We'll be doing Books 7-10 this year. I know 7-9 has Teacher Guides and 7-8 has Study Guides. I haven't started looking around for used (other than our local homeschool bookstore and she didn't have them) but they are SO pricey! Beneficial? Fine to do without?

Thanks! We are Christian but I don't want an overt Christian perspective to anything we teach. Especially Science and History. Sounds like History of Us will be a much better fit!

I don't recommend seeking the help of the PT for my clients (I'm a midwife btw) until around 6-8 weeks postpartum. Those muscles and anatomy need time to recover. If you did not require extensive suturing, you could do some gentle kegels to help begin strengthening those muscles. But be patient with your body. If after you've completed your postpartum recovery you feel that things aren't quite right, I'd recommend seeking a professional who specializes in the pelvic floor.

Yes, I know. But that doesn't help me know how much religious content is woven into the text of the book.

Are you newly postpartum? Ask around locally to see if there is a physical therapist who specializes in the female pelvic floor.

Just an FYI: A minimum purchase of $50 in the 12 month period is a requirement to stay a member after the anniversary date. It's not really an option at sign-up, it's just how the YL membership works. What is an option is Essential Rewards, that is a required monthly purchase that earns you points to redeem for products.

I'm in Oklahoma. 1. That happens at just about every store around here in some form or another. Sometimes they just ask if you found everything ok. 2. Questions like these bug me. Never, NEVER ask a question you may not want the answer to. ? 3. Depends on my mood. LOL!

We're thinking of taking an impromptu trip to the Gulf in a couple weeks. Upon inquiring on FB about recommendations for things to do and restaurants (and if you have any...I'd love to have them!!!), someone mentioned that because of flesh-eating bacteria issues in the water, entering the water isn't recommended. Which is pretty much why we are going...so the kids can play at the beach and swim. But we also like our flesh the way it is. LOL!! So I did some searching online and found this, which seems to show that the water is being monitored and give updated info about the safety of being in the water: http://opcgis.deq.state.ms.us/beaches/ What's accurate? Is that site (and/or others like it) reliable? If you're local do you stay out of the water regardless of the monitoring?

I've been considering using this (Part 2) for our US History this year. I know it's a Christian company/curriculum but I'm wondering, how much is that incorporated into the text? I've looked at the sample on their website and it seems to be pretty straightforward in regards to teaching history. It looks like the religious bits are in the assignments (Scripture memory, etc).

Any curricula you recommend? So far I've looked at 7 Sisters, LLATL Gold Book, Oak Meadow, and Excellence in Literature. And so far I feel just "eh" about them all. If you didn't use a specific curriculum and put together your own reading list, what did you put on it? Any resources you used to help teach (ie. lit guides)?

I use it and I recommend it to my clients (it's great for postpartum support). It's a really great serum for endocrine system and hormone support. Personally I use it as-needed. When I get a hormone headache, from the progesterone drop right before my cycle starts, I use a drop or two on my temples and it helps me tremendously. I find that for me, using EndoFlex and Thyromin daily have been better support and helped straighten out some things I was experiencing. It was more about supporting my endocrine system to address it all instead of supplementing progesterone. Some ladies find they do well using it daily. You have to consider what's going on with your body and then work with some different amounts to see what works for you.

My youngest two kiddos are 12yo - 7/8th grader and 15yo - Soph/Jr. and I'm still struggling to find a writing curriculum that clicks and works well and I feel like we're falling behind. In a co-op a couple years ago they had a class that used IEW's Theme-Based writing. The following year we tried using it again but I just don't feel like there's much progression or enough variety (to keep their interest). This last year we tried W&R and honestly, I can't pinpoint what about it didn't mesh well. Somehow I'm just now realizing that MP has a writing program and I'm considering that. *facepalm* I know on the MP website they recommend that even older students start with Book 1. Would you say that's true even if they have had some writing instruction?

Central a/c. And pretty much everyone in Oklahoma does (or has a window a/c unit). The thought of not having central a/c in my house makes me want to curl up in a ball and sob. There's no way. No. lol

We have a homeschool bookstore here that is consignment based. I take my stuff there and get credit when it sells. When I'm all done homeschooling I'll most likely take all my stuff there and request that she donate any credit to a family in-need.

Mid/Low cost area. There are six of us but the oldest two aren't home every night for dinner. I budget $200 a week for grocery/house needs/pet food (my cleaning supplies are in a different area of the budget) and often go over a bit. There's absolutely no way I could do $70/week.