Year 4 here. My oldest is 12. I can relate In many ways… next year, I plan to take on an overseer role with the help of streaming/self paced classes, particularly for my oldest.

I cannot even imagine doing 4 separate complete MP curriculums as I have four children--but what bothers me is I think each child could handle it; I just can't teach it, and then I feel like a failure. I do think the education one can receive can be outstanding, but this year I took a more eclectic approach and have felt as though we were not doing enough. And I have still felt overwhelmed and unhappy. I do want to stay the classical course somewhat, so I am trying to figure out what to do! I guess this is why online education exists. I wish there were more streaming videos for all subjects; it is hard to commit to a specific time and day---might as well go to a regular school!

Yea, I think it’s utterly nuts to send a job posting to a 12 year old. The way the ad looked made the job appear to be very enticing with minimal education. Meanwhile, they take fancy trips to various universities. I cannot say I’ve worked hard to sway any of my children in either direction, given their ages, so I don’t think she should, either. The family dynamics are at play. I personally think 12 is an impressionable age and that this is influencing him in one direction. My husband doesn’t think it’s a big deal. I always feel like an outsider, like why am I even their mom or his wife. Things get decided for me. And I would never do that to my 12 year old nephew.

Thank you all. She’s certainly not the worst person, but I haven’t had the best marriage because of their family dynamics and his loyalty to them over me. My thought is trade school is always an option. But if you do not prepare for college, it may not be as feasible of an option (scholarships). I don’t want him NOT taking school seriously because he thinks he can easily go to trade school. Meanwhile, my SIL takes trips touring colleges with her kids…I would never do this to her kids, it’s not my place. I am sure she can guess education is important to me. And actually… this was a job ad that said free training, so not even a school per se.

Homeschooling or after schooling sounds like the right choice. Many catholic schools want parents to volunteer; some religious schools take church attendance. My Catholic friend decided to pull her child from Catholic school to homeschool.

I think when a child is blessed with two parents, the two parents guide/lead. The aunts and uncles listen. They don’t take the lead or the first steps on discussing career paths.

I’d understand better if his path were decided/set. But he’s 12. I told him right now he is to worry about the education he receives now and explore all options for his life. I feel she overstepped, but everyone will just brush it off. I was made to go on their MN family vacation three weeks post partum and bleeding. My husband was having a good time and I got upset—they said I had had post partum depression! They’re that way. It will never change. His mom is ill with cancer so I matter even less.

His family constantly tries to undermine my influence. My husband never takes my side. I live nextdoor to my MIL and FIL, go in their family vacation, see them all the time. I feel It’s a parent’s job to discuss these things.

Thank you. Yep. It’s pretty tricky. I love the spam idea. I find this whole thing pretty bizarre. We all have opinions on each other and our families, but to go directly to the kid is weird. I do think I’ll respond to the message if he hasn’t.

I’d really like to be able to tell her that. I feel like responding to the text myself. I just thought of that! My husband is pretty defensive of his family.

Yes… that might work. The sad thing is that I don’t mind him texting with friends and giving him a little privacy. I have read the texts so far and find him trustworthy. How sad it’s her I do not trust. It’s either manipulative or… they look down on us.

I do like that thought. If there were an emergency, I’d like that he had their numbers…. But I never anticipated it being used this way. I asked my husband how she’d feel if I did this to her children, but that didn’t go over too well.

He’s very close to her son, his cousin. And so they do…But I feel she is overstepping with influence. I’m sorry you’ve experienced the same!

I had that thought. It will greatly upset my husband. He thinks I hate his sister and am overreacting. His family does this. If it’s anything I like or want for my kids, they suggest the opposite for them. ETA my husband got him the phone, snd it’s on their farm business plan as he farms with them. We pay for it by reconciling, but I have no access to that account. I have my own on my own.

I’ve never understood thongs. I’ve tried them, but I find them uncomfortable