What a blessing that you are such a good mommy to your son! I guess that's part of what really catches me about this. I know that ADHD isn't "innocuous". I do have a son with severe ADHD, SID and is likely even be on the autism spectrum. Those who've been around for some years might remember some stories over the years that I wont retell--but just in December we had the "foot through the window" incident--dozens of stitches in his leg. Yes my son has challenges which require constant vigilance. Yes he (in the words of one psychiatrist) will take "a lot of parenting". But he's also God's gift to us and an amazing little boy. Shortly before I ran into this lady, my ds had been on the phone telling me how much he missed me and loved me and was sending hugs and kisses. So I'll hold him through those outbursts and struggle with doctors and labels and looks from others--because he's my son and I love him unconditionally. Eternally. Bountifully. They'd have to pry him from our arms to get him away from dh and I, though we may be ripping our hair out in frustration half the time. And he's blooming... maybe slower, maybe different, but he's blooming. I know that there are parents who abuse their children, there probably are parents who don't love thier children... we see horror stories every day. But I know people who have adopted or have blended families who have been able to provide that love that is the right of every child. I guess abuse of an "unwanted" biological child even makes more sense in some terrible way--people can and do become pregnant accidentally, and maybe they never wanted that child and never had love for them. But to ADOPT a child you have to intentionally seek them out, choose them, spend time and energy and effort to demonstrate that you really want to be a parent. I've always thought that adoptive parents would be more loving, intentional, and determined. More likely to give it all it takes to raise a challenging child that they chose to open thier hearts and homes to. I walked away from my conversation with her feeling like she had indeed given up, and did not have love for this child--maybe mild concern, interest, but that passionate mama love that I experience, and I "see" in you around this board. I know... my mantra is "I don't know the whole story." I really do pray I'm wrong. I had a hard time sleeping last night trying to get this right in my mind. I'm striving towards understanding, but not sure I'm going to make it, today anyhow. Funny how I can forgive all kind of sin and hurt, but anything with a child just pushes my buttons big time. Thanks for listening, friends.

Persepolis was wonderful too... I haven't seen the movie yet. I know that many people don't realize there are serious autobiographical works in graphic format, so it takes a list to bring it to people's attention. And I read all of Sandman back when it was just in individual comic form. Beautiful.

I've read 14 of them... kind of surprising, since I really don't enjoy "modern novels" that much. Several other are on our shelves since my dh has read them. Of the ones I've read, I would agree they were pretty darn good, though maybe not "classics". I'm just happy to see all those graphic novels on there... :001_smile:

My younger ds calls me "mama"... I didn't teach him that, he chose it on his own. He calls my dh "daddy". Similarly, my older ds usually calls me Kay, though now that his brother is getting older he'll sometimes call me "mama" too. I guess everyone else calls me Kay, so made sense to call me by name--he did even as a toddler. Calls my dh by his first name all the time. We did try when he was 1 and 2 to get him to call us mommy and daddy, but it never stuck. He's just an individualist, I guess!

OK... I have an acquaintence. Actually a former employee. She recently (about a year and a half ago) adopted three children. Ran into her today. The youngest child is now 7, and has been institutionalized since shortly after he was adopted. The older two (boy 11 and girl 9) are living at home with her and her husband. Why did they institutionalize the youngest child? He has ADHD, and in her words "has a hard time sitting still and controlling himself". She talked about how busy he was, how she just couldn't handle it... "he sometimes spun in circles!". Well, yeah. Duh! She and her husband are in their 50s, newly married and have never been parents before--but to institutionalize a child for ADHD? One that little? She said that "they" had been able to "clear that behavior up"... ummm... isn't her job? Now I understand that having an active little boy with ADHD is a lot. I have one myself. But I simply can't imagine that they allow someone to adopt a child and then send them to an institution! My heart is breaking to think of this little boy, who hoped he was going with his older brother and sister to a "forever home" being rejected like that. And what must the older two think? Of course they toe the line--be hyper and you get sent away! This is none of my business. I don't know her well, and don't see her any more, though she works for my denomination and I do occasionally talk to her on the phone. I've been busy this week at our Methodist conference, and haven't had time to be on the board. But I logged on because I just needed to vent. I know it is none of my business by I can't stop thinking about this little boy and I feel... sad and sick and powerless.

I agree! I think that rigorous material will be a little bit "tough"--if it is so easy that there is no effort involved then there is no opportunity to develop either to full potential or develop a work ethic. My older ds is constitutionally inclined to give the least effort possible--he comes by this honestly, as I struggle with giving "least effort" when not challenged. Since academics come easy for him, I have to be proactive in supplying curricula that are challenging. Nothing should be impossible, but I don't see the value in using teaching materials that don't call my children to actually LEARN. And I believe that real learning can indeed be fun!

I agree. My ds is logic stage in that he can do logical analysis in "hard" subjects (as opposed to soft, not easy, that is). So science, math, etc. I'm looking towards more logic stage materials. But in social intelligence areas--literature analysis, historical subtleties, etc--he's still 6. We won't be reading Catcher in the Rye anytime soon, you know?

You so rock! I am awed by your achievement!!!! Congratulations!

I have a FOAF who is asking about homeschooling her kids (will be K next year), but I get the sense they don't even know what it all really means, why people homeschool, etc... just that they'd like to and is it possible. I could write something up, but would rather find some great, wise, well-written article to pass on and show them some direction... any ideas?

Wow! I'm surprised by how many chose fall... it's my favorite, but we don't really have it around here. Fall reminds me of my childhood, though, when I lived where we had trees that turned color and air that smelled smokey and... sigh. I do love fall.... at least my memories of it!

We actually aren't using anything for fertilizer--yeah, I know, pretty pathetic, huh? I mixed in potting soil to our barren sand at the beginning of the season when I planted, but that's it. Hmmm... maybe they just like it there?

OK, I've got a tiny back patio garden, planted with tomatoes, bell peppers and some herbs. The bell pepper plant isn't fruiting yet, but has bloomed. Now that plant and the nearby jasmine bush are COVERED with flies. Not white flies, but honest-to-goodness big green-eyed house flies. There are a few buzzing around, but if I shake the pepper plant there are dozens of the things. What's going on? The plant doesn't seem any the worse for the wear (yet!), but I don't like the idea of flies swarming all over my growing peppers... ugh.

Huntington Gardens in Pasadena--they have a wonderful children's garden and interactive plant lab for kids. If you have girls or better behaved boys than I do, I'd make reservations for high tea at the Huntington. For young ones--Kidspace Museum in Pasadena too. The Getty is fantastic, I particularly recommend the Getty Villa if you are studying ancients. The whole museum is in a reproduced Roman villa, and filled with Greek/Roman/Etruscan art. It's free, but you have to make reservations for parking--and the family audio tour selections are wonderful. Of course, I like book shopping, so I'd hit Children's Book World in west LA the best selection of kid's books I've ever seen in one location, and WhimsicAlley in Santa Monica if you're into Harry Potter.

I've got: Painting type supplies: Tempera paints, watercolors, finger paints, watercolor crayons, brushes of various sizes, plastic smocks, large ink pads, smaller ink pads, lots of big stamps--letter, animals, shapes, etc., some small stamps Drawing & coloring supplies: Crayons (lots of these--regular, glittery, smelly, neon, etc, etc), nice colored pencils, think chalk, fat sidewalk chalk, cheap colored pencils, think markers, fat markers, "Do-A-Dot" markers, pencils, pens, drawing paper in various sizes Craft dough: lots of colors, plus tools, rollers, plastic knives, wooden mallets, cookie cutters, etc. Various collage materials: pompons, foam shapes, googly eyes, colored pasta, doll hair, pipe cleaners, popsicle type craft sticks, sequins, glitter, cardboard collage shapes, cardboard "people", tissue paper, shells, buttons, stickers--gajillions of stickers, paper grass, ribbon, cloth scraps, beads, found items (toilet paper rolls, small boxes, egg cartons, coffee cans, etc.) Craft tools:Scissors, fancy "edging" scissors in lots of patterns, sticker maker (laminator), tape, glue, rulers, hole punches Paper: Drawing paper, construction paper, watercolor paper, fingerpaint paper, newsprint on rolls, light-sensitive paper, wrapping paper, crepe paper Random things: Lanyard making things, "sun catcher" kits, shrinky-dinks, foam figure sets (like for Christmas, etc.) It's all sorted in containers, pretty well labelled. Looks like a lot when I write it all out! Of course, this is in addition to my OWN craft stuff, which is fairly extensive.

No, basically it's just a two-day-a-week schedule of readings, narrations, and the activity guide. You have to already have the AG to use the pages... more of providing a check list and blank sheets for narrations, etc. You can take a look at the preview to see how it works.

Do you write fan fic too? I enjoy reading it, but haven't ever gotten into writing it.

I think! I'd appreciate it if someone would try to download the file and confirm that the file is working again. -- Or not! It seems to be working sporadically... so please let me know if you have success. Thanks. http://www.lulu.com/content/796912 I should have SOTW II pages up by the end of June.

Hey, thanks for the heads up! That's my file... I haven't heard anything from Lulu, but I can upload it again. I'll try tomorrow (but keep in mind, I'm technically challenged). I'm also working on a similar SOTW 2 Workbook, which I hope to have done in the next month. It's mostly finding time to put it together, you know?

Yep! I love Austen--one of many around here. I was so surprised when I first found these boards that there were SO many other fans out there. I didn't really fall in love with Austen until I read all her books the summer I got married. P&P is my favorite, closely followed by Emma, and I even enjoy (to some extent) the "Austen-based" fiction--like from Darcy's perspective, or whatever. I was glad I had read them all before we hit the Austen film bonanza of the '90s! I probably should hang out on Austen sites... Is there one you recommend?

Yeah, me either! They are very helpful on the phone, you can call and ask how much it would be for you.

Also, don't be put off immediately by the cost... they have easy and generous financial aid. As I well know!!

OK, Pam... you MUST stop saying really good things until I can rep you again. Got that? Sheesh... Where's the emoticon for virtual rep? This? :thumbup:

I think that any unabridged original is appropriate for most 3rd graders as a read-aloud and for 8th graders to read for themselves. You can find a pretty illustrated version if you want, but as long as it is unabridged the text should be identical.

Fill up the freezer with easy to reheat meals--or, if you can afford it, tape the take-out menus prominently by the phone. I love Melissa's idea about taping a "To Do" list to the fridge. Then if anyone asks "What can I do?" you can just poin the way!

Oh.... how wonderful! Baby smiles are true bliss.