Is this a phase?!?! A few weeks ago, I started noticing how snotty (like an air of "I'm better than you") my dd sounded when speaking to other adults. Then I really started noticing it at home. I'm stopping her every single time she does it, repeating back what she said, and asking her to find another way of saying it. I realize this is not a long term solution and it's put a negative spin on our relationship. I'm just so taken back by her tone! At this point I don't think there is a lot of meaning behind it. She is a genuinely sweet child. I'm not sure where this came from- ok that's not true, I am not known for my calm and kind tone of voice, so I'm sure a lot of it is from me!!! Oh that's horrible to realize. I obviously don't speak this way to friends and other adults, but I can be pretty snippy at home. Besides working on my own tone, what can I do? When I was her age my mom would just make comments like, "I hope you don't talk that way at friends' houses," and, "I'm going to record your voice so you can hear it!" (Which she never did.) I don't want to be a nag or criticize her constantly. How can I handle this better?

I would talk with her teacher. Is she on an IEP? By 9 years old, you could probably get a lot of info just by talking with the school, assuming she's gone the for a few years. She might have already had some testing done through them. ADHD is actually extremely common in kids who have had traumatic early childhoods. My dd has ADHD (adopted through foster care) and its been really interesting to talk to all her doctors and therapists about the damage early trauma can do to the brain, especially in the first year of life. I forget her story, but if the above does not fit her background, it still could be ADHD or some other learning disorder, especially with the difficulty in school. Again, I'd check in with her teacher. Also, it totally could just be anxiety. At nine years old, if I was sent to live with someone I'd never met, I'd be a hot mess.

Exactly.

Writing with Ease. Seriously. It changed my dd's life. She had so much trouble actively listening to anyone or anything, but she is very bright. The first several weeks of Writing with Ease, I actually thought she might have auditory processing disorder or something. I was seriously concerned. Then I realized that in the chaos of school, she had never really learned "how" to listen- I mean really listen. Next to bringing her home, WWE was the curriculum that made the biggest difference in her schooling, I think.

double post

Hmm...I usually get them what I want because my choice revolves around what they really need and what they'll really use. We don't have the luxury (anymore) or desire to get a bunch of stuff they'll get bored of in a month. I *do,* however, share their lists with the grandparents, so they always end up getting something they really want.

If nobody else had strep and the 13 yr old doesn't have a history of strep, it's probably not strep. I'd just wait and see. It sounds like you all just got a nasty flu. So sorry.

http://www.6pm.com/crocs-kids-baya-lined-kids-toddler-youth-fuchsia-bubblegum?zfcTest=mat%3A1 There it is!

Haha, well I think most adults are confused about this, too!

Our old house always looked clean and we cleaned a lot, so I thought I had it down. Well, we lived there for 5 years and I never knew that you could lift up the top layer of the stove and clean under there until we were moving out. Poor house cleaners!

What is the etiquette here? Instead of buying things for our parents who don't need anything, I was thinking of making a donation to a charity instead. A few things I am struggling with, though: -I know they are still sending us gifts. It feels like we are saying, "You aren't getting anything, but please send us stuff!" -How do we write it in a card? "This is what we did this year. Don't expect anything else." :tongue_smilie: -We think we know a charity we want to donate to, but it would be something WE choose that has meaning to us, but not necessarily to them. What do you think? Have you done this? How so? Thanks!

That's actually not a bad idea! Maybe he'll be on pain meds for the first few days, then he can stuff himself with turkey and milk and whatever else makes you tired...

Yep, sorry, another CLE recommendation here! My verrrrrry creative, language-focused child loves CLE. She is a perfectionist and a little OCD with her work. CLE is gentle and truly spiral, so she always feels confident in about 90% of the lesson. She needs that. Just make sure to supplement with other things like Dreambox, CWP, games, etc. to make sure she is grasping concepts.

Velcro a TV to the ceiling?! That sounds miserable for all involved! You could probably prop an iPad on a high tray table/lap desk.

Just be REALLY careful right now. There are going to be a lot of flooded cars on the market from coast to coast from the hurricane. That's what they are saying, anyhow...

No...sick kid, grandparents you don't often see, a long trip without me over a holiday. It just wouldn't fly in our family, but I could see why you would let him go if you did.

His statement has nothing to do with our family or our reasons for homeschooling.

Great thread! My dh and girls will spend all day tomorrow making pies. They've narrowed it down to FIvE kinds! This was something his grandmother did each year with the grand kids. They also each got to make their own mini-pie. We are a community host to a Chinese grad student, so he'll be joining us Thursday for: Turkey Gravy Cranberry sauce Dressing Mashed potatoes Green bean casserole Candied yams Rolls And probably broccoli And five kinds of pie!!! We never have room in the fridge for it all. Last year It took me weeks to find and clean all the caked on mereingue in my fridge!

Absolutely not! My dh's mom is very into Christmas and likes everyone together. When we lived close, we all gathered for Christmas Eve, then we'd go home late. A few out of town siblings would stay at her house with their kids and gifts, which always seemed ludicrous to me, although I understood the alternative was not coming at all. Christmas Day, Grandma and Grandpa would drive to each of the local families to see the kids and their gifts. That was perfectly fine with me!

My mantra (especially right now) is, "this too shall pass!" Hang in there.

Have you all seen Idiocracy? :lol:

Costco!

:iagree: going from working mom to homeschooling mom means I actually have more time for things like appointments. It's definitely a different lifestyle though. Sometimes I fantasize about sending them away for eight hours a day...I could get so much done. But then, I'd probably just want to go back to work! (I was a teacher)

It totally depends on if it is worth it to you. I am interested in using some sort of service as my dd who struggles reaches high school. I'm not sure she will test well, so i want to make sure her credits are as official as possible.

If your insurance would pay and you need it, then call.