hmmm...I am not one, but I would think that making field trips as low cost as possible might help since many single parent families are tight on money. I have 4 kids and it is so nice to go on trips w/other families who have lots of kids, so I am not the only parent saying NO when the ice cream truck drives through the park. (We take picnic lunches too!) Seriously, I have a hard time figuring out why this would be an issue, since it would never occur to me to give someone a hard time or be outright rude because of their marital status. (my dh says I am naive about people because I expect them to act the way I would!) What did the people do that was hurtful?

Homeschooling in TN is not too bad. I use a umbrella school (Gateway) I am not sure what the procedure for pulling them is, since mine have never been enrolled, but if I understand correctly, you can register w/the local school board or use an umbrella school. FInd a local support group and I bet they will be of great help.

Music.... Upbeat uplifting praise. Psalms. Memorize them.

I don't know what kind of back ground your dh has, but my dh is a civil engineer w/water and wastewater. Not to say he would never get fired, but he will most likely always have a job since people are always going to be flushing the toilet. (he works for a public utility) That is great job security, and if your dh has a good work ethic, he will find a spot.

Agatha Christie, The Miss Julia Books by Ann Ross are FUN mysteries Joanna FLuke has some fun ones too.

Any jobs available on second shift? If something like that happened around here, dh and I would take turns working. I'd be home (homeschooling) in the morning and go to work when he got home. 2 full time jobs would help us make it.

6 or t7th grader right? I think my dd's brain does not wake up some mornings. We did the same thing, over and over. I gave her an incentive to work carefully. 1 m and m for each problem worked correctly. It did improve her work, because she was more careful. I proved to her that she CAN do this when before she kept saying "I really AM doing my best." boohoo. But I am calling the m and m experiment off now because she is developing a weight issue. :glare: But I believe I did make the point that she was capable of working more carefully and getting it done right. YMMV. ETA: I started making my dd write her problems on graph paper and I got really anal about one number to the line too and this helped immensely as well.

Isn't there an I Love Lucy episode about baby chickens?

you may not even have the straight line. Plastic surgeons are AMAZING these days. A little girl I know had a horrible cut on her nose. (it sliced through her nose, into the nasal cavity) You cannot even tell what happened to her. Sending good thoughts to your dd.

I did have red bleeding and cramping with my #2. She is 9 now....don't give up till you know for sure.

So you want to be a teenager...by ???Rainey Very readable, geared to say 10-14 girls, maybe older for boys. My dd read it herself. The last chapter has suggestions for a weekend away w.parents called PAssport to Purity. (we didn't do it, but they are in there!)

yep. this is the way I do it.

all I have to contribute to this is... I am dying to find out whether or not the taxes will get done on time...:)

milk allergies can cause this. Has she eliminated dairy products from her diet?

Me TOO! I've told my dh if he dies before me, I'll replace him with an indoor cat. (he's decreed no inside animals. He's right. W/4 kids, we need noone else to make messes inside.)

pear jam/jelly is VERY yummy.

could you look for part time work as a sitter? It is really hard to find people to sit with elderly/ill people to allow caregivers to even go to the grocery store. Or as a doula type person who could help new mamma's at home?

we just recently conquered this w/my ds, 3.5 When I knew he had to go and could tell he was holding it, I put him in the bathtub. He would dump his drawers all the time, but pooping in the tub totally grossed him out. I think the warm water relaxed him enough to finally go. He would sit in the water for 5 minutes and then be yelling for the potty. Just last week he started being able to poop without having to sit in the bathtub first. But he pooped in his drawers for 5 months before I figured this out.

as far as history and science, you have done pretty much more than my oldest dd ever did up till this year!!!! She is now in the 7/8 grade and finally about to complete her FIRST science book. And she is FINE! I would let my kids watch discovery and Nat'l Geographic channel if it makes you feel better.

this is what I do!

This site gives us ladies a reality check when it comes to pioneer ladies.... http://www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com/biblical-womanhood/dont-revere-the-pioneer/ It is a reminder to me that comparisons inevitably lead to discontent and insecurity.

you could offer to give HER a haircut. :sneaky2:

Old Navy has long shorts (Bermudas) Blouses with plunging necklines get cami's underneath.

Anger, IMHO is not a sin, since Jesus did get angry. However, when we choose to hold onto our anger (nursing grudges, refusing to forgive, pouting, etc.) it become bitterness which we are commanded to lay aside. I think that uncontrolled anger is a sin, as letting your anger get out of control leads to hurtful actions and words that are sin; Ephesians 4:31 NIV "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice."

I've never heard of a church charging for VBS. All the churches I've ever been involved with do it for free.