I wasn't trying to imply that mothers do not receive Divine guidance or inspiration for educating their child. I believe they do. But you can be receiving all the Divine guidance and inspiration that God can throw your way, and if you still don't physically prepare their lessons, organize your home and life, and teach those kids, it doesn't matter one bit. I've known plenty of inspired women who weren't quite inspired enough to get their lessons plans accomplished each day. Their children's education suffered for it. In the end, you are their teacher, and their success as a homeschooled student depends on you doing what you set out to do. There is no school system to back you up. You are the one accountable for their daily instruction. That's all I meant by that.

Yes, to both of these. It is very hard to explain to a homeschool mom with young children, or a homeschool mom with only a few years of experience, exactly how to do the things that you're doing when you've done it for so long. Just a curriculum list won't cut it, because the curriculum itself isn't doing the instructing. I also think that your ability to teach in this classical manner is VERY dependent on your own educational experience. What are you bringing to the table as a teacher? If your own education was lacking, you are going to have a much harder time executing this than a mom who was classically educated as a child. Simply as background information: I was fortunate enough to have a classical education before anybody even called it that. I studied Latin in high school for all four years, so teaching Latin to my own kids is easy. I've studied both French and Italian since second grade, so that's two more languages I can teach with no problem. My exposure to classic literature was very thorough. I hated it as a kid, but I can't tell you how grateful I am now. I never had to "pre-read" any of the classic works. I'd already read them. In my high school, you couldn't graduate without taking a literature class every year, and the discussions were deep and thorough. Four years of mathematics was also required, in addition to four years of lab science, and four years of Latin, plus one other foreign language. Logic was taken during our junior and senior years. We took art history for two years, which required a study abroad in Paris, so that we could see all of the important works of art for ourselves. Music history was also taken for two years, and we had to attend the symphony and opera more times than I can count. I hated the opera. LOL Not any more. So, my point being that my own educational background, combined with the fact that I'm now finishing my 20th year of homeschooling, means that much of what I do is instinctual, and not quantifiable. I don't think I could explain it in a way that would enable someone else to glean anything from it. And providing you with a list of curriculum I use wouldn't really be that helpful. You would need to spend a few days in my school to see how it works. And truly, give yourself time. Over the past 20 years, I learned by experience how to stop children from dawdling through their work, how to make it interesting, and how to carry out my educational plans. I will say that if your children are not being obedient, and not doing their tasks, you need to get control of it. You will never have success as a homeschool mom if your children don't listen to you and respect you as their teacher. Having a neurotypical child take hours to get through one subject (in which they understand the material and can do the assignment) is completely unacceptable. So if that is happening in your house, don't bother reading up on educational theory and Socratic discussions, because that is not what you need to focus on. If your own education was lacking, then you need to remedy that as well. You will need to do A LOT of studying and preparation so that the discussions about literature come to you naturally. I have never followed a "literature guide" because I don't need one. I had it modeled for me by every teacher in my youth, and it's second nature for me now. If that wasn't your educational experience, then you will need to work to get there. Read SWB's book, "The Well Educated Mind" if you haven't already. It's a great help for parents who are struggling with their own lack of a classical education. Take some courses on your own that will help you feel more confident in your knowledge base. That goes a long way toward being successful in teaching in this way. So, personal experience in homeschooling, combined with your own knowledge, are what makes teaching this way easier to do. Start with developing order in your home and school, because teaching in the midst of chaos is a recipe for failure. And I don't just mean a clean and organized home and school (although that is important, too). I mean that your children have the degree of self-discipline necessary to do their work, pay attention, participate, and be respectful. They should be able to do what is age appropriate, and not inject additional chaos into the environment. No learning is accomplished without a certain degree of self-discipline. And in turn, as a teacher, you owe your students the respect of having well planned lessons (not running around looking for things at the last minute..."Where did that book go? How come there are no scissors here? Why is the copier out of ink? I thought we had eyedroppers? We can't finish this experiment without an eyedropper."), being prepared, and knowing your material enough to make it interesting and engaging. In a great deal of homeschools, there is more lack of self-discipline on the part of the teacher, than the students. And you can hardly expect your children to learn anything other than what they see their mother model to them on a daily basis. So, that's the end of my ramble. I'm sorry if it sounds harsh in spots...I don't mean it to be. But I do like to tell younger homeschooling moms the truth, without sugar coating it. You are the end-all and be-all of your children's education. You hold the whole thing in your hands. In the final analysis, what is comes down to is DOING it. All the theory, and reading, and curriculum in the world won't mean a thing if you don't execute the plan. It doesn't have to be perfect. It doesn't have to follow every theory and recommendation perfectly. It doesn't have to be done with the newest, shiniest, best curriculum out there. But it does have to be done. Teach your children with love, with honesty, with integrity, and from the heart. Do it every day. Be faithful to your goals, ideals, and personal standards. Teach them that reading is wonderful, that learning is exciting, and that knowledge is inspiring, and you'll be successful in your educational endeavors. And that's the best advice I can give you after 20 years at this gig. :D

Yes. Don't.

We've been very happy with Tessa. And most importantly, my dd loves it. So it was a good choice for us.

And weirdly enough, my dd's name is on this list. #31...Tessa. She was born in 1993, and that name wasn't even on the radar. I read it in an article in Victoria Magazine in 1989, and I knew I wanted to name a little girl "Tessa" one day. Now she's "hipster". Go figure. LOL

Uh...sugar? ;)

I print them out and put them on the mirror in my kids' bathroom, too. I change them every month or so. :)

Wonderful talk by Elder Uchtdorf! Loved the message and thoughts on gratitude. I can't wait to re-read it and put some of those quotes on the fridge. Gratitude brings so many blessings.

Never heard that term. And I think it's stupid. LOL

LOL...I didn't mean to be discouraging. I only meant that a few parents I know thought that they had it made because their young teens were doing well, and so they started coasting through the parenting stuff. I meant to say "don't let your guard down". And not you, personally. Just you in general. I think teens need their parents involvement and attention as much as toddlers do.

No, that would be too boring here. I love variety, and we never eat the same thing twice in one month. I meal plan every week.

I guess we'll just have to disagree. I don't think we need to check a personal bias. The OP asked if we thought the same sounded too "old-ladyish". I do. And I don't actually know anyone named Mabel in real life, so I'm not basing my opinion on that. And the only Ethel I know is my dh's grandma, whom I love to pieces. Doesn't change the fact that her name is right up there with Bertha on "names you probably don't want to choose for the next decade." And I'm sure my kids will think my name sounds that way in a few short years. Probably even now. Nobody is naming girls "Diane" anymore. Doesn't bother me a bit. It IS a dated name, and if someone asks me about it, I'd tell them that. Perhaps I misunderstood the OP's original question. That's completely possible...I do that all the time. If so, my apologies.

Personality doesn't change much, but maturity makes a huge difference. And I disagree with your sister. Kids can be wonderful at 12 or 13, then totally go off the rails in their mid to late teens. I've seen this pattern consistently with most of my kids' friends. They were great kids before their mid teens, and then....they imploded. In a big way. They're in their 20s now, and some are still a mess, while others have righted the ship. So do not assume that because you have a great 13 year old, the rest of the teen years will be smooth sailing. In my experience with youth, 14-16 are the rough ages. Some kids will come out of it by 18...others continue down their personal path of misery. Now, not all kids will "go off the rails". Mine never did. Lots of their friends never did. I'm just saying that you can't assume that things will not change if life is good at 13 with any particular child.

And Elder Holland hits another one out of the park! Wow...very powerful talk. I'm going to need to listen to that one several more times.

My MIL secretly wanted us to use her name for my dd. Geraldine. Uh.....never. LOL

I didn't "over think" anything. That was my initial impression when the OP asked the question. Another mom wanting to be trendy by picking an old lady name. Not saying that's her motivation for choosing Mabel at all. But that's what comes to my mind, and she wanted to know what others thought when they hear that particular name. Around these parts, that's the sort of name young, hipster, moms are choosing, so that obviously influences my impression. And honestly, that's why I don't think anyone should ask for the opinion of others when deciding on a name for their child. People will give it to you. :D

I have no problem with old fashioned names. If my youngest had been a girl, his name would have been Grace Elizabeth. But Mabel is just a clunky sounding name. It also feels like you're trying too hard to be uber cool and hipster. Sort of like, "my dd's old lady name is more old lady-ish than yours, so I'm the more trendy parent with the cooler kid." The only way you could top Mabel in that department would be to name her Ethel. Not trying to sound harsh, that's what I think when I hear of a small child with that name. However, if you're comfortable with it, who cares what other people think?

I take the pill for other reasons, as do more than half of pill users. Pregnancy prevention is a bonus side effect. I also knew that you could use your bcp like Plan B...if you're on the right bcp. And the pill works in multiple ways to prevent pregnancy. Mainly by preventing ovulation, secondly, by changing the cervical mucus to make it inhospitable to sperm, and thirdly, by thinning the lining of the uterus, preventing implantation.

Love "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch"! One of my kids favorite read-alouds ever.

I wasn't referring to men thinking about s*x. I don't consider that a sin at all. I was referring to the "blame the victim" mentality that sometimes happens if a girl is raped. "Well, look at the way she was dressed. She was asking for it." No...she wasn't. It's not her fault, it's the rapist's. 100%. She is not responsible for his sin. I should have been more specific.

Agreeing with you 100%. We are responsible only for ourselves, and not the sins of others.

My kiddos had a blast at those ages. The most important advice: Take it slow. You aren't going to be able to do a whole lot. Follow your kids' lead. Take them back to the hotel for their regularly scheduled nap time. Use the Baby Centers (they're amazing). Strollers are an absolute must. You can bring your own, rent one from Disney, or rent one from here, and they'll deliver it to your hotel room. http://www.kingdomstrollers.com/ Take lots of breaks. Disney is overwhelming even for adults, and even more so for kids. They may be scared of the characters. My youngest was at first (9 months), but he got over it quickly. Don't be disappointed if you wait in line for a long time, and then your child decides to bail at the last minute. Be prepared to ride Dumbo ad nauseum. Or at least play in the waiting queue for a long time. I've heard of kids having so much fun in there, that they don't want to get on the ride when the pager beeps them. Bring a change of clothes for each child when you go in the parks. They will usually need them. Spend lots of time preparing your kids. Watch the movies, sing the songs, preview the rides on youtube. It will help them get a feel for what to expect. Their favorite thing will be swimming in the hotel pool. Be prepared for that and laugh. Then plan another trip. And most important of all: Have a magical time!!!

That depends on the doctor. In the article that I linked, the one doctor will accept patients who aren't vaxed for things like cervical cancer, etc., because the unvaxed child is not going to spread that in the waiting room. The other doctor won't accept any patients who aren't fully vaxed (from what I understood reading the article). I think some doctors are afraid of lawsuits from patients who have contracted a vaccine preventable disease in their waiting room from an unvaxed child. And when that happens (and it will), then the medical community will come down even harder on unvaxed kids.

We love Mousekeeping! They do the cutest things. They've set up our stuffed animals in little vignettes, too. It's adorable. I actually invested in a book of towel folding so that I could make cute animals for them. Because I'm insane like that. LOL This is one of my favorites: http://www.amazon.com/Towel-Folding-Discover-Wonderful-Origami/dp/0760779597/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1396115035&sr=8-2&keywords=towel+origami

With these outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases, there is a huge backlash against anti-vaxers happening in the medical community at the moment. Expect it to get worse.