-and is irresponsible.

Also, there was a chart I saw (I'll try to find it) that showed the steady increase in healthcare premiums before and after Obamacare. The trend for premiums was going up regardless. I do think that the implementation of Obamacare bumped premiums a bit, but now they're following the same upward pattern. And I agree that the concessions made in order to pass the healthcare law contributed to this. ETA: I wanted to comment but forgot, that I thought we were moving in the right direction by passing Obamacare, though I really hoped for a single payer system. Access to standard healthcare needs to be a right for every citizen, not a dream. We have chosen to take our chances, paying for healthcare for our family out of pocket, with a backup catastrophic policy, as we are both self employed and can't afford the premium plus the deductibles.

What is this? I use it on my iPhone.

My kids are in need of speech therapy. One has a tongue tie and cannot pronounce l's. The other has trouble with l and r. I was told my multiple people to wait and see. At this point, I feel they need professional help. How does one go through the public school system for help? My daughter is still learning to read and may be considered behind. Will this reflect badly on our homeschool to the point they might to intervene? Sorry if my questions are silly. I realize my fears may be irrational.

Thank you for sharing your experiences. It is something I need to contemplate in case I do find myself in that position. My goal would be to keep as many aspects of their lives the same, including where they attend school, but I also know it wouldn't be the end of the world. Best of luck to you all.

and you were out of the workforce for a long time, how or what did you do to support yourself? Did you have to put the kids in school, or were you able to continue homeschooling? - if you don't mind answering of course.

That is such a great idea! Thanks for the well wishes.

I just volunteered to coach my seven year old's softball team, as there were no other volunteers. I'm not sure I'm more scared of the girls or the parents. Off to research how to hold a productive practice for a bunch of 7 & 8 year old girls. Should be fun!

https://thehomeschoolprintingcompany.com I've never used them, but a local friend was happy with her order.

Okay, so for spelling, I looked through my unused curriculum from when my older kids were homeschooled and I found Spelling Workout Level A as well as AAS Level 1 Teacher's Manual. I know I have the phonogram tiles but nothing else. Which of the two, if any would you recommend? I have a little bit left in my budget, if I need to buy something else. I'm also planning on using Elizabeth B's program. Thanks ElizabethB!

Thanks Elizabeth! I was planning on placing the pages in sheet protectors, but I like this idea better.

Thank you all. I will try your suggestions and see what helps. Today was our first day, and it went pretty well. My son wasn't enthusiastic, but at least he didn't complain about doing school work. I skipped the phonics instruction while I consider options. I'm not sure I mentioned this, but he has a pretty strong aversion to paper. I think this might partly explain why he doesn't ever pick up a book to read.

Well it happened just as I was told by a few experienced homeschoolers. My son learned to read last year all on his own. Off and on throughout the fifth, sixth, and seventh years of his life I tried to teach him to read. It would go like this: he balked, I backed off, worried he'd grow up illiterate, living in our home forever, and then I'd try again a few months later. I bought three reading programs on top of the three I already owned, nevermind all the apps I bought. Sometime last year I attempted teaching him again, but this time he blurted out the words like they were no big deal. He still loathes reading. I think like speaking, he does it strictly as needed. As far as I can tell by the few leveled books I've gotten him to read, he's reading at a 2nd-3rd grade level. Now I'm worried about all the phonics instruction he missed. How do I figure out if he is missing important phonics skills, and more importantly, how do we go about filling those holes without boring him to death? Another question is how to encourage him to read and develop a love of reading. I try to read aloud daily, but he rarely shows any interest in the stories. I'm stumped.

I'm of no help, but I wanted to say that I'm sorry about your MIL. Roads in NW Houston are starting to become drivable. My husband was heading to the Katy area today to check on his brother. I'll ask him about the roads when he returns.

This is so helpful in explaining to non-Texans how large the metro area really is.

Harvey is moving back to the gulf where it'll probably strengthen and move back inland. We need a break!

Regarding the dams, I read this on the Space City Weather blog: "It seems probable that some homes near Clay Road and Eldridge, and in the vicinity of the Westpark Toll Road and Highway 99 will see water remain in homes for up to two months. That is not a misprint." I cannot fathom having my home under water for months. My heart breaks for everyone affected.

This is so sad! I'm glad to hear they've been evacuated. I've seen many pictures of people on their roofs waiting for help. It's incredible the amount of rain that has fallen.

Hope you feel better. One of those tornadoes took down a house we were building. Thankfully it was only in the framing stage. I too am impressed by our community.

We used to live right by Copperfield. I had no idea so many WTMers were in this area.

We drove in to our NW Houston suburb from FL this morning. We had to turn around several times because of high water on the roads several times. It took us an extra three hours to get from Baytown to our home, but we made it safely. This afternoon we made it just in time to get groceries before the store closed. All the lakes are overflowing in our area, but we are dry for now. I fully expect to have water in the house in the next few days.

My mom did this. Around the time my youngest brother graduated, she went back to school to get an emergency certification in teaching. She then taught special ed for a few years while she got her masters and some other certifications. It was very rewarding for her but hard on her too, so she applied for a counselor position at a high school and got the job. She did a brief stint as an assistant principal at a charter school, but the demands were too taxing on her health, so she went back to her old position.

I like your daughter. :)

That sounds like something my mom would say. My mom told me after I announced number three, "Well there's no use crying over spilled milk." Thanks mom.

I'm sorry. I get that line all the time! How does one respond to that question? I want something that will make them feel like an ass without coming across as bitchy. ETA: My current response is, "We love our big family and would love to add more kids if we could." That doesn't have the effect I'm loooking for though.