"Are you sassin' me?" for the exact usage as Mamabegood's quote here. Also a twist from a line in Veggie Tales Esther movie "Are you shhshing me?" "Get over it." "Guess you'll have to just suck it up." For the whining/complaining attitudes ~ always gets a little chuckle from the offender. As someone else mentioned, we use a lot of dc's words from when they were first learning to talk. We love keeping that alive! Very fun post, btw!

... and less work - especially the sweat equity kind. If you can hire out, disregard. If you can get a housekeeper, disregard:) Otherwise, I'm for using my time to invest in my children directly. I'm currently living in a house larger than what we need and the upkeep is often frustrating for me. I am by no means a perfectionist - if you came to my home you'd see plenty left undone, btw. My dc are getting older and are able and expected to take on more tasks, but I am also taking on "more" in the form of researching curricula and planning lessons - the older they get, the more time I need for this it seems (ages 9, 7, 5). Just my 2cents. Btw, Laura, we are still rdg Swallows & Amazons - just finished Peter Duck! And have ordered the next 3 :D Take care. Said a prayer for your family's next home! Cheryl

Within 2-3 days, I made various phone calls to school district and United Streaming and HSLDA. While the district was "looking into it" US returned my call and said, "Sure. Here's the code." After this, the district called me stating they could not include homeschoolers since they viewed us as a private school and they would not include any private school in the usage of US. Meanwhile, HSLDA called and said we do have legal access to US however they agreed w/my point about not wanting to be on the public school "radar". Personally, I would not have pursued it w/HSLDA - not worth it to me. So, is it free? I dunno but I got it for now - and legally :D

I've read SACH and got some good tips. I've read other books and rec'd the same temporary tips. What I recommend now is not reading any books on how to parent your child. Instead, listen to your heart, pray for insight into your child's temperament and needs, and go with it. Trust that God already put inside you all that you need to parent your own children. Personally, I wish I had never picked up any books about parenting/disciplining/guiding *my* children. In one way or another, each of them served to cut off my maternal giftings. FWIW, Cheryl

...as our school room. However, the thing that I think helps our room stay organized is I keep only the books we are using for that year in the school room on a decent sized bookshelf. I have a few other organizational helps as well, but nothing fancy! All other books/materials are kept in our basement, adjacent to the school room. Could you do something like that in your home? Keep the smaller room for school and set up part of your living room with bookshelves where you can store lesser-used materials? That would free up more space in the smaller room. I don't know how many kids you have. I have 3 and they each have desks in our school room. But I wish I had one of those kidney-shaped tables! If we worked at a table, I think I would have my dc keep their school work & supplies in hanging file boxes (one for each child - the plastic kind) and keep organized in that way. Good luck! HTH, Cheryl

one eye. I don't see a sty there or anything. Hmmmm.... I guess I'll take him in! Thanks so much for your opinions. Cheryl

lost your mom and are having such difficulites w/dc health issues.... Sorry you're going through this very hard time. Prayers, Cheryl

that is irritated by something undetectable (I can't see anything; ds can't feel anything). It begins to look better for a couple days then, suddenly, the whole area is bloodshot. Yes, he does rub his eye b/c it "itches" he says. Any thoughts about this out there? The only thing we've tried (several times) is flushing with water. I am to the point of wanting to take him (gasp!) to the doctor. But then I thought of you all and maybe you'd have some preliminary suggestions - or just a kick in me bum to get me to the doc. Thanks for any suggestions.

oops...guess I missed your opening liner! Well, still an inspiring story:)

sure relate, since I also taught ps - and had a few students like your Teddy. Hurrah! Very powerful. Would you do an update after the wedding - sitting in the place of HIGHEST honor? Blessings. Thanks for sharing.

... I would not let this go. I'd find the girls and, together with their moms/guardians, sit down with your boys and talk. Sort through what happened - feelings, behaviors. I would not disbelieve (through inaction) my own dc and I would hold the girls accountable for their over reactions (to say the least). Unacceptable. In the process, you would also be teaching your ds & friend's ds that this bullying (teasing and physically harming) is not acceptable. Try to help them see there is a better way. That's my vote.

nt

on training -- character training with little jobs around the house. Getting a routine down, laying a foundation for when you do begin more formal schooling. For now, as far as curriculum, I agree w/most of the other posters: Daily reading of the Bible, daily Read Aloud books, and let them sponge the rest through nature walks and small hands on activities. Blessings on your family!

bil, unborn baby boy tonight.

Thanks for these helpful ideas. Definitely going to check out the book recommendation. We have a chart - it motivates him to not complain, but I want more than that considering this is a kid that begged us to let him play in the first place. I know dc can "change their mind" but I also know he has a natural gift and deep appreciation for music so I feel increasingly convinced that we need a change of instructor here. Ours has used Suzuki, String Builder, Sevcik (trills & bowing tech). There has been no lack that my inexperienced eye could detect as to her competency. She jokes w/ds; communicates well w/him and has shown great perception as to his learning needs, etc. But he flourishes under affirmation and she doesn't easily part with these types of comments. Could be she is frustrated w/him not showing what he's capable of - but again, she could be drawing him out. The more I think about it, the more convinced I become that they are just not a good fit for each other! I can't tell you how appreciative I am of everyone's input here. It is the push dh and I have needed to "move on". Mamagistra's tips of looking for a good teacher are a good springboard. THanks again, All!

thanks:)

:001_smile:

n

just had to throw in my 2cents :D

eases them in, beginning at a young age, with very age appropriate material broken down by ages - when to discuss what and how to discuss naturally. What I especially appreciate is the encouragement of moms & dads discussing with each child. HTH, Cheryl

nt

learned a more gentle way and have often searched for ways to inspire our dc as motivational tools. I deeply appreciate you taking time to share this. Whereas our current teacher has many of the qualities you listed, she is lacking in a couple of the major areas...and we (dh & I) were brushing these areas aside. You and a couple others have helped me to see this and I'll be discussing this w/dh! Thanks again. Cheryl

Also, a great book to read if you have dc in music lessons is Raising Musical Kids. It talks about a system of practice that is very effective. It is based on tasks, not time. Thanks for the book recommendation!! I'll look into it. Cheryl

One thing that actually DID help my youngest WANT to practice more was a switch in teachers. She adores her piano teacher this year, and voluntarily went from practicing 30 minutes a day to practicing 1 hour a day (she was 10 most of this year)! When her adjudication was coming up, she practiced 1 1/2 hours a day--all because SHE chose to! So in our case, having a teacher they really like helped a lot! Oh, I have thought about this one for a couple years now!! We know ds responds to affirming, encouraging words. He shuts down under criticism. His teacher is firm and NOT affrming. Once in a while she jokes with him, compliments him.... Essentially, she is probably not the best fit for him, come to think of it in light of what you said. Thanks for sharing. It'll be hard to switch to another, but I think it's time.

Yes, modeling is usually a very effective tool.... Neither dh nor I play instruments. We *want* to but do not have the money to do it now. Kids come first! Also, he was begging us beginning at age 2. At the time dh was taking lessons, but then we moved out of state and he discontinued. But ds kept asking until age 4.5 when we went ahead with it. ????