Or high school uses a block schedule, so classes meet every other day for 90 minutes.

I don't think these people do get what they deserve, though. Aren't they still using land they aren't supposed to be using because the government didn't want a big deal? Is that wrong or is that really still happening? There seems to be a definite problem with how these types is people are treated vs how another group would be treated. To pretend otherwise is silly.

The Keys and Disney are not all that close. We lived in FL for ten years (just moved) and enjoyed both but would go back to the Keys in a heartbeat. We didn't stay in Key West, too touristy, but loved Marathon and the rest of them. We also went to the Everglades and had an airboat tour that was awesome!

This is how I've always heard it used.

Is the idea is that it's a rush to AP Calculus or Calculus at all in high school. It hasn't seemed rushed at all for us with oldest. Honors Algebra I in 8th, Honors Geometry in 9th, Honors Algebra 2 in 10th. She will take Honors pre-calc/trig next year in 11th. She can then decide between AP Calculus, AP or Honors statistics, or DE college Algebra. She's had EOC's in all her math courses and done extremely well. Where else is she supposed to go in math? FTR, I don't see a huge push here. To get into those classes she needs the grades and teacher recommendations.

I think the bold depends. I was fortunate not to have to stick to a preset plan and visit with each parent freely. I would have hated it. I know several other divorced families following the same path and it's working/has worked well for both children and adults. I had a cousin whose parents divorced when he was just a toddler and he was forced to follow a strict plan by his custodial parent, that wasn't equal, and it caused a ton of friction. As soon as he was old enough to stand up to that parent, he refused to go back after a visit which led to a long court battle that he won. I think there is something to be said for some children having more say/control in these things as long as there isn't abuse/neglect and parents can get along enough to make it work.

The best thing my parents did was stay nice to one another (never spoke negatively about the other) and they let all four of us come and go as we wanted. We didn't live that far apart and neither parent had a problem getting us where we wanted to be. They never acted upset or hurt about it either.I really needed that for holidays because the idea of not seeing both on Christmas sucked. It was nice to be able to spend time with both.

They need four math credits for an honors diploma here. They need three for a regular diploma. ETA: Technically, they say 6 credits for regular and 8 for honors here as they count one credit each semester.

I've never made mine so there's been no crying Santa pics. Mine always liked doing it. There are crying pics of myself and some siblings and I find them funny. I have no problem either when they find their way online.

In our previous state they started administering the PSAT to eighth grade honor students but all 9-11 grades took it as well. It was just practice for the grades it didn't count. In our current state, it's administered to all 10th and 11th grades. Again, it's just considered practice the year it doesn't count. The schools pay for all costs and send scores home with students.

We collect magnets from every place we visit. Our fridge is full, we have more places to go, and dds enjoy it.

Wanting less presents isn't only something those young want. Oldest can open presents fast and move on quickly between each one. Youngest cannot. She likes to open and spend time with each gift before moving on. They are both teens but have very different approaches to gifts.

I think I need to point out that stay home parenting is much different during non holiday times when dc are busy with school and activities. Dh and I have both taken a turn at it and it's not the way you described the majority of the time. We are all very busy.

St. Augustine would be on your way. It's two hours from Orlando.

Yeah, there are no beaches near Disney. Cocoa Beach is an hour east and Clearwater(beautiful) is two hours west-without traffic. You wouldn't want to do either drive everyday.

My dds thank me for cooking and buying them clothes. We went shopping today and this happened every single time we checked out. They also don't let me carry bags around the mall or out of the grocery store and into the house. When they see me cleaning, they get up to help (mostly without being asked). They do these things but are allowed to say what they do and do not want as gifts. They do these things but have been allowed to express disappointment with gifts in front of family. They do these things but don't have to eat what I make for dinner. There are so many ways to parent and many of them lead to the same desirable result.

I don't cook anything else either but my dds are more than welcome to eat something other than what I made. They've made pb&j, eggs, Mac n cheese, frozen pizza, etc. Sometimes they just eat salad as we usually always have that. I don't force them to try foods and I don't make them eat what I serve or get nothing. They're both great eaters now as teens without all that fuss. They still have things they don't eat (oldest hasn't had pork in ten years) and it's no big deal.

The gift wasn't rejected, though. He's wearing it. He just expressed a tiny bit of disappointment that it was one of his Christmas gifts. Yes, I accept gifts happily from my children that I may not want or like but I'm an adult with a lot of practice. My dds haven't expressed disappointment with a gift at time of opening in a long while (even though they weren't reprimanded for doing so with only family) but they will tell me afterward. No biggie.

I posted earlier that I have home video of my siblings and I doing the exact same thing as the OP's son. My family laughed and didn't discuss it with us at all. We've had zero negative consequences as a result. I've seen zero negative consequences allowing it with my own dds. None of us have ever acted that way with those outside of family. I don't think every little thing needs to be addressed, especially if they happen at certain times and with only with family.

I did buy myself a book this year as a gift and wrapped it. I put it under the tree from dh. I told him it was on sale and something I really wanted. He found it amusing and was fine it. He knows one wrapped gift from me every year is socks and undies because that's truly what he wants so I don't see how it's any different.

I honestly don't understand why a no list is bad, especially if a wish list is accepted. I have told my dh no kitchen items as gifts as well as no jewelry. Oldest said no books but a bookstore gift card was OK (she's right as only she knows what books she will truly enjoy). I want to know what my loved ones will enjoy receiving as well as what they do not want.

I kind of get what you're saying but I very much agree with other posters about many things needing the talent to begin with. Youngest works hard at her art and spends a lot of time on it. I couldn't do what she does no matter how hard I tried. I've known many who work extremely hard in different sports but don't have the talent and natural ability to go far. Oldest does get bothered sometimes when people brush off her academic success by just saying she's smart. She has to work harder at it than many others.

It's pretty much only family stuff. We're quite spread out so it's nice to 'see' one another online. When we are able to get together, it helps it not feel we've been apart so long. I'm not one who constantly checks in to places or posts about what we're doing on a daily basis. I post about once a month or so.

I didn't even think about roommates. Will they allow people to choose not to room with someone keeping a firearm in the room? Will they make sure those with mental illness aren't roomed with someone keeping a firearm? So many things to think about. I'm totally against it and think it's a horrible idea. I won't help pay for my dds to attend a college with students carrying guns.

We post a lot of pics online when we're together. It's because we have a very large and scattered family. When some of us do manage to get together, usually during the holidays, it's much easier to post it for all one time on Facebook rather than message all of them. And all of them do ask to see pictures when they know some of us will be together. I also enjoy seeing the pictures and seeing what other family is able get together. I've honestly never thought people get upset by that stuff because it doesn't bother me.