I don't have a dog in this fight either; I don't buy from Sonlight, nor do I care to delve into the history of the company. That said, I can see both sides to this 'fight'. For all we know, their secular division may be what is floating their "Christian" division to be able to offer materials that homeschoolers can afford. I don't have a problem with that. One of the (many) reasons we chose to homeschool was to instill Christian values. Public school doesn't offer that, so we do. *shrug* Public schools are lacking in quality materials, and I think the Sonlight book lists ALONE makes it a solid choice for public school students. If the parents of those children want to instill their own religious/political beliefs in their children, they can still do that without some hidden agenda being peddled to their kids. It's like those people who get bent out of shape because they find out a Christian band performed at a secular event - who cares? These people have to pay bills too. And truly, if it's a matter of someone appearing hypocritical, only God knows what is going on within. It's not my place to judge them. Jesus didn't hang out with the righteous.

I just found out today that our 40 y/o (male) manager doesn't know how to patch drywall. I've added that to my list of things my boys should know.

DD's college just upset Georgetown tonight. She's pretty amped up about it. :) That's as far as I know regarding March Madness. LOL

Right, but what other profession in the world looks the other way when a girl is raped or beaten? The NFL doesn't seem to care what kind of crime you commit. Can he catch a ball? Great, you're hired. Can he throw a ball? Great, you're hired. Can you mow down another grown man? Great, you're hired. That kind of conditioning (in SOME athletic-centric towns) begins at a young age. It's very likely that these boys knew in their heart what they were doing was wrong, but they were conditioned to think that their actions don't have very harsh consequences. And hey, as long as the team went to the State Championship, the worst that would happen is they would get a stern talking-to. Finally, to quote one of the best high school football movies ever made, "attitude reflects leadership". Had the adults in this situation behaved as an adult should, it's likely that all of this could have turned out differently.

In the big picture, yes, I agree. In this particular case though, it was because they were part of a "winning" football team that so many adults chose to cover it up or disregard the victim. Steubenville got caught, but it happens in every football-oriented, small community in this country. I attended two different high schools, in two different areas of the country, that maintained that "untouchable football athlete" kind of attitude. I saw a girl who was walking around with a black eye and bruises all over her face by her football "boyfriend" and nothing happened to the athlete. I saw girls in similar situations as the victim of Steubenville, and no one spoke of it. It was whispered about in hallways and on telephones. Posted in "slam books". Those girls had their reputations ruined...and that was BEFORE social media. The one football player who beat up his girlfriend went on to become a HUGE NFL star (and is an analyst for one of the national stations now). The girls in those high schools had no power at all. If you came out against a football player, your reputation would be ruined. And good luck finding a teacher willing to put their neck out for you - it just wasn't done. It saddens me that nothing changes. When did becoming a good athlete make your worth higher than any other human on the planet?

Sadly, the NFL has chosen to look the other way wrt their players beating, raping, and murdering women (Google "nfl players with criminal records). These kids grow up idolizing those athletes. Throw in a town that idolizes its high school football team in the same manner, and the only surprising thing about all of this is that it hasn't come to light before now. I taught my DD to bring her own beverage if she was going to a party. We discussed at great length what can (and does) happen at alcohol/drug-fueled, no-supervision, teen parties. I shared a personal experience with her. I'm lucky - my DD was born with a spine of steel, and a level head. We made it through the teen years unscathed. I am teaching my boys what the word integrity means. We will cover more when they get older.

Freshman year: 3 times. She was enjoying her freedom. :) Sophomore year: October, November, December, February, April, May, June (was a little homesick last year) Junior year (this year): She visited twice before we moved. We're 3 hours away now, and she hasn't made the trip up here yet. Social media, emailing, texting, and Skype is how we stay in touch.

Thank you. I was trying to figure out a way to ask how does one go about asking (again) without sounding like I'm fishing for a label?

You are correct, in that the 'ginger' issue is not the real issue. It's just the most recent. And my experience with the term is, admittedly, clouding my perception. In my attempts to discuss this, with two different pediatricians, I have been dismissed (for lack of a better word) when I brought it up. I lay out situations we have encountered, the doctor asks DS questions, and I get the 'I don't think he needs to be tested for it' speech. The problem, I believe, is that DS 'turns it on and off' on a dime. In the car, he will ramble on and on and on about his most recent Lego creation, but when the doctor asks him about it, he gives a reasonable response. He doesn't avoid eye contact or stare, he engages normally. It's frustrating for me in that, he's quirky...but he can be "non-quirky" when the situation warrants it. So no, there is no diagnosis. I will say that he DOES obsess on things. Last year it was the human body. This year, after our trip to Kennedy Space Center, it renewed his obsession with space flight. And of course...legos. He spends a good year on ONE topic to learn about on his own. Dh thinks that DS10 is so desperate for friends right now that he's willing to be a 'door mat' in order to have the perception that these kids will be his friends. He greatly misses his best buddy from back home (also a quirky kid). Regardless, we will be working with him going forward so that he can tell the difference between being mocked and having fun.

To the bolded: that is my DS10. BUT, when I brought that up to two different pediatricians, both shrugged it off as no big deal. I don't know if I should continue pursuing this, or if it's just a part of his personality. Of course, because DS10 is fascinated with the human body, he and one of the doctors had a somewhat lengthy discussion about the human brain, and the doctor asked me if he was gifted, and I told him I haven't had him tested. He then made some notes in the file, and told me he was a very bright kid. Now to ME, I couldn't care less about DS10's ramblings about the human brain, but the doctor seemed pretty impressed with it. So, I just don't know if I should continue pursuing to see if he's Aspie or if I just haven't properly taught him how to tell when he's being picked on. My DS10 is the kindest, sweetest boy. This is a child who gets teary-eyed watching 'Save the Children' and Humane Society commercials. He wants to save them all. And at the same time, he is the most stubborn, strong-willed kid I've ever seen. Is he Aspie? I don't know. I do plan to research it more to see if it warrants another appointment. Regarding the 'ginger' term. DS10 had no idea if it was "nice" or not. Dh (also a red head) was the one who was watching and listening, and he determined that it was said to mock him. *I* was the one who got upset because *I* have had bad, horrible experiences with the term. It's great that many of you see it as no big deal, but to ME, it is a girl's name at best, and highly insensitive at worst. Neither option is, IMO, an acceptable nickname for the neighborhood boys to call my son. I have a younger brother who was a redhead. He was teased far worse than I was when he was a child. Dh was teased worse than I was. Both of them were horribly bullied as a result of their red hair. THIS (coupled with my experience) is the reason I asked if I was overreacting to this situation. My boys both play ice hockey. DS10 is a very talented player, so perhaps that is why the kids at the rink don't tease him, but outside of the rink (and church), he simply can not tell the difference between kids who are teasing in fun, and kids who are wielding words as weapons. Someone mentioned how Americans are trending toward feminizing our boys. I assure you that is not the case here. My boys act and play like boys. But I fully expect them to treat all people with respect.

The term "Ginger" has been used in a derogatory way toward me when I was a child (spent a few years in England). Thus, my sensitivity toward the term. Someone asked if he had Asperger's. I have no idea. Honestly, it never even crossed my mind to have him tested for it until I started reading this board. I'm not sure if he endures the ridicule because he wants friends so badly, if he doesn't view it as a big deal, or if he really doesn't understand that they're making fun of him. I know DS8 if far more selective in who he chooses to befriend. DS10 will be friends with anyone.

Background: DS10 is my 'eccentric social' child. He definitely marches to his own drum, but he makes friends everywhere we go. The problem is, he doesn't recognize when kids are being mean to him. And it happens all the time. A typical encounter would look like this: DS10 is in a new place, sees a child (doesn't matter how old), will go up to that child and say hello. Then he will talk non-stop about Legos, or a new tv show, or whatever pops up in his head at that time. If the kids are younger, they'll usually talk with him. If the kids are his age (10) or older, they will start making fun of him. To his face. :( We just moved into the neighborhood we're living now. It's temporary, but we'll be here at least another 2 months. There are a lot of kids on this street. A couple of weeks ago, DS went outside because he saw the group of kids playing, and introduced himself. They played fabulously together, and I thought maybe we had turned a corner (these were kids in his age range). Last weekend, his friends had visitors from out of town. Teenage cousins. The cousins proceeded to make fun of DS. DS had no idea they were ridiculing him, and continued to "play" with them. DS8 however, knew exactly what was going on, and came into the house upset. I called DS10 in, sat him down, and explained that he was being made fun of, and that I wanted him to stay inside until his friend's guests left. So today....he goes outside to play, and his friend's older teen brother is out there with another teen. Dh listens to what is going on, and he hears these boys telling DS, "Hey....we made a nickname for you!" (DS10 thinks this is really COOL). And they tell him that from now on his name is "Ginger". Dh (also a redhead) called him into the house immediately. I'm sure for most people this wouldn't sound like a big deal. But to ME, a redhead, this is a slap in the face. While I won't go as far as calling it racist, I will say that I am greatly sensitive to my redheaded children being called "ginger". These children are all minorities (hispanic and black)...I would be furious if my boys made a derogatory statement to them regarding their hair or skin color, disability, or pretty much anything beyond another child's control. Am I overreacting in being upset by this? Should I just ignore it and move past it? I hesitate to say anything to them because this isn't our permanent house, and DS10 does enjoy playing with the kids who are his age (when the teenagers aren't around). He has a hard enough time understanding when kids are making fun of him as it is...should I throw him to the wolves and let him learn how the world's kids socialize? I don't want to see him turned into a "mean kid". WWYD?

We tried it all when our Labrador was a puppy. Nothing worked. Finally, when she was a year old, we sent her off to a 2-week "boot camp". The trainer showed us this pinch collar and I felt sick about it. No way was I going to put that medieval contraption on my sweet girl. But then he explained how it works and why it works so well. The dogs perceive the prongs much like their mother's teeth. When a puppy needs correction, momma dog uses her mouth. As soon as the dog starts to pull, the prongs tighten. You correct with your voice and stop moving until the dog is where he/she needs to be. Some trainers say you should snap the leash immediately, but we never had to (maybe the trainer did that with her?). We retired her prong collar about a week after we got her back from boot camp. She never pulled or walked ahead of us again. We have since used this collar to train our Great Dane (she passed away a few years ago), and our English Mastiff. You only need to use it until the dog "gets" what you want it to do.

I didn't read through all of the responses yet, but have you considered purchasing the books AND audio books? We've tackled a couple of "big" books this way, and it has really ignited a fire for my boys in our quest to "love reading".

Yes, add it to the bracelet just in case you or he forgets (like I did). I'm allergic to penicillin too. The hives (for me) would not go away with just Benadryl. I was on 15 days of steroids. Use the steroids if you have to, because it literally feels like your skin is crawling and it is miserable.

Would you be responsible for paying for all of the art supplies? If so, how much of your earnings would go toward it?

My boys play ice hockey year-round. Summers are usually specialized clinics or conditioning, and ice hockey has two seasons: Winter (from September to December) and Spring (February to April). We moved the first of the year, so they haven't been on the ice consistently for two months. They hate it. I hate it. My boys NEED that physical outlet or they are bouncing off the walls. Our travel tryouts are this Friday, and they've been counting it down like it's Christmas. They are really excited to be able to join a new team and get back on the ice.

I was a Band Geek. Obsessively crazy about playing instruments. I learned how to play the flute when I was 12, and then tackled a few other woodwinds, a brass instrument, and finally piano. I loved it. When DD was in middle school, I strongly urged her to pick up an instrument. I didn't realize the band teacher chose for the kids. He chose French horn for her, and she absolutely hated it. She lasted two years before she swore off all instruments. :( With my boys, I'm going to wait until they're around 12 years old, and allow them to pick (or not pick) an instrument. *I* value learning music, but not at any price.

We love our Ikea school room! Congrats!! :thumbup:

Same here. It was supposed to be a temporary thing. It turned into me and the Director organizing ALL of the Sunday school classes. Then one of the Associate Pastors decided he wanted his opinion to be new policy: 'all Sunday school teachers would move up with their classes so that the kids would have the same teacher from toddlerhood to teenage years.' Um...yeah, no thanks. I wasn't interested in listening to the Sunday message via podcast instead of inside the Sanctuary. I went to church for spiritual refueling, not a part time job (without pay). I don't volunteer anymore. I have great respect for those that do, but I've seen too many people get burned out and not appreciated (by the leaders) for their hard work to be in that place again.

I would not sign the petition unless the stores were willing to give reusable bags to their customers. The canvas bags that I have from Publix are $ .99/each. I own ten of them. To ME, it's not a lot of money, but to MANY, even one dollar out of their budget can hurt. So for that reason, I would not agree to banning them. I prefer the reusable bags because they hold more (which means fewer trips bringing the groceries in). That said, there have been times when I forgot my bags. Especially after I've just washed them. We use the plastic bags for small trashcans and dog cleanup.

I'll have to remember this. Long division did us in today.

DS10 is the only child I had that was attached to an item. Actually, two items. He has "Mr. Bunny" (who is actually a girl according to him), and his "yellow blanket" that he's had since he was born. They are both well-loved, well-worn, and not going anywhere. He sleeps with them, and on occasion he will bring them in the car with him if we're going on a long trip, but that's it. When he was a toddler, we couldn't go anywhere without Mr. Bunny. Mr. Bunny has been to the beach, Disney World, fishing, restaurants...you name it. And she always ends up in the washer. He doesn't openly discuss it with his hockey friends, but if his brother mentions it, he's not afraid to create elaborate stories starring Mr. Bunny, and he gets his friends all involved and laughing about the 'many adventures of Mr. Bunny'. So I guess he's not embarrassed by it, and his friends don't ridicule him about it (like I thought they would - maybe his stories is what keep them from thinking he's some "weird kid"). When the time comes that he no longer wants Mr. Bunny or his yellow blanket taking up space in his bedroom, I will put them away for him. Though he tells me that they will both be going to college with him. LOL

My boys are only in 3/4 grades right now. We've been doing BJU DLO for a couple of years, and they are both pretty independent. I correct their papers. I will say that my boys are both bored with it though. We started out our year with me teaching them from the TE, and they did really well. Unfortunately, we decided to move in December and I decided to re-enroll them with the online lessons so that they wouldn't miss too much time. We have an offer on a short-sale, so our current home is a temporary residence, and our school stuff (aside from the essentials) is still in boxes. As soon as we move into our new home, we'll probably go back to me teaching them.