:iagree: with the book recommendations. I loved Mary Poppins :tongue_smilie:

I agree with pp- controversial, no. Great starting place for discussions re: true beauty, happiness, happily ever after only with Jesus, yes.

Bumping because we are in the same place with FLL 3. I like it for my daughter, but my son seems over it. We'll be done with it by January.

Memory-random, but mostly Bible Catechism (we're Lutherans- LCMS) MEP and Miquon Logic- Analogies from Prufrock Press WWE, FLL MCT Island Level Spelling Workout- level F TOG- upper grammar level Anatomy- reading, videos, Teacher Made Resources Art Study- from Simply Charlotte Mason (love these!) Art classes Piano/The Story of the Orchestra Read alouds from DH

MEP is a whole free curriculum. I would also advise her to check out the math drills website. They have addition and subtraction worksheets for printing.

I think expecting kids to go be "salt and light" at a young age is an unfair expectation. Yes, they can share their faith in Jesus, but to expect them to be the one (or two or three) witness in a school is asking a bit much. I do pray that my children will continue to be mission-minded, but I don't expect them to take that on ALONE at this point in their lives. Furthermore, why should we sacrifice our children for the sake of society? As a family we can reach out to society together just as well, if not better, than expecting my children to go at it alone. ETA: I just looked at pp and saw that some of this was said before . . . and better than me. :)

First year of full homeschooling (afterschooling for two years). We are happy with the choices, but have lots to learn. The favorites so far: MEP, Singapore, MCT Island (all, but especially Music of the Hemispheres), TOG I am thankful that it has gone as smoothly as it has. I am praying that it continues!

I bought Once a Pawn a Time from RR. DS loved- has loved it for three months now. The set is nice, but not overly so. It comes with two books- one for beginners and one for advanced moves. He loved it so much that he ended up making a book himself: 2 1/2! It totally cracked me up! Anyway, I remember that is fairly reasonably priced as well. HTH

I just caught the tail end of this thread, but I've been in your place. My MIL is well-meaning. We disagree on food items for the kids, bed time for the kids, etc. Dh and I have told her we don't allow soda, etc. We told her all sorts of things. At one point, however, I just realized that I can't pick every battle. Some things are VERY big and some a just not so much and I can live with it. If you can, it might be worth your time to decide what is most important and shorten up that list. It could cause you less worry and improve your relationship with your in-laws. :):)

Wow- that is crazy! Probably this isn't very unique, but my son can remember any and every license plate he sees. Even if he has only seen it once. We count on him to tell us whose car belongs to which people.

I agree with pp about near rhymes and phonology, but I still love it because my kids love it. They love the tone of the books. It's like having a conversation with someone. We are having fun with it and will probably pick up FLL again in January 2013. I would not use it as a stand alone writing/grammar program.

Awhile ago I saw a cute little checklist on someone's blog. Does anyone know where to find a daily checklist template? It would be something to give to ds so that he always knows what needs to come next, etc. Thanks!!

Praying right now!

My dh has been reading The Hobbit for at least a month and a half. We love it- but it feels sllllooowww right now. To be fair we did move countries and taken a major family vacation in the same time frame. But it still feels like it is going to be painful to finally get it done.:lol:

Congrats! As they say at Immigration: welcome home (for a bit). :001_smile:

Thanks! And I loved the Blessing Bags idea. It would have worked here, too. So many great ideas- thanks ladies!

I'd like to see the list when you are done! :)

We are moving into the next phase of life: back to the U.S. We'll be in the new house in mid-July. I am hoping that some school can go on even when we live at mil's house. We'll see. IF it does work, we'll continue to work on math for all. I also designed a "reading challenge" for them. All the books are chosen by me (well, 2 are freebies). They have to read and report (in various ways) on all of them by August 1. If they complete it, we will do a water park day! We also do Vacation Bible School and I signed them all up for summer drama/music classes.

My ds is 8 and has an ADHD diagnosis. I don't know that we've said, "You have ADHD", but we have talked with him about trying hard to focus, working hard to exercise self-control. Of course we also do employ behavior management strategies. He is also on Concerta- which has been a huge advantage for him- and he knows that he takes that to help him focus. OTOH, we have also had him NOT take the medication and have expected behavior as near to behavior without meciation as possible. I know that he will have a harder time without it, but he knows that he will be held accountable either way. All this to say: I would find someway to discuss his struggles with him. It validates the issues and allows a common language in your home. HTH.

Does anyone do "service events" with their dc? I'm talking about visiting nursing homes, helping in the community, etc. I don't mean talking about such events or praying for those that do missions . . . I am thinking more like going out into the community and committing to doing something service oriented once a week/once a month. Does anyone do this? If so, what do you do? And how often do you do it? I've been living in a place where my family could serve others all the time due the amount of true need and it has been a beautiful thing for all of us. We are headed back to the U.S. and I need some help thinking this through. What can we do that would be meaningful and not just a one-off experience? Thanks for any suggestions!

I assume that you've spoken with your medical doctor . . . and it sounds like you have tried all sorts of other things. I was wondering a few things so I'll ask them, but I pray that you will see them as they are meant- gentle, thoughtful possibilities. I wonder what he feels like when you buy him everything he wants and indulge his not-long-lived whims? I am asking this gently- it is not meant to be judgmental. I really wonder . . . does he change and become a happier child? If so, how long does that last? Have you asked him what he feels like? I wonder if he still feels sad/bad, etc.? I wonder what he would be like if you made him stay with the piano? You said he is probably going to give that up soon . . . what about requiring that he stick with it. All the while you can praise him for his efforts- even when it isn't fun or easy. I also wonder if you should take him back to get a second opinion? I know you said he isn't depressed, but the things that he is thinking about/saying tell a different story. Again, I hope that this has been helpful. I certainly don't have all the answers. Those were just things that came to my mind right away. I pray that you do find a solution! :grouphug:

:iagree:with the bolded. Dd7 has actually gotten better, but there was a time that I considered taping myself saying, "It is ok to be angry but it's not ok to treat me with disrespect." We do a lot of work with boundaries and scripture in our house. We talk about how AND why we should treat other people a certain way. We also talk about how our family is a community and we work together in that. I always recommend a book by Cloud/Thompson- Boundaries with Kids. We also try to find their "currency", kwim? What do they value- toys? time with you? time with friends? Use that in discipline as you see fit. HTH!

Well, thanks for all the advice! I needed a few other people to weigh in on this. I think we will go with the older van. The mileage is, of course, a factor as well. We'd like to get a lower mileage used car. We haven't decided on any one van, but we are looking at the Dodge Grand Caravan. Anyway, thanks again!

I see a trend here . . . thanks for your input! :bigear: Still love to hear more!

I don't post much on this board, but I am really uncertain what is best. Any advice would be appreciated. We are returning to the U.S. after 4 yrs. abroad. We need a van for our family. Would it be best to buy a 2008 van for around 10,000 USD (and be prepared for possible repairs) OR buy a 2011 for around 18,000 (and expect fewer repair costs)? The background is this: My dh will be going back to school (working very part time) and our income will be limited. We have saved during these last couple of years to make sure that we have enough to live on. It isn't a huge amount but it will get us through two years of frugal living. If we spend more for a car that would mean that we have less to live on for the next two years . . . but no repair costs . . . but maybe the repair costs won't add up to 8,000 dollars anyway . . . Obviously I am torn. Dh feels we should do the newer van, but he has told me that he wants to make this decision together. Anybody have opinions/ideas? I'm :bigear:!