OK, thanks, there are two reasons, but neither seem relevent to me. I did have a grid, but I made it with string and stakes...so it wasnt hard to let it lapse. Firstly, what is wrong with just planting the seed here and there, as you would a seedling? Thats what I do- if they dont come up, I plant it again a bit later. I wouldn't just randomly sprinkle seeds...I just plant them where I want them. I find a spare spot, I plant a seed. And...the other issue is I guess not an issue because I have a raised, no dig garden bed and there simply are no weeds. So weeds are a non issue. There IS something growing in my garden that I have no idea what it is, but I know I planted it at some stage, and I am waiting for some sort of fruit or flower to identify it- or it may be a Chinese leafy veg. Other than that, I know what most plants look like. I dont mean to say my way is superior...I am just wondering if I am missing out on something.

So, looking at a gardening blog someone linked to, a question has arisen that I have wondered about for quite a while. I have teh square foot gardening book. I set up my small garden bed that way. But after a while, the squares have become blurred, and basically, everything is just grownig everywhere now. My question is...I understand the benefit of the square foot garden over planting lines of a single species. I dont umderstand the benefit of a square foot garden over just planting one of these here, and one of those there, and lets, see, its time to pull that out, I will put something in there..... in other words, my style seem to be "wild gardener" and I am wondering if I should reign in my wild impulses to plant anything all over the place at different times (taking note of height, light etc) , and bring more order to my garden again. Is there some inherent benefit to having so much order in your vegetable patch? Or do you have order because one is supposed to have order in a garden patch? I have had vegetable patches since I was a kid, but I am by no means an expert because I cant say many of them have been hugely successful, but I always put that down to my intermittant dedication to spending time with my garden.

Yes, my first reaction was....oh, you want to wean him already? Is he ready? I tandem fed mine and they stopped themselves at age 3.5 and 5. Of course....I think a 3.5 year old can be weaned without psychological damage, lol. I am just at the far ther end of the spectrum rather than those who bottle feed from birth by choice.

I weaned my son at night first, at age 2 and a half. Then I put him in with his sister to sleep . I just said no firmly and he accepted it after a bit. Hes a pretty demaning kid though and I did have to be firm. I have never consciously weaned apart from that- mine tandem bfed till they were ages 3.5 and 5, at which time they had a discussion together and told me they were too big to breastfeed anymore, and they just gave up together, just like that!

Lol Negin, you have done your research! So....if you know that caffeine is a significant factor (my understanding is that coffee in particular, rather than just caffeine in general, is a major factor)....wouldnt it be easier to cut it out altogether rather than take all that stuff ??:lol: There is life without caffine, you know. Sometimes I go there :lol:. In my system, coffee tastes and smells so wonderful but if I start cultivating too regular a habit, all my joints start hurting. I know it ain't good for me! But don't take away my morning cup of low caffeine tea, ok? Sorry, I am not much help..I havent had fibrocystic breasts, however I have had very painful PMS breasts and I dont know why they are there some months and not others. Overall they are better than they used to be, and so is my diet, so it may be related.

Yes, but that is where all the conflict comes in because someone of a kapha constitution is never going to look like a magazine woman at all. Yet in India, it is considered the most beautiful body type- and for good reason. It is naturally beautiful. Our society has just gone all screwey over body image and has this thing about perpetual youth and a masculine type of body rather than a feminine type. No hips, small chest. The kapha type is curvy, voluptous and feminine, with a layer of fat that softens the figure. Do you love your figure yet ? :lol: Its winter here and so cold- feels colder than I remember previous winters- and I can barely move my butt to go for a walk. I am doing the Flylady thing- I just make myself do 15 minutes. Once I get going, I am usually hpapy to do more than that, but I have to bribe myself! I also booked into a dance class because once I actually get there and get moving, it is FUN, and I end up puffed and a bit sweaty and often laughing. I try not to live up to unrealstic ideals and just do what I can.

No, there is nobody I wouldn't watch because of their real life personality, who I would otherwise watch. I am good at suspending reality, and I also try to suspend judgement because really, what the media portrays is not them either. It's all show- whether its the media, or the movie. The media wants you to get upset..I wont give them that pleasure. I was watching Tom Cruise in something the other night though and I felt...gish, he kind of plays the same character a lot. I like it when actors have a big range of types of characters (mmm, ok, I am thinking Johhny Depp here....Heath Ledger..). Yes, when I think of Mel, what I genuinely feel is compassion for a guy that appears to have lost perspective a bit, got a bit lost along the way.....but I will still watch Gallipoli, one of his early Aussie movies, and love him. They are just people. We put them up there on pedestals as movie stars, then we love to pull them down again because of their real life dramas.

Hopefully it will be ok because dd is doing a TAFE course- correspondence- and her home school moderator doesn't think she should be on her books anymore, although it is a grey area. We didn't mention she was home schooled on the forms because they didn't ask.

Fit for what? A westernised version of fit, so that you look toned and tanned and slim? That word "fit" is a bit of a tricky word- what does it mean? In many eastern countries, the type of workouts and fitness that many westerners do- thrashing themselves at aerobics classes and gyms- is considered to be bad for you- it wears you out! They walk everywhere and work in their gardens, and do tai chi, and are fitter than most of us. Then there is the whole bodytype issue. In ayurvedic (Indian) medicine, there are 3 major bodytypes. A person of kapha bodytype has a tendency to overweight, and has large bones and a naturally larger figure. It is good for them to "push" themselves a little to get fit- they have a tendency to be placid and a little lazy. So rigorous exercise for them is healthy. The pitta, or medium bodytype is naturally quite athletic, and is more inclined to excerise, and often loves sports. However they also have a temperament that can benefit from relaxation and balance, so things like martial arts or yoga can help them find that balance. But running and sports are generally good for them. Then there is the vata type which is the skinny and more nervous disposition. They can really benefit from moderate exercise, as can anyone, but they need to take care that they dont push thmeselves too far and stress their nervous system. Walking and yoga type exercises are good for them. Then there are the different types of exercise- cardio, weight bearing and stretching. We need a balance. Just doing cardio such as bike riding is only one aspect that neglects the others. The generally accepted minimum is 30 minutes of fast walking, 5 times a week. But thats just for cardio. I like variety in my exercise but I walk regularly, and do a dance class, and do yoga and chi king. I also do weights at home sometimes. I am not extremely well tones because I probably dont do enough. But I enjoy what I do and I dont like thrashing myself.

I have never come across this issue. My parents were strict about "buckling us in" my whole childhood, even before it was compulsory (when I was very small). I have been the same. I have never come across anyone who was slack about it. All modern cars here have retractable seat belts so that the tightness is not really adjustable, but its not uncomfrotable either. For kids in kid seats- you just make sure they woulndt fly out of the seat if you hit something. Perhaps send a You Tube of a car accident?

Yes Colleen, we have good benefits- perhaps even better than Canada's. I hadn't thought of that before you mentioned it. Until recently, I received around $350 a fortnight for rent assistance, and tax benefits for my two kids (now that one has turned 16, we are applying for a different payment for her called Youth Allowance, which still gets paid to me, but I don't know how much it will be yet). We are a slightly above average income family, but having only one income makes us quite eligible- the threshhold does change for income but you have to have a pretty high income to receive nothing. That money is what I have used to homeschool- classes, curricula etc. There is also quite a significant lump sum ($3000 I think? ) paid to mothers for each newborn nowadays (I missed out on that one!). No, we dont get food stamps but by the sounds of it I wouldn't like the type of food you can get with them. But yes, our government does support families (with our taxes mind you!) and perhaps that is at least part of why there is less of an "attitude" towards SAHMs here. It is understood by many I talk to that it is barely worth going to work unless you have a high income job, because of daycare costs etc. Although- daycare is subsidised too. I guess these could be significant factors in why I find it hard to relate to the attitude expressed here....and kudos to those who homeschool considering it must be harder to do so on one income there, than here.

Mercury cannot easily be removed from the body, but it can be removed. There are various substances that are recommended to be taken, such as large doses of vitamin C, when getting amalgums removed. There is also a more medical regime for those with "official" mercury poisoning. It is understood that a rubber dam will stop a large amount of the mercury fro being ingested, but yes, some is inhaled. I use a natural product and I had my kids tested a hie back, and both turned up mercury positive. Since they don eat fish, and dont have mercury amalgams, I don't know where it came from, but both have been partially vaccinated, so it might be that. After a while on this rather inexpensive product, both of them tested mercury negative. So, I presume it worked! I myself had amalgams removed a few months ago and I took this stuff afterwards, as my body is sensitive to Vitamin C andI cant take large doses. As for composite being a big deal...all the dentists around here use it. Not exclusively, but they will if asked. I think it is more for vanity nowadays, that peopel are asking for it, but at least it is available. I go to a dentist that uses it exclusively though, because I prefer his ethical standpoint not to put mercury into people's mouths. I really dont think composite is a big deal. I tihnk it does tend to break down a little quicker and sometimes needs to be replaced, but mine never have. I would prefer that anyway to having mercury in my mouth.

I am sure WTMindy is correct- for us, my son struggles with the word problems in MUS PRe ALgebra, as it is, because he struggles with that kind of language....so I see no point if giving him a more challenging program with more challenging word problems if it would overwhelm him and make him feel like a failure (which is our experiecne with other programs). I would rather he feel reasonable successful at an average program. If I had a student who was going into higher level sciences and for whom higher level maths was important- AND who could cope with a more challenging program, I would go that direction. I am working with what I have, and it suits our purpose.

:iagree::iagree: Dh's work largely involves helping young men learn what it actually means to be a young man....they dont seem to have a clue. And yes, what is a female teacher to do when they are tied to a system that wants output in the form of written work, especially? My grandmother was a teacher for years, then a child psychlogist. She always told me how important it was to get boys doing things with their hands. She encouraged me to play games where you sing.chant and throw things (like a beanbag or ball) and get them to jump on the trampoline reciting their times tables...rather than sit quietly to learn these things. Now if she, a woman just turned 90, knows these things, why are not our schools implementing them? SHe told me 10 years ago she was so disheartened that the school system seems to not act on the informati, andon that is there-and for many teachers that she worked with, this was new information- just to play games and have boys move their bodies. It doesnt work for the current teaching system, so what, they medicate the boys instead of changing the system? But I wouldnt blame the teachers. Many try very hard.

I dont retain much either way :) However, I much prefer to read- much more visual than auditory. However yes , I owuld consider a book "read" is listened to, generally speaking.

There is no safe level of mercury for the body. Amalgums are mixtures of metals, and they contain mercury. Over time, they leak minute amounts of mercury into the system. Possibly some systems excrete that mercury more efficiently than others. Just because you have no immediate symptoms doesnt mean you are not being affected by the mercury over the long term. Mercury poison is common in our society, from various sources, including fillings. Better be safe than sorry on this one. I would not put mercury in my kids' mouths. Dh and i have had ours removed professionally. No dentist every encouraged us to do that. We specifically went to dentists who do it professionally though, with a rubber dam. We also go to dentists who use composite regularly/exclusively. Dentists, like doctors, are taught what they are taught in college. Thats it. If you think there are no vested interests helping to give them their training, you are naive. Take responsiblity yourself, do the research yourself.

I honestly don't relate to any of them. I don't label myself. You can label me if you like, but good luck with that :)

I think thats a very good point. A two income family culture is much more likely to be an unsustainable one. With two people working, we are more likely to compromise considerably and buy take out, processed foods, use day care, buy huge houses, use our money to buy copious entertainment, and basically get more and more out of touch with the healthy rhythms of life. I may be being romantic but in general terms, a one income family is more likely to have to do things themselves and in that way, not get so out of touch- with their kids, with each other, with the flow of life. I understand. To me its not so much wondering why y'all care what others think so much as having my eyes opened as to how far further along the (not so healthy) track your culture is than here in Australia...it doesnt look good. Here, although homeschooling often takes people by surprise and is an even less well known option and less popular than in America....being a SAHM is really not such a big deal at all. As Rosie said, it is pretty common until your kids go to school..then its part time work, and full time by highschool. But even so, no one really gives me any wierd energy that makes me bristle. I dont think it is hopeless at all, Audrey. There is a huge growth of farmers markets and people being interested in where their food comes, buying locally and organically...the organic food market is the fastest growing. I know this is the same in America because I get a lot of my info from there. I think sometimes we can get down about the negative, but there are many, many, MANY people in rebellion to factory farming, who want to live in a more sustainable way. The movement is HUGE and it is in direct reaction to what you see as a hopeless situation. Virtually every primary school that I pass nowadays has its own mini farm/vegetable gardens, fruit trees etc. We have several weekend farmers markets within 20 kms. I live in the burbs and I have an organic shop within 1 km of home. I think there are LOTS of positive things happening in the world and it pays to stay focused on them, and support them, rather than on the hopelessness of how bad the situation is. Sure it sucks and its terrible, and I would love a farm myself and we cant afford even a suburban house. The market has gone too far for us to be able to buy. However, my rented property is full of vegetable beds and chickens and my kitchen is full of sprouts, yoghurt, fresh eggs and home made food! You can do a lot on a suburban block- even renting. Well, the art of using cultures to ferment foods is ancient because refrigeration is a very recent phenomenon. They used bacteria to ferment milk because they had to, or throw away the excess daily. Fermented milk can also be taken travelling. Throw some kefir grains in a goat skin of fresh milk and you have a very nutritious drink that wont go "off" even as it gets sourer. When you buy pickled foods in a jar, it is pickled with chemicals and vinegar...not laco fermented like in old times. The lacto fermented stuff is acutally good for you and you can leave it out. The use of bacteria as a perservative is a wonderful art and skill and not hard at all. You just have ot get over germ phobia and stop watching those ads that feed that obsession with getting rid of germs, which is just not a feasible things anyway- but it makes a lot of peopel a lot of money getting you to try. Nourishing Traditions or WIld Fermentation are good books to learn more about it: http://www.amazon.com/Wild-Fermentation-Flavor-Nutrition-Live-Culture/dp/1931498237/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1278389699&sr=8-1 and this book is one that is relevant to parts of this thread too. FUll Moon Feast: Food and the Hunger for Connection http://www.amazon.com/Full-Moon-Feast-Hunger-Connection/dp/1933392002/ref=pd_sim_b_4 The fact that all these books exist suggest that there are a lot of people interested in this stuff.

Even my teens have to go to bed by 9.30 and up by 7am. Kids need sleep- however many hours they need, count back from when you want them up and put them to bed aroudn that time. My teens need 9.5 hours- 9 is not enough. I know it, they know it. I am a morning person. One of my kids is too, but the other is not. Yet she works and has activities on in the afternoons so cant possibly sleep in and get her work done. The more we get done in the mornings, the more gets done. Too much can interfere the later the day progresses. So, the routine has always been up by 7am, school starts around 8.30am. Finish early afternoon. Rest of the day free. TV after 6pm, off by 8.30 pm. Kids can thrive on routines.

I am sorry but I need an "other" for that poll. I procrastinate and avoid cleaning, yet when I start I often really enjoy it. I don't hate it. I just find better things to do. And sometimes I really love it.

I voted the wrong thing. I am the last one- INFP and I acidentally clicked on INSP.

Really? Is it that bad for many of you? Thats what is getting me about this thread- is it really so "wierd" to do what you are doing- homeschooling, SAHM etc? Or, does it just make you uncomfortable to be seen as just a bit different, and perhaps you are over sensitive to people's moderate judgements? I mostly feel people dont really care what other people do....people are too self obsessed for that. So I dont take it all very personally. I am so used to not being normal or mainstream I am finding it hard to relate to those of you who find it such a big deal that you are no longer considered such. I am finding it hard to relate to why it would matter very much to you. But perhaps I have just become immune to people's judgements from my years of being on the outside of that whole career world anyway. Or perhaps the community I live in encourages individuality and walking your own path to the extent that I feel what I do actually inspires many, even if at the same time they might also have judgements.

:lol::lol: I get that too. Particularly from dh! I get a mixed bag from other people. My non homescholing girlfriends are envious, especially the single mother friend who works and goes to uni as well. And yet they do find it a bit uncomfortable as if somehow I am not doing my bit. As if looking after ones own kids is not quite enough- we should be contributing more. Underneath, though, I do think there is a lot of envy. The best I can do though, rather than lament, is dowhat I do to teh best of my ability, because I can. My step mother recently encouraged her daughter to homeschool her own daughter who was being bullied at school. The daughter emailed me and we chatted. She chatted to my SIL who has homeschooled a couple of years. She foudn a local homeschooler- a few weeks later, she is joyously homeschooling all 3 of her kids! Whatever teh trends are, we can do this and we aren't the only ones. If we can, there are others. Not all of us are wealthy. If we are not valued...was there ever a time in history when women had it all, and were valued for both their work at home AND their ability to lead nations, companies or in other ways work in the world? At least we have that choice. And our daughters, and daughters in law, might realize they have that choice. And the others who see us and our kids as we go about our lives, might realize they have that choice too. Homeschooling is a growing phenomenon. And considering how many cookbooks and self help books and websites such as Flylady there are, we aren't the only ones reclaiming the value of a rich home life. I think we just have to plug away at valuing ourselves and teaching others how to treat us by the way we are, and not wait for the world to change around us. There are enough of us to make a difference.

:iagree: but I have used various natural, cold pressed oils at times and it works just as well as moisturizer. The only thing is, my medium length wavy hair tends to fall around my face a lot, and if I use oil, it usually doesn't absorb 100% and my hair gets a little greasy....whereas moisturizer absorbs and it doesn't affect my hair. Just vanity...the oils work just as well for moisturizing.

Yes. I am wanting to go and study something and dh really isnt keen for me to get stressed out by taking on too much- he sees how hard I work. And, I am on holidays for 2 weeks starting this weekend, and already I have plans for all the things I want to catch up on. Mostly cleaning! And tax. And plannign next terms schoolwork. I dont even "do" much anymore- my kids teach themselves mostly. But homeschooling combined with cooking, cleaning, and being the taxi, is definitely a full time job.