Thank you for doing that. It's probably more appreciated than you know. Well sure, but the OP might think something else. I don't know if she thinks like Pat Robertson that the gays are trying to give everyone AIDS, or if she thinks like Jerry Falwell that the gays caused 9/11 and won't stop pushing their agenda until everyone's rights have been literally steamrolled, or something else. Whatever it is, it's a fear so great that she didn't even consider how sharing this article might be taken by others. I log into a homeschool forum to find ideas and support, and I come across a discussion celebrating the idea that more and more people treat my child like an enemy, like some kind of plague to be avoided. I wonder if she shares this opinion. Is my child her enemy? Is my child such a threat that she thinks it a "success story" to hear more people are refusing to sit at the same lunch table with people like my kid than before? Does it bother her to know how hurtful this is? Does she not understand how it might be?

No problems here, either. Good luck!

Quite. My gay kid was educated at home, so the "gay cooties" can be caught anywhere, for sure. Not only do I hope those parents who are increasingly home educating their children understand civics better than the author of that piece, I hope they understand teens and sexuality better.

OP, does this reflect your beliefs? I ask because I wonder why you wouldn't support safe places for gay kids in school to come together with others who understand and share similar problems, can give advice, support, and extend friendship to those who often feel isolated, alone, and frightened.

Squares of toilet paper? ;-)

Maybe, especially to those who don't recognize the clues that explain ADD/ADHD behavior. Yes it's a spectrum, all behavior can be plotted on a spectrum. It's neither good nor bad, but it can be inconvenient to varying degrees. If yours is mildly inconvenient, you might find behavior modification a perfect intervention. It's cheap, you don't have to find a professional, you can pick and choose what sounds good without having to explain yourself to anyone. But behavior modification doesn't always work, and there's nothing wrong with recognizing and acting on that. In my opinion, a big stumbling block to understanding these kinds of disabilities is that each example seems so inconsequential. Each example has a simple solution, and it seems silly to do much more. It's only worth addressing if these things pile up in such a way that interfere with your well-being, as defined by you (assuming your SO isn't prodding you to get help and you don't want to take their opinions into consideration). Btw, I leave the light on in my laundry room so I remember to put the wash in the dryer. I hate to waste electricity, but I figure wasting a load of water is worse. Also, I find I only have to do that on days when I'm tired. Insufficient sleep affects my executive functioning more than it used to, and I am learning to recognize signs of tiredness.

It matters to me because one behavior reflects the intention of the individual, the other might be an obstacle to it. For the inconsiderate person, one behavior may function to express indifference or apathy regarding something that might be important to someone else. The same behavior may defy the intention of the individual with ADD/ ADHD. They may not actually be indifferent, they simply forgot something that was important to another person. They may not be apathetic, they are otherwise focused on something else and not able to recognize surrounding cues that aren't of immediate interest to them. It makes a difference in how I respond, and my expectations in the future. Whether or not you decide to undergo a formal assessment or not, whether or not you decide to try behavior modification for your own goals is up to you, and best of luck whatever you decide. Hearing someone continually support the implication that ADD/ADHD is a matter of not having strong enough will power is problematic in the same way hearing someone continually support the implication that autism is a product of an unloving mother. Misinformation gets people hurt.

Can your daughter afford to buy a new computer battery? My feeling is that if she's gravitating towards where her family is to do her work, that addresses some need for her, even if she doesn't recognize that need yet. Maybe you two can brainstorm together what she gets out of it. Is it background noise? Company? Visual movement to help her focus and concentrate? Distractions to help her avoid what she should be doing? When you can identify the purpose, you might find alternatives that work for her, you, and the rest of the family.

We've spent the last year formalizing these things with our lawyers, and are now helping our kids do the same. The way I have it worked out is by assessing my quality of life. If there's little potential for regaining a good quality of life and there's an emotional and/or financial burden, then it's okay for my husband or my kids to let me go. I'd prefer euthanasia to dying naturally (for the reasons you list, just in case I can feel discomfort), and I'd like that conversation to be held outside the hospital room (just in case I can hear!). My husband's wishes are similar to mine, our kids' vary. But then, they're young and I think that's to be expected.

Oh no! Now I'll be thinking "feces pieces" all day! Believe it or not, I don't think I've ever thought of that. Or maybe I have and I forgot. That's the nice thing about being forgetful - I get to experience something new, over and over again!

I will confess to feeling a little intimidated to post here, as I'm really not a "classical" homeschooler (I registered with the unschooly social group, but I'm not allowed to post or reply to a post). Anyway, my kids are older now and I don't have any practical advice for the OP, but my experiences are more like Ellie's (post #6). We didn't focus one way or another until they were older and it became relevant to them. Each child then approached learning higher math or catching up to their peers differently, and some even trying to avoid it because it intimidates them. I feel like I can better serve the avoiders by helping them see that they're not really solving their problem by avoiding what looks daunting. Furthermore, they'll find greater satisfaction in the long run by spending the effort now, because the future reward they're looking forward to is that much greater than the immediate reward they see now. I think that's a good lesson in general, and so that just applies to learning math in the same way it applies to learning how to do your own laundry or make your own juicy burger or how to discuss a delicate issue with someone. By the way, the older ones have not experienced any unusual burden for not having done math lessons in their youth. For some it came easier, for some it was more of a challenge. I don't know if that helps or if it's too vague, and I don't think it's really what the OP is asking for because it sounds like she wants to do traditional math lessons, thus my feeling awkward replying, but, well, thanks for asking. ;-)