I plan page numbers for the week for history in their spine, but I do a general plan in teh holidays before each term, and then write up a weekly list each weekend. I do like to have enough of a plan to have, say, 3 weeks on the Vikings, 2 weeks on the Crusades, 3 weeks on Knights etc. But not all their books will line up on that. This year we are using IEW's Medieval Writing Lessons and so I am lining up their reading with the assignments in that. However, that is the only area I plan so much, and its not that much really. We do have certain books to read through teh year, but I gave up on page numbers per week ages ago. But I will say "Watership Down- 3 half hour sessions this week", and I will have certain books read on certain days. I wont know exactly when they will finish the book until they do, though. Then I will choose another. I dont do teh library thing. Just too inconvenient for us. I have several books we work from, and then I use the internet. All our other work- Maths and English- is just Do The NExt Thing, so no planning is involved. I still like to think of every year as having a main theme, which is our history topic, so I like to plan that part in more detail. But I tweak things a lot as I go and so have learned not to plan too much detail all at once.

I am aware that there is a strong energy around the word and I rarely use it. Just like I dont like to make jokes about things that in real life I wouldnt want to come true (like, 'I could kill my dd right now', or, 'I wish he would drop dead'). I believe that words do carry energy and intent and we would be wise to be careful what we say even in jest or mild frustration. And hate is way too strong a word for most things. However, I do not get offended if other people use the word and I don't teach my kids not to use it. It's just for myself.

It's very easy to let it get out of hand. Also, it can be very expensive. Things you never knew you needed (curriculum and other!) suddenly seem like essentials. My time here easily creeps up to a couple of hours a day, but then I realise what I am doing and get off. Sometimes I have left for months at a time, and sometimes just for a few days, and sometimes I just take a day off, and mostly I just try to keep it in balance with the rest of my life and not let the housework- or homeschooling for that matter- suffer. I think ideally a half an hour a day would be enough, with an occasional hour or two when there is a long message to write or a really important thread to read. My kids are both working fairly independently, but I find if I am not in the room, the productivity goes way down. I dont feel I can really tackle too much else, even housework, while the kids are doing their work. I need to be here for them, and I do run out of emails to read, bills to pay and other constructive things to do here in the schoolroom. So, I come here.

I know a lot of people who are in this camp (and they are all non Christians). People I respect a lot actually really read alot and buy into the whole 2012 thing. I just leave a big ??? in my mind. I guess we will see...it's not that far off. Who knows? I dont feed the negativity, the drama, the conspiracy theories, etc, around it very often. Sometimes I will put my head back into that world, those theories etc. Its fascinating stuff. But sure is distracting from just getting on with your life as best you can. I do think its a good idea not to be in denial about what a terrible mess the world is in right now though.

We have a small python- native to our state, not a tropical one and it wont get even a metre long. However, they are renowned for being escape artists. This one tries so hard to escape, so we have had to put heavy books on the lid. It is registered and we have to report about it every 3 or 4 months. We got rid of our pit bull terrier when my firstborn came along. Not worth the risk. I would feel the same about a snake of that size- just not worth the risk. But then, I wouldn't wish anything more on the mother, who is suffering enough. It was just a stupid mistake.

I used the yellow book when my son first started hoemschooling. It was a dismal failure but only because he hated to write- it was too workbooky for him. The work itself wasn't hard. I have just put him into the green book now, and my dd15 into the Gold. I think the upper levels are more age appropriate. I think you should go for it- you can always buy the previous book if it proves too much, or move more slowly.

I was 27 and 28 when I had my 2 kids. I didnt go to uni, but have a naturopathic diploma. I have always read widely. I think however it was my childhood education and family background that gave me the foundation to confidently homeschool, and be swayed toward classical homeschooling. My father is a scientist, my grandparents were teachers, my mother has an arts degree- I was expected to follow in their academic footsteps, and didn't. However, they sent me to a private school and we learned Latin and read classical literature. I feel I was relatively well educated- so although I didn't pursue university, I never felt incapable of it.

Its a really interesting medieval re-enactment group that is world wide. We dress up in medieval costumes, make medieval things (like weaving, calligraphy, cooking) and some of us shoot bows and arrows or get into full armour and go try to kill each other (in a very chivalrous kinda way). It's good fun. Its also non religious but seems to attract pagans. Lots of my local group are pagan and/or witches but you wouldnt know it on the surface.

I have statues and pictures of several deities in my home, and I see them as symbols, metaphors, archetypes so to speak. That doesn't lessen their usefulness to me. (Lol, and I was vegetarian for years, and am a member of the SCA, but am not really pagan, although I love all earth religions and religions that worship nature and being in tune with nature, although for me, I gravitate toward the Indian/Hindu aspect of those).

Lol, did the OP actually think this was not going to spark off a lot of controversy? Bit like vaccinations. Some issues are just like that. My POV is that I have seen so many women over the years with small children who wouldn't get in the car, woulndt do what they are asked, were basically throwing a tantrum for whatever reason, who try to TALK to the child as if the child can and should REASON when they are highly emotional. I feel it is far more painful on the child to be talked to, guilt tripped for 15 minutes, by a stressed out mothers who are trying to be politically correct, especially in public...than a quick swat on the butt. It is purely painful to watch mothers struggle with doing what they think is the right thing, when it is absolutely ineffectual. And, yes, its doesn't work with all kids and it doesnt work all the time, but I am not going to say I would never spank, and I am not going to say I believe in spanking. Sometimes I truly think its the kindest thing to do- to both mother AND child- to snap a kid back to the present, in to their bodies, in the given circumstance. But, if you have another way that actually works with your particular child, for goodness sakes, use it. A lot of spanking is done out of frustration and ignorance of better ways. And there can be better ways. But I have seen so much ineffectual parenting (and truthfully, often by freinds who are single mothers), I have often wanted to walk up and swat the kid myself and tell it to behave and get it over with, instead of listen to the mother go on and on and on trying to guilt or bribe the child into submission. I dont think it needs to be such a polarized issue, and we could grow beyond spanking- but first parents need to be willing to be the parent, and that seems to be a dying thing. They so badly want the kid to love them they do the kid a disservice.

The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb. I dont read fiction much, but these are my kind of story.

Yeah, I agree to a point, however, I knew a young woman who took that so literally that she would stand before you and ask you if it would be ok for her to give you a hug. I found that far more uncomfortable than her just giving me a hug! SHe did it to everyone, and obviously was intending to be respectful, but it wasnt natural and spontaneous, like a hug should be, KWIM? I also suspect that if kids are touched and cuddled enough- especially girls by their dad and boys by their mum- there would be less perversion and promiscuity in the world. It should be a fairly natural thing and I do admire cultures where it is warm and spontaneous- me coming from a repressed English background and all.

Oh gosh, now the pressure is on. I must have some pictures somewhere. I think there are some on Facebook- I just have to work out how to get them here. I have just made a lemon yellow underdress, and my yellow linen has arrived for my next layer, and then I have some dark yellow curtain material (cotton) for an overdress. I am just waiting for the holidays (next week!) to do the next thing. My "Medieval Tailor's Assistant" arrived 2 weeks ago and I have read it cover to cover. It's so great to see your pickies Rosie and everyone. Very inspiring.

Im not touchy feely, but I dont get offended or usually mind if others are with me- sometimes I even like it, unless they are being really over familiar. My dh is very touchy feely and tends to hug and touch people freely. I had an English father and I wasn't hugged as a child, so I had to train myself to hug. Nowadays, I just go with my feelings- I hug when I feel to and dont when I dont. If someone wants to touch or hug me, I rarely reject it, although I have noticed sometimes if someone stands too close to me, I might take a step back.

I love tawny frogmouths. We have squirrels wild at Perth zoo. I think some escaped one day many years ago and they have lived there ever since. I have just been for a walk down to the Swan River here, which is like a lake. I live 50 metres from a huge nature area, a bird sanctuary, about 6kms from the centre of the city. There are dolphins regularly. There is a pair of osprey that nest nearby. At this time of year, the black swans seem to congregate en masse- at least 50 at a time. And we have birds from as far away as Siberia come and breed here. I was just marvelling that I live with all the conveniences of a city yet there is so much beauty and protected natureland and wildlife. I have never seen a snake near here, but plenty over the years. Actually, we have a pet Stimson Python who is just so gorgeous. I know there is lots of beauty and wilderness in the U.S. too.

I think at least the basics are necessary. I would recommend Winston Grammar for that type of kid (I have one just the same- reads heaps of high quality literature, hates to write). Its not as rigorous as many here use but it gets the basics covered in a painless way. I think it is important to be able to say "thats a noun" and "thats an adjective" and kow the subject/direct object, and action/being verbs, just as absolute minimums. It's not about knowing grammar- it's basic cultural literacy. You may be surprised too- my son hate to write and reads well, spells fairly well- and his grammar is fairly good, adn he enjoys filling out his grammar worksheets. I also wouldnt wait till he actually wants to hold a pen/pencil before making him. The best advice I ever got from a homeschool mum of 6 was to keep my reluctant writer writing even though he didnt want to. Its very hard to make a 15yo write if he doesnt want to (her experience), and a bit late. Better to start as early as you can to build the actual physical muscles, as well as the mental ones. It does get easier for them with practice- doesn't mean they will ever love it. Its a bit like eating your main meal before eating your dessert. It's good for you.

Only just saw this. Yes, my dd is in Venturers. Here in Australia Cubs, Scouts and Venturers are all co-ed. Dd15 joined up to Scouts when she was 10 and moved up to Venturers at age 14. She loves it obsessively, always has- when she joined Scouts she was the only girl for quite a while and had no interest in "boys" as such but she still loved it. (and, um, things have changed). Our group hall is on the banks of a river and the kids all sail during the two summer terms and hike and camp during the two winter terms. Dd has learned so much, and has qualifications such as a skipper and coxswain licenses. The leaders make all the difference. Good leaders- good groups- bad leaders- bad groups. Dd has been a patrol leader in Scouts and is about to become the chairman of her Venturer group for a term. Fantstic leadership training. Dd has been to camps and met kids from all over the world, literally. I highly recommend it.

I tihnk it depends on the ages of your child to some degree. Geography linked to history is a great way to cover geography without adding in an extra subject, while the kids are young. Mine learned all their geography from SOTW etc. However, I am now feeling they could do with a years worth of a program to learn more about modern geography issues- environmental, geographical, soceo-economic issues. I loved geography as a kid, although we include earth science as geography in Australia, as well.

Yes. Well said.

Its been a biggy for me. Still is some days. Dh is compassionate but firm in his resolve. I have learned not to "feed" the longing with allowing myself to think about it excessively. I allow it to be there, sometimes I give it some attention, sometimes I catch myself fantasizing about having more kids (actually, I do that a lot). Mostly, I recognize its unhealthy for me to keep putting attention there over and over. It simply makes me more unhappy than the natural longing does. Yes, it hurts that my SIL just let me know she is pregnant with no 6. But, I think that the peace that you are looking for is in acceptance. Just like someone who loses a limb, their eyesight, or when we have to face growing old.....peace comes from accepting this is the way it is, and its actually ok even though its hard. I dont say that lightly, but more from my own experience of- well, what is the choice? Accept and find some peace with it - or not accept? I realised I was feeding the desire because I felt there was some hope and thinking about it a lot might somehow manifest what I want. But all I was feeding was my own unhappiness.

My ds13 is dyslexic(informal diagnosis) and yes, I would say learning a foreign language is more than usually difficult for him. I have given up on French. I think if I spoke it fluently and we could integrate it better, he would pick it up aurally (he has a wonderful musical ear and learns music this way but even though he reads music he cant tell you the name of the notes), but trying to do it with books, or even Rosetta Stone, just wasn't happenning. Latin- he has done Latin for about 3 years now and is still at beginner stage. He has done BOok 1 of Cambridge- which worked well for him- and got halfway through Book one of Latin Prep before we decided he needed to go right back to the beginning and do it more independently (I was helping him too much as we were doing it orally together and I realised he just wasnt getting- or retaining- it). Probably too slow progress for most people, but I feel it is good for him, and I have no end goal, and dont need highschool credits or anything to show for it. He doesn't hate Latin. I notice his logical skills are kicking in. It doesnt feel like a waste of time at all- just slow progress.

My kids are older but right from the beginning when they were 7 and 9, they had to get up and start at the same time. Otherwise it woudlnt work for me. So, they get up at 7, and we start at 8.30. My older is a night owl who loves to sleep in . But, that doesnt work for me, so she only gets to sleep in weekends and holidays, and even then I often wake her because I find it irritating that she is sleeping while I am trying to organise housework or get into the day. She still loves me :)

I used to give dd15 $20 a month for clothes. But to understand that in context, we go to swap meet every weekend and garage sales when it rains, and op shops regularly- we just love finding a good bargain and that is how the kids have been brought up. And since they dont go to school they are not so much into fashion (although dd has a very distinctive sense of dress and is uniquely fashionable in her own way). And on top of that, we dont go anywhere near fashion shops very often. SO $20 goes a long way. The thing is, she has so many clothes already. She would spend it on a bra or something often. But I stopped giving her money when Dh started giving her $20 a week pocket money. On top of that, she works part time, getting maybe $50 a week. She earns far more than she needs and she is saving a lot. Of course I am in Australia but I think it is comparable. I think $30-$50 a month would be ample.

My husband gave up porn long before I met him. He now mentors young men and trains them to let go of porn- as in, he teaches them that it is an addiction and it feeds itself, and makes ordinary women seem inadequate. He reckons men get obsessive about it because they train themselves to- he seems to be a rare man who doesn't get visually stimulated that way- but my understanding is that it took a wanting to let it go and some self discipline. OUr son is begnning to get interested. Dh doesnt take a moral or shaming approach- we also are not Christian- just lets him know he can check what he has been looking at on the computer and there are sights he better not be looking at (there's porn and there's porn). And, he better not be showing any of his friends. I am pretty sure dh will discourage it and perhaps forbid it, but I am leaving this one up to him as I feel he has a pretty healthy attitude to it. Which seems rare, actually.

My kids have got their own breakfast for years. We jsut have a time when they need to be ready for school- chores done, dressed, breakfast. If they start early- my son likes to- he gets to finish early, thats all. Dd likes to start late, just because :glare:, and she gets to work in the afternoons when her brother is finished. I dont connect chores to breakfast- sometimes they have brekkie first.