My oldest graduates from medical school this Sunday. It seems like only yesterday I started her in kindergarten.

One evening at the book store, my then-2-year-old threw a tantrum over some noise making book that she wanted. My husband picked her up and carried her, kicking and screaming, out of the store while I stood in line to make our purchase (NOT the noise making book). As I stood there, the woman in front of me turned to her teen-aged daughter and said, "That's the best reason I've seen for abortion," obviously not knowing that I was the child's mother. I was mortified, and didn't say a word. It was a long time before we took her to the book store again. This Sunday, that child will graduate from medical school at the top of her class. She's my pride and joy.

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This is so sad. Every baby is a blessing. I don't care if it's #1 or #20! Our first child never had a crib or playpen, so when baby #2 came we were so blessed when someone gave those things to us. By the time #3 came our stroller was worn out. With baby #5, we were blessed with a much-needed double stroller from a friend. Things wear out, clothes get stained, or the elastic goes bad with time. And diapers are always useful. There is nothing tacky about showers for children after the first! That 10th child could be the one who finds a cure for cancer.

:grouphug: I know exactly what you mean. Can you take a couple of days off of school to regroup? Spend a day delegating chores around the house, and take a day to just do something fun with the kids and enjoy them.

Congratulations! And have a great day.:D

Welcome! This is a great place. It's so refreshing to hear a future homeschooler say she's doing research! I don't know how many times I've had people come up to me 1 week before school starts in the fall and ask, "What curriculum do you use? We're thinking about homeschooling so and so this year.":glare: Anyway, happy homeschooling!:001_smile:

:grouphug: Praying :grouphug:

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In that case, it probably wouldn't hurt to skip the end of Algebra 1. After all, when did we ever finish books completely in public school? I know I never did. She'll pick up what she missed in Algebra 2.

:iagree:Barb's book helped me think more creatively about what school can be. And she shows how real life learning experiences and real books can be used to develop a curriculum. Amy, I got a kick out of your decription of the "how to develop a couse" paragraph.:lol: It's so true! This is definitely not a book for those who just want the information so they can do what they're told. Maybe if you read the book with a highlighter in hand, or take notes or outline the info you need, it will help you to sift out the sermons and anecdotes to get to the meat of the book.

As I recall, there are a few concepts, such as probability, that Saxon always seems to put at the very end of the book. So the last few lessons are something that is not reviewed at the beginning of the next book -- it's saved until the last few lessons of the next book, instead. I would not recommend skipping the first lessons of the next book because it's "only review." Especially if you take the summer off. The review is good -- it helps "cement" the material in the student's brain.:) And sometimes there is a different aspect of the concept presented the next time around. And yes, Advanced Math is brutal. It really dives right in, and the lessons take longer to do.

I found Barbara's book to be very inspiring. I had to read through it a couple of times to really get a handle on it, and I agree that it seems a little rambling and disorganized. But the concept is what I found of value. When my husband went through a PhD program that required him to develop his own plan of study, I knew exactly what he needed to do. So I actually "homeschooled" my husband through his PhD.:D

Congratulations! What a wonderful blessing.

She looks lovely!

:grouphug: I'm so sorry, Jenny.:grouphug:

We got Penny, a 15 week old golden retriever in the middle of March. She's absolutely adorable, but quite a handful! She started puppy classes last week. Hopefully they'll help. She seemed to respond very well to the first class.

How long do you have until she would have to have the GED? Maybe you should try to educate the State Board about homeschooling. Your homeschool-issued diploma is a diploma. My husband was able to get a private university to change their policy on admitting homeschoolers (they required a GED) by working with them, sending them information about homeschooling, the state homeschool law, etc. As it turned out, my daughter chose not to attend (after being accepted), but hopefully it will help other homeschoolers. These policies are usually put in place by people who are uninformed about homeschooling. Sometimes it's our job to inform them, not just for our own child's benefit, but for the benefit of other homeschoolers as well. By the way, that would indeed be a great way to help pay for college. She sounds like a very smart girl.

Oh, how exciting! Sometimes something just has to "click." Well done, Mom.:001_smile:

Westboro is nothing more than a bunch of kooks (from what I understand, it's basically just one family) that just named themselves Westboro Baptist. They have absolutely nothing to do with any other Baptists. And by the way, I wonder if the story is really true, and the authorities are just acting like nothing happened. After all, according to the news article, they seemed to be in on the whole thing. Well, even if it's not true, They sure had some great ideas!

Wow! Smart kid!:001_smile:

Thank you to everyone who serves in the armed forces, and their families. We are proud of you. Go Navy Seals!

20 years, 3 more to go. I have graduated 3 so far. My oldest is graduating from medical school this month. Two are in college, and my youngest 2 are finishing up 10th and 9th grades. It's been an awesome journey and a real blessing.

:lol::lol::lol: These boards are a hoot today!

Try Combat Roach Killing Gel. I live in South FL, and it works very well.