My 3 yr old really through a kink in this last school year by wanting "school". And he wanted workbooks and time with Mom....the whole 9 yards. I have lots of the same resources mentioned, I am big on Montessori type activities. We do lots of read a louds and he will do some of his book work with his sister. I just try to keep rotating the manipulatives so he doesn't get bored. Now that he is closer to 4, he isn't as interested. What's up with that?:confused:

I don't care for standardized testing because of the bias of the test and the false feeling of confidence (or feeling of stupidity) the score can create. I have an education/social work background and standardized testing is a whole can or worms. I believe that by educating my children at home (and we do a Charlotte Mason classical thing) will give them a factual advantage; this does not mean that they will neccesarily test well. A lot of people don't test well for a variety of reasons, this doesn't mean they aren't as smart. My children take them because in our state, it is required annually from 3rd grade on. And my children so far test exactly how they are as "students". My child that naturally struggles with spelling/punctuation scored lower on that section but 2+ grades higher for vocab/comprehension. My child that rushes through math and doesn't double-check answers scored lower for computation but 2 grades higher for ability to apply math concepts. I don't get them higher grade books. I just file the scores in the "permanent file". My husband likes to see the scores. I think it makes him feel confident in the homeschooling as their average grade level tests higher than where they are. I do not use the test to plan their education. I have my plan. My drive is to raise well-rounded children who are strong in their faith. My hope is that my children would find what they are truly passionate for and find a way to work in a field they like. College is one of the life options....but it isn't the only one.

My oldest is a son....at his 12 year check last week I specifically told the nurse and put a note on his Boy Scout form not to discuss any sex education as it was being handled within the confines of our religious beliefs. I know that they can ask you to leave....but your child can request you stay. I don't know that Dr's spend as much time educating boys as girls; but I know that this has come up before in our HS group.:tongue_smilie:

I too have the snack standards for our house, granola bars, fruit snacks, string cheese, go-gurt or yogurt, fruit. The children generally want a snack mid-morning and late afternoon. Except for fruit, it is only 1 of each of the above a day. I have been trying to get better on the fruit/veggie intake daily. And I am blessed that my children do not try and sneak snacks. I can have a package of cookies on the counter and if they have had their treat after lunch....they leave the bag alone. I have tried to move the treat to after lunch so that they have more time to burn it off than if they have dessert after dinner.

Our Pack does the go to a BS campground for a week but they are on the Pack side. My husband took his vacation time and went with our son. Spendy, but our son did all the required fundraisers/events so there was no charge for him; we only had to pay a fee for my husband.

When I remember to get $$$ out we do a hybrid system.:001_smile: And the allowance had the built in tithe, savings & retirement (very ambitious program I read when I only had 2 children). There are lots of programs out there...but I am just trying to concentrate on the skill and just do spending, tithe and savings. I do not think that learning how to manage money can be learned from talking or a workbook alone. Children have to learn about money in a hands-on way. My children would much rather buy books form a yard sale than go to a bookstore because they have learned how much more you can get when you hunt and buy used. The child has to experience the sting of not being able to get some toy that finally went on sale because they didn't save their $$$ but spent it on some junky dollar store thing that broke right away. And money personalities are somewhat innate. I have one child who will walk around the store holding something but then not want to take the money out of the wallet at the checkstand. Then I have one who money just "burns a hole in the pocket" and has a really hard time saving it. I think that money management is a crucial life skill. My parents did not bless me with this skill and I paid for it heavily when I got to college/living and working on my own. I want my children to be money smarter, to know that life is about choices and choices cost money. There are the basic chores that do not earn any money. Those all fall in the you are part of a family. I have been known to withhold allowance from older children who are not getting the "basics" done; and that includes being a slacker on homeschool. I also think that children that refuse to do their part in keeping the house running smoothly start losing things like yummy meals (they can eat something basic at the table with us), treats, their chauffer to soccer practice, Boys Scouts, etc. ***Because I am the meanest Mother in the whole wide world*** Extra chores to earn money are few, but it a child is trying to earn something I will try and be creative. A small money management brag: My oldest son received $$ for his birthday, and he pooled it with his younger brother's bday $$$; Dad kicked in the rest to buy a WII. It makes me teary because he was saving up for a PSP. But he decided to use his hard saved $120 for something he and his 2 brothers and sister could enjoy together instead. His sister then went into hawk to us to get a second controller. And the little dudes saved up $$$ to buy a used game. Those are money lessons I can live with.:001_smile: Now if I could just live with the arguing over whose WII time it is.:tongue_smilie:

I have never heard of a Cub Scout Den seperating child from parents. In fact, a parent is required to be with a Tiger at meetings and events. That's the rules. New Wolves weren't treated any different. from Natalie: Our pack and district REQUIRED parents to be present until they reached Webelos level, and even then it was still strongly encouraged. This is the same in our area. I would do as someone else suggested, Dad and son show up and participate together. My husband has been on many camping trips and has never been seperated from our son (who is now in Boy Scouts). Unorganized Den.....if all the Den meetings continue to be chaotic, you aren't getting info you need or boys aren't progressing; talk with the Pack leaders. If it doesn't improve, find a new pack. We were in a "good" Pack (established, active) when my son started....but the Den leader was a flake (left, came back, left again) and the Pack didn't get on top of it quick enough. So my son did not have a very good beginning experience for the first 1 1/2 years. He definitely enjoyed the camps (my husband went on all of them) and the badges he earned...but I had to be a little more pushy and really make the Pack be accountable. My next son is now ready to join a pack, we are choosing a different one due to the fundraising piece. The pack my oldest son was in did not allow the boys to fundraise into their own account. When he became a Boy Scout, we were immediately hit with a ton of expenses that the Pack had not prepared us for. Not only equipping a Boy Scout (head to toe, pack & camping equipment), but the summer camp fees were due the same month he crossed over.:tongue_smilie: The pack I have selected for my new Tiger lets the boys fundraise to their own accounts. This means that by the time he crosses over; he will have funds that will cross with him to Boy Scouts. I also spend time educating Webelos II that I meet on the long list of things they should be purchasing. :001_smile:

This book is used in Mater Amabilis for 6th & 7th grade. My son was able to read it alone. As with all history books (and others:001_smile:), we discuss the things that are contradictory to our faith/beliefs. I think it is very hard to find unbiased history books.

I currently utilize the PS program for swimming lessons and guitar lessons. The parent partnered program makes these possible (swimming lessons $1 a time, weekly guitar lessons at a music school for $20 a month) on our single income family budget and 4 students so far. These are opportunities that I want and since we pay a tidy sum in school taxes I do not feel that I am "taking any hand-outs" nor is there any oversite. In the past, my children had taken some of the other classes (at the public school home school building/program), but I found it too difficult to maintain our home schedule. Not all school districts/states have parent partnered options. If there are opportunities that you can access, through a Co-op, a parent partnered program, etc. that you want for your children; go for it. You are educating your children. :001_smile: Find some good homeschooling friends that will support you. Don't let these parents who walk around telling people they aren't homeschoolers because they don't do it "their way" discourage you. In our state, the hs law is written very specifically for control by the parent. File an annual Declaration form for children 8 yrs and older, annual testing for 3rd graders on up. That is the extent of the "government interference". And we don't have to use the state's annual test. I use the CAT. Our state also has Running Start which allows students to begin classes at the community college while in high school. This whole idea that "the government" has the time and budget to be bothered to take more of an interest in hs families really irks me. They cannot even be bothered to make their own school/annual testing work. Homeschooling is such an ocean of choices now. Homeschooling isn't this unknown thing that happens in isolation anymore. It's out there. Education companies cater to it. Colleges are changing the way they do their admissions.

We use Math-U-See. My going to be 4 yr old even likes it. The hands-on blocks have worked really well for my boys. I have used Saxon K (lots of manipulatives) with younger ones as well. Some people prefer Saxon as it has a script to follow.

I would love more babies! Hubby not so much. I know my daughter would appreciate another girl in the house.:001_smile: Always hopeful.... 12ds, 9dd, 6dd, almost 4ds and 1 in Heaven :Angel_anim:

:iagree: If you add in some of the extra suggested books it should be fine, we were able to get a lot of those from the library. The Usborne internet link books are also an inexpensive addition. As you are going through it, let the student pick something or someone they would like to learn more about and have them do something more in depth. Do you have any homeschoolers close to you that are on the same rotation? Have a couple of "parties"; one with foods or a project one.

Simply Charlotte Mason site has some great helps. Mater Amabilis is a Catholic Charlotte Mason site (look at this even if you are not Catholic to get an idea for schedules for Shakespeare, artists, musicians). Shakespeare is on the schedule for my 4th grader (Lamb's book). My oldest read 3 plays in 6th grade. There is an artist and musician for each term. We have been using this approach for 2 years now. For the younger ones the shorter lesson time works great. As they get older, the time does increase (like for math as someone already mentioned). One thing I am not good at is the written narration. My children have no problem telling me things....but my older two do not like to write.:glare: Each of my children have a nature journal. I take pictures when we go on our walks as the younger 2 boys are not much for sitting and sketching. We do a mix of on our own walks and guided ones so that we can learn the names of things. They all love going out and exploring nature. We have an indoor and outdoor nature table (nothing fancy) for them to show of their finds or the photos (so we do not destroy nature). As it has been so successful for us(and to keep us outside) I am starting a Nature Club in our hs group/Co-op; this will help get us out of our little corner of the world and I am hoping that other Moms and children will be share their knowledge (bugs, names of flowers, birds, trees, fish). I have a 7th, 4th, 1st graders and 4yr old.

We use Mater Amabilis which is a Catholic Charlotte Mason with these tweaks: Latin: Latin Road to English Grammar Math: MUS Zeta Science: Apologia General Science Guitar Lessons Swimming Lessons and working on moving from First Class Boy Scout to Star (he will have a 50 miler hike over the summer).

I had stomach flu that was like that, I would think I was getting a little better then WHAM ....when I went in they said it can last up to 10 days. Ditto on the dehydration comments. Put paper towels in the bathrooms, kitchen sink, etc. for everyone to use for their hands, no towels. Dip toothbrushes in boiling water.

39, my 4th c-section. I am still hopeful from a miracle from heaven!!!

Way to go on the decluttering!!! I did 40 bags for Lent (a bag of stuff leaving the house for the days of Lent) thinking that I would have space....alas, my packrat ways still have me with too much stuff for our space. I finally was able to let go of the used workbooks and actually sell some curriculum that hasn't been touched (maybe the next child).

I would not let them near my children.at.all. I would not let there be even a remote chance of planting "you could live with us" seeds. If your son isn't going to be with them......I wouldn't visit with them at all.

I partner up with a close friend so we get the free shipping although my RR order is usually around 150 by myself.:001_smile: I usually try and order a few gift items when I order my suppplies. I don't get very much of my "school" things from them....more like art supplies, stickers, preschool toys. I have never had a problem with a back order (they only hold your order a week) or getting a refund. The only sadness is how small the box is!!!:001_huh: How can so much money fit inside such a tiny space!

We use Mater Amabilis. What I have found to be most helpful for weaving in Catholic teachings is to go heavy on following the Liturgical Calendar, Saint of the Day (this is also our globe geography), concentrating on learning the prayers. My children have really enjoyed the Feast Day celebrations. I tried to do 2 Feast day celebrations a month. One just with our family and one with a family we invited. Our Co-Op also picks some to host as well the church where our Co-Op is located. If you really like a certain Saint....spend more time learning about him/her. We did a month of St. Francis as our library had a ton of children's books on him. We also try and participate in 3 community service projects.

I have heard that K12 does make you more tied to your computer and things have to be done at certain times. I would not like it as I like flexibility. We follow the classical model using Charlotte Mason. Since I am with my children all the time and have an education background, I choose the curriculum. The one time I asked for an opinion on math; my husband didn't want to switch due to cost and it was another agonizing year for both student and Mom! Base your curriculum choices on the needs of your individual students. Don't think "I'll buy this expensive program because they will all use it so it will end up being cheap". It might only work for one. Failing....I don't think so. Just by having your children home with you, being there to influence what they read, watch, say, etc......you would still be miles ahead of public school influence.

-Look for a local copier at the mailbox places. The one next to my house offers a bulk discount. The last time I made copies they were 3 cents apiece and then he gave me a 10% discount on top of that. -sheet protectors. I don't let my children write in workbooks except in very primary years. -Lots of library books. I am able to reserve books ahead of time and use inter-library loan. Sometimes they don't come in at the right time...but free is always good. -definitely find a nearby hs convention. Free shipping on new stuff and they usually have a used sale. -make a friend that has children similar in curriculum/ages but maybe a grade ahead. I've been able to trade math, health and art that way. -I have done the thriftshop thing....but it is hard to go in and look with all the children and not come out with something that wasn't on the list.:glare: -used curriculum sites. It is way easier for me to check them at off times and keeps us out of stores. -split orders with other close by families. We always get free shipping from Rainbow and split it with other companies. This really helps when you need 1 paperback book but odering alone doubles the price by the time the fees and s/h are added.

We had a very trying experience with Saxon with my oldest and we switched to Math-U-See. Having the manipulatives and the short, mostly 1 topic lessons made a tremendous difference for him. We just got back his yearly testing (annual requirement where we live) and his ability to apply math has really increased. And he feels confident with his math skills instead of frustrated and really hating math. He is also 12.

We use Ecclesiastical since you can hear it and use it in the Latin Mass and in certain Christmas carols.

My children are much more likely to "need me" when I am spending time on the computer, taking a phone call during school time. The 1/2 attention (oh that's nice) doesn't do it for them. If I give them my undivided attention when they are speaking to me....the requests go down. The more stressed I am (overcommitted myself, trying to do 3 things at one time) the more their requests increase. Such wonderful little thermometers our children are.