For me, writing a check is easier than going to the bank to get cash. One of the disadvantages to living in the sticks.

I think I need to at least teach my children to open their statement (or look electronically) and verify it with what they remember buying/spending. My son, 18, doesn't check.

How do you not write checks? I don't write many; I pay most of my bills online, but what about personal things like the piano teacher, tutor, gifts, etc.

I was talking with a friend of mine and told her I hate balancing my account even though I do it with quicken. She was surprised I did that. That got me curious so I asked someone else and they said they don't balance their accounts either. How many of you still balance your checking/debt account either the old fashioned way or with something like quicken?

I loved Bravewriter as well but it is mom intensive.

things like getting ready to go places, personal hygiene, some independent work/studying/chores, sleep, get easier. But it is traded for other issues. (I am talking tweens and teens) Ages 5-10 are usually great.

I agree; get help. My oldest son was like this. I waited until his was 10 to be evaluated. I wished we would have sooner. I heard the same thing---they grow out of it. It doesn't hurt to get tested, and it may be a real help. I am sure she doesn't like acting like this.

I did this when my son was 13. He is very shy, not confident, etc. He was very resistant, but we forced him. He loved it. It really helped him with his self-confidence. He thanked us later for making him join.

No specific workbook recommendations, but I say let her have them! Kids can learn a lot from workbooks. I used to be very anti-workbook until I had a child that begged for them. They do have value.

I am sorry you are overwhelmed. Lower your expectations especially for a clean house. I know that can be hard, but it will help keep you sane. Your children are also very young so don't require too much in the way of school. The tendency for most people early on in their homeschool career is to do to much school.

I have 4 dd. 1 was 13 the other 13 1/2. My now 13 1/2 dd hasn't started yet. She will be 14 in May. I was 3 months shy of 15 so I guess we are on the later end.

I have a related question. If you haven't done something permanent for birth control, do you keep a supply of pregnancy tests at home as there is no birth control that is 100% effective? I am 48 and my cycles are crazy once in a while. I have had to take pregnancy tests several times because I wasn't sure why it had been so long.

We used to have a free standing wood burning stove and would leave it burning all night. It kept the whole downstairs heated. I would do it again if we had one in this house.

I think you should try to make it work. It is good for mom to have something for herself and for kids to see that everything doesn't revolve around them. Since you have older kids, I think it can work. Can you teach your son to cook for himself? Teens are capable with a bit of guidance. And at that age, they should be fairly independent in their school work so they could do a lot while you are at work.

If learning issues have been ruled out, I wouldn't worry too much. I used to agonize over the fact that some of my children didn't like to read, but then I learned not everyone is going to love to read. If it is a confidence issue, I agree that phonics may help. Once the struggle is less, he may begin enjoying it...or not. As long as he can do it, I think that is the main point. That thought took me a long time to accept because reading is like breathing to me, and I want it to be everyone's favorite thing.

We have lived on one public school teacher income for 25 years and have 7 children. I live in a state that pays teachers well (but compared to most careers, it is low paying) and I live where the cost of living is low. My husband in also a coach which increases his salary by about 9,000 a year, and he works summers working for a private company coaching his public school sport so brings in an additional 3,000 or so. With a large family and low income, we get quite a bit of money back each year at tax time and that money use to go to save for a car. We don't have any loans other than our mortgage. We currently have all 5 children in private school but have scholarships from the schools, multi-family discounts, grandparents are helping, etc. I will be looking for a job in the fall. I have never worked consistently for pay since having children. It is quite daunting to try to get back into the job market after so long. I think I can easily be hired (I have a degree in child development) at a daycare or non-profit agency that works with children, but the pay will be dreadfully low. It is doable to live on one teacher's income, but it is also a lot of sacrificing involved.

Pilgrim's Wilderness. A True story of faith and madness on the Alaska Frontier by Tom Kizzia. I am also reading A Nation of wimps. Sitting in my basket, up next, is the Book Thief.

My computer repair man said to turn off the desktop at night so I do.

We are doing turkey soup (from leftovers from Christmas dinner) and ham on New Year's day. Not super exciting but delicious.

I have been working on putting mine together and can't wait to start using it. I have a page for books to read along with movies I want to see. I also have pages for quotes because I am a quote junkie, internet passwords, blog post ideas, craft and meal ideas, prayer requests, year at a glance calendar I taped in.

So, he has only been in school a half a year? I don't think that is enough time for most people to know whether it will be successful. That is a hard age whether you are in school or homeschool. They have a hard time making friends. I put in a 10 and 12 year old after xmas last year. They are just now comfortable with school and have made some good friends. Being in extracurriculars like sports and band helps. That is where they made their friends. If you were butting heads with him before, I would hesitate to homeschool again until you first give school a good long go. I would want to preserve the parent/child relationship and for some people that means having the child in school because the dynamics don't work as parent=teacher. Middle school kids are hard! But I would have a talk with the school about testing.

Yes, this was and still is to some extent sold to homeschoolers. They claim homeschooling can guarantee good children. There are no guarantees in parenting. And like someone above said, don't take it personally. I know it is hard. I have 3 young adult children along with 3 teens and I am everyone's emotional punching bag from time to time. It doesn't bother me much anymore.

I have mine restricted so they must ask to get on the internet. I haven't found any kind of parental control for kindle fire, but I would be interested.

You are right. It isn't always how you raise them. There are no guarantees. My oldest dd, 24, is doing great. My son, 21, isn't. He is and always was difficult. #3 and 4 are very laid back (although the girl can be very dramatic when hormonal) #5 is 13 and quite a handful. I would like to ship her off somewhere many days. #6 is 11 and seems to be following #5 path. #7 is easy...right now. So, it isn't all in how you raise them. Temperment and free will have a lot to do with it. I have 3 teens right now (1 boy 2 girls) They can be a lot of fun, but it is very stressful because the one I would like to ship off rocks the boat so much and is so moody and hormonal, she gets everyone else upset.