Mallory, why don't you enlist her help with the two year old? Tell her that you need her help getting some fresh air for the wee one while you are preggo...would she take her for a walk in the stroller in the afternoons? Just as far as you feel comfortable sending her at her age. Get her going like that for a while until she's a bit more comfortable with exercise, then suggest an activity like swimming, etc. Or, after your baby is a little bigger, ask her to help you take the two year old and the baby to a Mommy and Me gym class. Just thinking maybe she'd be more willing to get out if she felt that she were helping you...

Notes, written questions and group member's personal information are really the only things that can't be shared. There's no reason your friends couldn't have told you more about the study, how it works, etc. Perhaps they either did think you were asking for the notes or they are confused on the rules. Believe me, the point of the BSF rules is NOT to be exclusive, but rather to ensure that they remain inclusive. They have people from all over the world and all types of denominations/religions, after all. If you want to check it out, go to an orientation meeting. They'll explain all about the group and answer questions, as well as get your name on the waiting list for your group. When there is an opening, they'll call you. There might be one right away, there might not be, but you'll need to go to orientation either way. It's okay to start in the middle of the year, but you will have missed some stuff and may be a little lost for a while. However, don't let that stop you! God can and will speak to you through the lessons you are able to attend. The study works on a seven year cycle (or maybe 8 if they added another year's study). The classes all over the world are doing the same study each year, and are likely on the same lesson every week! You could go to my old class in Dallas and get Romans lesson 3 one week, then the next week show up in Africa and get Romans lesson number 4! The years aren't dependent on each other...you can start at any point and do one year, or work your way around the full 7 years. They also have a series of "graduate seminars" you can go to near the end of each year's study...those are a lot of fun.

My big ones were out there playing "school" with the little ones just now! A few days ago, they were making a creekbed under the playset, complete with a rock lining and a dam. Wanted to check on how water flowed, I guess.

I was in BSF for eleven years and LOVED it! I went through the study a second time to take my kiddos to the children's program, and I'd still be in it if a combination of hsing and my kiddos being split between the programs age-wise hadn't interfered. I actually have a Bible minor from college, and I learned far more about the Bible, Christ, my faith, myself, etc. from BSF than I ever did in school! I highly recommend it. Yes, they do have some structure and rules that help because they are an extremely large organization. Without them, it would be difficult for them to function as well as they do! I never found them burdensome in any way. However, if you are the kind of person who chafes under rules or structured assignments, you may struggle with BSF. I'd still give it a chance, however, as it is truly amazing how God is using this organization! It has made a huge difference in so many lives. My 69 yr. old mom is still in the BSF group I left, and she's growing as much as I did!

I got my first package from them yesterday and lit up with a smile when I saw the sticker! It is a nice, homey touch and I hope they keep it up. Funny how small things like that can be so encouraging!

He sounds a LOT like my 6 year old DS! He's very bright...tested gifted...but unless I sit right there with him, his attention drifts, he doodles, plays, jumps about, etc. I finally got him a wiggle seat to sit on during school (google "balance trainer") and it helped him at least stay in his chair! If he's really bad off, I have him take a break and run laps around the house till he's tired out! Then, he can sit still and work just fine. If he's still doing this in a few years, see about ADD or ADHD. Otherwise, he sounds pretty normal to me!

Just saw your post that you are narrating with DS...oh, yeah, if he's doing that, he is just fine!! :001_smile:

I completely disagree with your literacy coach! I have a gifted almost 7 year old, and he couldn't write a journal every day! He's a very fast reader, but writing is a completely different skill. Both handwriting and actual composing come hard for him...his fine motor skills are just catching up (typical, I think, for boys!) and he doesn't have the maturity/focus to keep a journal. Geez, my 8 year old DD could barely do that! DS would far rather be running around outside at this age than communicating his thoughts on paper. Try this exercise and it may give you a better idea of whether or not you have an issue. Read your DS a story, then have him tell it back to you while you write it down. (I do this at the computer so I don't have to slow my kiddos down!) If he can basically tell you what the story was about, uses complete sentences to do so, and you are satisfied that he understood it, he's probably just fine! IMO, writing is a completely different skill than reading. A kid has to master his basic fine motor skills AND be able to read well before he can write his own sentences! Give him time, he'll be just fine.

The easiest way I've found to save money is by couponing using the Grocery Game (www.thegrocerygame.com). Running off to do school, so I don't have time to explain the whole thing...check out the site for details! I saved $8,000 off my grocery bill using this the first year, and love it! I find that I easily save the cost of the list each week, sometimes on the cost of just one item. It is, of course, possible to coupon without using the GG, but it is far more time consuming. I have a family of six, and I easily can make your budget each week or even go below it if need be. As for meal prep...we eat very well and very healthy using the GG. I stockpile meals in the freezer using recipe lists I get from www.savingdinner.com and have them ready to go on those pesky late sports days. If I'm not using the freezer meals, I use crockpot recipes (also available on the site) and we are good. Best of luck!

I've unfortunately got no advice on the breast engorgement issue, since I adopted all my kids. However, I can speak to the bottle-prep side! I used my blender to mix up a whole day's batch at a time and stored it in the freezer, separated and measured into bottles. This was a huge help, esp. when the twins came along! We weren't as good about steriziling the water as we should have been. When I did do it, I would just boil the water first, cool a bit, then mix the formula in the blender and distribute. We warmed them slightly in the microwave (and shook well) before feedings. Never had any problems whatsoever with this approach. Best of luck and congrats on the new baby!

I've got four boys (one not in my siggy, as he's 26!) and we teach them that it is a man's job to protect women and children, even if that man is a mere 6 yr old! They are never, EVER, to hit a female for ANY reason, they are to be chivalrous, etc. As a result, my boys...even the 5 year olds!...open doors for ladies, let them go first, don't hit girls, etc. This doesn't always stop the inter-sibling fights, but it helps. DD sometimes tries to take advantage of our rule for the boys, and I basically tell her what Jill's grandma told her...if you are going to whack your brothers, remember that it won't be long before they are much bigger and stronger than you and you won't like what they dish out! I mention our rules because I do not think it is acceptable under any circumstance for the 10 year old to be hitting your DD. Obviously, he is not being taught in this way. My boys usually puff up their little chests and start being little men when they are reminded of their "duty" to take care of the girls...maybe a talk from you along these lines will help (I'm assuming here that you've also told DD not to tease/provoke/hit, etc). If it doesn't work, keep your DD away from them and tell them the reason why. If they aren't going to mind their manners and act like gentlemen, DD won't be hanging out with them.

Whatever I can get with a coupon! Won't buy anything too heavily perfumed, though. I try to wait for times when one of those "free and clear" ones has a good sale + a coupon, then I stock up!

If you were staying, my advice would be completely different, esp. since this involves health issues. But since you are not, I'd not confront the couple. Put butcher paper over the bottom of the door so the dogs can't see out and throw a fit, then try to let it go. Since you are moving in just a few weeks, a little bit of extra vigilance with the dogs and kids during that time will probably be enough. Who knows, there might be something going on (or not going on) upstairs with this elderly couple that make it difficult for them to follow your instructions? Or, maybe they are just lonely.

I won't try to explain since I am brain-dead today, but I will offer you another link that gives a lot of info on the subject. http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/young.asp

and love it. It started because we have a hard start and stop time (8:00 am to 12:00 pm) because of my twins' preschool schedule and the fact that their special needs mean we cannot anything "academic" (math, esp.) while they are home! We use it like an assignment checklist and it works great. We use the calendar in Yahoo to schedule our subjects in 15 minute intervals (for the workbook stuff like handwriting, copywork, etc.) and longer for stuff like math and history. We always start the day with a "class meeting" in which we pray, do the pledge, the calendar and pass out the schedule. From there, I'm more flexible. "Group subjects" (ie., stuff I am teaching to them both together) must be done at a certain time, but the rest of it can be done at the child's pace and reordered if they like. DD thrives on structure and predictability, so she feels a real sense of accomplishment marking off each subject as she goes. DS is a "Wiggly Willy," so the schedule keeps him on track. I like it because I don't forget anything and am sure to get started on math early enough to finish before the munchkins arrive home. I can see us becoming more flexible as the kids mature, but for now this is keeping us all on track and giving us afternoons to play and explore!

Michelle, I don't have any brilliant advice to give you, but I thought I'd throw some moral support your way because I am right there with you! I know how hard it is and I feel your frustration. I adopted 4 kids in 3.5 years (they are now 8, 6, 5 and 5...and the twins have special needs), I have a DH who travels, just moved 1000 miles from my entire family (not entirely a bad thing!) AND began home schooling as soon as we arrived in our new location (a shock to me, it wasn't planned!). I've gained 40 pounds since the kids came, have no time to exercise, I no longer work outside the home, and I am overwhelmed with laundry and cleaning. There's very little "me" left here, just as you describe, and it's frustrating. You are not the only one who has times like these. When it gets deep around here (you know what I mean, I'm sure!), I try to remember that there are phases to life. In this phase of young children, I have to give up a lot of things. I'm not always happy about that. However, there will also never be another phase of life in which I get tons of sloppy kisses and get to hear "I love you, Mommy!" every hour or so. There will never be another phase of life in which I am brought carefully drawn stick pictures of a child holding my hand, nor will there ever be another time in which I'll get to watch my kids discover a stink bug for the first time (THAT was an adventure!). In the coming years, I will likely never again get to sing my children to sleep, watch them learn to love Jesus for the first time, nor cuddle up on the couch with hot chocolate and a fire to watch cartoons. There's a lot to like about this phase, if I'm honest with myself! That said...yes, something has to give in my life as well. The first thing that I remind myself must go is my own attitude problem (not pointing at you here, just me! ;)). I have to remember that I can spend time bemoaning the "good ole days" when I had the freedom to pursue my education/career/etc., or I can enjoy what I have now...four adoring kiddos! The next thing that has to give is my house. It's just simply not going to stay clean right now (nor is the laundry ever going to be finished!), so I can decide either to fight a losing battle and be frustrated or lower my standards temporarily and be a happy mom. I can stay inside and pay homage to the "laundry god" or I can go outside and play with my kids while they wear the clothes they wore yesterday! :o I can feed them chicken nuggets for the third time this week so that I can finish math with DD, or I can spend all afternoon in the kitchen making a gourmet meal (may not work for you, but you get the general idea!). The next thing that has to go is my kids' desire to have everything they want RIGHT when they want it! I need time to take care of me, whether that means 30 minutes to exercise, 10 minutes to pray, 15 minutes to meal plan, etc. If my kids can't understand that, then they'll just have to get a grip. They've got me the other 23 hours a day, after all! :D When I feel that I can't give anymore, I try to remind myself of what Jesus gave for me...far more than I can give for Him or to anyone else, for that matter. I remember that even Jesus needed quiet time to pray and organize His thoughts (how can I expect to be any different!). I remember that He didn't have a place to lay His head or laundry to overwhelm Him, and I give thanks for what I have. I remember that He gave His time almost solely to caring for and educating His flock of sheep...not so different from a mom of young ones, if you think about it. I remember that He gave His life for me, and He called me to give my life right back to Him. So, if I slid on into heaven with the extra 40 pounds still attached, completely exhausted and with my house still dirty and the laundry still undone but with kids who love Him, I'll have done alright! I'm sure that this isn't exactly the practical advice that you were looking for, but I sure hope it was encouraging! There are definitely easier phases to life than the one you are in, but none that force us to become more like Christ every day. (And, yes...I was interrupted at least 15 times by two 5 year olds...one who is doing his best to give me his pink eye...while typing this message! :D) Best of luck.

:rofl::smilielol5::thumbup: Got any more good emoticons? That was hysterical and SO accurate! Jennifer

It's funny how kids can be so different. Reading some of these posts reminds me of how DS (gifted) looks at something math-related once and remembers it, while DD (who is also very smart but not gifted) needs the spiral and the repetition for it to sink in. However, give him an art lesson and watch him freak! DD will go for it and pick up anything art related in two seconds flat. Home schooling choices are so nice!

Wow, you guys are really great with all this information! I'm tickled to have so much...I can't thank you enough for all the great and thorough responses! I knew there was a reason I've been hanging out here so much! :D I've learned a tremendous amount from this board and have really improved my hsing as a result! I'm too new to have much rep to throw around, but I wish I could rep you all!

You might try looking at the Flylady site and her suggestions for making lists for the "flybabies." Get a nice list organized for everyone (as detailed as you feel is necessary/appropriate), pass them out, and then say something like, "I have realized I've been doing you a disservice by taking care of everything for you, and I've decided to change my ways! You are now required to take care of x, y and z by yourselves. If you do not do those things, they will not get done and you will need to live with the consequences. I am here to advise you if need be, but I will not remind you nor do these things for you." Afterwards, STICK TO YOUR GUNS! Then, when a "natural" consequence arrives (say, someone doesn't do laundry), let it stick (they wear dirty clothes) and say, "Oh, I'm so sorry you didn't do your laundry and your shirt has ketchup on it! Perhaps next time, you'll remember to do laundry on your day!" or, if they don't do their schoolwork, "Oh, I'm so sorry you didn't feel like finishing your assignments today and will not be able to do x, y, z activity! Perhaps next time you'll remember not to dawdle!" Works for my family (DH, too!! ;))! And, YES, if they don't do their college application, it is their own fault! Best learn that kind of lesson now rather than at school! Best of luck to you.

Oh, wow...I am so very sorry. What an awful thing to have to go through! I will pray for you and your family, and will ask God to guide you and comfort you as you deal with this. :grouphug:

You all have given me a really good idea...hadn't occured to me before now (:blush:sometimes it takes me a minute!). I've been wanting to advance DS6 in math, but having him go beyond DD8 has really been discouraging to her. If they are working different programs, DD won't compare as easily! That could be really great. He could go whizzing on along at his fast clip and for her, it will be like comparing apples to oranges (only to a point, I'm sure!). He's one of those kids who looks at it once, "gets" it and then can explain it back to you in 5 different ways. She's more like the turtle in the rabbit/turtle race...slow and steady, but wins in the end! Thanks for all the great info! Your comparisons of the programs are really great.

:rofl: Oh, I have tears rolling down my face! I can so see my boys doing that! The other day somebody said to me, regarding our collective DSs and their "creativity," "Can you believe that someday someone is going to want to marry them?" :rolleyes: Let's all chant together now...

Does anyone have experience with both programs and prefer one over the other? If so, why? I'm currently using Saxon for a 1st and a 2nd grader, and am pretty happy with it. However, I decided to also research other curriculums since I'm a new home schooler and just jumped right in last year w/o evaluating math curriculums. I've been pretty angst-filled about math recently (as some recent posts mentioned! ;)), but really, I've got a grip now! I'm just wanting some anecdotes from you guys on which program you prefer and why. If it helps, I have one child who is average in math (w/ a bit of anxiety thrown in!) and another who is gifted. Very different kids...oh, the joys of adoption! Sometimes I swear home schooling was designed just for families like mine! :D Thanks for your thoughts!

Same thing happened to my DD, though she went to a great private school for K and 1st! Using the Ordinary Parent's Guide to Reading has caught her up this year. She's now reading at approximately a 3rd grade level! OPGTR really worked for her, but some of it was just that she was ready. Tell them to try OPGTR and not to stress!