Definitely not Apologia users here. For starters we are not Christian, and even if we were, i doubt we would like the tone. We use Singapore Sciences.

Sounds about right to me. One thing I appreciated from the Latin Centred Curriculum was an understanding what are good "core" subjects. I see Maths, Language Arts and Latin as my core subjects. Language Arts can cover a lot of reading for most subjects, even Science, if you want it to.

Better late than never, for sure! We didn't "discover" SOTW until the kids were older anyway- oldest was 10, younger 8 or 9 , and we did 4 very happy years of SOTW. I added lots of historical fiction because that's what we love around here. In the SOTW books nowadays, they say they can be used for Logic Stage as well as Grammar Stage. Just add what feels right for your own kids. We used the maps, and chose our own extra books, and we always tie in our Literature studies to History, but there were many, many weeks when we only got to read SOTW and do the map, and some sort of writing assignment for history, and that was it. And I still feel they got a lot out of it and know more about history that I did at their age. Enjoy with no regrets!

I dont blog regularly, but I think I started because it appealed to me as a creative outlet, and also as a way to give people who may know me a link to my homeschooling world- that includes my far flung family, but i don't think they visit it much anyway. More friends, casual acquaintances, and its a place to refer online friends to. It is also a "record" of some sort. Also, I liked visiting other people's blogs, so I figured I could do something like that too, and maybe someone out there in cyberland might enjoy something I have to say. In reality, I often don't feel like I have much to say, so I don't blog much, or at least its sporadic. The idea of it appeals to me more than the reality, it seems.

I am not going to wade through all the pro and con responses, but I like to share with people on this issue that here in Australia where we have very tight gun laws, we simply dont have the crime level that the U.S. has. I can imagine if I was born and brought up in a country where anyone could own a gun, and the crime rate was high, I might want the right to own a gun too, to protect myself. (Actually, I personally wouldn't, but I can understand the mentality). But just to share the perspective of someone who has been born and brought up in a country where by far most people do not have guns, there is a strong vibe here that we prefer the laws this way and we vote in our government, and I doubt a government would have much popularity if it wanted to allow much looser gun laws. Yes, occasionally there are gun crimes, and very occasionally, a bad one. But it is not common. So to some extent, I really think it's what you are used to and the environment you are brought up in that colours your perspective. By the way, when guns laws were a little looser here, before I was with him, my dh had many guns. However, now, as a family man, he also is glad the laws are strict against gun ownership. I would say the knife crime in Japan is to do with the high competition and stress level in that country, and perhaps it is the same in the U.S. with guns. Of course, there are deeper issues than "gun" or "no guns". Stress is a result of fear, and under it all is a lot of fear, driving people's responses to things that happen to them. It's complex.

:grouphug: I have a suggestion for another way of looking at it all. You were simply not meant to get pregnant this month. How do you know? because it didn't happen. That neurologist is not the right one for your son. Pick another. And if you are still annoyed, write a letter directly to the neurologist to let him know how difficult his staff are, and how your son has suffered in the meanwhile, then let it go. Abeka is also not right for your children. Let it go. Man, I would be mad too....what a horrible rule! I think thats grounds for a mass avoidance of Abeka, personally. I would spread it far and wide. That's pure prejudice of the most unethical nature. We cannot know the bigger picture, but you never know whats around the corner. I take apparent difficulties like these as a sign that I am going the wrong way and life is trying to help, not hinder me, by putting road blocks in place. After I get stressed, of course.

You guys are very funny. Dh and I have had fluctuating conversation levels over the years....sometimes he is more chatty, sometimes me. I certainly know what it's like to be the one wanting....it can cut right to the heart of any self worth issues! I think the only way through that is communication, and as much as possible, keeping a sense of humour and not taking it too personally. Thats the hardest part....feeling like it is because of yourself...when it is more likely that it is not at all. He is just content! But, it does appear to be common for many men to have low levels of chattiness, and I for one am glad mine does nowadays.

I read a book called Parachutes for Parents years ago, and it's one of the few books I took notes from. In that, they recommended simply not to take sides in arguments between siblings because taking sides means you are saying to one child, the aggressor, that they are in the wrong, while the other child, the victim, is in the right. But the victim is actually rarely just the victim...being a victim has good pay! For starters, you get mom on your side- what a win! It's the other side of the coin. By making them work it out, neither gets to play either role, they have to grow beyond the roles. Can't say I have always done that. Are there any underlying jealousy issues? My oldest always had a slight jealousy issue of her brother...not surprising. She had a wonderful life until he came along and usurped her! And while she was easygoing and happy, he was a screamer who wouldn't be put down, so he always got a disproportionate amount of attention, for many years, no matter how we tried to balance it. It wasn't until they were old enough that we could really talk about it through and through that it started to heal in her. Meanwhile, she was mean, and you could see she could barely help herself....she just wasn't mature enough to handle her own jealousy. And he...he was just plain emotional and immature. Nowadays, I am so heartened that they are finally good friends, even though they still fight, they actually get on well, too. I personally feel that the less interference the better, and sibling fighting is fine and a normal, healthy part of growing up. Its not going to stop you trying to work it out with them sometimes, but I suggest you just "let go" somewhat and let it be. Separate them when they fight in your face..or put them together in a room away from you...whatever. I try and only interfere when there are really heart issues at stake, when I can feel one child is coming out of some meanness that I feel I can reach, do something about, or want to make them more aware of.

No, I don't force my kids outside whatever the weather. But, I do put limits on screen time in holidays, so that tends to push them outside or to be more creative about what they do, inside. We have stinking hot summers here. (Of course, its winter now though...beautiful rain, gorgeous sunsets, wonderful storms). I prefer my kids DONT go outside in the middle of the day in the heat of summer because I dont like using sunscreen on them etc. It seems more sensible to me to spend the heat of the day indoors and go outside morning and evening. But I don't have to force one child...he has street friends. The other child...well, I don't force her outside, but I do force her to get off the computer and go do something. Usually, she paints. And in summer holidays, we go to the beach early morning several times a week if we can. All in all they do spend plenty of time outside, with Scouts, friends, park time with other homeschoolers etc. No Vitamin D shortage around here.

Oh, but then we won't be in the same time zone anymore :) I am happy for you...very exciting!

Like this one? :) I read the first three responses then replied. I figure people are free to ignore my response if its "off". It depends a lot on the thread though. Sometimes reading other people's responses makes me want to respond, when I wouldnt have otherwise.

I know it helps my kids if I listen in consciously to their practice, and make positive or appropriately critical comments about it ("Oh, I love how you play that piece, so much feeling", or, "thats too fast, play it slower so you can get it accurate"). Even if I am busy starting off my day, showering or doing dishes or having breakfast or reading my email, I can often just tune in and give some encouragement. I think having an audience for practice helps my kids a lot....I probably could give even more in that area, even if its afterwards. After all, music is meant to be performed and heard, and even a good practice can feel really good. Their dad is not musical at all and he will come to concerts and things but only to be dutiful. It's not his thing. No, they don't always like to practice but we do it first thing in the morning, before school starts- 8am. Often they don't even get in a full half hour, but they both progress pretty well.

I have found neither of my kids is mature enough to schedule their whole week. They just do the fun stuff and hope I will let them off the rest! If I notice! So as a compromise, they have a weekly checklist, broken down into days- they are welcome to do things from other days though. My daughter ended up with "homework" one day this week (from spending too long on her art during the day...an issue here!), and although she resented having to do homework when she homeschools, and its unusual for that to happen here, she actually got right into it in the evening and ended up doing work for the next day as well....which gave her more time the next day to do art! It worked well. So, you asked how it went for us ....no, not good if given a list of things to do in the week. But, very well if given a checklist broken down into days, and given some flexibility with it.

I havent read the other responses but I just want to encourage you to hang in there. My son hated to read at age 8 as well. So I made him read a certain amount of time each day- 10 mins, 15 mins, 20 mins- something like that at that age, gradually increasing. And, I kept reading aloud to him lots. But, he complained and found reading hard. (I have since found out he was dyslexic, poor kid, but I didn't know that at the time and slogged away at phonics and easy to read books for him). When he was 9.5, I started reading Sea of Trolls aloud to him...he took the book out of my hands when I finished a chapter and asked me if he could keep reading it. I said of course. He has never looked back from that moment. It's a big thick book, but when he finished it, he asked for another big thick book because it made him feel proud to read big thick books. It was balm to a mother's heart, I tell you. So, 8 is still young, even though it doesn't feel like it at the time. Don't push too hard, but just consistently have him read a little every day, and his skills will get better. Meanwhile, keep having him enter the worlds that books open to us by reading to him- whatever he is interested in. My son is a fantasy freak, loves dragons and knights and things like that....plenty of books with those themes around. He now reads well above his age level ,even with dyslexia, but at 8 nope, he wasn't interested. I had to make him, so that he got better at it, while trying not to turn him off reading for life!

We are only just doing one now, our 2nd time through the cycle, kids ages 12 and 14. My kids have absolutely no interest in a timeline, so its a bit like pulling teeth, and its why I never succeeded with doing one before, but oh well, we are muddling through with it. I started with a wall one but realised no one looked at it, it looked messy, and I preferred a book format. I have Sonlight's Book of Time so rather than reinvent the wheel, I am using that with them.

Sort of, since we are out of the house on Mondays and Fridays- all school related, but really cuts into our sit down work time. So basically we work on a 3 day academic week, with Maths and something for language arts only on the other two days, plus some reading at the end of the day. (Science is covered mostly on Fridays while out, and French class, drama and sport on Mondays). We can't work over the weekends usually because of Scouting commitments....so I make the best of 3 solid days, and we still don't work late. It's enough.

Personally I wold teach as much religion as I felt comfortable with in terms of getting an education, but leave the "religion" to my husband. I couldn't teach a belief I didn't believe. My husband and I mostly agree (we are not christian) but we do differ in some ways. We allow the differences to be there, openly with our kids. We have lots of discussions. I think in many ways it is what you live and what comes across in your day to day life that will have more influence than what you teach. But we don't teach Creation because neither of us believe it. If my husband believed in Creation and I didn't, I might well leave it up to him to teach and try to stay fairly neutral and secular in our curriculum. When it comes to spirituality, I think you just have to be really, really true to yourself, even if that puts you in an uncomfortable position of not knowing. Tricky situation.

I don't know if its really a problem for you, but if it were me, I would be wondering if I am trying to escape or avoid something, some feeling. And I guess boredom could be that feeling, and maybe there is something under that, too. Many people spend their whole adult lives 'running' from something, but I don't know if thats your issue. It is one of my spiritual practices to come back to the present moment, and be aware of how much I am postponing my life for some future event. Postponement is a common but wasteful practice- a waste of life. It's not that you can't have a part of you enjoying the anticipation of a future event, but if the most of your awareness and attention isn't in the present moment enjoying or just experiencing now, then where are you? Not "here". I enjoy change too. I like to change the furniture around just to have some change, when things get a little dull. I don't see this as a problem at all. But theres a difference between enjoying change and using change to avoid something- that sort of change feels driven and compulsive rather than just a good shift of energy. Change is an inevitable fact of life, too, so there is often no need to go looking for it. It comes soon enough. I had an aunt and uncle who just had to move house every two years. My uncle, a wonderful man, just needed to change jobs often- felt the compulsion to, rather than had to because of his line of work- so they moved often. My two cousins have both responded differently to this constant change in their childhood- one has stayed fairly put and stable. The other cannot stay still and drags her husband and kids all over the country- and they are now in the next country, New Zealand. I think its sad so many people can't stay still for a moment nowadays. But on the other hand, we all have amazingly unique and different personalities and whats right for one person is just not going to be whats right for another. I have no idea whats right for you, I can only share my own experience. I remember right into my twenties needing something to look forward to. But I was also a fairly depressed person in many ways, though I didn't know it then and others wouldn't have thought so- I hid it well. But then I seemed to just grown out of it...partly because of my spiritual path...I learned to meditate, and that is all about becoming still inside, and also about facing whatever comes up, feeling it and letting it pass. Its amazing how much we can avoid feeling by being busy. But its hard to tell, not knowing you, whether its really a problem for you.

As for if our kids like AO? We have only just started using it after 5 years of various forms of Classical. My son said to me this morning, Mum, this is the best schoolwork we have ever done, I am really enjoying it. This is a kid who normally complains a LOT :001_smile: The lack of text/workbooks really suits him. The hardest thing is not to add to Ambleside, having come from a classical perspective,but after reading not to many times on the various message boards, I am trying not to. That means the academic part days is shorter than we are used to, and we all LOVE that! And yet I feel we are doing a lot, too. If I was to use AO from the beginning, I would add in SOTW, even if it meant leaving out another book. I love SOTW.

I sort of feel even a little Latin is better than none. I did only a year at highschool, but it all came back to me when I started learning alongside my kids. So maybe you could just keep going until it gets too hard, and then dont feel like you have failed...be happy you got as far as you did. The other things I noticed is that your oldest is only 9. You could just go slowly now, for sure, and have your oldest work independently if they are able. Neither of mine would have been able to learn Latin independently at that age though. Or you could wait a couple of years too, and by about 12 I think most kids could follow some of the programs independently. Whatever path you choose, if any, make sure you choose a program that has a good answer guide so that you can at least know if your kids are on the right track.

My kids are older but don't want evening read alouds any more. I grieved somewhat, because it had been an evening ritual since they were toddlers to have a night time read aloud, but it has also freed up some evening time for me and I guess it's just part of growing up. But, I read some books to them during the day as part of school. Could you do that? Choose one or two books that are above his reading level and read them during school time? I also read poetry aloud every day to my kids too, and to me it is important that I read it expressively so that they can hear how poetry should be read and appreciated...to the best of my ability, anyway. It's hard to appreciate poetry without reading it aloud. Perhaps you could buddy read, as well. Read a page each- but harder than the books he would normally be reading alone.

My dh is difficult too. For years now, I have painted him a t-shirt for Christmas and his birthday. He wears them a lot.

Another thumbs up here- my dd read it a couple of years ago, and I am pretty sure that was the book that made her want to be a doctor, then medical scientist. She loved it. For ds, it was so so but I dont think he was quite ready for it.

:iagree: Rosie. And I presume it is the same i the U.S., but my brother spent 5 years in university studying to be a chiropractor, and spends many weekends and whole weeks to keep his skills up to date each year. Once upon a time, chiropractors could just put up a plaque and say thats what they did, but those days are long gone. They are highly professional and highly, university trained. If the person who thinks chiros are quacks knew the actual figures of people who died unecessarily in hospitals each year due to being given the wrong medication or the wrong treatment or diagnosis- it is many thousands here in Australia (and thats the official figures), hate to think what it is over there- you would not be so trusting of the medical profession and so distrusting of other viable avenues of healing. I am far more nervous at going to hospital than visiting my chiro. A good chiropractor is a very valuable thing and certainly worth a consideration for the OP.

By doing lots of research. By naturally feeling which resonated with me. By looking at the religious content. By following a gut feeling. By picking one and then making further decisions based on my experiences with that. By realising it doesn't matter as much as it sometimes feels it does, and just doing it.