I don't want this to turn into a debate over socialized medicine. I only spoke my opinion because I don't want anyone to think I am going to make any attempt to change their mind. We are all entitled to our opinions & I have a specific reason for wanting to talk to people from those areas. This is in no way meant to be a debate. ;) Sorry if I have offended anyone!

If you oppose government-run healthcare and you live in CT, NC or ME - would you please send me a PM? I oppose socialized medicine & need some input from like-minded individuals in those states. Thanks!

Thank you! My husband is medicated, but he sometimes "decides" that he doesn't need to take it so we go through a lot of drama that we don't need. I feel that I am strong & like I said, if it was just the kids & I it would be a simple decision because it's what's best for them. He is my biggest challenge, in everything. I can manage working & homeschooling because I am fortunate that I have flexibility in my schedule. I can juggle the chores, parenting & everything else. Since being unemployed, he has become lazy and moody, and honestly my biggest frustration. I know in my heart that homeschooling is the right answer based on our PS system and my children's personalities and learning styles. His attitude and moods are the one thing that makes me think, hmm...would they be better off in school? That is a huge thing though & I guess I just need to think this out some & it helps to "talk" it out on here. I welcome the thoughts of others. Thanks for listening to me & for the advice.

I've lurked on here in the past & posted some and decided this would be a good place to come for support. I pulled my kids out of PS when we had several deaths in our family a couple years ago. However, last year they returned back to PS, mostly at dh's insistance. I have missed homeschooling and wanted to go back ever since. Now I have my chance and I have cold feet. My dh is still not 100% on board but knows we have no choice right now. He is unemployed & I work from home & have been supporting us. However, we do not have the means for school clothes, supplies, etc. PS is so expensive and so we signed them up for K12's TXVA. That way, we get all the material free through the state & they can focus on getting an education. Now that school starts on Monday, I have cold feet. I keep wondering if I have made the right decision. My dh keeps talking about how ds wants to go to middle school and will tell him that he is going to miss out on so much. My ds is excited & has been organizing his room to create an area for him to work when he wants to be alone. It's only my dh who is worried about him "missing out" on anything. Without his full support I am unsure if this is going to work. Dh is bipolar & his support is as wavering as his mood. So sometimes I think that it might be better for my kids to be out of the house. However, if dh is too irritable or having a mood swing, we can always just go down the road to grandmas house. I want my children to get the most out of their education and focus on learning rather than worry about status (which is huge is our district unfortunately). If it was just the kids & I, it would be a no brainer...homeschool all the way. It's the bipolar dh that is giving me cold feet. Thanks for listening to my concerns & if anyone has any advice, please feel free to share! :bigear:

We are in North Texas (DFW area) and I have considered pulling my children out of public school. There's only about a month left so they really wouldn't miss too much that I couldn't teach at home. Dh had me put them on the waiting list for Texas Virtual Academy for next school year in case it does turn into a pandemic because he said that the CDC stated that this could continue through the fall. I don't want to be an overly paranoid parent but I want to keep my children safe & healthy. I've been wanting to go back to homeschooling too so this seems like the perfect time, right?! LOL! What would you do if your children were in public school considering the recent swine flu information?

Thank you so much Deana! That looks wonderful and just what I am looking for! I didn't realize that Apologia was so in depth and had the kits to boot! I really appreciate it!

Both my ds & dd enjoy hands on science experiments. However, I am not very good at gathering the tools we need to do them I am looking for a program with substance, bright, vivid photos & that comes with a kit so that I have all the tools to do the experiments. Is this even possible? Does anyone have any suggestions? I was thinking of A Reason for Science for my 3rd grade dd & Abeka 6 for my 6th grade ds. However, I am basing this only on things I have read online. There might be other Science programs that I am not aware of that would be better. TIA!

I'm curious about this as well!

has a do not disturb sign that she hangs on her door during school hours. She said that people got the hint and stopped coming over during school hours. It says PLEASE DO NOT DISTURB...WORK IN PROGRESS. I will be available after 3:00pm. I thought it was a pretty cute idea.

Thank you all so much! I pray we are on the right track! I'll check out the high school board!

Bump....anyone??? :confused:

For some of you who may have read my previous post, my dh has been struggling with depression & job loss. We sat down yesterday & had a long talk about what was important to each of us. I brought up homeschooling & he said that while he's out of work, he doesn't want me pulling them out. He would prefer me to start at the beginning of next school year, provided he is employed. He said that with the emotional and physical problems he's having, it feels overwhelming to have the children home now. That I can respect. Anyway, he told me that he would be on board but he wants more info on some things & I knew some of you here could help me. He heard that homeschoolers can graduate high school with close to an associate’s degree. Is this true? Is this with CLEP's and dual credits? Is there something else that I should know about? Also, has anyone had a son or daughter receive scholarships to college & was it difficult to obtain? We are in Texas, a friendly hs state, so I would think the colleges would be hs friendly as well. Thank you so much for your prayers. I pray that he doesn't vacillate on this issue anymore and that he gets healthy, both physically & emotionally, so that he can find a good job!

Thank you for the kind words and prayers. I know in my heart that homeschooling my oldest ds, who is very much like my dh, is better for him than to stay in ps. My ds is 10 and he wants so badly to fit in that he conforms to whomever he surrounds himself with. I think to provide him with a strong, loving and Christian foundation would help him to be successful later in life. My husband "gets" it for the most part but the depression has a way of changing his perspective. Wendi, thank you so much for the prayers. I do talk with him when he is well and at those times he is pretty much in agreement. It's keeping him well that's so frustrating. Hopefully his doctors can figure something out soon. Mindy, I really appreciate your prayers. It is so comforting to know that others are praying for your family. Gratefulmother, Thanks for your encouraging words. I know that God has a plan and that He will make sure that we are protected and loved. I have faith in God and that is what has kept me going this long. Unfortunately, it sometimes feels like all his medical ailments and his severe depression is an attack from Satan. I hope that doesn't offend anyone, but when you are trying to dig out of the depths of depression, especially when the leader of your family is the one afflicted, it feels like you dig just to sink futher. It can really feel like Satan is playing with your mind. Not to mention, when I see all of the similiarities between dh & ds, I just know that he will go so much further in life if he focuses on getting his education & learning to love himself, rather than to waste his time at ps worrying about what others think of him & trying to fit in. He's by no means a "nerd" or "anti-social" but he takes on the personality of those he is around easier than most & lately he has found the bad apples, which is worrysome. God Bless!

I never really post on here but I lurk everyday. My dh struggles with depression & other health issues. For financial reasons after he lost his job, I was forced to put the kids back in ps. I am now working & supporting our family & with my job I could work & homeschool. I am praying that things will turn around for dh soon & he can get back in the workforce soon because my oldest will be starting middle school next fall & I really wanted to homeschool through high school. My dh is on again/off again towards the idea of homeschooling them and I honestly think it's because he wants them gone during the day. He seems irritated by them at times. Their behavior has gone backwards since putting them back in school, which isn't helping things & I think his reactions to it are a bit more extreme because of the depression. Homeschooling might be far off for me but I just know that it's the best thing for our children - especially our oldest ds. I am a Christian & I am trying to be a Godly wife. I just don't know how to handle this situation. I know I am supposed to be submissive and respect what he says - but what he says just depends on the day & his mood. Has anyone encountered this with dh? Please say a prayer for our family. Thank you!

My ds had one ear infection after another & that was 10 years ago when they would try EVERYTHING before doing tubes. He wouldn't sleep for more than a couple hours at a time. My doctor told me to put him in his baby swing next to my bed so he's propped up. IT WORKED! I had to stock lots of batteries but it was worth the sleep until he got over the infection. Good Luck!