I originally was thinking of getting a hands-on math program like RightStart or Saxon for my emerging KGer. But I'm having second thoughts and am now thinking of just getting some manipulatives and doing a more informal montessori-based math sequence. (I already have the book Montessori at Home which outlines the sequence.) Is anyone else not doing a formal math program with your KGer, and, if so, what is your reasoning? Anyone with experience have any thoughts on which is best in terms of the child being ready for more formal math in 1st grade and beyond? Thanks!

I am starting my DD with a light KG curriculum this fall. As far as science goes, one of our goals is just to help cultivate in her a love and appreciation for the natural world (the other being to introduce her to basic science principles like classification, observation, experimentation, etc.). Can you recommend a good nature journaling resource for an intelligent 5-year old? I plan on following the grammar stage science sequence recommended in WTM for grades 1-4, so we don't need to go very in depth into different topics, but I think I would benefit from a little structure. Thank you!

How is telling my MIL that I won't be attending a party thrown in my honor better than asking her if the party can be alcohol-free?? I truly, honestly do not understand this reasoning at all. And for whoever suggested that I will never have a close relationship with my in-laws unless I am "more tolerant," please be assured that my relationship with my in-laws is perfectly fine. I invited my MIL to be in my birthing room each time I gave birth. My husband has three sets of family, and we get along fine with all of them. I don't want to do something that would make my MIL or other family uncomfortable, but it's either way, it's not going to ruin anyone's relationship (unless, I declined the party invitation and told my MIL that we don't want a party in her house, because that would for sure strain our relationship).

I brought up the marijuana, because people were saying that they were trying to understand my perspective and others were bringing up examples of kosher meat and guns, so I thought it was legit to try to draw another analogy. I am not trying to start any kind of controversy. I am not just trying to get people to agree with me. I really wanted to know what others' perspectives were on the question that I asked. What rubbed me the wrong way was when people started attacking and questioning by religious beliefs instead of just addressing the issue. For those who told me they thought it was inappropriate to request anything of my MIL, then I appreciate you sharing your thoughts on my question. For those who think it''s inappropriate for me to not want to be in the company of people who are drinking, then all I can say that is that I appreciate your sincere concern/advice, but I am not seeking religious advice here. Look, I know people think my beliefs may be strange or weird or wacky or wrong or whatever. That's fine. That's why I didn't want to turn this into a discussion of my beliefs, and got a little defensive when it turned that way. That's all. I don't participate in the Chat Board discussions regularly, and I guess I didn't know what I was getting myself into.

Here's another way of looking at it: Say an American goes to Amsterdam for a visit. In Amsterdam, smoking marijuana is legal, but the American comes from a place where it is not legal and her personal beliefs agree with the reasoning for it being illegal. She understands that people in Amsterdam have a right to smoke marijuana and doesn't necessary think they should change their laws or that people need to stop smoking because she doesn't agree with it, but she just does not want to be around it or to have her kids around it. Does this make sense?

Yes, you are probably right.

I'm sorry; I really was just trying to be silly. Attempt FAILED. I think I'll just go hide in my little KG homeschooling corner.

We are Coptic Buddhist Muslim Zoroastrians. We shun all those who believe differently than us. As an expression of our religious commitment, we go door-to-door dictating what our neighbors can and can't eat and drink. We also stalk pregnant women so that we can steal their placentas upon giving birth and take them to high schools to scare kids out of having sex. It's a tough life.

Yeah. Well I'm sure glad my MIL is the type of person who wouldn't rather we not show up to our own party than ask to limit the potluck drinks to non-alcoholic ones...... For the record, I asked for opinions on the act of making a request to my MIL, but really wasn't looking for opinions about my personal and/or religious beliefs.

I think I have enough opinions; thank you. I'm sorry that I somehow came across as a judgmental, controlling, legalistic ingrate to some of you. For what it's worth, the wine is usually introduced as someone's "contribution" to the potluck, as my MIL's large functions are always potluck.

Umm.....I was born and raised in the U.S..... Okay, I think I got what there is to get out of this thread, and there's no reason for further replies.

You sound like a DIL's dream! Actually, you sound a lot like my MIL, whom I love and get along with very well, which is why I was comfortable considering making the request in the first place. And for the record, I'd never act "huffy puffy" and ungrateful to my in-laws.

I'm not asking anyone to "adhere to my religion." I don't care if they drink when they are not around me and my kids, I just thought it's reasonable for me to want to be comfortable at a party thrown in my honor, and honestly, the presence of alcohol will affect how long I and other members of my family will want to be there more than it will affect how long the people who do drink will want to be there. (I can't think of anyone in DH's family who would feel so strongly about drinking at a party that they would refuse to come or leave early if there isn't alcohol). But I see that most of you agree with my DH, so it gives me something to think about at least.

For those saying I should not say anything since it's not my home...Does it matter that the party is in our honor? I mean, if I was throwing a baby shower for a friend, I wouldn't want to do or serve anything at the party that made her uncomfortable. I guess that's how I was thinking of it. But i do appreciate your honest responses (even if I still dont' agree, lol!).

First the background: Due to religious reasons, we do not drink alcohol at all. In fact, it is really frowned upon to be in the company of people who are drinking or to eat at a table where alcohol is present. DH's family doesn't practice our religion, and while they don't drink very much (and his parents hardly drink at all), sometimes there is wine or beer served at extended family functions. We get along very well with DH's family, and they are generally very respectful of our religious practices and weird ways. They know we don't drink, but we've never made an issue of being around other people who are drinking, even though, in reality, it does make us very uncomfortable, especially more so since having kids. So we are moving back to the US after living abroad 2 years, and DH's mother is excited about throwing a "welcome back" party at her house for us shortly after we get back. She also plans to invite members of my family, who do practice our religion and are strict about not drinking. Do you think it would be out of line for me to tell my MIL (either by email or phone) that we would really appreciate it if she could tell people that there would be no alcohol, by our request? (MIL doesn't usually serve it, but other family members often bring wine with them.) My thought is that, since it's a party being thrown in our honor (and especially since my relatives are also invited), it's reasonable for us to make this kind of request. My DH thinks that since it is not in our house, it's not our place to make such a request. What do you think? Please be honest.

We limit "screens" very much. We don't have a TV, and my 4-year old only watches cooking/baking videos and certain children's song videos online. She does sometimes play on the word processor and paint software on the computer and so is pretty familiar with using the computer. We don't have smart phones or i-pads or i-pods, as of yet. It's not that I think it's all so awful, it's just that I find it to be a slippery slope, and once you start allowing certain things, you find that it becomes more and more a part of your life. I already spend too much time on the computer, so I don't want to introduce anymore "smart" devices into my home for a while yet.

Well I'm not going to finalize or order anything until we move back to the US in July, and we are planning to take things pretty slowly anyways, but this is my plan so far: Phonics: Continue with Explode the Code workbooks and beginning readers. Handwriting: Zaner-Blosser (Grades K & 1) or Getty-Dubay (Books A & B) Math: Right Start is speaking the loudest to me now, but it's pretty pricey, so I'm not sure I'll commit to it Misc: Five in a Row vol I Science: informal nature study Arabic: not entirely sure yet.... Religion: Quran & hadeeth memorization; story books

I just finished reading 6 books from the Anne of Green Gables series and highly recommend those to whoever hasn't read them yet.

Yesterday was a broccoli quiche with chicken/veggie soup, and today was lentils and rice (my standard boring meal for when I don't have meat and need to go shopping). The plan for tomorrow is tacos and sweet potato fries.

Do you do much crafting? It seems like it would work well for storing craft supplies. I might use sometihng like that to tote around whatever crochet/knit project I was working on. Or maybe for homeschool supplies? Crayons, pens/pencils, scissors, etc. for the kids? I would probably respond to the gifter by telliing her how it could be used for so many things and you are still trying to decide on the perfect way to use it.

That's so strange. Even if my neighbor or best friend stop by for a few minutes, I always make sure to offer them sometihng to drink.

I let my kids climb up slides if no one else is around. If other kids are playing, we have a one-way traffic rule. And if the playground is sanded one, and the sand looks relatively smooth, we take off shoes.

I generally tune out anyone who starts talking like this about what everyone "should do" or "should have."

These don't have online shopping options, but I did want to throw out Tj Maxx/ Marshall's/ Ross as places to find nice stuff at great prices.

Is minivan not an option? Because that's my hands-down favorite for travelling. My driving around town, I love my tiny car, but for long trips, a mini van is the way to go.