Hallelujah! I'm so glad I'm not alone in this!

About the same. Also a 15 yr and we have 10 more years. We pay a lot of our income toward our house, but short term pain for long term gain and it's a great rental. So, as soon as it's paid off, it will be pure profit.

Yes, this. It's actually a view I hear from quite a few at my church. I had this very argument with a lady from church the other day and it reminded me how divisive homeschooling is for some... Just because I homeschool doesn't mean I don't support schools.

Oh! Yes, I'm sorry, I forget we don't all "know" each other, and totally didn't mean it that way!!! I meant I am liberal and I have quite a few friends who have that attitude about homeschooling, so even though I feel like we have a responsibility to improve public education, that doesn't mean leaving my kids in the system. Sorry to make it seem otherwise, just trying to clarify my viewpoint! *I had no intention of making it political, I just wanted to clarify my feelings. So sorry if I offended anyone. I've actually been thinking about this video all day and had an interesting discussion about it tonight with another hsing mom.

Ah, we'll then there is way more to the story and, honestly, I probably wouldn't have allowed them to play alone unsupervised just based on the above.

Also, I'm not pro or anti public school. I believe in school choice and in school reform. I don't think, like some liberals, that my kid should be taking one for the team and staying in the system just to make it better. My children are not pawns and there are other ways to support education. Ok..totally off topic, I know.

Yep. Sometimes I reflect on the vast amount of time I spend on my children's education- researching, planning, questioning- and weighing all my options. Then I think of my former students in South Central Los Angeles. Their parents worked two jobs and school was the very safest (elementary) place they could be. It was their only chance to do something better and to "get out." They did not have any other option. So, do we just allow poor families to continue to raise children who never have an opportunity to better themselves? How does that help us as a society? Do we ignore the needs of English language learners and assume that because we don't agree with universal preschool for our families, that it doesn't benefit others? I don't believe public schools are the great equalizer (and if they are, we are failing), but I believe as a country, our biggest priority should be ensuring the very best education for all of our citizens. Those kids all eventually become contributors to society- or not. What do we want? So what's the answer? I don't know. I do know MY answer is not an option for many people. So what about them?

Hmm. As a former teacher, I don't think that any of those are the intentions of schooling, but I do think many of them are, unfortunately, the outcomes of schooling. There are a lot of dedicated educators working hard to create the best possible curriculum and environments for kids. However, education is a "system." There is one teacher for a large number of students and those students need to be predictably prepared for the next level in order to make the system function effectively. The system is constantly trying to be reworked to better fit the needs of kids, but so much of the control has been taken away from the educators who are truly the ones who should be making the decisions. I think the entire notion of alternative education (including homeschooling) is largely a privilege. Many parents will never have those options. So, to spend energy vilifying the system that so many families count on, to me, is counterproductive. Instead, we should be working with our schools to create better programs and serve our communities.

I feel for you! One of my dds is your son's age and she almost went back to school this year. But then right before I was ready to enroll her, she realized that her sister and I would continue to do playgroups and classes without her. ;) I think it was the first time she realized that she really has a social network of homeschoolers. Now, my husband and I have made the decision that we will homeschool through middle school, assuming we continue to be able to afford it. Now that it's off the table until high school, it's a huge relief for all of us! As of now, I will let her decide if she wants to go to ps for high school. Although, recently she has become aware of the opportunities homeschoolers have to volunteer in high school. She wants to one a marine biologist. If we move to Florida, she'd have lots of opportunities to work with animals. She knows if she goes to school full time, she'd have a fraction of the free time. It will be interesting to see how she feels. By other twin? She'd rather cut off an arm than go back to public school. ;)

Ditto. I really don't think it's that uncommon.

Yay! It's such a great feeling!

In another life. ;) I'm looking to spend $25.

Hmm. Maybe. I'm just looking at the Gymboree dresses and thinking that other girls their age probably wouldn't wear them. I'll look at JC Penny and see if I see something a little more mature...

Maybe it's a scam to get me to buy the matching sweaters. Like hot dogs and buns.... ;)

Gymboree's dresses are on sale, plus I have an extra 20% coupon, so I'm about to purchase Easter dresses for my twins. Are 10 year olds too old for Easter dresses? My girls would happily wear them (they love Gymboree and dresses), but will they hate me later? :) Also, why the heck are Easter dresses always sleeveless? It's still freezing in March!!!

We had a few flakes, so school was canceled of course. Nothing now.

We loved Breaking Bad like a sick addiction. ;) It is dark. It can be depressing. But it's the kind of show that left us thinking about it all day long. Sometimes we were angry after watching it, but couldn't wait for the next episode. It's bizarre. Fascinating. Simple. Complex. Totally addicting.

So sorry you are overwhelmed! If putting them in school is a solution and feels right to *you,* then do it. They are at the perfect ages. Don't feel guilty about it. It also doesn't have to be forever. If you are determined to keep them home, just slow the pace. They are still so, so young. You have lots of time. Focus only on reading. Participate in library activities, museum programs, join a gym with child care, put the 4 year old in preschool part-time, set things up so that you aren't the one leading the circus. Read the book Simplicity Parenting and know that less is more. Go play in the park. :)

We have the Norddal We've had it for 7 years! We love it. It's been taken apart and put back together at least 5 times. They can be twin beds, too, which we did for a few years.

That's great! I'd probably start with something free and simple, like blogspot. If you are ambitious, you could teach yourself Wordpress. My husband charges several thousand dollars for a website. You might find someone locally that could donate their services. But if you are just starting out, I'd recommend doing it yourselves. It would be a good learning opportunity for your kids!

We are UU and I still count myself as secular. :)

Thanks for the new comments. :) (Just wanted to point out this is an old thread)

Anyone?

Once or twice a day. Four of us here.

It's looking like a move to that area is in our future, but until later this year. Any advice on neighborhoods that aren't outrageously expensive? Areas to avoid? There is such a spectrum of rental prices, I know there have to be neighborhoods we should avoid. Unfortunately, we are going to try to stay around $1500 a month and hopefully get a three bedroom. We also have a dog. Those two things are going to be fairly limiting. Thanks!