Oh no! That was always my worst nightmare. I will definitely pray for you! The Great Physician can do all things. (I come here everyday looking for your birth announcement) Keep us posted.... Jo

How about a pop quiz? Test his knowledge on that exact translation. I wouldn't recommend directly challenging him. Let it come to light naturally if possible.

My boys room has two sets of bunks with a two foot alley between them. It is darn near clausterphobic in there. I can fit a dresser on the wall at the end of the beds and that is it! Sheesh. My boys would like a room they could play in, but this isn't the house for that. They sleep and dress in there, and that is it. I don't know the actual measurements. 3 boys sleep in that room currently. Jo Jo

The thrift stores gross me out, the clothing doesn't. At least not after it has been washed twice. I guess I have cleanliness issues, but I'm a big believer in the magic of detergent. :D Jo

Lay out and storage mean everything!!! 7 kids, 2000 sf, 4 bedrms. It feels too small, but I think it is because the main living area is one big room. There is nowhere to go to get away. We have three boys in a room, three girls in one room, a baby/guest room, and a master (where the baby sleeps most of the time). We could use more storage and a place for a child to work on school quietly. Jo

My oldest son recently lost a friend after she moved to the mainland. They were great friends. They worked together a church and hung out every chance they got. Absolutely no romantic vibes between them. It was lovely. They were kindred spirits in many ways. Jo

Deep down I knew I wouldn't uninvite him. :glare: Okay, okay. I'll be an adult. I was hurt for my son when I posted. You are all absolutely right and I'm glad I have virtual friends like you who will tell it like it is. Thanks. Jo

We have a boy in our neighborhood who is very difficult. He is pushy, bossy, and a general know it all. All the kids that gather to play cringe when he comes outside. Of course he's homeschooled. :glare: I have counseled my boys that they should treat him respectfully, even if he is annoying- which, honestly, he is A LOT! I tell my boys to walk away or come inside, and they do. My boys have a friend across the street who never walks away and he is frequently fighting with this kid. Last week there was a big blow up and the annoying boy started to cry. This moved my boys with compassion and they talked with the homeschooled kid about how to play nicely and if would just follow those rules he could stay and play. This alienated their friend across the street and he told my boys not to come and ring his doorbell anymore. My boys were stunned and frustrated. Today is my second oldest's birthday party and he went and invited the boy across the street to come for dinner before hand. We are having just a few closer friends for burgers. He said he would but he is still giving my oldest son the cold shoulder and shunning playing with him. My oldest son says he doesn't mind because its his brothers choice. I want to disinvite him. If he can't treat both boys decently then I don't want him in my home. I don't need the tension. Am I being childish? Jo

You explained yourself beautifully. Jo

Your presence gives me some perspective. You have gone through so much more than me- not that it is a competition, just that your example of strength gives me strength. Thanks for your pearls of wisdom above. They really help. :grouphug: back at you...... Jo

I can't take any school off. We moved twice in six months earlier this year, then we had a baby. And this tour isn't very long. We may be moving again in a year. I'm finding seventh grade work and beyond really can't be as choppy as the earlier grades. I don't think taking a break is the answer. we need consistency in our days more than ever.

I don't want to worry anyone. My spirits aren't dangerously low. I don't have post-partum depression. The good side of being insanely busy is that I am go, go, go all day and I don't have time to dwell...well, I guess until this morning. I really am "battling" and fighting to get it all done. It is amazing what the human spirit can achieve, truly. I posted simply to motivate myself to get over this glass-half-empty moment. Thanks for the hugs. I'm always amazed at how encouraging they are. Jo

There is just so much to do. I just want to be a mom! I want to sit and snuggle with my littles. I want to flop on the bed with my pre-teen and listen to all his thoughts about life and the universe. I want to orchestrate beautiful memories of home- this wouldn't include hearing, "if you don't finish that assignment in the next five minutes I'll give you another!" I don't want to have to decide between taking a shower and pre-reading for TOG lessons. I have lowered my standard of clean to an astonishing level. I want to take field trips again. I want to have all the sheets from five beds and two cribs clean and made at the same time. Okay, that last one isn't the type of "mom" issue that I'm really wanting, but its a wish none-the-less. I don't want to see my reflection in my children's bad moods when I'm overwhelmed. That lovely feeling you get when you see your child speak to a sibling the way you spoke to them earlier in the day?:glare: I want to talk to my dh for moral support that I'm doing okay. I'm sure I'll feel better when I can talk to him again (he is on silent mission right now). I'm just telling my you, my virtual friends, so I can get these thoughts out of my head and then I can pull up my boot straps and carry on. If someone could give me more hours in the day, or a live-in housekeeper, I'd appreciate it. :D Jo

my dh grew up with a mom who always had a dessert prepared at dinner- of course sometimes he didn't eat well enough to get it, but it was there. I grew up with a mum who rarely had desserts in the house. My dh's parents are slim and trim. My parents carry a little extra. I go back and forth but i'm curious what you do. Jo

:D that is humor I can appreciate

Boo.

Oh dear. I'm an ogre too. I can. not. stand. it. Usually I don't know what we're having until 4pm-ish, so if I'm asked prior to this it makes me edgy. I could never post a dinner schedule at the beginning of the week. I couldn't handle even one negative comment about what is being served three days away. I also know that my kids are trying to decide if they will like it. And with this many mouths SOMEONE is not going to like it, and I really don't like cooking anyway, so this sends me into a tailspin of grumpiness. So....you are not alone....and possible a much nicer person about it than I am.

Oooh, "satisfied" is good!Me too. I may do another....

Then: Most-spirited athletic Academically-average (hyphens count as one, right?) trouble involved Now: capable creative loving loved battlemaiden

Plain pasta. Curious..................

Obviously I'm free streaming thought here :tongue_smilie:. I think we *may* be confusing or interchanging the terms relaxed and child-directed. Could this be? edit: good grief! Never mind me. I can't seem to finish a thought while nursing this baby. It has been too long since I read a philosopy of education book for me to comment on this topic. I'm really interested in others answering. I'll shut up now and read. :lol:

This is a good question. I have wondered the same thing. How old are your kids? edit: I would like to see the ages and number of children of those who are relaxed...if they are willing to share, and it isn't already in their signature.

My pumpkin cookies are cake-like and they need an icing. Do you like vanilla icing, orange icing, or another? Thanks. Jo

Oh thank you for writing this! This is my house too. The noise is painful at times. I have glorious images of all my kids sitting and doing puzzles or sketching on window boxes.... Hah! Mine seem to all have one baseline level of loud, but they can kick it up to "wall rattling" if needed. As for the physical contact? I like Martha's rules. I say, "If everyone isn't having fun, it *isn't* fun" a lot. That helps. Then again, my most physical child is my 7yo daughter. :D Jo

Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightly by far. Ugh. Mr. Darcy up on a table in bare feet---It reminded me of 16 Candles. It ruined the entire movie for me.