Can anyone give me some advice on the which homeschooling option to choose? These are the two I'm interested in. I'm mostly concerned with privacy but don't want to go a controversial route that raises red flags. We live in California. Thanks,

My daughter started violin just before her third birthday and piano at 4.5. It is awesome but a lot of commitment and work. It's been the best decision of my parenting life. Her teachers use the Suzuki method. I recommend reading one of Dr Suzuki's books. They are inspirational. Go to the official Suzuki website for a link to accredited teachers by zip code. The method is for string instruments : piano, violin, guitar, cello... Go to YouTube and watch videos of the kids. They are incredible. Take care,

I want to start my daughter volunteering. I'm thinking of a senior home to visit regularly. Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,

Mary Poppins series, sooooooo much better than the movie Peter Pan Roald Dahl books, esp Danny, Champion of the World Little House series My Fathers Dragon Beatrix Potter books Just So Stories Pinocchio Story of Dr Dolittle series Mrs Piggle Wiggle Winnie the Pooh The Wind in the Willows Stuart Little Alice in Wonderland The Complete Tales of Uncle Remus, audio book, that accent was beyond my skill Check out the blog Satori Smiles for a great lit list

My daughter is a year older but quite a late bloomer so maybe this will apply. I also felt she wasn't getting the concepts but relying on the number lines and not gaining any understanding. I had her finish, hoping a few seeds would be planted and then we started Rightstart A and redid Horizons K, I had made a copy. I really like the combo of them both now.

I read the book and liked it. I really, really, really, super recommend reading The Late Talker, What to do if your Child isn't Talking Yet by Dr Marilyn Agin, as well. My daughter has apraxia which doesn't resolve on its own. I delayed getting her therapy because of some bad advice from a speech therapist. Even if your child is simply a late talker, speech therapy won't hurt. Obviously, make sure you get a good one who is play based and enjoyable for your kiddo. Take Care, Amanda

Your son is very young for a therapist to be able to determine whether he has apraxia, a phonological disorder, or is just a late bloomer ( my brother was one of these, he didn't walk until 18 months, was a late talker, because of that experience, I waited to get my daughter therapy, which was a mistake). My daughter has severe apraxia and her therapist says that even with severe cases it can be difficult to determine, at that young of age. I specifically asked her because I took her to a therapist when she was 3 and he diagnosed articulation/phonological disorder. I thought, how could he get it wrong when it's such a severe case? But she said that it is extremely difficult to determine accurately at that age. Her last therapist said that most apraxic kids that she sees also have motor delays. But my daughter doesn't, at all. Last week, I took my daughter to a pediatric neurologist. He was really great. He did a easy going evaluation. He asked her to walk back and forth on heels, toes. Follow his finger with her eyes, rotate her arms, etc. My daughter is older so I'm sure the criteria will be different for a younger guy. The neurologist did not diagnose apraxia and in fact said he didn't do that, that was the SLP's expertise. He will be looking for red flags for some sort of neurological delay/disoder. I think it is great that you are getting him therapy. It won't hurt. I wish I had started my daughter earlier. Because I waited, she has bad habits that she has to break now. It is an added burden to an already difficult situation. I did do therapy techniques at home that her first therapist recommended, but it wasn't enough or as specific as she needed. I recommend you go to Youtube and look at kids with apraxia of speech. My daughter sounds just like those kids. I hope this helps a bit. Take Care, Amanda ps-I'm sorry this post is kind of all over the place, tired mom syndrome -

How long do you read aloud to your kid(s) ea. day, total? We've been reading 1-2 hours/day. It's fun. Once she starts reading and school gets more advanced I'm sure we'll have to cut back. Wondering, that's all... I'd do a poll but I'm a non techie dork

I'm confused about how to teach these sounds with the sentence she provides. Any help from you btdt moms. Thanks.

Thanks for the ideas. I really need to simplify meals. I feed 6 gluten free adults and one child a day. Having no behavioral issues would be real nice. What's your secret? Thanks again, Amanda

Wow! Thank you for all the responses! Angela, what does very organized look like to you? Can you expound on this a bit, please? Yes, only one video/movie a week is the way we roll at our house too. Any more tips? Thanks a million, Amanda

Thanks. We are thoroughly committed to violin and piano. I appreciate you saying that it seems like a lot to you. I look at other moms and it seems they have time for so much more. Thanks again, Amanda

My dd is only doing kindergarten and we are able to fit everything, but just barely. I'm wondering how moms with older kids that have more challenging amounts of school, manage. I don't want to borrow worry from tomorrow but I feel like I'm missing something here. Is it that when they're older things progress from subject to subject quicker? Do you have more time because they take less time to scoot from activity to activity? I want to develope good work habits for both of us. My dd is 5.5yo. She plays the violin and piano. She practices 1-2 hours a day 6 days a week. The rest of her school consists of Explode the Code, Horizons Math, and read alouds with some educational games and poetry memorization thrown in. She also has speech therapy 2x/week, swimming 3x/week, ballet 1x/week, and a music lesson 1x/week. I know it doesn't seem like a lot but our days are packed. What's your secret? Any thoughts or advice is appreciated, Thanks, Amanda

I'm looking for a yoga dvd for my 5 year old daughter. I want something lovely and relaxing for her. No ugly squeeky cartoons, no high pitched adult voices trying to be entertaining, you know, quiet, pretty, calm... Any advice? Thanks, Amanda

We love coconut oil. I use it to saute veggies or fish. I like the taste, the smell, and it doesn't have any cholesterol. I don't spread it on bread. I use butter. I don't make cookies or cakes with it. Too much has given a couple family members tummy upset. We buy from Amazon.com Take Care, Amanda

I read the book and enjoyed it immensley. I don't think it is fair to avoid the book because of an interview performance. In the book she tells about several times when she flubbed interviews or made poor impressions because of nervousness. I think she was always trying to help her children even if she was cruel in her approach. Her kids seem pleased with how they turned out. I think she regrets her many mistakes and has learned from them and I got the impression that theirs is a strong family bond, with baggage, yes... That's how she had so much stuff to put in her book. I'm not a Tiger Mom, maybe a bobcat mom. Take Care, Amanda

This is very interesting! My daughter also has a severe speech delay. She listens to audio books (old Disney Peter Pan, Cinderella, Fox and the Hound,101 Dalmatians,etc.) in the car. Recently, she has started to say the words of the story, at the same time. We've been listening for a couple years (over and over and over:w00t:). Shorter books might be too babyish for your guy but I think its helped my daughter because she now has them memorized and tries to talk along with the narrator. Take Care, Amanda

I took my 4yo and I wouldn't do it again. She wasn't traumatized nor was I but it was more in your face than educational. I sensed cruelty and abrasiveness in the displays not a creative or educational feeling, at all.

I feel the same way. History is written by the victors. Its really hard to find children books that aren't RAH RAH for our Sainted political leaders, their wars, and their laws.

My daughter has a certain smell when she is sick too! Moms are so weird!

I know a late reader (8yo) who was helped by sandpaper letters. He would trace them while his mother would say the sound. He reads beautifully and voraciously now. He didn't have any learning difficulties. His brain just wasn't ready until he was 8-9 and he is very, very smart.

I was just going to buy a student package for level 1. Should I wait and then buy it through one of you guys' links once you become an affiliate? Does it work that way? Will there be a discount? Thanks, Amanda sorry for the highjack

Oh Thank You!!!! Amanda

I've decided on RIght STart Math for my almost 5yo girl. Which set should I get. The Starter kit is $100, the Delux is $180. Any advice? Thanks, Amanda

I second milestones academy. It is written for LDS families but we love it and we're atheists! She has a fantastic bookstore and great videos about timelines, montessori, notebooks. She's also super helpful if you have a question. Take Care, Amanda