’t there also a sense of passing on your art to the next generation? I’m not saying you shouldn’t be paid a reasonable amount for your time, but I can tell you that I called many teachers before I found the one we have now. At $35/30 minutes/week none of my kids would take lessons. None of them. I simply would not be able to afford it.
You’re not saying that only upper-middle class and rich kids deserve piano lessons are you?
I’m a piano, flute, voice teacher, or was in the past. The reason I don’t teach anymore, is that I can’t afford to teach in this market, for which the going rate for lessons is less than the discounted rate (because I was 14 years old & paying for my own lessons, and teacher took pity) I got when I was a kid! I can’t afford to teach for what people charge here. My time & patience is worth more than that, and when I don’t feel I’m getting paid what I’m worth, I get resentful and don’t enjoy teaching because I feel taken advantage of. The going rate here is about $8 a lesson…in another area I made more than twice that for a half hour. It’s not worth it to me to take a 60% pay cut, so I just teach my own son.
You have to consider that a teachers time is more than a 1/2 hour. It represents also the price paid into his/her education to learn the skill, prep time–time spent searching out ideal music for each child, child care costs, as well as time spent waiting for no shows who try their hardest to get out of paying, child care I pay for while I wait for those no-shows, non payers, etc.
It’s not an easy job, and its not as simple as “sharing an art” form for fun. There is a huge emotional buy in to what your students are doing. No, it isn’t just for the elite, but if you can’t afford what it’s worth, try to work out a trade. I’ve had students over the years whose parents have traded babysitting, house cleaning, even manicures for lessons and it worked really well.
Anyhow, I think this is a great tip, provided your son is supervised in teaching his brother by his own teacher (most teachers are very supportive of the student teacher idea) and as long as he has really good technique to pass on.
What a great solution! I’m a piano teacher, and noticed your post on Blog Catalog.
I barter with our dance teacher to save on ballet lessons. I teach her child piano and voice, and my kids dance.
I wrote a post about how to teach basic music skills before they start formal lessons. It’s on my front page now, if you’re interested, but it sounds like you have a good system going.
Blessings
BTW, I charge $15 for a 1/2 hour lesson. Jen you have a great point about what they are really paying for. It’s the intellectual product and expertise as well as the time.