My husband and I don’t share everything people confide in us. It doesn’t have anything to do with our marriage and it’s not my information to share. However, with our children, it really is based on what the information is, does my husband feel excluded, is my child being fair in keeping the information from that parent. But in general we both have conversations with our kids that both parents don’t need to be in the loop. Some things my son may feel comfortable just discussing with his dad (or maybe just me), and that’s totally fine with me. Or if my daughter just needed to talk with me privately, my husband wouldn’t think twice about it. If there was a real problem, of course, we would spill the beans... but just general conversations, it’s great that our kids can choose who to go too.

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I would create a visual aid that shows clearly when screen time occurs. The first few times he ask, walk to the display and show him how he can determine when he will get screen time again. Once you are sure he understands, no longer have a conversation about it. Simply tell him to check the board.

We use Okocat- it’s the best I’ve ever used.

My son doesn’t have special needs (but reading this thread it’s like we are talking about him, so maybe he does and I’m clueless). My son also needed downtime when he was in public school. We would eat a snack & do homework. He could play on his computer once homework was done. He really needed that. I had to sit with him every single night through homework. I would go through his back pack & help organize papers that had literally shoved in there as wads of paper. He lost his pencil every single day! So I had to make sure he had one for the next day. We would discuss every single class and any upcoming tests or assignments - discussing it would help him remember. As a reminder. I would write in sharpie on his hand. Sometimes it would just be an “X†but it would trigger him to remember to turn things in. If he had multiple things to do, we would make a list to keep in his pocket to help him remember things (and an X on his hand helped him remember the list). Anyway. No real advice. It’s honestly why he’s back homeschooling this year. It was exhausting to try and help him keep up with everything. He made good grades, (and he is over the top smart)... but his ability to keep up was just non existent. We were both miserable by the end of 7th grade. Ironically, he now self manages his entire day with almost no supervision from me. I just hand him his to do list and he marks it off with a highlighter as he completes his day. He schedules his own breaks and everything. And the best part is, we haven’t lost a pencil 😊

Subway. I get a loaded veggie sub with vinegar, salt & pepper on a whole wheat toasted bun.

My family & in-law’s weren’t supportive when we first homeschooled. It was just really weird for them & they couldn’t wrap their brain around it being a legitimate option. Over time that changed (it was clear my kids were doing really well). Also, my mom was meeting homeschool families, which made it seem more normal for her. In the beginning, I really didn’t allow an open dialogue about it, not even with friends. I don’t discuss how I parent, nor do I need unsolicited advice or approval. That’s between my husband and I. So, I approached homeschooling the same way. I also started a blog when my daughter was 5 & if they really wanted a peek into our lives, I invited them to follow that way. As the years passed, it just became a non-issue & everyone was supportive (or kept quiet). That first year though, I do remember a lot of opinions from family and friends, so I just shut them down.

I think as long as the kids/teens want to dress up there should be no cut-off date. My kids are 16 & almost 14. Neither want to trick or treat anymore. But if they wanted too, it wouldn’t bother me.😊

We are having a “Too Old to Trick or Treat†Party. We will have a potluck & cookout. Some fall festival type games for teens and watch a movie on the side of the house with a projector (maybe Alice through the Looking Glass). My kids are too old for fall festivals and trick or treating, so we thought it would be fun to just have a get-together with friends. It won’t really be Halloweenish spooky thing, just fall fun. That way all of our friends feel comfortable coming, since not everyone we know let their kids trick or treat. I definitely want to carve a pumpkin too 😊

I enrolled my son in 5th grade (he is homeschooling again now). It was very easy to enroll him here. I just called the front office & explained our situation and asked what they needed from me. My son had to have his immunization records, birth certificate, a physical, and his most recent test scores (we had used SAT10 so I just gave them that). That’s all it took. He did very well & adjusted fine. ETA- and yes, he was placed in his grade based on birthdate. Here kids take a STAR reading test & that will place them in their AR Level

My son in 7th grade was very disorganized. I was involved and the teachers were so wonderful in partnering with me so I could help him from our end. I never questioned how they did things, I simply asked for ways I could help my son from home. Had I not been involved my son would have made terrible grades (for work he was more than capable of doing). All of his teachers said middle school (particularly 7th grade) was notorious for dips in grades because of all the hormone changes. So wait if you want, but if the grades continue to be low just contact the teachers. Thank them for all they do and ask for any input on how you can partner with them to help your son.

A really fun get-together. I’m in the south.

Im 46 & my husband has had a vasectomy. I’d faint.

I’m not on FB. I deleted it about 8 years ago. I dont do social media except for Pinterest- I love that site. It feels productive, while ((for me) other social media sites feel like time wasters.

Yes. We allow sleepovers at our house with select kids. We also allow our kids to sleep out at other homes with selective families. Basically, our kids know spend-the-nights happen with families we know very well and trust very much and the friendships are ones my husband & I feel really good about. My daughter isn’t going to a slumber party because a girl at school invited her for their birthday. We just wouldn’t feel good about that. In those scenarios we let her go & just pick her up at like 9 or 10. Same applies to my son. ETA- kind of off topic, but we also have secret texting code that would alert us to come pick them up— whatever the reason, we would know to go ASAP

chili, beefless stew, potato soup, veggie pizza, quesadillas, burritos, spaghetti, lasagna, farmers plate (mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, biscuits), stir fry, cheeseless mac & cheese... really anything you would normally eat there is a vegan healthy version. I don’t buy fake meat & all of my meals satisfy my carnivore husband ðŸ‘🻠ETA- On my Pinterest I have some yummy recipes pinned: https://www.pinterest.com/amykeith71/ hope that helps youðŸ½

Before I had kids I was a nanny. I thought I was an expert on children. Then I had children, lol. So all of the things I was certain my children would never ever do... Ive eaten a lot of humble pie over the years to say the least 😊

Oh. And I have a cool story! When I was about 18, some friends and I drove to FL to see Nine Inch Nails (they were opening for The Jesus & Mary Chain). Trent Reznor was talking to us & telling us they were coming to Atlanta. He said he would put us on the guest list. We wrote our names on a cocktail napkin, and months later when they were in ATL, we actually were on the guest list like he promised. That was pretty cool!

Yes, kind of (famous depending on who you ask, right?). The Black Crowes went to my high school, so it was pretty cool when they became big for a time. They used to do R.E.M covers and were Mr. Crowes Garden in the 80’s. I also knew Kristian Stanfill when he was a teen. I worked at a large church & he was the worship leader for the youth group when he was in high school. One day, a few years back, my husband was preparing a worship set. He was listening to Kristian Stanfill & I saw his name on the computer screen... I was like, “How do you know Kristian?†I had no idea he had gone on to create a career for himself. I was so happy for him. Oh, and my sister is best friends with Travis Tritt’s sister, she also went to our high school. His dad was a school bus driver for years after he became a country singer. So I don’t know him but I know his sister & dad. Does that count? 😊

These are great. Thank you! Off to do research on these now. We purchased The Good and The Beautiful Language Arts Level 7, but the writing is just not enough at all. My son was in public school last year & the writing was just SOOO much... but now it’s barely at all (aside from a written narration here or there & a paper he wrote on why YouTube gaming is a great career). I just find myself at a loss trying to figure out what he needs. I purchased Wordsmith and Writing with Skill 1, as I found these copies for really cheap on Amazon. But I bought them sort of blindly & really have no idea what will work. I’m just hoping these will get us through 8th grade & now I’m looking ahead to next year (I definitely don’t want to be in this position again in 9th grade, as I feel aimless). Thank you all again!

Okay. I’ve really enjoyed the the other two threads regarding middle school curriculum choices for various subjects. What are you all using for writing? What are your plans as they enter 9th grade? My son is in 8th grade & I feel the most pressure with writing. Thanks in advance! Amy

Apologia General Science. We meet with our co-op one day a week and finish out work at home the other 4 days. We both love it.

Sounds like a migraine. Here’s what works for me when excedrin migraine doesn’t help... Sleep Benadryl (a friend told me this & it does help.. I do this at night so I’m not passed out all day) I find relief with peppermint oil added to my temples and base of the neck. I don’t use a carrier oil. When the peppermint wears off my migraine is still there usually, but it’s wonderful temporary relief. I also own a tens unit & I’ll put that on my shoulders. Again, this is just temporary relief, but helps while I’m wearing the unit. I will also have my husband massage my neck and shoulders as hard as he can (I’m sore the next day) but it really helps. Lastly, if I pinch my eyebrows using my thumb and pointer finger (starting by my nose & work my way out). That’s a pressure point area that can offer relief and it really helps. Weird I know, but it helps.

Yes. I wouldn’t say it’s life consuming (at least not for me), but it is definitely time consuming, thought consuming, and an expense (And I only homeschool my son & he's 13). When my kids were smaller it involved a lot more from me, now my role has shifted, in terms of what is now needed from me. But it’s all still time consuming (and totally worth it).