Thank you! I've never heard of it but will definitely check it out!

Great idea. Thanks!

Interestingly, a friend gave me TOG to try this year, which I am planning. I really love the literature approach to learning, too. My dd is weak in reading and comprehension, though, so makes in challening. It's becoming very obvious that that needs to be our big focus this year. The desire is there, so that is a big plus!

Actually, that is exactly what I'm looking for. Thank you!

Either, really. Just interested in what it going on out there. I've only fasted for spiritual reasons personally, but I can definitely see the the benefit physically.

My very best friends are the ones I know will be completely honest with me, yet speak "difficult" things in love. I don't know if she is the type of friend you can be totally honest with, but if so, I would just tell her nicely how her comments make you feel. Hopefully that will lead to a discussion that will make you even better friends, but if not, chances are if this continues, your friendship will be superficial at best. I pray you'll gain a closer friend! :)

I didn't see that this has been addressed too recently so... If you do fast, I'm curious as to the type of fast -- full fast versus partial, duration of fast, regularly or occasionally, etc. I'd also love to hear your whether you felt it was beneficial and how. Thanks!

When I used it, I would go over the lesson with them. I usually had them do all the assignments unless I knew they already had a really good grasp on the material being covered -- then odds or evens just for practice. I'm sure much depends on the child's learning style, etc...

Thank you! I've used and enjoyed the first-school web site, but have not seen the others yet.

You might also try to email or check out http://www.suegregg.com/ if you don't get an answer. I'll be curious what you find out!

This definitely depends on the individual. I USED to think only a size 5... :D Three kids later and a 7 or 8 is just fine for my frame! I know people who wear larger or smaller sizes that look and feel great. I agree with the healthy numbers approach...

Wow - thanks for the info. This will definitely be useful!

Thank you all for your input. We definitely need to focus on reading and writing this year!

Thank you for your suggestions. She actually has the problem in any type of reading. In thinking this through more, I think there are two main problems, both just being a "lazy" learner (though she is not a lazy person in general): 1. She is definitely skipping over unfamiliar words. 2. She tries to hurry and reads words incorrectly based on the first few letters she sees. I like your idea of circling unfamiliar words, and also think I will check for some workbooks. She also asked if she can read aloud to me more, which I will definitely have her do. Thanks so much for your suggestions. Where did you go to college? Close to the KC area?

Thanks for all your suggestions. This gives me some good places to start. In answer to the question on the last post, We do grammar at least four days a week for as long as a lesson takes -- probably 30 minutes average, depending... Also,what is GWG? (If I am remembering the abbreviation right:confused:

Well, I "run" (slowly) about 20-25 minutes six days a week, but it's been difficult of late, and I HATE humidity, which is bad right now. I would love to have someone to run with -- maybe even train to do a 5K, 10K and eventually the big marathon. My older brother, who is 54, does regular marthons and is training now to run with his post-college daughter in one this fall. Problem is, even if I could work up to it physically, I can't imaging having the time...

Oh I can SO relate! My 15yo has a real heart for China. Last year he had the opportunity to go on an 18-day mission trip to China This year? He left June 10th and gets back August 12th. It has been a total God-thing all the way through, and he has had some amazing opportunities and experiences, but I MISS HIM! I'm not a the clingy mother either, but I just really enjoy my kids, and miss them terribly when they are gone. I, too, have grappled with thoughts of how I am going to handle it when he's out of the house for good. He really wants to spend his entire junior year as a foreign exchange student in China. Sigh... I told him we'd think about that after we get through this! It's been a strange summer with him gone, and my mother passing away a little over a week ago. I'm definitely being s-t-r-e-t-c-h-ed :tongue_smilie:

My kids have actually been somewhat self-limiting, which is nice. But from the beginning, we would let them pick just one favorite sport and one music/arts activity. They can try as many different things as they like, but in the end, only one per year. I try not to get caught up in doing activities just for the sake of giving them something to do -- they need time to be kids! I also try to keep their activities in line with our overall goals for their lives and the interests God has given them or the direction He is leading them in their lives (for older ones). They have done a very good job choosing activities and limiting busyness just for the sake of being involved. Hope that trend continues! I might add that our limited budget also really helps limit our level of activity! :lol:

Here's what we've done. The jury is still out, but so far it is going really well: 1. Open, honest and talk about everything. Make sure kids are comfortable talking to you about anything (ie, no gasps, anger, etc). This includes, as appropriate, sharing some of your own mistakes. By the way, I also include the fact that God has taken those mistakes and made something good of them, but there are still some ways my poor decisions are affecting my life. I don't want them to feel like if they mess up, there is no hope. 2. Plenty of exposure to books and people who promote developing your relationship with God and figuring out His direction for your life before complicating it with other relationships. This exposure alone has encouraged my two oldest (youngest is only 5) to come to their own conclusions. They have both made a decision to wait to date until at least after high school. We did not have to make rules about this, and that what I was praying would happen. Personal conviction always works so much better. Had they not come to that conclusion, my back-up plan was a really late dating age and then only group dates.:D I think focusing on what they can do with this season of their lives that will really have some eternal impact rather than focussing on what they shouldn't be doing is a good approach. High expectations (in a non-pressure sort of way). Books we've read: I Kissed Dating Goodbye and Before You Meet Prince Charming. I also just attended a Strong in the Lord conference with my 11yo dd, which I would highly recommend (http://www.brothersandsisters.net/bright_lights/conference.htm). 3. Pray, pray, pray! I'm praying for three for three -- what are the odds? "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible!"

:iagree:I agree with the others. I'd try the nice neighbor thing first (how's that verse go?...overcome evil with good...), and if that doesn't work, try roping it off or something. Why not a cute little "No Parking" sign...

Well, the basement room sounds really nice, but... In reality at our house it probably wouldn't work. I think a lot depends on the age of your kids and how much you are able to separate you formal school time from real life. I think if it were me, the dining room would be the most realistic choices. I like the idea of hanging posters, etc in bedrooms. It might make for some good bedtime conversation.:001_smile:

I am not a big poetry person either, but we've done some. We found some books of poems that were kind of funny (eg., Shel Silverstein - but you may want to audit some of them). My son enjoyed memorizing Hungry Mungry just because he thought it was so funny, and he could do some actions to it. I also found an Internet site that described various styles of poems in simple language and gave examples. Then he would try to write one of each of the styles. He actually came up with some very good stuff from that. I cannot find the exact site I used as it was a few years ago, but one that looks similar is http://members.cox.net/berniehpoetry/styles.html. Or you could Google poetry styles and see what you can come up with. My dad also writes a lot of poetry, so we read his as well. He is a member of a poetry club that meets once a month. Perhaps if you know someone who enjoys writing poetry, you could try that route, or maybe you have a local poetry group? I have not delved into forcing a lot in this area. I think if one of my children show real interest, I would go further with it. I may be wrong, but I dont' necessarily see the value of forcing poetry if they do not enjoy it. I do think it is possible to find approaches to make it enjoyable, but they may not get as well-rounded of a poetry experience. :001_huh:

Thanks so much for your suggestions! They all sound very good, and I will definitely check them out.

As suggested, check out their catalog, but from what I can recall, it should be absolutely great for you. Enjoy!