I agree with all these posts :) We have lots of good literature around the house, and it is our assigned reading for school (and summer). But I do let my dc choose "literary candy," too (on occassion). I read what they read, though, so that (1) I know what they are reading, and (2) they feel like there is something they chose on their own that I am interested in talking about. Sometimes the literary candy provides a great opportunity for me to connect with my dc.

I mainly drink water. I know it sounds like the most unsatisfying thing you can have when all you want is soda, but if you drink enough (about 60 - 70 oz) per day, you will begin to crave it. Sometimes I have juice, but not very often. If you go cold turkey on the soda, the first week is the absolute worst, but if you stick with it and gets lots of water, you can do it :)

I posted this yesterday, but it did not post yet because I added a link--so if it does post later, please excuse the repitition. I used to work for Mercy Ministries, and while no place is perfect, I can tell you that Mercy is even better than what you have probably heard. You can't imagine the love and respect with which the girls are treated. The program is hard because it involves letting go of some deep hurts, but it is without question the best I have ever seen. If your daughter is unsure about MM, you may want to encourage her to ask as many questions as she can to the person conducting the admission interview. Many of the people on staff are Mercy grads who have overcome the same problems the girls face, so they are empathetic, but very serious about helping the girls stay with the program. There are also books and videos available on the website (that was the link I put on the previous post)which may help your daughter make her decision and help you understand where she is spiritually and emotionally right now. I also know you can read many of the girls' stories on the website as well. I am praying for you both, and am available by email if I can help answer any of your questions.

My dd will be starting 9th grade, and I need help with her history. We did encyclopedias paired with outside reading last year, and we did the Great Men series this year (Middle Ages and Renaissance and Reformation) Neither has been a big hit. I have had some friends suggest Sonlight, but I did not know what the curriculum looks like at this level? Any thoughts?

My friend's ds has what sounds like the same processing issues as your ds. He is imaginative, creative, and goes into complete sensory overload sometimes. She uses Horizon math because the pages are organized in color-coded sections which helps her ds focus on one part at a time without being overwhelmed. You may want to take a look at it. I also agree with the moms who suggest reading TWTM, if you haven't. It is a great read for helping you come to a philosophy of why and how you choose to educate your sweet children, and it is a desk reference that you may use regularly throughout your dc's education. I use it for book recommendations, curriculum resources, and countless other things. Finally, let me say you CAN do this :) I taught school for eight years, and I have learned more about teaching since I started educating my own children than I learned in all my years in public and private school. I have also been blown away by the wisdom and the wealth of knowledge available from the moms on this site! I only say that to encourage you that no teacher knows your children better than you, and you have inside you and through numerous resources all that you need to provide your children with an excellent education. Once you get your first year under your belt, you will be amazed at yourself :)

I have to agree with the other posts in asking if coming out of the closet is a possibility. We don't have a hs room, so we use the kitchen table primarily. We also sit outside on pretty days. The closet looks like it would be a good place for storage, but I know I would go a little crazy in there myself :) We use most of the techniques in the WTM to organize our papers. I use binders for each subject. I stray away from the divider labels outlined in TWTM, and just use my own as they seem to fit our style.

Maybe hand sanitizer gel on it?

That is such a smart idea! You may already know this, but you can also try half.com or fatcitybooks.com (and I am sure lots of other used book sites)for help in finding a used teacher's edition. I have purchased from both and the books I bought were almost like new and lots cheaper than a new textbook. :)

:iagree: That sounds like such a great idea! I have had a few invite-everyone parties, and I felt like we all went into sensory overload. Now, my dc will invite one or two friends for dinner at the restaurant of their chioce and a movie. It saves on party expense, it saves my sanity, but also it seems to make the birthday more special for my dc.

She doesnt want to spend 6 months there. She wants to go to CA. I said CA is off the table for now. You will not go until after rehab. She said oh, that just makes me want to cut.... I do not know what to do now. I cant force her to go. I cant make her stop throwing up. Cant make her stop cutting - guess there are numerous thing one can cut with. My anger with her makes her upset. My calm with her makes her upset. My questions or lack of questions make her upset. My pushing schoolwork or relieving her of schoolwork make her upset. I am ****ed if I do and ****ed if I dont..... I do not know what I am supposed to do. Am I supposed to just sit here while she destroys herself? What am I being blind about? Is there any advice for us? I used to work for the ministry you are talking about, and I can tell you that it is even better than what you have heard. Maybe what you can do is see if your dd will take one step at a time. Ask her to make the call and ask as many questions as she wants. There may be some other girls who have gone through the program for the same thing who may be available to talk to your daughter if whe wants to ask them questions, too. I also know there are books and videos available that may help your dd with her decision and help you work through this process with her. Please feel free to email me personally if you would like. Praying for you and your precious daughter

I am so sorry for the seemingly endless night you are in. I think the people on this site have given great advice, so I only want to encourage you that the sun is going to shine again! I am hoping you will be able to find help through one (or many) of the resources listed here, but sometimes it feels good just to know that you are not invisible--Just from looking at the tremendous response, it is clear that you matter to people who you have never even met :) I don't mean to intrude into your personal life, but I also want to add that if you can matter this much to people who don't know you, imagine how much more you matter to God. I am praying that He will help you find a way out of this. Sending hugs and . . .

We use Sequential Spelling and like it; the fast pace and repitition work well for us, but I love the idea of using the colored tiles, too. Here are a couple of ideas that may help with method: Some poor spellers benefit from having a list of words they commonly misspell as a ready reference to use after they compose. As she is writing a composition, you may try having her circle any word of which she is unsure of the spelling. This way she can compose without interruption. You can then look over the piece and circle any additional words she may have missed. Then she can look at her reference list and correct the circled words. Often, after repeating this process, spelling those words correctly becomes more natural. You may also want to consider having her practice her problem words by spelling them with her fingers on the table (or desk) top. For some students, this method creates a "connect" that writing alone cannot accomplish.

Thank you all so much for your wisdom and input--this has been a tremendous help! :)

Hi Polly, I didn't think at all that you were questioning her ability to do the work--if anything, I was the one taking it into consideration :) Thanks so much for looking into it for me. I just don't want to start a program that I think is grade level, only to find out too late that it is not. Thanks, again, for your help :)

What do you think would be a good alternative?

Yes; I think she can handle the material, I just wondered if it would qualify as a high-school level course.

Does anyone have any thoughts on using Memoria's First Form Latin for 9th grade?

:iagree: I have had the same experience with my DS. He is also one of those children for whom things come rather naturally; however, if he is pushed to think or work through something, he can get very frustrated. When he is having those days, I just work with him on staying calm, and I work through the material with him by asking step-at-a-time questions. When he sees that he can do the work he is fine--until the next hurdle :) We have also had to hs with my husband away and trhough a move and a new baby. I find that taking a little time off gives my DC a chance to de-stress a little, and they go at it with a more renewed energy when we start again.

I am glad I asked the question, too! The links and tags suggested have been a great resource to me already. Hope we can keep in touch--i would love to know how it progresses with you :)

Thanks for the info, Cheryl. Can you tell me more about Apologia; I have never used it. What do you like about it?

All of our work from previous years is organized by child and subject and stored in a box in the attic. We keep our everyday books on one set of shelves. Each child has a rubbermaid box (shoe box size) for pencils, pens, erasers, scissors, etc., and those are stored in a cabinet, along with math manipulatives (in a giant under-the-bed sized container. I have another large box (Crate and Barrel double-sweater sized) where I store all of the CD's and flashcards. Don't forget the beauty of freezer bags, too. All of our flashcards are stored in those inside the big sweater box. All of our craft supplies are in separate boxes in another cabinet. We do not have an official school room--we work at the kitchen table, so I have to be creative and use lots of boxes where things can stay organized and hidden. It sounds complicated here, but it really is simple. The kids all grab their one box each day; they go to the shelves to get the materials they need, and clean up is much easier at the end of the day. I am a former lit teacher, so having lots of bookshelves in the house is a given--that's where we store our reading material. We are seriously considering converting our formal dining into a library to make more room.

You are a much better gift to your children than any extrcurricular activity could ever be--your children just may not be able to articulate that yet :) I am a mom of four (ages 18 months to 13 years), and we do very little compared to some other families. But, to echo what these other amazing moms have said, we are a very happy family. Although I want my children to celebrate their individuality, we are a family, and we work as a team. We make decisions that are good for us as a whole--not just for one of us. We don't skip naptime for the little ones, and the older ones are only involved in one activity at a time. We feel more centered as a family if we are home together, and the dc seem to be able to concentrate better when they are at their "home base" for most of the week.

Have you thought about going back to Saxon and cutting the work load?

We have thoroughly enjoyed them. I have a ds (3rd grade), and he looks forward to listening to the CD's every lesson. My ds reads along in his book, and we do map work and activities together after that. Just to echo what kfeusse said, we much prefer them to my reading. Even my dd (8th grade) enjoys listening to them--they are a fun addition to her curriculum.