:iagree:

Jut keep the read alouds going, long past when they can read for themselves. Mine are teens, I still read aloud most school days and we all LOVE it. If there is ONE thing I will always be grateful that I homeschooled my kids for, its the bonding through read alouds.

Speaking skills: my 2 are natural speakers in a way. I think years or oral narrations has helped a lot. When they read books, they come and tell me about them- I call it oral narration but its pretty natural. When I read a history chapter, I ask questions and have tehm tell me back in their wn words. Sometimes I want detailed, sometimes I want brief- thats been an interesting discrimination because one kid always gives me detailed and the other always gives me brief! Scouts has also prepared the kids for speaking in front of groups, and so has drama classes. Possibly, also not realiseing that most people are freaked out by public speaking, helps them to take it in their stride. The thing with highschool for me is that things go all higgeldy piggeldy as we juggle homeschooling, social activities, various classes and now part time jobs as well. One of my kids is not academic and I have just let him take one day a week for manual labour in a friend's business- its good for him and his raging testosterone, a well as his sense of growing into manhood, and good for dd and I to have a peaceful day once a week. But, thats one day less school a week and no, he doesnt make it up on the weekend! Your system in the U.S> is different but once found an academic pathway for my dd15, things have fallen into place and we have ended up with virtually a yearup our sleeve as she is pretty much accepted into a full time course next year already. So...highschool is also a time for opportunities, extra curricula activities / following passions that might lead to careers, jobs, and a whole widening of a teenager's world. It's ok, but I wasnt expecting it to be quite so.....busy :) Academically..well, if you follow TWTM or anything close to it, you will have a good foundation. My younger is struggling with writing, still, but its not like we havent focusing on it for years and years , so I dont think there is anything else I could have done...except perhaps work at his level more and get a stronger foundation, rather than always trying to push him further than he was capable. I used to panic "he would never be ready for highschool" and it meant I was always pushing him a bit, instead of relaxing and meeting him where he was at (even if it was well below grade level) and getting that solid. Spelling is another interesting one. My kids have always been pretty good spellers, so i havent focused on it much. Now that their vocabulary is increasing and I am expecting them to use bigger words...I am finding their spelling skills are not matching their vocab skills. I do wish I had been a bit more..consistent about spelling. But I am not too worried.

How about watching some good comedy movies? Even forget the kids...watch some yourself after the kids are in bed :) There are some seriously funny movies out there, even thought they are downright silly....Zoolander, Meet the Fockers, Monty Python, well, they are some of my favourits. Here is a list of funny movies http://digitaldreamdoor.nutsie.com/pages/movie-pages/movie_comedy.html I have had a rather unproductive start to our school year (we are 6 weeks into our year) due to various things and now when I want to get things back to a tight outine, I am sick. So...time to go with the flow, do what we can, rest on the laurels of years of routine, and make the best of it. Yesterday the kids did the basics, we skipped our together work because I cant read aloud due to coughing spells, and we watched The Last Samurai with Tom Cruise.

I always had a vague notion, as a non Christian who has mixed with Christians over the years through homeschooling, that Fundamentalists were the ones who felt it was their duty o try and convert you...so, in a conversation, it doesnt take long before they are talking about their faith "at" you or their kids are actualy trying to "save" your kids on the way to teh drama class. Wheras other Christians may be various forms, some more restrictive in their beliefs than others...but they wont actively try and convert you. I have one friend who has long hair like all the other women in her church, and only wears dresses even though she lives and works on a farm...and when questioned, her beliefs are quite exteme to me...but, she doesnt believe in converting people and she is very down to earth, and her son and my son are best friends and she doesn't appear to be concrned about the heathen influence, and her son doesnt try to convert my son. All very unscientific but I felt, subjectively, that the fundamentalists were the ones that wre "in your face" more than the others...and I don't mean to be disrespectful to them at all, because I dont fel disrespectful toward them, but more, thats just part of their beliefs, to try and convert you. So, thats a subjective perspective from a member of the ignorant secular population.

Well, in Australia, swimming is not something one gets a choice about- all kids learn swimming, pretty much. But...I didnt continue having my kids get lessons- once they could swim, they could swim, and they did swim. I dont think learning to swim is optional at all...but it doesn't have to go on for year after year, either. Overall, after they could swim, I would start a musical instrument, but that coudl easily be started later- around age 9 or 10- with good results, too, so a lot could be fitted in before then, too, and you never know how your financial ot time situation could change. My kids would say...Scouts, and I probably would too, but we happen to have a particularly brilliant Water Scouts unit in our area and it has become my kids' main social outlet. Scouts covers so many things- honorable values, many many outdoor and survival skills, leadership skills, comradeship, discpline. in our case, sailing and boat skills...it is worth the amount it dominates our lives for what it gives back...but, not all Scouts groups are so brilliant and not all familes are going to handle the commttment.

Mine are combined for all read alouds, history etc We have independent time each day, and "together time" and have done it this way from the beginning. I know others for whom it didnt work so well to combine because the younger was more advanced than the elder, and it caused bad feelings- so they are deliberately kept separate for everything, which seems a bit sad but I can understand the reasoning. But for us, its been wonderful to do some subjects together.

Lol, I voted "Other" because I had complete freedom over food as a child- complete access to the pantry any time, complete acess to copioous amounts of sugar. I used to put 3 TBS of sugar on my cereal in the mornigs and eat whole packets of jelly crystals. I DID have food ssues- I had major hypoglycaemia/blood sugar issues for years. Food cravings, energy fluctations, depression...a lot related to food. I think a lot related to too much sugar as a child. NOW however, which is what the poll asked, I dont feel I have food isses that stem from my childhod, except perhaps a predisposition to low blood sugar if I ont eat regularly or well. BUT I have had a healing approach to food for the last 10 years at least- I really listen to my body, I have experiemened wit diffrent diets tosee what works fo me. MY KIDS however.. have NOT had free access to the pantry their whole childhood- although now that they are teens they have much more free access- we dont have biscuts or cake or soda available anyway. We have always restricted their sugar intake. Dd15 has a senstivityto sugar and restricts herself and eats fairly healthy. Ds14...well, he binges on sugar whenever he can. Both eat copious amounts of fruit. ETA- about weight. The kids and I are all a healthy weight. Dh on the other hand is overweight (not obese) and definitely has food issues- he is a binger and although he has sensitivities, he will eat foods he knows he will react to. He eats way too much sugar- he is addicted and shows no signs of actually caring to change that. I imagine his mother was quite controlling around food, just from knowing her.

I wouldn't do anything about what someone else says. Who cares what other people say? You dont have to agree with it but they are welcome to their opinions. Dh and I have been involved in what many people called a cult...we didnt give a hoot what anyone thought and we came through unscathed. There are cults and there ar cults- is your friend in any imminent danger? If not, no need to be concerned. Dh calls the Catholic Church that he grew up in, a dangerous cult. I just found this interesting article, which I like: http://www.essortment.com/all/whatisdefiniti_rjli.htm What is the definition of a cult? People tend to give the label cult to any group they don't understand. But what exactly is a true cult In our modern world of the new millennium, the word "cult" has become largely overused and is now a catch-all for any group, religion or lifestyle which someone doesn't understand, or with which they happen to disagree. This is a dangerous trend, as many of the organizations labeled a cult by dissidents are truly legitimate groups. Once the taint of the term "cult" is applied to a particular group, it is often difficult to change that image to the public. To avoid careless labeling which could be harmful to a group and its adherents, it is important to know just exactly what a cult is, and how it is defined. A cult, by modern standards, is any group that incorporates mind control to deceive, influence and govern its followers. Although most people think of cults as being religious, they can also be found in political, athletic, philosophical, racial or psychotherapeutic arenas. The mind control, or brainwashing, exerted by cults often take the form of at least several of the following elements: A totalitarian control over the lifestyle and time of its members - Many cults tend to dictate exactly what its followers should read, eat, how and with whom they should spend their time, and even what they should do in off hours. This totalitarian control is necessary for the leaders to indoctrinate the followers in everything they do, and is also an attempt to separate them from anything not associated with the cult. This is why cults often live together in groups. A charismatic, self-appointed leader with complete authority - Cult members are taught not to question the teachings, practices, or ideas of the leader. Many cult leaders truly are charismatic people, and are able to influence people to believe them. It is common that a cult member is not told everything up front when joining the group, but that they are taught increasingly controlling ideas and teachings as they go. In the case of some of the more well-publicized cults that have come and gone, it is also common that the leader's ideas and demands evolve over time, becoming increasingly controlling and restrictive. One very clear identifying element dealing with the leader of a cult is that the leader will always focus the attention and veneration of the members upon himself or herself. At the heart of a cult usually lies a very self-centered and self-seeking person. A focus on withholding truth from non-members - Many cults teach their followers to be completely open and truthful within the group, while at the same time they are encouraged to be secretive and evasive when questioned by people outside of the group. This is another form of mind control-instilling guilt in the members if they hold anything back within the group. The members are taught that outsiders wouldn't understand or that they would only make fun of the ideas and practices and requirements for living within the group. Only specially-commissioned members are appointed to recruit members from outside. New members are usually encouraged to keep silent or even lie, especially to their families and close friends. The three elements listed above are very successful ways to create a group mentality, an us-against-them way of looking at things. This is essential for any cult that wants to keep its members. The more afraid of the outside world the members become, the more strongly and faithfully they will keep within the safe fold of the cult.

It could be that with the Lymes...her body is crying out for a less heavy diet, for a vegetarian diet... many people have cured themselves from various diseases by going vegetarian. Meat takes a lot of energy to digest and adds quite a toxic load to the system. I agree with the others. Just do some research with her about adequate protein, keep up the eggs and dairy (we are mostly vegetarian and my dd15 has eggs every morning with her strictly vego dad). Give her a multivitamin if you're concerned. Her body will force her toeat meat if she starts lacking nutrients..mine does, as I dont absorb iron well, evne though we are mosly vego. I will just bout eat a steak raw every few months- but that is my system. Train her to listen to her own body.

I know an Anglican pastor here with long hair- he is very well respected. I wouldn't cut my hair for the job. I would however make sure it is tidy and pulled back in a pony tail. I don't think most of Australia is as conservative as the South in the U.S.- but probably not as loose as California. But it varies here, just like over there. If you can say the general area, we might be able to help more. If its a big city..well, could go either way. Are they looking for someone who can bring some fresh air...or are they looking for someone who will completely keep the status quo? I would say a pony tail gives the impression of someone with a more fresh spirit.

I'm not aware of other raw foodies here but if there are, please speak out! (I am not 100% raw but fluctuate between about 60% and sometimes 100%). I LOVE my guilt free raw chocolate! I have been eating it freely and still losing weight! The key for me is not to try and go too extreme all at once.... just to enjoy it. And, it is such a fun way to eat! My rather conservatively paletted family beg for some of my raw foods now.

Pretty much always, for years now, an hour a day. We stoppe evening read alouds a couple of years ago. I put aside a n hour of school timeto read and discuss with the kids. Usually, there is a non fiction and a fiction book on the go, and some poetry.

Dh decided to give the kids a decent allowance ($20 a week) so that he could take money off them if they didnt do their chores. So, they dont so much earn the allowance for chores, as just have it as someting held over them as a moivation to do their chores. He will frequently take $5, $10 or even their whole pocket money from them- rather, not give it to them- for misdemeanors :)

Oh you are a woman after my own heart, Melanie. I make green smoothies most mornings, similar to yours, for the whole family. For myself, I am also making a daily chocolate smoothie with various ingredients- raw cacao powder, home made almond milk or water or coconut water, sometimes banana, sometimes honey, bee pollen, maca powder, mesquite powder, raw cashews, a bit of coconut oil...and a handful of greens often too because you can't taste them :) This is a Super Smoothie and full of nutrition- I am doing a raw food diet and rather than feel deprived, I feel spoilt! And...no sugar cravings.

Try gmail (Google's online mail). My brother put me onto gmail and I have never looked back. Huge storage capcity- 7431 MB, and it increases regularly- plus ability to archive and label archive posts so they dont clutter the Inbx. In 7 months, I have used 19% capacity and I get a lot of email. I dont get any spam- maybe I have had 3 since I set up gmail- and I love being able to easily check my email when I am elsewhere, with my page all configured like I like it. You can have themes, folders, signatures...its better than my old Thunderbird. The only downside is not being able to write email without being connected to the internet, bu I think that has bothered me only a couple of times for a few seconds when our server was down. ETC, it just occurred to me you guys were talking about the Inbox here on these boards (insert duh smiley). I am now going for my afternoon nap :)

But I don't think anyone was saying that...we have desks in our main living area- very central- not in bedrooms. And the OP was saying the dining room table. It can get a bit like Chinese Whispers around here sometimes :)

In order that we love history, we don't test. My experience with my kids is that test taking skills can be quite different from other skills- some kids take tests well, others dont. I agree with Faithe's thoughts on more Chalotte Mason, open ended testing questions that show what the kids know, rather than test for what they don't know with arbitrary, detailed questions. If you go to the Ambleside website they have some sample exam questions to give you some ideas but Faithe has done that too. also like the sort of questions thatConnect The Thoughts ask- which are more along the lines of relating the knowledge to modern circumstances or formign opinions about aspects about it. I think all curricula should be tweaked for your own situation. Curricula writers have agendas...doing the curricula as written doesnt guarantee your kids will miraculously know all the work, or enjoy it, or anything like that.

My mum became an excellent cook as the years went by, but I do remember a lot of chops and sausages, rice-a-riso, steaks, spag bol...those sorts of meals, when I was a kid. Later on she got into gourmet and more international cooking but I do have some fond memories of chewing on slightly burnt chops. We don't eat them now but my mouth waters thinking of them!

My kids have desks..it's just always worked better that way. They read on the couch and we do together work sitting on the couches, but most of their work is at their desks. My dh also has that school conditioning pretty strongly and often tells me I need to give the kids homework! But generally, he leaves me in charge. My dh is also around a lot as he works from home. It took me a long while to "train him" to stop feeling he could just come and interrupt whenever, or put the TV on etc. I handled it by getting him to accept that homeschooling was my "job" and he wouldn't like me to walk in on him with his clients and ask where my lunch is! :) It took time to establish some healthy boundaries. Dh ended up with a TV in his bedroom so he could watch to his hearts content. We establishd "together time" outside of schooltime etc There's no right and wrong here...some homeschooling families are a lot more structured than others and maybe you can find a compromise to get dh to backoff a bit, without upsetting your dd too much. I love those photos of kids doing school under the dining room table! But its never been like that for us.

I disagree with the previous 2 posters :) I do think going cold turkey off sugar can be good, but not necessarily when you are in crisis. If you can,great- if you cant, well, dont give yourself a hard time. And, carbs are sugar- they just take your body a few extra minutes to break down. Its true that wholegrins take longer, and they are better than refined sugar and flour, but still, if you are in a sugar binge risis, I think you need a different balance. Protein and fat will both help balance sugar cravings. They are the other 2 major food groups (sugar is a carb). So- a steak, tofu (if vegetarian), vegetables, coconut oil, butter, something fried, a handful of nuts...these type of foods provide a counterbalance to sugar- they also sustain you longer so your blood sugar gets a chance to balace out. Sugar is addictive, and it also often represents something emotional- so maybe find a different emotional outlet...go for a walk, a run, (since these produce happy hormones) watch a funny movie, cry, journal etc Another thing that can work immediately is to eat something salty. Also, eat regular meals, and enough food to satisfy you.

I would focus on getting him out of bed by 7am and going to bed by 9pm. Cold marbles in the bed are the best suggestion I have heard on these boards, but you can also just go in and strip off his bedding, spray water, sing, make him a cup of tea...whatever works, preferably with good humour on your part!:) My kids don't get a choice about it, because I am a morning person and school happens in the mornings here. Dd15 who is NOT a morning person, nevertheless agrees its important to do school in the mornings so that their afternoons are free for their part time jobs and various classes, or just free time. If she is too foggy in the mornings, she goes for a walk and drinks coffee. My 14yo son is motivated to get in and get his schoolwork done (although he tends to rush) because of friends in the street who come home from school by 4pm. Also, computer time. So, what would motivate your son? I wouldn't expect him to naturally feel motivated- many kids are not naturally motivated by the idea of sitting down and dong schoolwork for hours. It can feel very daunting, even depressing. The other key for me is.....me. If I am not organised, up and ready, with the schoolbooks marked from yesterday and in a good mood ready to supervise the day's school....well, it often leads to chaos and a downhill spiral. Are you expecting him to work too independently? I find my kids like a balance of independent work and together work. And....it could be hormones. My 14yo's brain seems to have turned to mush and so many things we have spent years learning, like grammar and spelling, have now just disappeared from his memory. And, his behaviour is frequently obnoxious...I sat him down 2 days ago (after I had confiscated his IPOD and computer) and had a talk to him about whether his behaviour and attitude were working well for him or not. Did he enjoy everyone being irritated with him? Was it getting him what he wanted? I think it helped...too soon to tell though.

I took my kids to a cathedral for a history assignment- I really enjoyed it and I think it was a good experience for them, too. We sat way up the back while there was a service going on at the front- I whispered something to my dd, and my ds was so upset with me for whispering while a service was going on, even though there was no way they noticed or heard! He felt I was being terribly irreverent! I always think of churches as kind of "public places" where anyone can go. They are beautiful places with a lovely energy, often. I am sure there are people who are there only because their spouse drags them along,anyway, so I imagine you are not the only non believer attending.

I know about it , and I have done it several times. I have no idea if it actually did what it claims to do, though, and I didnt really enjoy doing it very much. If it was just 2-3 minutes, could handle it- but 10 or more minutes just was too much to add to my morning routine. I like tongue scraping though- that, I can easily do in 30 seconds.

I think it is highly likely but I am not so much into "believing" in it because I just won't know till I die, for sure, no matter what I believe :) Maybe some people reincarnate and others dont. Maybe we get a choice. Maybe we dont. I have read a lot of fascinating stuff about it but I am content with a big ? I do know I am more than my body- I have had "out of body experiences" which make me feel reincarnation is a possibility.