I think it really depends on how connected I feel with the person. My son used to say he was stupid, a lot, and I felt that as his mother/and homeschooling teacher,that it was my job to make sure he heard from me that I felt he wasn't stupid at all and in fact was very capable. While at the same time, not giving his negativity too much attention. Some people- I wouldn't feel I wanted to say anything- I wouldn't feel that it was worth my time or energy. I didnt have that role in their life. But others..if I felt they are truly sharing how they felt with me and were opening up to me- I might feel to say something. I would go on my inner response to it, rather than any preplanned ideas.

There is no way my dh was open to homeschooling when the kids first went to school- and I didn't have the confidence to push the point- I felt it was futile. The only reason he did come around eventually was actually because we were separated at the time. He was missing us, and having our son part time during the day (while I worked) appealed to him. He was desperate to get back together and be a family, and I was quite content living alone with the kids without marital conflict. But we didn't have the money conflict issues the OP has. In fact once I was homeschooling dh told me he would support me financially 100% if I moved back in with him- and he has ever since. It was a glue for our particular family- but only because dh was willing to do whatever it took. It's definitely an issue that can show up what is going on in the marriage under the surface. Its fine for any dh to have his own , even strongly held opinion- but if he is not treating the mother/wife with deep respect around the issue also, even while holding his own ground, it's good for her to really see it. Better to have one's eyes open.

Sesame Spinach Salad 2 tbs extra-virgin olive oil 1 tbsp soy sauce 1 clove garlic sugar 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg pepper 1 tsp ginger 250 gms baby spinach, washed 2 tbs sesame seeds lightly toasted Blend all ingredients except spinach and sesame seeds. Pour over spinach. Sprinkle sesame seeds over the top. Addictive. My kids will eat a huge bowl of it.

CADA- breakfast 1 handful coconut 1 handful raw whole almonds 3 pitted dates 1 apple, cored and quartered Directions | Numbered... Soak almonds and dates overnight (or not) In the morning, place all ingredients in food processor and process briefly. Optional ingredients- goji berries, blueberries, use any type of nut instead of almonds- I love brazil nuts. Skip the coconut if you dont like it.

It really is difficult but my experience was that once I was convicted to do it, I researched and found articles and printed them out for dh. I asked him to be open to the idea- he definitely wasn't at first. Eventually he gave me a 6 month trial and he was convinced pretty quickly once we started. The thing is, people mean well. Your dh means well. He wants what is best- he is simply ignorant about homeschooling. I knew I had to convince my dh that I could actually do this- our society doesn't educate us that we are capable of teaching kindergarten to our own kids, let alone higher grades. But we can and we can do a great job. Educate him. Show him you are passionate about it. He should respect you enough to at least be open to what you have to say, especially if you also listen to his concerns- otherwise I would work on that issue first.

I tend to think of it as...the mother sets the tone of the household. A happy mother, a mother who takes healthy care of herself, will set the example that its important to take care of oneself, and the environment the kids grow up in will nourish them, even if she is not physically present all the time. I think far more damage is done by mothers who self sacrifice and become martyrs for their kids, than those who maintain their own interests, friends and health during their years of mothering. If everyone self sacrifices, who gets to really live their own potential and thrive in life and show people how it is done? I think it takes a certain amount of selfishness to take care of oneself and be happy....miserable self sacrificers just end up making everyone around them miserable. When you love yourself, you can really love others. When you don't love yourself, everything you do in the name of love is a bargain (I do this for you, I give up my life for you, so you better love me back, you better sacrifice back etc), and kids know.

Yes, but I have only 2 kids. I have a cooking job related to my husbands work. I make a vegetarian lunch for a dozen or so guests twice a week. It has been a perfect job although I will say it wasn't always easy to juggle cooking with homeschooling, it was doable. I guess people do what they have to do- I really feel for people who have to work part time along with homeschooling- some even work full time. Homeschooling (along with parenting) is already a full time job.

I read the headlines on the computer and only if they interest me do I read any further. I have my Google homepage set up to give me the headlines when I boot up. We have never watched the news on TV- I never thought it was good for kids and so we just never have it on. I don't think it's sticking your head in the sand. What can you do about it anyway? You will hear the important stuff either here or through your social network. Most news is trivia. I don't need my head filled with trivia.

I get a semi-wholemeal risotto rice also, I just remembered. Its organic. I cant get brown basmati here but I can get this stuff- its imported from Italy. It takes 35 minutes to cook but it tastes great. My understanding is that brown rice is a warming food and so is considered by those who care about such things, to be better as a winter food or for cold climates. White rice is cooling (or neutral cant remember) and so more appropriate for summer, or hotter climates.

I have a son who used to be similar, but he does seem to have grown out of it now (he is 15 now). When you say he is deliberately refusing to see that its not his sister's fault- I would say that that is not a conscious act on his part. He is reacting from somewhere that is not reasonable but emotional, and he has no access to reason at that time. I dont really know the answer. We did hold our son accountable and just patiently, without getting upset with him (because getting upset with someone who is upset doesn't help at all), take him to his room (where he might kick the door until he calmed down) or sometimes just stay with him and stay connecting and communicating until he calmed down. I think all those years of being reasonable with him, as much as possible, even though he couldnt be reasonable back, did go deep in him. Hes not too bad nowadays and if he does "go off like a firecracker" which he did do this afternoon in response to something I said, he will tend to back down much more quickly and usually become quite reasonable later. He needs a calm parent to respond sanely and wisely- and protectively towards anyone he might be attempting to hurt. So if he is being abusive towards his sister, he is removed from the room if he wont respond to being told to stop. However, I think a child that gets that out of control is also often frightened by their own overwhelming emotions and can be helped by a parent staying calmly present with them as they go through it. Sending them to their room and punishing them can just isolate them with their own overpowering feelings. And even if they do need to be separated for everyone's wellbeing- they need to be accepted and forgiven and reconnected with deeply, once the episode is past. I am not a therapist but I do feel that these kids- and there are many nowadays- need a lot of extra support and attention and cant be punished into behaving well. They need a lot, and they take a lot of parenting. They are not deliberately, consciously being "bad"- who would? They need heaps of patience and understanding and acceptance, as well as firm boundaries. Good luck. I wouldnt trade my difficult son for anything- I have learned so much and he is the light of my heart (along with my easy going dd who has been sooo patient with her unreasonable brother).

We eat basmati (which is a type of long grained, non sticky, fragrant white rice) which supposedly has a much lower GI- it digests more slowly, as in, it doesn't release a rush of sugar into the bloodstream like normal white rice does. However, it does seem like people who eat a rice based diet tend to be healthier than those of us who eat a more meat and wheat based diet. So many strange beliefs around food circulating- its really hard to know what is good for you. But billions of Asians seem to do well on rice.

Absolutely yes. More often than we do together. FOr our honeymoon (we got around to getting married when the kids were ages 3 and 5), dh went on a 10 day spiritual retreat, and when he got back, I went on a week long spiritual retreat. Both on the other side of the country. With small kids, that was honestly the best gift we could give each other. Most of our holidays are spiritually related, and mine at least are mostly retreats. I take a week to do a silent retreat each year. DH is about to take dd16 to Paris for 10 days- He promised to take her 2 years ago and finally its happening. We couldn't all afford to go. We have taken holidays together as a family, and dh and I also went to Bali- twice- last year, just the 2 of us. I imagine we will do that more often as the kids are older. But definitely holidays apart are important for me. I really, really enjoy time apart from my family and husband (even though I love them so much!).

I think many people really enjoy or are at least stimulated by the religious bent on discussions here. For better or worse, people do seem to let their hair down here and be fairly real and often discuss things here that they might not get the opportunity to in real life- at least more frequently. I know I do. I don't have anything to do with Christians normally, although my years of homeschooling exposed me to many. But I found that I sort of felt at home here in a majority Christian environment - and I think that is because it is up for discussion. If it wasn't, probably a lot of presumptions would be made and it wouldn't be anywhere near as diverse and interesting- and actually tolerant- as it is. It's unique.

Nothing very exciting- at the moment i am taking the chemist stuff, along with triphala to keep me mobile :) It doenst bother my stomach, fortunately. I need to- my iron was very low and i am going back for blood tests in May. Low iron can really affect the thyroid. The doctor wanted to give me an iron transfusion- I declined but decided I had better take the serious stuff and see if I can get my levels up. I doubt they are exactly great yet but I do feel better. Herbal iron...well, there is a limit to how much they are allowed to put in a herbal or natural iron product here and I have never found they raised my levels much at all, realistically. Which is why i have just lived with low iron my whole adult life. I need to seriously get my levels up so I am taking the serious stuff. It's called Ferrograd but I doubt you have the same over there. I probably have low stomach acid or lack enzymes or something, which stops me absorbing iron easily.

We always had no free time until after school was finished- early afternoon. Morning was structured pretty much from getting up at 7am- chores, breakfast, then schoolwork. A routine. Then basically the rest of the day was theirs, as was most of the weekend. Lots of free time- they have far less now that they are at school/college. We never did a lot of family activities- nothing structured daily. I never saw a problem with free time, although when they were younger we did have to limit electronics.

3 regular meals a day Morning exercise- I walk outside in the fresh air and sunshine. Get your iron and thyroid checked. Iron tablets- I am taking these regularly and they are seriously making a huge difference to my energy levels. I have thyroid issues too- discovering this has made a big difference- although i am not on medication for it. Taking iron is helping the thyroid. Also I am gluten free now- I think although I wasn't obviously symptomatic, gluten was affecting me (and the thyroid). I have been low energy for years and it is really interesting and amazing to me to not feel tired most of the time.

I dont understand why it would take so long- how many hours of chores are there? What time does she get up? My dd also has low blood sugar in the mornings and needs to eat. In fact we cant go anywhere mornings until she has eaten. But it takes- 15 minutes, to eat breakfast? Half an hour to do chores? This morning she is up already- its 6.45am- and she is about to have a shower, breakfast and coffee, feed the chickens, pick up the dog poo, and clorinate the pool and empty the filter- and she will be gone to catch the bus to college by 7.30 am. I can't see that the problem is either breakfast or chores- maybe more the getting up time, and that is usually a going to bed time issue. My kids always got up at 7, had breakfast, did chores and were ready for schoolwork by 8.30 easily- even with exercise for dd. But maybe your dd has a lOT more chores?

Dh works evenings. The kids and I watch an episode or 2 of whatever series we are into (currently House). We eat together at least 3-4 times a week. Then, we all go to our screens. I think because we homeschooled and spent so much time together, we dont really have a problem with it, but i have teens so we are at a a different life stage to your family. I feel we are all still close- they will come and sit and talk with me in my room before bed or anytime they want to. If the communication wasnt good, I would change things, but its great. I know I needed alone time in the evenings, though. We used to have all the comptuers and the TV in the living room, which was also the homeschool room- so at least we were all on our own screens in the same room. It did help. Now I have mine in my own office so the kids can have friends over and have the living area to themselves- they play loud music in there too. Dh is home Monday nights- we used to do something then- play Scrabble, go out to a coffee shop and drink hot chocolate. Something. We still do sometimes.

My 2 are very social and they always needed a lot of activities to feel happy. However....I think having a large family would compensate somewhat. I don't know where you live but once they get to a certain age they can organise their own social lives to an extent- my teens certainly do. We no longer homeschool, but neither do I organise anything anymore, but they are always out there doing this or that, or inviting kids over. I am not sure that I would go along with the attitude that a kid needs to just put up with barely an outside social life because you keep having more children, though- depending on how long that goes. Having 2 very social kids myself, I know they would have resented me for homeschooling if I hadn't got them out of the house regularly- friends in particular are important. Your balance will be different from mine or anyone else's but I am sure you can find it.

I think one of the best things you could do is just keep letting her know how much you believe in her, and have confidence in her. I know my life would have been different if I hear the phrases "just be yourself" and "I really believe in you" more than I did (I don't remember ever hearing them). The impact of relatives saying stuff like that and actually being interested in our wellbeing, and really connecting with us, can be immense, even if it doesn't seem like it at the time.

I am a believer in natural medicine- but always use your common sense.

I am not longer homeschooling. But I liked CTT. Its not very classical though :) It doesn't involve any memorisation at all- not even comprehension type questions. What it does ask for is discussions and your own perception of what you read about, and sometimes even to translate that into your own life. It brings it all back to you- which may well be the antithesis of classical, especially in those early years of grammar stage when classical encourages memorisation :) However I do believe CTT would still create those memory pegs, but in a different way- as long as the child was engaged. Any program the child is actively engaged with and enjoys is going to be better than one where they are not. Not grading can be great for some kids and writing their opinion or perception rather than a narration can be great for others- like my son. We had spent years on narrations however, and continued them in other areas- but with CTT I allowed him to write what he wanted and just read it rather than graded it. It did encourage him to write freely. He did get bored with it and found some of the questions meaningless for him. We only did the Upper Level courses however- and we didnt try it till the last year of our homeschooling where he was quite resistant overall anyway. If I were to homeschool again..I would be torn between the methodology of CTT, which I did find huge benefit in, and the methodology of classical, which I also found huge benefit it. Yet they are quite different approaches. I found I wanted to rewrite CTT myself and ask different questions at times. I even thought of using the CTT methodology and write an Australian History program, but include narrations as well :). We however did love SOTW and went through that twice before starting CTT, so we were coming from a different place. I felt we had done plenty of history but I liked how CTT approached it- for us- it was refreshing.

I think I started feeling much more comfortable with what I was doing by about year 4. But if I was to start from scratch now, with young kids, I would probably do it all quite differently to how I did it- even all the way through. You learn through hindsight- even years later. And unless you have lots of kids or a big age gap, by the time you have got it together, they grow into the next stage and its all new again. Mine are close in age and were taught content subjects together- I could never really use my experience to benefit younger ones.

I dont think its tacky to be specific if you want to be, but I have never really found a need, myself. I don't think I have ever been to a pot luck, ever, where there wasn't leftovers, but maybe its different there- some poeple bring more, some people bring less food. And the most I have ever been specific is to ask for vegetarian food only, but in our demographic that is quite acceptable. DH runs a potluck with his work once a week and after many years of not being specific, he did recently ask people if they could being more salads and healthy foods because it wasnt helping his overweight belly any to be eating so much delicious but hugh calorie food. Everyone was quite agreeable to the idea and its quite a healthy meal nowadays.

I really don't think I could live with my parents. Maybe I could but dh definitely couldnt! And my mother's mother went to a nursing home- no way could mum have coped with her. But I can actually imagine myself living with my own kids when I am old. We have had a good relationship in their childhood and I would love to be around my grandkids and to live in an extended family situation. I say that as someone who loves her own space a lot! I would need my own independent living area, even if just a granny flat. I think it is going to happen more and more and overall its a good thing.