AHASRADA
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Posts posted by AHASRADA
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My son is enrolled with Hewitt for grade 8. Just to clarify, the $75 by e-mail is in addition to the regular enrollment fee of $175 for the course. If you enroll in the course, you will receive correction and feedback on all papers at the end of each quarter. If you prefer to receive feedback regularly over the course of the quarter, you can opt for the additional $75 e-mail submission, meaning you submit each paper via e-mail as it is completed and receive feedback within 2 weeks for each assignment, rather than only 4 times per year.
We are about to submit my son's 1st paper, so I have not had any experience yet with their grading/feedback. However, I was very impressed with the sample quarterly evaluations on their website http://www.hewitthomeschooling.com/serv/hseval.asp, and also with the detailed and helpful replies I received to my questions.
HTH,
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You all are scaring me! :001_huh: We have 3 VCR/DVD combos, plus a portable DVD player. I cannot imagine (nor have I ever seriously considered) all of our VCRs dying!
We did begin to favor DVDs about 3 years ago, just because they take up soooo much less space, but they are also much, much more expensive. We purchase them mainly as gifts.
My kids, OTOH, are very sentimental about VHS (OK, mainly ds13, who is sentimental in general) and love to collect classic cartoons, Disney movies, etc. from thrift stores, 2nd hand shops and yard sales. The thrift stores we frequent charge from $2-4 per VHS tape, so I am assuming there are enough people who still have VCRs to warrant this price and availability.
I guess this is a wake-up call to get everything copied onto DVD before the inevitable happens.
As for the Driver Ed class, yes, it is crazy to assume everyone will have a VCR. I would have called the teacher immediately to ask if they have the material on DVD or advice on finding a time/location to watch it.
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If the girls are not budging because they both genuinely like the same doll, I'd just get them the same doll. Each girl should be able to choose the doll she loves most, without consideration of the other's choice.
:)
Cat
:iagree:
I don't understand what difference it makes if you buy the same AG doll, or 2 different ones. The $$ is the same, so if you're going to spend it, get them the ones they like, even if it's the same doll!
I am assuming there is no sort of power struggle in play, a pattern of one dd always wanting the same as the other, the 1st being upset at the other "copying", etc.
As long as this is not the case, they both truly love the same doll, and it would not bother either one if the other has the same doll, then just get the one they want!
Buying it for one and not the other isn't fair (and the other will be disappointed and jealous). Buying 2 totally different dolls (just so neither of them has the one they both want :001_huh:) would be upsetting, disappointing and unfair to both.
IMO, get them the doll they want, even if it is the same one, or no AG for either of them this year. A gift should be a joy and a blessing, not a point of contention. I see these as your only two options to avoid that end.
HTH,
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I have a Palm Pilot that I absolutely love. It is small enough to fit in my purse and I use it to store all my contact info., my calendar, grocery list and a multitude of other lists, even a food diary and weight journal.
Unfortunately, I have had it for 5 years, and I am soooo afraid it will just die on me one of these days. There is so much vital info. stored in there, it would be a major blow it lose it all. My dh keeps telling me to back it up, but I can't even find the connector that came with it to back it up to the computer.
Anyway, my bday is coming up, and my mom said she and my dad have been thinking they could get me something to replace my Palm. The problem is, they don't make them anymore. The only current Palms are phones, like a Blackberry, which I don't want or need.
She mentioned an IPod Touch or an IPad, but honestly I don't know if they would serve the same purpose. I know they both store photos, audio, video, etc. and access the internet, none of which I really need, but they would be nice perks. However, these gadgets would be useless to me if they cannot efficiently store and retrieve my contacts, calendar and lists, have a clock and calculator, etc.
So, do you know of anything that would serve the same purpose as my Palm, and without so many additional functions that it becomes difficult to retrieve the vital info. I mainly want to store?
If you have an IPod Touch (I'm afraid an IPad would be too big), would it serve my purposes well? Anything else that would be better?
Thanks!
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I used Spectrum Writing for grade 4, Spectrum Reading for grade 5, and Spectrum Science for grade 7.
It is a very thorough, user-friendly program for such a low price. I would say it is worth the small investment to give it a try. You can always switch later in the year if you feel the need, without the guilt of having spent a bundle on something you end up not being happy with (as would be the case with most of the other programs you listed ;).
When in doubt, try the cheap curriculum first! And really, it is a decent curriculum.
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Well....I had always thought I would probably go back to formal teaching, although never full-time and never 8th grade again!! I even expected I might get my Master's in ESL and teach adults, or at least expand on the ESL tutoring I am doing currently. Aside from that, I would like to do some volunteer work, community cultural education, literacy, etc. My main priority, though, would be helping dh in whatever endeavor he would be working on at the time (he always seems to need my help and value my opinions :)), spending quality time with him, and helping my dc and any gdc in whatever capacity they need.
However, we now have a wonderful "caboose" blessing headed our way, which has at least changed the time-line of our post-homeschooling plans. Rather than being "done" in 8 years at age 44, I am now looking at another 18 years, retiring at age 54. Will our plans/life circumstances/goals/dreams have changed dramatically by then? I have no idea, but now it is looking too far off to think about seriously :tongue_smilie:.
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We told the kids at 12 weeks, a few hours after the 1st ultrasound confirming heartbeat and correct positioning/attachment, etc. I had planned to wait a couple more weeks, but dh was adamant that he wanted this to be a family affair. I was afraid it would be too hard for my dd10 to keep quiet, but she did a great job, she was just soooo excited! I told my mom at 13 weeks and other extended family (MIL, SIL, etc.) at 14-15 weeks. I waited on friends until 5 months.
My dc are certainly big enough to understand miscarriage if it did happen, but I just didn't feel it was necessary to tell them before there is much they can do about it (start looking for baby items, thinking about names, etc.) and 9 months is a long time. I also felt there was no point in getting their hopes up if something did happen.
If my dc was 4, and I wasn't obviously sick or having other worrisome symptoms, I would probably tell at about 5 months. By then the pregnancy is hopefully well-established, you start to show enough that he might notice, and delivery is getting close enough that he could start to put it in context. Earlier than that will be difficult for him to fathom and really serves no purpose, IMO.
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Wow, you guys are making me feel guilty (or at least strange:001_huh:). I always feel like pregnancy is a private thing happening inside my body, that I need to come to grips with myself (and perhaps relish a bit) before telling anyone else, even dh. The fact that I have always gotten pregnant within a couple of weeks of stopping the pill, and therefore earlier than expected, could have something to do with it. Every time, it has been a bit of a shock.
With my 1st, I can't recall, I probably told him within a day or two. We had no idea how long it would take, after being on the pill for 4 years. Surprise!
With my 2nd, we had discussed having another, so I switched from the Depo injection back to the pill. Again, it happened much faster than we (especially dh) had expected, so I wasn't quite sure how to tell him. He ended up guessing within a week.
Now, I am due with my 3rd in 2 months! While one or the other of us had mentioned the fact that it might be nice to have another, our kids are getting so big, the option will be closed soon, etc., we never discussed it seriously. When I found out, I was half shocked and stunned, half relieved that we've "still go it" ;). I knew no one, absolutely no one in our family or circle of friends would dream we would have another child. We were so "one boy, one girl, done". It took me a long time to sort out what this meant in my own mind, how it would change our lives and our lifestyle. I honestly didn't know how dh would react, and I wanted to put off telling him (and especially our other dc) as long as possible.
I waited a month, intending to tell him on his birthday, but he ended up being bogged down in final exams and unable to think about anything else. I took him out to dinner a week later, but somehow just couldn't do it. I finally told him, 6 weeks after I found out, because I had my 1st Dr. appt. the following week, and needed him to help me get out of the house without the dc suspecting anything. I actually had a whole long explanation planned out, but when he saw me with sweaty palms, flustered and my voice cracking, telling him I needed to talk about something important, he guessed! And...he was thrilled! We waited 2 more weeks to tell the dc, after my 1st ultrasound at 12 weeks to make sure everything was OK. I told my mom the week after that (on Mother's Day), by including a laminated photo of the ultrasound in her gift bag! I told other extended family a couple of weeks later, and friends at about 5 months. There are still a few people I haven't told, but now at 7 months, I am finally comfortable letting the general public know (not that it's that easy to hide, but most people don't dare say anything!) :lol:
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My amazing, wonderful husband "serves" me by making my life easier in any way he can. He often asks if I need help, if there is anything I need him to do. He will do dishes, vacuum and fold laundry. If I am exhausted/frustrated trying to stay on top of making sure the kids do their chores or help in preparing for guests, etc., he will take over managing them and make sure all their jobs get done. If I express any stress or tiredness, he simply directs me not to do whatever it is that's bothering me (even if it's making dinner, shopping for groceries, etc.) and assures me he and the kids will take care of it. I normally go ahead and do what needs to be done, because I view these things as my job and necessary, but he never insists/expects that I do anything that I don't feel up to doing or is ruining my mood. He has gone overboard in this regard since I am pregnant, but has always had this accommodating attitude. If I try to insist that certain tasks are my job and my responsibility, he adamantly asserts that we are a team, and that everyone in our household has a responsibility to make sure everything gets done that needs to be done, and frequently reminds me to delegate, to him as well as to the kids.
No, he definitely did not learn this from his dad or the men around him. He acts this way purely out of empathy for his fellow man/woman, and the fact that he believes our faith teaches that men should be kind and helpful to their wives and families (a fact which he constantly brings to the attention of the men in his family who fail in this regard).
I am truly blessed.
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I voted "sometimes", because we often are together in the same room, usually the living room in front of the TV and various computers. We are all (including dh) together nearly 24/7, so we don't *need* the reconnect/family time/how-was-your-day? discussions that a lot of families gain from meal time.
Our mealtimes are our break times, and each of us enjoys doing what he/she wants while eating (watching TV, on the computer, reading, etc.) Can you guess what I do while I'm eating ;)?
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We almost always serve at the stove. Usually, we eat at the same time, but once in a while someone isn't hungry yet, dh is busy, etc., so it works out well to let everyone fill their plate when they're ready. We also eat where we are comfortable, usually at the large coffee table in front of the TV, but if someone is working on the computer, etc. in the dining room, he/she may stay there and work while eating. Our house is small, and we are rarely more than 4 yards apart at any given moment (usually less 4 feet !;)), so this does not cause any lack of "family togetherness" issues.
To answer the PPs question:
We do not often go back for 2nds. We all have a good idea of how much we feel like eating on that day at that moment, and serve ourselves accordingly. If one of the guys wants more, he just goes back for more. No one else is in the kitchen at that time, so it doesn't bother anyone.
I do think we are influenced by how we grew up, in numerous aspects of our lives. Sometimes we do things the same way our parents did because it seems "normal", and other times we do the exact opposite, because we thought it was "nuts". KWIM?
We didn't grow up with serving dishes per se, but *I* was expected to set the table, my mom would bring the food to the table, pass around and dish out, then drag it all (dishes as well as dirty plates and cutlery) back to the kitchen. As a teen I protested that setting the table was a waste of time! Why doesn't each person just get his/her own plate and cutlery, serve themselves from the stove, bring it to the table to eat, and then return their own dirty dishes to the kitchen? Well, now that I'm the mom, that's what we do, LOL!
BTW, when we have guests, it is usually buffet style!
ETA: Back to the "serving husbands" topic, sometimes I will serve out dh's food and bring his plate to him, so one's husband still can be served, even if done so from the stove!
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They are primarily reading comprehension, but they are correlated to the Explode the Code books. So, the stories follow the phonics patterns taught in the corresponding book in the Explode the Code series. There are a few pages of exercises using some of the main words in the upcoming story, then the story, and a post-reading activity.
If you are using ETC for reading as well as spelling, BTC are very useful reinforcements, and just as inexpensive as ETC. Go ahead, give 'em a try!
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From the variety of situations everyone is describing, it seems like yours is a bit unique. I have a feeling your dh likely thinks he is entitled to hang around and play games, etc., because that is all that is required of him in order to bring home the bacon. There are men who see themselves as active members of the family who need to contribute around the house and with the kids, and those who feel their only job is breadwinner. The latter are the ones who drive their wives to work when they retire ;).
I agree with PPs that you need to find a way to discuss this matter without him feeling attacked or accused of being lazy; otherwise you won't get anywhere. Let him know how much you appreciate that his work (even if it is mostly past work) allows you to be able to homeschool, and that you understand he is enjoying reaping the rewards of all the hard work and long hours he put in for all those years. Once he gets that, then help him to understand that, while the house is his place of leisure, it is your workplace and the kids' school during the day. You want the kids to concentrate on their work and get a good education, and also develop a strong work ethic so they can work as hard at their dad did in order to be successful. Help him see that, when they see him playing games and lounging around, it's hard for them to concentrate because they want to play too. They are too young to understand that dad already paid his dues, and it is hard to explain why they have to sit still and work all day when dad doesn't. Then, maybe set up a man cave in the basement or garage, where he can have an "office", but also his own TV, mini-fridge, etc., out of sight, out of mind, during school hours.
Of course, ideally, he would take on some household responsibilities, help with teaching, etc., but this doesn't come naturally to some men. I think my suggestion needs to be put in place first, and once that has become routine (at least he isn't under foot all day!), he may decide on his own that he needs to help out (I know, wishful thinking). If not, then, once the relationship is restored/repaired and the hostility is gone, you could sweetly bring up the idea of him helping you out, or enjoying the kids since they grow up so fast, etc.
Best of luck!
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Rosetta Stone has been working well for my ds, but it is true that it doesn't provide for enough speaking practice (at least not the version we have), and needs some additional grammar work.
He also receives excellent grades, and has learned the vocabulary much, much better from RS than from traditional textbooks. However, since there is no translation given, he is sometimes unsure of the exact equivalent in English.
We have ended up using RS as an independent immersion program, supplemented with conversation and grammar review. We are using Amsco French 1st Year Review Text, and it is working quite well.
I would recommend supplementing with specific grammar work (so you understand why and how the sentences you are learning in RS are constructed), and find an opportunity to practice speaking.
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I am only 2nding everyone else's comments. I know you really want to help your niece, but it doesn't seem like her parents are in a position to allow you to do that, at least not by HSing her full-time.
In order to save face/the family relationship, simply apologize profusely for the inconvenience, but now that you are on bedrest, the Dr. has forbidden you from any additional tasks/responsibilities. Honestly, I would not bother to provide any other excuse, because they will only be offended and it will not change their attitude or behavior. Blaming it on the pregnancy leaves no bad guy to blame, and thus has the greatest potential for maintaining what relationship you have.
And one more thing about them blaming you in the future if she doesn't improve to their standards: I don't know how vindictive/psychotic/self-absorbed these people could become, but you don't want them down the road to decide, based on your "inability" to homeschool their daughter, that you are unfit to teach, and cause problems with the authorities, therefore jeopardizing your right to homeschool your own kids in the future. I know it sounds like a long-shot, but most people who have to deal with YPS or some other autority regarding HSing do so based on a complain by an obnoxious relative.
By saving the relationship with your in-laws by backing off confronting them regarding their daughter's education, and simply saying you can't HS her due to the bedrest, you are protecting your entire family, as well as maintaining a position from which you stand the best chance of helping her in the future. She may really need a mentor/aunt role-model right now, which you could do after school or on weekends, maybe helping her with homework as well. This could go a long way to healing some of her root problems, even more so than focusing on academics.
Best of luck in this tough situation.
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Years ago, when he had a corporate job, he was home between 6pm and 7pm. Now, self-employed, he rarely leaves :lol::lol:! This was an enormous adjustment at first (ie: the first 18 months to 2 years!), and sometimes it still would be nice to have the house and our day to ourselves, but we have actually gotten used to having him around and it is wierd when he's gone.
If he's taking night classes, he typically gets home between 11:30 and 12:30pm, and we never know how early he will decide to leave, or go to work on a group project on a random day, and we are truly sad to see him go.
I have been pushing for dh to look for another corporate job, but it makes me a bit sad to see how little time some of your dh's are home. Thanks for the wake-up call.
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I was just logging in to ask you a question! My question is probably off track, too, but I have to ask - how is the odor contained if these non flushable holes are in the house?
The holes actually are just as flushable as toilets are. They are basically just the equivalent of a septic drain, but without the toilet mounted on top. You just fill a bucket and dump it quickly down the drain, and it's flushed. Often times, there is also a cement drain stopper that can be placed over the drain to somewhat plug it when not in use. I don't know if this helps with odor or not, but it at least keeps anything from accidentally slipping into it (especially if showering near the hole ie: soap, brush, a foot, LOL!)
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I live in Canada, and the gov't health insurance covers dental care for kids under the age of 10 :confused:. I'm not sure where they came up with the arbitrary age, since my 10 year old certainly doesn't have all of her adult teeth yet. However, both of my kids had their cavities between the ages of 4-8 but are fine now, so maybe they are on to something. Anyway, it's better than nothing.
As for medical healthcare, 14 is the magic age where I live at which a child can seek out their own medical care, without parental consent. Obviously, since 14 has no correlation with any other age of majority, it is clear that this age was chosen to facilitate "family planning" services for teen girls. To avoid any type of double-standard as is common in the US (ie: a girl can get birth control, but no other medical services, without her parents' consent), the gov't has opted to simply declare all children 14 and older as autonomous individuals in regard to their healthcare.
So yes, I guess 14 can be a turning point in some aspects of medical care wherever you live. Check your policy!
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My only experience traveling outside North America was to France and North Africa. In both countries, one can find American-style bathrooms, as well as the "hole in the floor" variety (in France, I encountered these at a campground, but thankfully they had toilets as well).
In North Africa, public restrooms are typically a hole in the ground (cement and/or tiled, but still no toilet bowl :), as are most facilities in traditional/rural homes, and even in homes with full modern bathrooms, there is often at least one small "powder room" without a toilet bowl (typically a shower head on one end of the room, the hole in the floor on the other, so one can shower and "do their business" in one convenient location!) Toilet paper is rare (except in upper-middle class homes, and even then, it is not replaced regularly), and non-existent in public restrooms, so we always carry our own.
We have now learned to navigate these bathroom issues, but they have caused quite a few hilarious situations over the years. Like during my first trip (pre-kids), when we were visiting a family for tea whose bathroom consisted of a hole in the floor. My husband (fully clothed, of course), was trying to demonstrate how to squat and use the facilities, while he and the hostess laughed hysterically! Needless to say, after numerous attempts at learning how to use these facitilities correctly, I have resorted to simply removing all clothing from the waist down (including socks!) in order to avoid the inevitable contamination :001_huh:. I am convinced there are muscles essential to squatting in the correct fashion so as not to soil one's clothing which I never developed, since I grew up using "lazy people" toilets :lol:.
Back to the original question, these are all varieties in the quality and modernity of facilities, and have no relation whatsoever to privacy. In every case, toilet facilities, no matter how primitive, always had a door!!!
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I don't know you at all - but your above post is pretty clear - you would feel better by coming back to the states. Since you are all going to be Canadian citizens soon anyway - it won't matter that your youngest child was born in the US. Follow your gut.
Thanks so much for this. I know in my heart this is what I am thinking too. I was just finding it hard to justify paying an extra $500+ plus a lot of paperwork hassle for the next several months, just because I'm being a "wimp" about having my baby in Canada, and being sentimental about her having the same birthplace as myself and my other kids. I guess I was afraid that, at somepoint in the greencard paperwork process, there might be additional unforeseen expenses, or additional documents requested causing delays, etc., and we'll feel stuck and regretful that we didn't just get her automatic citizenship the easy way. On the other hand, it is not too likely that we (or she) will regret her having a Canadian birthplace, but if we do, that can't be changed. The paperwork, though, will eventually be sorted out and the citizenship obtained, albeit after quite an effort.
If I were on the other side of the world (like the posters in Germany and the UK), I probably wouldn't give it a second thought, just have the baby and do the consulate birth declaration. As someone pointed out, though, I am fortunate enough to be able to go home fairly quickly and easily (I could conceivably go into labor and drive the 2 hours home across the border if I had to!), and since I am due the day before Thanksgiving, when I would normally be spending a week or so with my parents anyway, it is actually a bit more convenient than staying in Canada.
Thanks for everyone's input, and please feel free to share any further insights. This isn't a decision I wanted to make based on being an emotional wimp, and your objective opinions are helping me to see the options in a clearer light.
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Ann,
Thanks for sharing your many varied birth experiences. I agree, no blanket statements can be made about giving birth in one country or another, since there is a wide variation between states/provinces, cities and hospitals.
For example, my SIL gave birth last week in a small Quebec town, and had a private room with very attentive staff. I'm sure there are some major US cities where I would not want to deliver. It all depends.
In my situation, I had a very good experience with my previous births at my hometown hospital. In the urban area where I currently live, there is definitely a shortage of doctors, and a more institutionalized, less personal feel to the care I have received. I just read the policies at the hospital where I would defacto give birth here in Canada. I am *allowed* one support person in addition to my husband, and my other children are *allowed* to visit from 10am to 8pm. Any other visitors (as in my parents, etc.) are *allowed* from 2pm to 8pm. Hey, I'm the one giving birth here, *I* will decide who I want in the delivery room with me, and who I want to visit me and when. In fact, my dd10 almost wasn't allowed up to my SIL's room to see her new cousin the day after her birth, because she was too young. Please. I never thought twice about these "policies" with my previous births back home. Just goes against my independent homeschooler spirit, I guess.
Cleo - I really value and appreciate your opinion. In fact, your comments may well be the ones that convince me to just go home to have this baby. I know you have lived here all your life, and have a lot of experience with the health care system. If you are telling me to go home, I should probably listen :) As for Swim & Gym, we'll probably only miss the last 2 weeks of the session, which we likely would have missed due to Thanksgiving anyway. Trying to make this decision has been a huge distraction, which I can hopefully put behind me soon so I can focus on the rest of the preparations I need to make to get ready for this baby! BTW, I know time flies, but you couldn't possibly have forgotten that I'm due on your birthday, right? ;)
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Thanks so much for everyone's replies. Your experience has been valuable to me.
A question: Do you mean to say that, whenever your child's birth certificate is required, you actually only need to present his Declaration of Birth Abroad? That would make things easier. I also read on the consulate website that they can only issue you one original document, and any copies are $50. Have you ever had a problem getting the original returned when submitted for a passport, etc.?
Just one clarification: We are permanent residents in Canada, and in less than a year, we will be qualified to apply for Canadian citizenship. At that point, all of our kids will be added to our application, and we will all obtain Canadian citizenship at the same time, making us all dual citizens.
So, the question of where to give birth won't really affect the baby's chances of having dual citizenship. It is more an issue of sooner (and easier), rather than later (after reams of paperwork and extra $$).
To the poster who suggested that I ask around about birth experiences, I have to a certain extent. Although there have been a couple of positives, there have been more negatives. I recently learned that my Dr. is quick to induce, use other interventions, and perform C-sections. She is patronizing, as in "I know what I'm doing, don't worry your little head about it, you're fine", providing minimal info. about my condition. This Dr. insists on delivering all her own patients, which is great, except that she is overworked and therefore will use procedures to speed up the process so she can move on to her next patient. Friends who have managed to find a good Dr. were often delivered by a stranger who happened to be on-call. I strongly prefer a female Dr., and would accept a male only in a true emergency situation. Where I live, there is a shortage of Drs., maybe half are women, and the broader culture is generally unsympathetic to strong convictions of modesty. The nearest group of midwives is 40 minutes away (could be 1 hr + with traffic), and I am afraid I might be too far along to get in there. There is another hospital 30 minutes away that is supposed to be more respectful of natural childbirth and more private, but I would have to see what my chances are of getting stuck with the "male on-call".
Back home, I would use the same group of midwives that delivered my dd, which was a wonderful experience, and they are covered by a group of all-female OBs, who delivered my ds, and they are all extremely respectful of each patient's needs and preferences. In general, I feel like a number in Canada, long waits, extremely brief appts., and am a bit fearful of having procedures or Drs. pushed on me when I am in a vulnerable state, but these fears may or may not be well-founded. There are at least 6 hospitals I could choose from, so I'm sure I could find a good one if I had the time to do all that research and manage to find a Dr. who delivers in one of them that will accept a new patient at this stage.
All of this to say, there is no guarantee I wouldn't have a good birth experience in Canada, or that nothing bad could happen if I have the baby in the US, I would just feel more comfortable back home (and wouldn't have to deal with hunting down a new Dr. and/or hospital at this late date). But, delivery is a one-day thing, and I don't want to put us in a logistical quagmire of paperwork for the next several months just because I *think* I *might* have a negative birth experience in Canada.
This is why I have brought up the long-term issue of place of birth, since it is the only permanent consequence of my choice.
Thoughts?
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I am due in 9 weeks or so (ack!), and still have not decided on which side of the border to give birth!
Strictly from a standpoint of comfort/ease/quality of care, I would go home to the US in a heartbeat, to deliver this child close to my family and in the same hospital in which my other children (as well as myself) were born. I also like the idea of the baby having the same birthplace on her passport as the rest of us (as well as a concrete attachment to our home state).
However, as far as paperwork goes, the most obvious and straightforward route would be to give birth in Canada. The baby would be an automatic Canadian citizen, and once we make a Declaration of Birth of an American Citizen Abroad at the local consulate, she would be an automatic American citizen as well (due to our American citizenship). This quick and easy declaration only costs $100, and we'd be done.
If I give birth in the US, we would have to go through the process of applying for her Permanent Resident status in Canada. This involves 3 rounds of paperwork, multiple supporting documents, several months and at least $500. Unfortunately, I am not satisfied with my doctor, and care in general, and am a bit fearful of delivering with her. I am scrambling to change doctors, and possibly hospitals, but I don't have much time left. I also just can't get over the idea of the baby not having a US birthplace, a fact that will remain with her for a lifetime. I know it shouldn't be a big deal, but one's birthplace tends to be equated with where one is from, where one's roots are, and that is definitely not where we live now.
So, if any of you are American citizens who have given birth in Canada, particularly if you ended up moving back to the US later on, did that cause any type of complications or regrets? For example, was your child's American citizenship ever questioned because they listed Canada as their birthplace on forms? Was it a hassle to get and renew their US passport because you would need a copy of their birth certificate (have to be requested from Canada) as well as their Certificate of Foreign Birth? Has their birthplace differing from others in the family caused questions/delays at the border? If your child is grown, did they ever express regret at not having a US birthplace?
I guess most of these issues sound pretty petty. If my comfort level with the care I would receive were equal, I would probably opt to just stay in Canada and make the paperwork easier. But, since I would personally rather have my birthing experience back home, I am trying to decide if that justifies the added expense and headache of the red tape involved. Once the decision is made, there is no turning back. If the paperwork ends up more expensive and involved, dragging on for months, there is no alternative. At the same time, once her birthplace is chosen, it's done, and that will remain part of her identity for a lifetime.
Soooo, any advice? Anyone?
Thanks,
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Hmm. Well, we are about to start our 8th year, and I am hoping to avoid the level of exhaustion I experienced over the last 2 years.
Honestly, the first few years were a blast and a breeze since I was only teaching one and we did easier, "fun" stuff.
Now that my older one is approaching HS, I am more stressed about and putting more time and effort into his coursework. My younger one is dyslexic and needs tons of one-on-one time, but the elder needs interaction and discussion of the material he is studying as well. For these reasons, I am basically "on", actively teaching/interacting/discussing from 9am to 12:30pm, and again from 2pm to 4pm. Without the long lunch break I would loose my mind!
All that said, I notice my exhaustion rising in direct proportion to the amount of time I spend sitting. If I am sitting at a table doing lessons for 3 hours straight, I am continuously yawning, I get agitated, my legs and bottom start to ache, etc. Therefore, I intend to make time for frequent breaks as much as possible this year, to save everyone's sanity.
Maybe you need to do one subject at a time, split up by bouts of jumping jacks, chasing each other around the house, etc., with a nice walk every day, and separating the brain-intensive subjects with more fun, active subjects.
HTH,
Anyone doing something fun/special for Sunday's 10-10-10 date?
in General Education Discussion Board
Posted
It's my dad's 60th birthday, so we are already celebrating! :party:
Thanks for reminding me that there is another significance to the date, though. That is cool!