I will fess up and say that I have a ton of books and lists of what I want to learn, and then some author comes out with another great novel or Jane Austen becons to me yet again.....How will I ever finish the life of Washington Vol 1??? Or even get to the Latin and Greek I want to learn. (Although I do have Italian CD's in my car) lol. I do learn a lot alongside my son but want so much more. How do I whittle it down to one thing and just finish it??? I know, I know...Make a priority list and start at #1. How do I figure out what is #1....I love it all and like it all and need none of it. Instead I start a lot of things and finish a few (over the years). My son has a lot of "logical" ideas but they cannot work for me and my mind. My son says that I am "special" but still loves me. Everything interests me equally it seems and everything leads to something else (of course before I finish it) Maybe couseling???lol Paula:lol:

It's a universal issue! My son grumbles and rolls his eyes. A "smart" friend of mine suggested that I hold him accountable for his attitude. If he is a grump, 1st I find out a few things. Is he hungry, tired, upset? After fiixing these that we can we start fresh. After two weeks of this he does have a happier attitude. We've explained that that is part of his school. When he's on his own he won't make it far if he grumbles and glares at his co workers or boss. He needs to learn that if he's too tired, then he needs to go to bed earlier, hungry-eat, angry - resolve. It is a learning process and unfortunately he gets all of these issues at once at this age. The main thing that suprised him is that he has control over it. He was grumpy because he was tired and hungry. I asked when he went to sleep and he said 2 am. I said why? he said he was hungry... I asked if he got up and ate anything...He said no, can I? I said sure, why would I not want you to? He said because he would make a mess and noise..I asked if he would really do that and he said no. Problem solved... :001_smile: Sometimes we have no clue what is going through there heads and it only takes some discussion. Usually I laugh and say why can't you do this or that? You're responsible and smart. I trust you to do the right thing. Then he eases up and becomes happier. It's not always that easy, especially if he's angry about something. It takes longer to resolve. It's all a learning process. I hope this helps. Paula

Hi, I have to agree about Life of Fred or even Painless Algebra. Good Luck! :iagree:

This may be too simple, but we have used Winston Grammar to refresh grammar rules and Learning Grammar through Writing as just a list of rules my son peruses when he's not sure how to write something grammatically correct. :D

That is so Awesome!!!! :auto:

I think on some level all of us have experienced this type of response to our decision to homeschool. I have heard quite a few sensational things from my family alone. My brother thinks my son is missing out on being able to pick a date from a variety of young ladies. (he says this knowing my son has chosen purity...) I guess that's why HE went to school. Hmmmm. My Uncle thinks my son is wasting time. It's absurd. In NC We did not have any ability to integrate with the public school for band, athletics, arts, etc. Here in Colorado they welcome us. My son is able to take High School track, be on the chess club and they even set up a teacher for the Double Bass through the elementary school (The music teacher there plays the Double Bass professionally and is willing to take on a student privately.) Even if he didn't have this opportunity with the school, as a HS parent, I would find an equivalent. He wouldn't be missing anything. I do have friends I can talk to about homeschooling but they are very few and usually very busy. Usually if I have doubts about curriculum or just need to talk it out (If I'm talking to family or "other" friends) it ends up being an "I told you so" and then a monologue on what he's missing and that he needs to be in public school. I feel very alone in this. It's hard to find objective people to have this type of discussion with. I appreciate all of you on this board. I have heard about this "not being able to be authentic" before. It is sad. Just remember that most people do not understand what we do. It took my husband staying home a week to observe before he realized that it's a full time job and our son was learning everything he should plus enjoying it. He was truly amazed. If only others could have that realization....hmmm. What they usually see is us grocery shopping or at church. They do not see the day to day life we lead nor do they spend time with our children to be able to discern the truth from them. That they are intelligent, well-mannered children with a breadth of knowledge beyond their peers...The ones who do see this are amazed! I'm sorry if I went on and on. Know that you are not alone. Sincerely, Paula