I think it must depend on the doctor/optometrist. I took my ds to an optometrist for years, thinking it was enough. He has extremely poor vision, especially in one eye. The optometrist had him patch for 6 months & gave up, & that was after she'd been seeing him for two years. By then he was 8 & she said the patching didn't help because he was too old. So why didn't she patch him at 6? I don't know. My fil suggested I take him to an ophthalmologist, & I did (one who had a special interest in pediatric ophthalmology). He found that my ds's prescription was off by a lot & a lot & also recommended patching again, @ age 10. So far ds has gained 2 lines of vision from the patching. I wouldn't go to an optometrist for any serious eye issues again, but I realize my personal experience has made me biased. I'd ask around & see who others recommend in your area...& pay special attention to those who have significant eye issues. Just my 2 cents... :)

I think the tone would matter more than the actual term, IYKWIM. I've only ever heard the term "chocolate" used in a complimentary way in regards to race, but my experience is limited. I know the tv show Psych throws the term around regularly in reference to Gus, & it's always meant in a positive way.

Like others have said, I don't think it's too young, necessarily...it depends. For myself, I have decided not to make that decision during pregnancy or in the first year or two after giving birth. I have definitely had moments or even extended periods of time when I felt "done" just because I was in a particularly difficult stage with the kids, but those have been temporary so far. I'm glad I have waited to decide because I always changed my mind! (BTW, I just had number six two weeks ago!)

Ok, I'm looking at my Kindle now. This is how I found the top 100 free on the Kindle: (for newbies like me!) -From the home screen, hit menu & go to Shop in Kindle Store. -Next, click on Kindle Top Sellers. That takes you to the Kindle Top 100 Paid. -Now, if you look in the top right corner of the screen, you will find the Kindle Top 100 Free.:hurray: I've already downloaded 60+ free books between Amazon & Project Gutenberg!:drool5:

I'm on my Mac now...I see it! Thanks for your help. Now that I know where to look I should be able to find it when I'm on Amazon on my Kindle. It's taking me a while to figure out how to navigate this thing. I keep expecting it to work like an Apple product. I think it's going to be great once I figure out how to use it!:D

I received a Kindle, too. I tried this but my Kindle storefront doesn't have any tabs at all, & nothing that indicates a top 100 free list... I wonder why?

I live in Idaho...we have no regulation here. I've never had any problems or heard of anyone having issues that I know of. If you check the HSLDA website you may be able to find some info as to the truth of those claims, but I doubt their veracity myself.

We got our ds a child size double-sided easle...one side was chalkboard & the other was dry erase. It had a roll of paper at the top that pulled down over the dry erase side. Then we gave him loads of paint, brushes, crayons, dry erase & regular markers, chalk, regular & foam stickers, etc. He was only about 6, so we just got kid art supplies.

Target has some great deals on Legos this week, plus their base prices are generally lower than Toys R' Us. For example, a set my mom bought at TRU was $45 & excluded from the sale (no Star Wars). Same set was $40 regularly @ Target & is $27 on sale this week.

I bought a cheap one from target. It basically has one on/off/warm switch. It works just fine!

I don't give the dramatic ones an audience anymore. When they become unreasonable or overly emotional I calmly tell them to go to their bed until they are ready to stop crying/being angry/etc. When they can control their emotions they are welcome to come back & talk about what upset them & join the family again. This is what works here to diffuse the situation & self-control is slowly improving (yay!).

I use science books we have around (lots from Sonlight) & Aha! Science online program. IIRC, it's $15-30 for the entire year's worth of curriculum. It's for grades 3-5. Very affordable, independent, & my ds enjoys it.

I can't show you the perfect sled, but my sons much prefer the molded plastic sleds with sides to the flat foam type of sled. Just make sure it's heavy duty plastic! I got a few for my nieces & nephews a few years ago for around $10 on sale & they're still going strong.

I know I have often felt like you are feeling...the good thing about feelings is they change! Just a few weeks ago I was emotionally done trying to homeschool, but I knew I couldn't quit for various reasons. I started pressing closer to God & just giving it all over to Him. It's changed my outlook tremendously, & without that even being my conscious goal. I just wanted to get closer so I could make it through what I HAD to do, but God has been changing my perspective into one that is enjoying what I am doing here with my kids. BTW, I am pg, too (20 weeks), & I have 5 kids 11 & under. Seek God for His vision for your family & remember not to compare that to anyone else's family! I just realized that I can ask 20 people for answers to my problems & I may get 20 different answers that won't work for my situation...no one else has my unique family, with their personalities, gifts, & struggles. God is the only one who can really fully understand & give you wisdom & grace for your unique situation! A good read when I'm feeling that way is "Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe", by Todd Wilson. Hope you are on the upswing again soon! Don't underestimate the power of those pregnancy hormones! ;)

Okay, thanks! I'm getting a better idea of how to work this out. I'm glad I'm only doing a unit at a time. It gives me room to adjust as we go.

Okay, newbie question...are the page numbers the same every week? Also, I haven't opened the filing thread, but I may brave it if it applies! I did read about keeping all the printouts in files for each week (I'm planning a unit at a time)...I like that idea, but I had to figure out what to print first, lol! :001_rolleyes: Thanks for the help...

I'm open to hearing from anyone further on than me! Thanks...This sounds like a good starting point.

Okay, thanks. I guess I'm hoping to cut down on some of the volume of "stuff" we have to go through daily. I want to view as much as possible on the computer. You have good points in that last paragraph...that's worth it even if I do print most of it out. Thanks! This is quite helpful...I feel like my brain has kinda shut down. I should be able to figure this out! I think it'll all fall into place as we begin to actually do TOG, but I just want to be as prepared as possible so I don't drop the ball.

I just purchased TOG DE for the first time. I'm used to SL, with the binders & paper. I can print out the whole unit for half the cost of buying it, but what's the point of buying the DE if I end up working out of the big binder again? I want to make the most of the DE. How do I use this?! Specifically, what pages are essential to print, if any? Does it work to just write their assignments out on an assignment sheet? I want to be prepared when we start up again in a few weeks. Please help me avoid the TOG FOG!! TIA! :confused1:

That is great! It wouldn't work so well for someone like me, who lives where there's a short growing season, but it's inspiring to think of how much is actually possible on an average size lot. I started a small veggie garden this summer & I love going out & "picking" a fresh salad!

Thanks for sharing your perspective! We are most likely jumping into TOG from SL this year. I was a bit afraid, but just like you once I had my hands on the Teacher's Guide I knew we could do it. I like what you say about spiritual revival...I am looking forward to this year!

Where I live we have no interaction or oversight with the state or public school system at all, but we still have access to any class or extra-curricular that is offered at the schools.

I love this idea & I am stealing it! Last year we started without being ready & I felt behind & stressed out all year. As for the OP, whenever I fantasize about putting the dc in school, my dh very wisely points out that I will just be trading one set of issues for a different set. I think that sometimes when you've hs'd from the beginning you get "the-grass-is-greener" syndrome because you haven't experienced the real problems that often come with parenting with the public school. Some of my kids would do fine in school, but some of them would be eaten alive! They can all do well at home, so that's where we'll stay.

That seems to be the key, as M&M shared upthread!

A previous poster mentioned that Paula's Archives has or links to a list that puts SL books into a four year history cycle. I will definitely be taking advantage of that! I have all the SL history books from Cores K-4, and I'm glad that someone went to all the effort to do that because it will make it so much easier to incorporate those books. We are using the book basket idea as well...I have 2 LG & 1 D, but I plan on getting as many of the UG books from the library as I can as well. Here is the link to the Home's Cool blog where you can find the list; I found it via this page at Paula's Archives (in the links at the bottom of the page). Sadly I do not have Heirloom status...I bought a few of my cores through a local mom. They were half the price and like new because she only had one child & they took great care of the books!