Could your spouse head to the library on a Saturday and consult with the children's librarian for resources? More audio books, along with some things to keep his hands busy. I agree with those who say good TV is just fine for this short period! I'm 20 weeks with my first, and spent weeks 6 through 14 miserable with exhaustion and nausea on the couch. The minute it let up, I felt so much better and picked right back up where I left off.

I like the word "STOP." If someone was saying things like that to me out of negativity (and I were feeling brave and assertive) I would say stop in a confident tone of voice. I learned that from my husband who's a second grade teacher. It's a one word way to show that you aren't interested in continuing down a path with someone. He uses it when he finds his kids lying to him. (He does often follow it up by pointing out exactly what the problem was, but I don't think you need to do that for an adult.) The content of these comments is pretty much irrelevant. It's not like he's asking you proactively to please try cooking the pork a different way next time. Perhaps he likes to hear you try to placate him, and he feels some power in rejecting those attempts. Or he finds the negativity inside too much and feels better when he shares it. It's at too high of a cost to your sense of peace and safety, though. I'm not a huge fan of the ignoring thing, only because sometimes I think it presses people into going further and further to get a response. As soon as you say stop, they know you know what they are trying to do and that you won't accept any more of it.

I understand this. It's tough to see how his behavior hurts your mom (and yourself and potentially your children) and then not feel a traumatized or alienated by his choices. My parents divorced while I was in high school, and in a pretty different scenario (my mother had a midlife crisis and left the family). For many years my dad was my hero for simply being there. Then he started dating a woman who is my interpersonal nightmare - jealous, manipulative, driving. As an adult, I had to come to grips with the idea that my dad is capable of happily making choices that put me out, that potentially hurt me, and which he blithely expects me to put up with. So I decided to take some polite steps back here and there. For a while I would have a nice superficial conversation on the phone with him, and then cry inconsolably in private about how I really felt. Occasionally, something bothers me enough that I tell him that I do not want to have a part of that or discuss it. And he is very good about listening to and respecting those boundaries. So that's my safety valve. It's become a dance of what I must address to keep the relationship going, and what many things I must stop participating in in my dad's life to keep my own sense of dignity and sanity. It hurt a lot to realize that my dad was fine with this! Just like my mom didn't mind leaving me if it meant she could go live where she wanted alone, my dad doesn't seem to mind dating someone who's nasty to me if it means he's in a committed relationship. It's a disappointment and that doesn't do much to keep up the bond. If you have the strength to be honest with your father from the outset, I think that's healthy. It's not the same as telling him what to do with his life and his choices. I wish I could tell my parents how I really feel, but instead I choose to limit my relationship with them. It's tough and confusing, and you really have my sympathy.

I think the results of the DRA *are* showing that the student is advanced. He's reading at the end of first grade level, yet he's only halfway through Kindergarten. That is roughly a year and a half ahead. Reading with a tutor is a different context than taking the DRA, so that may help explain the difference, along with his very young age. The DRA is a one on one reading test in which the test administrator follows strict guidelines on scoring the student's response to the writing sample. There's very little wiggle room for interpretation, and it's not a global statement on the student's giftedness. Usually the test is done a couple of times a year to track progress. Whether he tests at end of first grade or at the third grade level, however, there's no excuse for him being bored to tears in class! By acceleration, do you mean you would like for the student to skip grades? For example, head to a second or third grade classroom for his reading instruction or more? His kindergarten teacher is obligated to give him work that engages and challenges him, just as she does for the children working at or below grade level in her classroom. It stinks to compromise when you have worked with a child and understand his needs and potential, but rather than challenge the validity of the test results, I would aim to get more advanced texts to him wherever he is in the school right now.

You're welcome - I also prefer SWB's approach to writing! I do think there are kids at this age who love to play with creative writing, who really enjoy being an author and creating something for others to read, but as a vocation rather than a developmental need. Out of a class of twenty children, maybe one or two are like this, so it's frustrating that they spend so much time doing it. In our state, it's because standardized testing starts in third grade, and these prompts are exactly how they measure achievement in writing. If it weren't for that, there would be plenty of time to learn how to write to all these standards. I read the link, and the most aggravating thing is how much time it takes school districts and teacher training to back away from some of the experiments gone horribly wrong, like Everyday Math and refusing to engage all students. I had dinner with three teachers last week, and I think they complained about half of what was on that list, so if you have a problem with how something's done at your new school, it's possible your child's teacher may be an unexpected ally.

That is too sweet! My husband teaches second grade in public school; they spend a lot of time on this kind of writing. They use a very similar rubric as the first grade rubric you posted. DH says that for grades 1 through 3, the teachers are looking for the same things in the kids' writing, just a bit more advanced with each year. DH really likes the adjectives your son used. The capitalization, punctuation and spelling look very good. He would want to work on sentence structure to minimize run-ons. Many second graders are still working on that in his class. When your son answers the prompt at his evaluation, it will probably be something that can be elaborated a bit more, so that there is a beginning, a middle, and an end - more of a story rather than an answer to a factual question. We are in a different state and system obviously but I thought it might help to hear from somebody who reads a lot of second grade writing.

I think visual/spatial skills often help guide sophisticated physical activity that goes beyond immediate bodily coordination. It's what helps you navigate a grocery store, a set of hiking paths, or a crowded skating rink. It helps you put together a bookcase. It could also be the ability to create and manipulate visual representations to your satisfaction, or to meet an external requirement, like arranging felt pieces to make a face on a doll or drawing a map to help someone get to your house. Before you can act, you are able to see what you'd like to try; then you evaluate and edit as needed. This isn't coming from Gardner, just a guess.

DH and I have been married for just over a year, and we know we'd like to start a family in the next few years. I realized while we were talking about it that I'd like to adopt one of our children. I lived overseas for a few years as a child, and my mom and I volunteered to care for children at an orphanage in our city. I feel like I have a connection with that country and culture, and would love to go back to adopt a child there. DH is open to adopting; two of his uncles were adopted as young children. There's a lot we don't know, and we thought it would be good to start learning about adoption sooner rather than later! What are your favorite books and blogs? Are there any books or websites you would recommend to a couple who have not parented yet? I'm familiar with families who have biological children before adopting, or couples who choose to adopt after TTC biological children - but I don't know much about couples who choose adoption at the beginning of making their families, or whether that matters much. Thanks for your insights!

My husband is a second grade teacher, and I occasionally grade a worksheet here and there to help him out. I have seen handwriting just like this on some of their papers. My (typically developing) brother is 26 years old and a graduate of MIT. His handwriting is much worse than your son's. In fact, when he first took his SAT II in English or writing or whatever it was, he received a terrible score. We think it's because the graders couldn't read his handwriting; he retook it (with much parental admonishment to write neatly) and did much better. He's currently doing a PhD and I do feel a little sorry for his future students. If OT will help, it's probably worth pursuing, but please know that bad handwriting, even as an adult, not a complete impediment to success.

I have four guinea pigs; two came from our local rescue. They are my first pets and when I got them I committed to getting them vet care when they need it. The cost of bringing a guinea pig to our vet is less than half of bringing a cat or dog. I have bonded with them as much as I would a dog or cat. Guinea pigs are prey animals and when sick will attempt to hide their symptoms. They go down hill very fast when sick, simply because they stop eating. It's not unusual to lose a pig at 2 years if you don't attend to their health, but they can live as long as 5 to 7 years. Something to keep in mind as your daughter becomes a busy teen. They need relatively large cages, compared to other rodents. The bottom of the hutch or cage you use should not be wire mesh - this will cause bad back or feet injuries. I use indoor coroplast bottom cages with towel and fleece bedding that I wash weekly. (Saves on CareFresh paper bedding.) I don't consider them livestock animals. I would never put mine outdoors because I would miss them and worry about their health/safety. They are not built to withstand temperature fluctuations. They can become lonely or bored just like a cat or a dog. Mine know me from my husband, they respond to my voice, love to be petted, have fun running and playing, beg for food, etc. Last year we adopted an elderly (5.5 year old) boy guinea pig who was so friendly and sweet - instant bond. He would watch us from his cage, chew on the bars for attention, allow me to pick him up without wiggling, cuddle for hours. We were devastated when he passed after six months, but we knew he had a wonderful life with us, much better than living out his life at the rescue where he wouldn't have gotten as much attention. This particular pig was on his third adoption, through absolutely no fault of his own. So don't discount rescue pigs, especially when they are healthy. Depending on personality, they can be quite cuddly. It's like any other pet. They aren't very similar to rabbits in my mind. If you want to be more sure of personality, adopt through a rescue where the owner can observe the pigs before adopting them out. Guinea pig are social animals, so a pair is the best choice - your local rescue might have an already bonded pair who get along wonderfully well ready to go. They need good quality Timothy Hay, plain Timothy pellets in a dish, and fresh veggies everyday. Dairy and nut products are not necessary. Never use a harness, ball, or wheel, as they aren't compatible with piggy physiology. Having been to my local rescue, and had two pigs who came from bad neglect situations, please know they do have a tremendous capacity to feel pain and become disheveled and unhealthy without you really realizing it. That is no fun to deal with, especially when your family has developed an attachment. Large indoor cage (with a pigloo for each pig), proper diet, occasional bath and regular brushing and nail clipping, vet when they are clearly ill, weekly or more often cage cleaning, daily lap and floor time - they all go a long way to healthy guinea pigs.

Thank you so much for the replies! Sorry I couldn't post sooner.. We are working on moving out of our studio apartment and into a house right now. I'm glad I'm not the only one to be a little over eager! Your suggestions are great and definitely more realistic than collecting things that will age on a shelf for five or more years. I do have some sweet older used picture books set aside, and I recently compiled a list of approximately 200 highly recommended books for ages 0 - 3; purchasing them all new is likely out, but I can keep a lookout for them used and prioritize. My husband is a second grade teacher and is always bringing home a book here and there from book fairs, too. Like Holly mentioned, there seems to be overlap in some of the curricula that uses real books, which makes choosing a little easier. I think I'll make some big old lists of curriculum (something like Rosie mentioned), just to satisfy that part of my brain that wishes to hoard stuff for a rainy day. :001_smile: It's all there for the future, without having to purchase any of it yet. I'm sure at least a part of my desire to homeschool stems from the fact that my family moved around for my Dad's job - and while living overseas was amazing, it definitely broke my education up into incoherent pieces. I went onto college and grad school, but by ninth grade I didn't know which way was up! I do have time to read now, so I'll focus on filling in some of the gaps that bother me, and that will be worthwhile in any situation. I also absolutely love the idea of reading a ton of history and science, making art and playing music, just for the sheer enjoyment of it. Does anyone have a favorite or recommended curriculum fair in the New England region? I'm looking forward to "inviting" DH to one of those!

I've been researching homeschooling since I got married last year - I've been interested since college, but now that we are starting a family in the next year or so, I'm really excited about learning more. Do you have any curricula or resources that you consider classic or essential, that stand the test of time? I have read about so many different history spines, math and science resources, Language Arts curricula, art materials, teach your child to read books, etc.. I'm sure there will be plenty of materials available in five to ten years when I'd potentially be homeschooling, but I'd love to stash a few things for now.. What did you like and use the most for the earlier years? I'm reading The Well Trained Mind and checking out lots of books from the library right now. Even if we don't end up with either children or homeschooling, I find it all really interesting!

Thanks for posting this! My friend is a fully-funded doctoral student in one of the social sciences at a very well-regarded university. She was the only one in a cohort of eight to pass in her Masters Thesis on time. She claims that her classmates rarely do the readings for discussion classes. Instead of discussing what was assigned, they talk amongst themselves about something related enough that the professor cannot or will not challenge them on it. Kind of horrifying at that level. (My friend, on the other hand, reads into the wee hours, because she's actually motivated to be equipped to do the clinical research she believes will help her population.)

This is my experience as well. I love to read. There is definitely no sound, unless I specifically choose to "hear" the words. I'm very much a visual-kinesthetic learner, and books are great because the words in them stay still. If she likes formula books, why not try a new series? They won't be great or classic books, but maybe getting into the habit of sustained reading is the first step. I like the Sabriel trilogy from Garth Nix (does contain magic a la Harry Potter but done so much better), or go back to the original formula writer for kids, Enid Blyton. I also remember at that age being entranced by nonfiction - a nice little pod of trade books about some interesting historical event had me reading for hours. Maybe it's something beyond not wanting to put in full effort to read? It seems like your daughter wants to be sure she will like and find it easy to invest in the main characters when she chooses to read - that's what I see in common with Hank the Cowdog and the American Girls. A lot of good fiction contains ambiguous characters and a more subtle emotional payoff, and perhaps she feels a lack of connection and therefore boredom?