We are co-parents so we really try to support each other. One rule we have always had is don’t parent on top of each other. I’m a lot more relaxed with my parenting style, so if I’m in the middle of handling something my husband knows not to step in. And vice versa, I don’t step into something he’s handling. The exception is if we clearly need support and want back-up. In front of the kids we stand united but behind closed doors we sometimes hash it out. Neither of us have ever used corporal punishment, so our differences are really just that, mere differences. As far as picky eaters, bedtime, etc. we can come to an agreement that suits us both. If I think the kid will simply outgrow being picky and my husband thinks they need to eat everything - our compromise might be that they at least try it, just a taste. Or if they really don’t like it they can eat a PB&J but they don’t get a special separate meal from the family. This honors the child and both parenting styles. As for bedtime, I’d say you don’t have to go to sleep but you must be in your room by 8:00 and no getting up. Again, everyone feels respected. Having a kid on my floor would make me and my husband both bonkers, so we would definitely enforce if the sun isn’t shining don’t come in, lol. But that isn’t really helpful to you. My kids are teenagers now and really easy, but those younger years pulled and stretched me. Kids go through stages and phases, but trying to stay united with your husband through it all works best imho. Hugs

My niece is Sarah Marie, so I think of her. It’s a lovely name imho 😊 ETA- I also think of the Jimmy Fallon skit, “Sarah with an H is ewwwâ€, lol

Is myhomeschoolmathclass.com mastery? It would be worth looking into. We use TT pre-Algebra & I agree the spiral is very redundant. My son uses a calculator except for tests. This helps him work through a lot of the spiral problems more quickly, but he’s still reviewing everything. He tolerates TT very well, so for us it’s fine.

Salad and garlic bread. But I wish I ate the Buddha bowl.. that sounds delicious

I was born in 71 & my husband was 73

Talking Word Factory by Leapfrog focuses on blends. Here’s the intro: https://youtu.be/jjCx1GxU9IQ My kids really liked this.

So far.... Hits: Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra Apologia General Science Seterra for Geography Misses: The Good & The Beautiful Language Arts 7 (Although I do like the sentence dictation and reading selections, so we will continue with those)

The Little Broomstick is a very cute chapter book that a 7 year old girl would love ETA - ok, I just looked and it’s very expensive! The copy I have is going for $80 on eBay. But if you can borrow it or find it at the library, it’s a great classic chapter book about a little witch.

I don’t know any preppers, or if we do, they hide their crazy well. Or maybe none of them live here. I’m in FL by the beach so apparently it’s going to be flooded today. It would only make sense that they all left.

Some companies will pay for part or all of your college too. Whenever I go to Starbucks in Tallahassee the employees there are all students working to receive the benefit of Starbucks college program. It’s pretty awesome. Several companies do this.

Great childhood. I was born in 1971, so cartoons were on Saturday morning only and a Disney Movie was on Sunday night and we had afterschool specials. So TV really wasn’t something I did a lot. No internet. No phones. Our first Atari was in middle school. I grew up with three sisters in a large suburb of Atlanta. Everyday we had a neighborhood group of kids that would hang out. In the summer we all went to the neighborhood pool all.day.long. My parents were pretty free range, so I was gone from dusk til dawn. For sports, I remember playing soccer, swim team, my favorite was ice skating. I took horse back riding lessons in middle school, and that was really fun. I was in band in middle school too & played the violin. In high school I was a cheerleader. I never felt overscheduled & all of my extracurricular activities were of my own pursuing. ETA- and also babysitting. That was my cash flow. I did not get any allowance. My first real job was at Mcdonalds when I was 15 (the uniform traumatized me, lol)

There are some neat idea of how to repurpose an old wedding dress & create keepsakes. I know you said there’s no sentimental attachment, but even having an ornament or necklace with a small piece of fabric, etc. might be kind of cool. There were some really great ideas just glancing over google images.

We will certainly do what we can. I imagine that means paying for their BS or BA at the local CC or local bible college. Both of our children are encouraged to dual enroll for 11th and 12th, as that’s free college (crazy not to take advantage- you can graduate high school with an AA here). Anything beyond that they will need to figure it out. I put myself through college and worked full-time (and was pregnant when I graduated). It is totally doable. Where there’s a will there’s a way. ETA - and of course scholarships and grants are available and encouraged to pursue.

Subjects vary at our co-op. There are 4 class periods and lunch. The younger kids also get a recess (and all kids get a 15 minute snack break after 1st period). My son is in 8th grade & we both love co-op. He takes Apologia Science, Bible, Drama, and Study Hall. There were other classes as well but this is what we chose. Each class was $20 and the annual registration is $150. Our co-op is a year long commitment. In the past I’ve been part of co-ops that cost less and were quarterly. We meet once a week from 8:30-1:30. We have Assembly and then are dismissed to first period. All parents are required to stay & teach or assist (although moms get breaks - so you don’t work every hour). At my previous co-op we worked two consecutive classes and could leave for the other two classes to run errands (as long as we signed out). The co-op is for ages three through high school and everyone has a classroom (no one under 3). My previous co-op had a nursery, so all ages welcome. We meet at a Baptist facility school grounds type place. It’s basically like a small private school. Something that I love is a snack shack for the kids. It raises funds for the co-op and the kids love the option of buying drinks & snacks during break. They also offer different lunch options we can order, which is great. I think I answered all of your questions. I’m on my phone & cant see well, so forgive any typos ETA - at our previous co-op we had a yearbook, picture day, etc That was probably my daughter’s favorite thing ...to carry that book around (she’s 16 in public school and still has it in her room😊)

I have a keurig coffee bar type area, so with guests over we just put out creamers, different flavor coffees, etc. and people make their own. Then we gather around and chat. I have several tins of tea- so if someone preferred that I’d just heat the kettle. 😊

I do understand what your saying. I just think biting and hitting can be redirected easily with most toddlers (and some don’t hit or bite at all). But I f you have a repeat offender that can’t be redirected or controlled in a classroom of 12 or so toddlers, it makes more sense imo to tell the parents of one to find other arrangements, rather than tell the parents of the other 11 to deal with it or leave. And I agree smaller classes, better training, etc. would be ideal of course. Anyway, OP, I do NOT think the behavior should be handled harshly with your nephew. I’m certain he will outgrow it. My thoughts aren’t to be unkind about your nephew. Lord knows I’ve been there when my son was little. Im glad your sister has figured out childcare in the meantime.

I don’t know, I kind of disagree. My toddler (hypothetical) isn’t affected by another toddler being potty trained. Biting usually doesn’t result in suspension for first or second time offenders. It happens when it’s reoccurring and can’t be corrected or controlled by the teacher. Not to mention it often breaks the skin or leaves a bruise (and hurts and is scary for the recipient). I get that it’s developmentally appropriate but it’s not okay. The facility has to have safeguards in place not only for themselves but for the other children entrusted to them. The daycare has a specific child/adult ratio so it makes constant one on one supervision nearly impossible. My son slapped other kids when he was around one or two. It was really exhausting for me. He outgrew it of course - but he would have been difficult to care for in a daycare setting. He needed constant shadowing.

I was a waitress in the early 90’s. I was a terrible waitress (not for lack of trying) and I always made really good money. I think people felt sorry for me, lol. I switched to being a hostess. I always tip great now, restaurant work is a demanding job. Congrats to your son!

If the child is hurting other children, yes it’s common. Hot sauce is a horrible idea. What terrible advice she was given!

I second bare minerals

I’m going to spend today looking through TG&TB & decide if and how we will continue to use it. I purchased Wordsmith & Writing with Skill 1 (not sure how I’ll use both but couldn’t decide on which one to purchase). Anyway. I’m really just not sure that supplementing and adapting to make this work is worth it. I may just cut my losses and move on. If my son just really loved it, I may feel differently. I already own Easy Grammar 8, we use quill.org already & if I add a writing curriculum... do I really need TG&TB? Maybe for sentence dictation and we can finish up the reading assignments. As I thumb through today, I’ll see what else we can keep.

My son is in 8th grade. We are studying American History. I’m just making it up (at least through December). I used abookintime.com as our spine & we are using living books, movies, written narrations, drive thru history, and online history games. So far so good.

I focused on handwriting and reading K-2 and a writing program started in 3rd. ETA- sorry I think you are just asking about learning to write letters and such. I'd say they learned to write their names at 3 or 4. We used Handwriting without Tears when they were about 5.

Yes I have and would again. When you have to go pee badly standards become low.

We are using Level 7 with my 8th grader. So far I like it well enough, but I don't know that we will continue with it next year (will make that decision in spring). I feel like the amount of writing is really lacking, so I'm hoping that changes and it's just because we are still early in the program. But overall I do like the layout & my son seems to tolerate it well.