It seems to me that the requirements are much higher now than they used to be "back in the day". My dd will be receiving a diploma from VPSA, and they require physics. When I asked if we could substitute anatomy and physiology instead of physics, I was told that the physics is required because it is based in upper-level math, whereas an advanced biology course was not. Based on that answer, I would think that someone who is interested in engineering would want to have the "math-based" science. Have you looked into the requirements of the colleges he's interested in? Warm Regards, Jackie

We have used LC I and II in the grammar years. I started with Henle Latin with my oldest dd, (we are Catholic), and we both found it terrribly boring. Dd switched to Wheelock with Veritas Press Scholars Online, and she loved it. She also said that it helped to have a "real" teacher! :001_huh: 2nd dd is following the same track, and will go from LC II directly into Wheelock's next year in 7th grade. I really liked LC I and II. It seemed to present the material very logically. I will admit, though, that it all became clearer after teaching Henle and Wheelocks. I had no background in Latin, but I do enjoy teaching languages. HTH, Jackie

I have my first bachelor's in Ag. Business. I decided, after being a full-time Mom for 17 years to go back to school, to eventually get a degree in accounting, or just enough classes to sit for the CPA exam. I have LOVED being back in school! I am much more appreciative of the whole process this time around. I have just matured so much and can do a much better job of learning (as opposed to just getting good grades). After talking to a couple of professors, I've decided to forego the 2nd degree in favor of "just" taking the accounting courses that I need to sit for the CPA exam. There are just too many classes required for the 2nd bachelors that I don't want to take, and don't think I need. Of course this works well for my course of study. Yours, I'm sure, is completely different. But what a joy it has been to be stretching my brain in this way. I would encourage you to pursue whatever you think you might want to accomplish. It is harder for me to homeschool when I'm in upper-division accounting classes ..... there are only so many hours in a day...... but it has been worth it for me. Warm Regards, Jackie

Let alone calculus.... I've read a couple of posts that imply that anyone graduating from high school should follow the 9th-algebra, 10th-geometry, 11th-algebra II, and 12th-pre-calculus path. But is this really the minimum? My 2nd dd is an "average" student. We have done math steadily, through her entire education, every day. She is finishing 6th grade this year, and will have just started MUS zeta. She just needs a lot of time to master each concept. When she does get it mastered, she pretty much owns it..... but really, I just don't see her in pre-calc. I think Algebra II will be the max for her. Now I know that a lot can change when these dc reach adolescence, but still, I just don't see her reaching beyond Algebra II in high school. Is that so terrible??? Aren't we supposed to take each child where he/she is, and accept his/her strengths and weaknesses? Isn't there a place in college for a student like dd? And yes, we want college for each of our dc. The reason I post this is because it is true that I could REALLY push dd, and make both our lives miserable, and MAYBE get her into pre-calc...... but what's the point? Her gifts lie in music and ministering to others. Should I be worried? Or is Algebra II acceptable at the high school level?

Have you considered tutoring in addition to your daily math? We have a tutoring center in our small town which guarantees a one grade level improvement in six months, or your money back. It is pricey, though. I believe it's $750-$1,000. I couldn't possibly afford it, but maybe your situation is different. I have found it so difficult to play "catch-up". It stresses me out. I hope you're able to get back on track... Warm Regards, Jackie

I wouldn't hesitate to include schoolwork on the trip! Even worse, I would add bribery to the mix by offering some sort of treat once the work was done!:lol: (In fact I just did this on our 3 hour trip to the orthodontist. I just can't see "burning" 3 hours and having nothing to show for it. But keep in mind.... My dc really do consider me the meanest mom in the world! Have a good trip. Warm regards, Jackie

No, we haven't used this particular course. Dd did LC I and II at home, then Latin I (Wheelock) with RCA. She then went to VP for Latin II (Wheelock). The Latin at VP was very good. Dd would also like to take their Latin III (Latin Readings) if she can fit it into her schedule. We have taken many other online classes with VP and they have all been very, very good. VP will also allow you to sit in on classes so that you can see how things work. Warm Regards, Jackie

I'm reading about an hour/day to my dc. And then they have their own history or literature books that they're reading on their own. At the beginning of the semester, I choose the books that I think might be good read-alouds for that semester. We own most of them, so I put them in the "current" bookcase, and we move through them, with my dc taking turns choosing what we will read next. Sometimes we stick to my plan, and sometimes something else comes up that we simply "must" read. :) Some of our favorites are The Chronicles of Narnia, Mary Poppins, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, The Little House Series, D'Aulaires book of Greek Myths, Various Tall Tales, and Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling. (To name a few). We have so much fun with this, and my dc still love to cuddle with me on the couch. This is perhaps the best thing about this tradition.... my teenage, and pre-teen daughters still cuddle with me. I believe that is not the norm for most of society!

After looking at many programs today, I think writeshop might be a good fit. It is costlier than I would have liked, but that's true of most things. :) Thank you, ladies, for all your suggestions. Warm Regards, Jackie

Dd will be starting 7th grade next year, and I have never successfully stuck with a writing program for her. (consequently?) She hates to write. She has had decent grammar instruction. She writes sentences fairly well, but refuses to remember capitalization and punctuation rules. It makes me crazy. I was always a natural writer, as was oldest dd. Can someone please suggest a step by step writing program which will bring dd along from where she is now, to being able to complete, say, a 5-paragraph essay? Please don't suggest IEW. I tried it years ago, and really didn't like the monotony of it. Dd is probably an average student. She is dutiful, but terrible with detail. She is just very easy going, and doesn't really care one way or another about school. She would just rather be on her horse or on a soccer field. :glare: Thanks for any suggestions. Warm Regards, Jackie

I've heard good things about Galore Park also. Also, Veritas Press Scholars has an online "Latin Transitions" course which is described as a course to transition those students with little or no latin experience right into High School latin the following year. It might be a good fit, if you're not averse to online stuff. Warm Regards, Jackie

Well, my 9 and 10 yr-old sons act like they don't know the difference between a pants drawer and an underwear/sock drawer...... so no, it wouldn't bother me, if they just put their clothes in the correct drawers. In fact, I'd count it a success, praise them over it, and then say "OK, now for the next step.... let's see if we can fold the clothes as we put them away... Kudos to you, Mom. You're ahead of me.

Curious... what do you mean when you say you clean them in a bowl of broth???

LOL, guess that answers that question!:D From what I've read, I'm supposed to soak them "for several hours, or overnight" to allow them to filter out the sand, grit, etc......

What is the absolute minimum length of time that they need to be soaked ahead of cooking? Is 2 hours sufficient? Just picked up the clams today, and I would really love to have clam chowder tonight! Thanks, Jackie

:bigear: :bigear:

I love to cook! I grew up cooking for branding crews and the like, and I really enjoy it! Lots of stews, roasts, chilis, etc. The flip side is that I also love to cook large multi-course gourmet meals for special occasions. My dm taught me many techniques of french cooking, and I love to cook in that style. That said, I find that I have to pretty organized and motivated to keep up with 4 dc, all of whom have big appetites, and a dh who works outside all day, and also brings a large appetite to the table. I do a lot of things ahead. I try to always have large batches of brown rice and whole wheat pasta cooked and in the fridge. That way, I can heat those things up for lunch, throw together a protein and a salad, and away we go. I also like to have a good vegetable soup on hand. Again, cooking a protein doesn't take much time, if you have the side dishes done. My dc do kitchen duty. They rotate 1 day each, cleaning up after meals, and setting the table for me, etc. For a long time, I tried doing it all myself, but my dh trained the children to help me, bless his heart, and now my job is easier. As others have said, I try to do as much prep as possible on week-ends. It just makes the week go more smoothly, and then I'm not overwhelmed by the magnitude of food consumption going on in our house! :)

Is there any way you can rip that page out? That person forfeited her privilege of being in the baby book when she decided to be mean and inappropriate! Since the other entries were appropriate, I would just rip that one out, and go forward with your plan to share the book with your dd in the future.

We used to have one in our old (100 years) ranch house. It was a log house, and very sturdy. I was training for a marathon, so it was lots of miles on the treadmill, and dh was worried about our floor holding up. This was in a room that was above our basement. He went to a hardware store and bought 4 floor jacks, and put them in the basement under the treadmill. We never had a problem, and never had to worry about it. It was a great solution. HTH, Jackie

And.... if you don't agree with a rule, don't break it; use your rhetoric skills to argue against it and change it. Isn't this why we educate our children? Isn't this a mark of a good citizen?

Do any of you have a web cam system in your calving or lambing barns? What type of system do you have? Any advice? Thanks, Jackie

have you used for this? We've used salt dough before, but I'm a little short on salt. I'm thinking of using oatmeal play dough, but I wonder if it will be firm enough to actually build a volcano? Any input? Thanks!

Yeah, well, that's true of me also.... no matter what time of the month it is! :lol:

So have you noticed any diet-related contributions to your dd's discomfort as some other posters have mentioned?

I have endometriosis, so I know what you are referring to. This dd, however, is adopted, so there's obviously no connection there. I think that if this goes on for a few months, I will contact her birth mother and ask her if she had a similar experience. We have an open adoption..... another thing I am extremely thankful for.