I am looking for a summer writing program for my 12yo son. Writing is his most challenging subject. It needs to be something online or at least where he can type his writings on the computer. I am hoping for something along the lines of that Zombie-Based Learning geography program, only for writing. What boy could resist something so cool... Any ideas? It has to be something awesome enough to hold his attention as he will do it on his own then "turn it in" later that day in exchange for some privileges over the summer.

Anybody have suggestions for handling arrogance in children? My 12yo daughter can be very thoughtful and caring. She has a great sense of humor and can be very mature. The problem that is growing is her lack of empathy, lack of a conscience over wrong behavior (lying, being mean to her siblings, etc.), being corrected doesn't reach her heart, focuses on her own desires, is critical of others, etc. All that's missing is anger issues like is often seen in teens, but I fear that will come all too soon. How can I reach her? I know prayer is #1, but what else can I do besides more talking?

Wow! What an overwhelming response from y'all! Thanks. Sometimes you just need a safe place to ask stuff like this. :o For the record, I don't bikini, though I do wear a tankini with board shorts, but they inch up high enough that I'm embarrassed. Hopefully no one has notice but me. I decided THIS summer I will take control of that situation, LOL! Thanks Ladies! -Melissa

This is so embarrassing but I don't know where else to ask this. With summer fast approaching, or already here in California, how in the world do you gals keep your bikini area shaved and rash free? See totally not a home school topic but I need help. Plus my dd is old enough she'll be asking ME this question soon. I've tried some different things but it always rashes up and looks horrible, and I'm already shy in a suit. Help?

Just finished chatting and praying with dh over this. He suggested some of my frustration could be that I've taken too much on. That I'm worrying over so much over their character in so many areas that I'm overwhelmed. DH may have a point but I'll need to think on this a bit more.

I am so frustrated and lost. I don't know what to do. I mean most of us who choose homeschool desire at least in part for our kids to grow closer to each other and build life long friendships with each other right? My dd11 is my biggest struggle right now. I know pre-puberty hormones are playing a part, but I've seen this since age 4. She can be sweet, thoughtful, caring, generous, wise and insightful. Basically a wonderful older sister. However, (HOWEVER), she has always been arrogant, demanded to be treated as a mature older person, fought for her independence, has no grace for others, is a huge hypocrate with her siblings, is rude, and critical about everything. She's very observant and many things she catches in her siblings aren't wrong, but she is so critical toward them. Plus she's small, but strong and will sneak in a hard poke or shove "on accident" as she walks past them. Even at four years old she purposefully pushed her brother off the couch just so she could "comfort" him. Sheesh. I've talked myself blue to her about how she will have more of an impact on ds9 and dd4 than Daddy and I will. How her critical treatment of them will scar them (I know from similar treatment by an older sibling). How her treatment of them is very much like a bully. She rides them so hard, especially brother. I don't know what to do anymore with her. The softer side is there, but it doesn't come out as often anymore. Sadly, I begin to feel like protecting her siblings by separating them. But I don't want to isolate her. I find myself wanting to send her to Grandma's house to live for a while without any siblings or parents to "bother her". I feel like I've lost her and she's only eleven. I know this is big pouty session, and I'm supposed to be adult. But I'm wracked with fear, frustration, confusion, hopelessness, ... I have no idea what to do. It doesn't help that this is the child who can push Mom's buttons like no one else, and that we have some similarities. I was never cold hearted like she can be and I don't know what to do. My husband either. We've both tried talking to her. Should I take her to counseling? Is there a book or movie you know of that portrays how a sibling can affect the entire family by her attitude like this? Something that might bring home the consequences of what she is doing?

Oh, dang... I looked in the back of the book, but it wasn't where I thought it should be so I didn't look back far enough. Found it. :o

Can anyone point me to a handy glossary of terms for FLL4? My ds and I both are getting overwhelmed by the number of terms to remember in FLL4. I want to have a printed out glossary list as a reference for both of us during lessons. Help? Melissa

Thank you for chatting with me about this. Ds and I have mapped out pros and cons for both. I am burnt out though. Not on teaching, but with the battles to keep everyone on task and motivated. I just wasn't good at working with my two, while #3 played around our ankles. Our home wasn't a good atmosphere for learning. Too many distractions that I wasn't good at fighting. And now I'm exhausted internally. No longer the "fun" mom I used to be. And something had to change.

@just a mouse: thanks for pointing me there. I started the post in a hurry this morning. @MeghanL: I'm listening to ds, which is why the post. But as his mom I know him, and he makes decisions not out of logic, but comfort and what sounds fun. So I CAN'T base the decision entirely on how he feels.

Looking for pros and cons on sending 9yo back to ps for 5th grade next fall. Next year his older sis will go to Jr high, at her request. And little sis is doing ps kindergarten because it's so much fun! As such I was putting ds back so he wouldn't be alone here at home. But he's pushing back. He doesn't want to go. I think there's some fear of change, hs is easier and low stress, he's comfortable with his friends... But are there good reasons to send him anyway? Only good, sound answers please, pro or con. PS is not the pit of he√√,though it's got its share of negatives. Thanks!

Can you recommend a great crockpot cookbook that has PICTURES? I need photos or I can't pick recipes. Most crockpot cookbooks I've found don't have any, or only a few, or just some in B&W. I need full color photos of yummy creations to get inspired for new recipes. Help? Thanks! Melissa

This is the best picture I could figure out how to attach here of our dog Bindi. She's a sweet thing, lots of fun and a great temperment. This picture was right after her first grooming. We don't do bows in our family, LOL! She's going to be about 30lbs at full growth. @Brenda, If you are checking with puppies for possible allergies, heads up! We learned early on that puppies don't usually bother allergies. That comes after they blow their puppy coats and get their adult fur. So be sure to meet one or both of the parents if you can. Your reaction to their coats will tell you better. @CleoQc, Is it possible the labradoodle you met was half and half? If so, that's too much lab for allergy people. Our is a multi-gen, meaning the parents and grandparents are all labradoodles. In the lineage, I only saw full poodle back a few generations and full lab was so far back it was no longer listed in the 5 generations on the lineage. Multi-gen labradoodles are said to be better at being allergy friendly, but only to people who are allergic to dander. If you are allergic to dog saliva, there's not really a dog for you. But thank you, btw, for the affirmation on trying to find allergy friendly dogs. We searched our humane society for years, with no luck. Good luck, Brenda!

Trish, I'd agree. The basic root of it is that we do need to obey authority simply because it is the authority. Yet we can earn their respect in the process by treating them with respect even as we demand obedience. It's all in the manner in which you lead. Lead with arrogrance and pridefulness, they may obey but they'll hate you. Lead with humility in your firmness and they'll respect the man (or woman) behind the title of parent.

Now this is what I was talking about :iagree: I didn't literally mean telling my son "because I said so". That was just a summation of, "obey because that is what is required." Believe me, we have discussed with him for years the "why" of things: why he has to do chores, why he has to share, etc. But like others have posted, it has given him a sense of power over the situation, a way to "fight" the law in our home, so to speak. Both DH and I desire to treat our kids with respect, and to respect their intelligence and independence. Yet in allowing so MUCh discussion we have, in a sense, shown weakness as leaders and thus have not earned our son's respect for our authority. I really like what some of you have mentioned. Be firm. State the rule or the instruction or the discipline. Expect obedience. Not allow discussion until obedience has happened. Then allow for discussion later. Partly my fear here, is that my ds is so much like my older brother, who also has a problem with authority. It has lead to a level of pridefulness in him that has caused him problems in life, in work, and in relationships. I need to do things differently than my parents did, and it starts by knowing that, and by marrying a wonderful man who parents so differently from my dad, and who also is very purposeful as a dad (love that guy!). Thanks all! =) PS>> @hana - thank you ;)