I have a rising 7th grader who may be doing a split schedule between homeschool and PS if scheduling works. His electives and math (independent study High School Geometry this year) would be done at school, the rest at home. Since the school does "Life Science" in 7th, I would like to stick with that and was wondering if anyone has used Apologia's Biology course for a 7th grader who is exceptional at math. He completed Accelerated Physical Science at school last year, if that matters. This way, he would have room for some AP science courses in High School or go on to the PSEO program at the community college. If you think this is not a good option, please be specific as to why and feel free to recommend what you feel like would be a more appropriate course. I'd love any advice from those of you who have done science with this age. Thanks in advance,

If you will, please specify your child's age/grade_____ Three in piano: 12/7, 10/5, 7/3 teacher's qualifications (degree, etc.)________ Degree in music (Bachelor's or higher) Lesson length _____ (30 minutes, 45, 60?) - 30 minutes (though she has done many 45 minute lessons for oldest ds at no extra charge) Lesson frequency(once/week?)______ once/week Monthly cost $ ______ (per child) $14/lesson Region where you live______ Midwest Our piano teacher is incredible and I feel so blessed to have found her.

I just saw this article on yahoo. I hope it serves as a wake up call as to how desperate the health care situation has become in the US.

Thanks for sharing your story, Kim! It was comforting to me to hear from someone who has a child like mine. My dh is great. He is always supportive of what I choose to do, but he isn't super involved in any homeschooling or afterschooling things we've done. We do have the same expectations when it comes to academics. We don't do any counseling sessions, so that isn't a factor. We also aren't religious (DH comes from a Buddhist background and I come from an athiest home). I am spiritual, but haven't found any organized religion that fits me. I did go to church with the kids for a number of years, but I never felt like I fit in so we stopped going. The kids, especially ds, do not want to go back when I've talked about finding a new church. I do feel like it can be good for kids to have a spiritual component in their lives, but it's hard when church is teaching things that neither dh or I necessarily fully believe. Dh does feel that Ds should return to school in the fall, more because if he gets into the hybrid program then it would be fewer adjustments but also because I think he worries that homeschooling ds would be too much for me. I get that, but at the same time, the hybrid program is not guaranteed and I'm not sure I want to be stuck in another year having to make this decision all over again with a now 13 year old.

I love your suggestions:001_smile:! It's funny because DS and I just had a talk about why he argues so much and he admitted it's habit. I explained that to break this habit, he needs to simply change his mindset and open it to new possibilities. He admitted that a lot of times he does have a good time at these things. I think your suggestion would be a perfect followup to a failure to stop and try to retrain his mindset. We have had several days of lots of fighting (which is normal when a school break starts; then after a week or so they are fine) so I told the kids that fighting equals boredom and they will be choosing to receive extra chores or academic enrichment activities to fill their time. We'll see how it goes:tongue_smilie:. Luckily I have several months to see how things go and make this decision.

OMG, I just typed up this long reply and then lost it all. Ugh. Trying again... Thanks so much for all the replies so far. I just wanted to clarify that he has been in PS for four years, so it isn't like we are pulling him, putting him back in, etc. Also, his access to all media is extremely limited, which is one of his complaints. Our children are only allowed to play video games on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for a max of 2 hours a day. TV is only in the livingroom and the little that we watch is usually as a family. He loves online comics like Manga so we sometimes allow that as well. I have tried to suggest activities for him and every suggestion is met with an emphatic, "NO!" Same with going practically anywhere. He loves soccer and all my kids play, so we do that every evening in the Spring through July. He is also a talented pianist, and he takes lessons once a week, though lately he says he is getting burnt out on that. He used to take swimming lessons, but he passed all the levels. We are members at the Y, but trying to get him to go is like pulling teeth. I have suggested clubs and sports at school, but there has been no interest. He was in Scouts for a few years, but quit. There has been no interest in 4H, though I've tried. I've suggested community activities, which are abundant to no avail. When we volunteer, camp, or pretty much go anywhere as a family, the complaints are endless. He also has chores at home, though I have been contemplating adding more. It's just so hard to deal with all the arguing. I agree that bored plus strongly influenced by peers can cause trouble, which is why I'm worried. I also agree that social reasons are not good enough to keep children in a mediocre school, which is why I'm HS the others this fall and that 12 is too young to be able to make sound decisions for one's future and he and I have discussed this. We don't have neighborhood kids and we are strict about who and where he spends time and that has been a blessing with him. But I'm also really concerned about the stress that HS this child may have on me and my family. It was a major factor for why my kids went to PS in the first place. I haven't had him evaluated for anything else, though I have thought about it. He is gifted and his personality traits reflect much of what I've read on the subjet. I really just don't know which way is best. PS would definitely be easier for me, but I feel like I'm cheating him academically. I really feel torn...

We just got news last night that the planned middle and high school local charter school hybrid program into which we were planning to enroll DS 12 is being put on hold for 6 months to a year. He is currently at the local middle school where he will be in 7th grade this fall. We still want him to attend this hybrid school (combination of home & a day a week in the school) when it opens, however, we will now be subjected to a lottery if and when it does open, so there is no guarantee we will ever get in. DS does not want to attend this school, but we feel it is a much better fit for him than his current school. DS spent most of the past year hating school and begging to be homeschooled. He is gifted and he was bored. Suddenly a few months ago, this changed and a now he wants to stay at his school. I'm quite sure it's because he doesn't want to leave his friends and so he no longer is interested in either full or part time homeschooling. While it isn't awful, I do not care for his school. It is large and there are all the social issues that come with large middle schools. Academics are mediocre at best (I was the one who started the thread about our school district no longer teaching the classics). The one good thing I can say about it is that they have accomodated his giftedness (is that a word?) in math by putting him into an advanced, independent study class where he is now studying high school statistics. Part time homeschooling is an option, but that eliminates any enrichment options thru the day. We are within walking distance of the school which would make this easier but since we have long, cold winters I would still often have to drive him. I also have 2 younger children who are coming home. My DD 7 doesn't really want to HS, so if I let DS stay in school I feel like that is not sending her a consistent message. My biggest problem, though, is that I have HS this child in the past and it was REALLY hard. He is gifted and has a VERY intense personality. He has few interests and is hard to motivate. He wants to rush through everything to get done and play video games or watch TV. I have failed miserably afterschooling him because I got tired of all the arguing, though he had plenty of time to do extra work as he never had any homework. Also, he doesn't get along well with the other 2 children and tends to cause trouble when he gets bored, and he is very easily bored. He is a great kid, don't get me wrong, and he has plenty of positives too, but these are the issues I know would be really hard for the rest of us. On the other hand, he is very easily influenced by peers and it has really escalated this first year of middle school. Most of our arguments this year center around not being able to play M rated video games or watch R rated movies like his friends can. We have had minor problems with lying and not following rules. I just worry that my staying in school not only will he be receiving a crummy education, but that the social stuff will get way worse also. I know if I bring him home, my job will be a much harder and my energy will be taken away from the other kids. Yet, how do I tell my DD that big brother gets to stay in school but she can't? And how would I make peace with knowing I'm settling for what I feel is a lesser education for DS? Help! What would you do??

Ugh, I just wrote a lengthy reply and lost it. To be short, we were having the same issues in the end of leve 2 with measurement. My already struggling dd was really getting frustrated, so we ended up switching back to MUS with it's clearer explanations and step by step solutions.

Economic Left/Right: -5.88 Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -4.46

I buy oops paint at Home Depot or Lowe's. The paint is exceptional quality, but someone didn't like the color once mixed. It costs $5 a gallon.

Ours is a darker bluish gray. Our accents are burgundy and white. The paint was $5 Behr exterior oops paint. I love oops paint and have used it throughout my house.

Thank you so much for all the wonderful advice everyone! It really helps:) We will be doing some sort of group or co-op. In fact, I'm trying to arrange right now so they can meet over the summer to get their feet wet and see if our first choice is a good fit. I thought they'd be all over it, but they really want nothing to do with it right now. As summer gets going I hope they will be more receptive. There are more enrichment classes available here than we could ever even have time to touch. My son will have to still go to speech at the local school (not the school he is now attending), and I don't know the schedule on that yet. It could be 2-3 times per week. They will also be taking piano and they all play soccer right now through July. We have a wonderful group of friends that we spend a lot of time with over the summer, so that will also be fun. Dd is in Girl Scouts, though I don't know if she wants to continue next year. Plus, we belong to the YMCA, though dd doesn't like to go since she has to go to the child center. So enrichment activities will definitely not be a problem. I plan to start slow and add in as needed. I think right now we need time to deschool a bit. I don't know how long we will do this. We have always afterschooled, even during the summer, so my kids and I are pretty burnt out. We just need a break from even thinking about school. My dh kind of flipped when he heard this, though, and said maybe a month but no more. I had planned to start school part time at least in August because I want to do a 3-4 week on, 1 week off type of schedule. No bus to wave to;) since I take my kids to school every day, but I told them maybe we'd go out to eat or go to a coffee shop the first day of school. All of these things dd was excited about previously. She had said all along that she would prefer to stay in school, but she would rather homeschool than go to any other school. She is usually very compliant, so I really do think this is all about the end of school and the emotions of loss she is having, which are all perfectly normal. They are just hard for mom to watch knowing that this is my choice. Yesterday was just hard. Her behavior was worse all around than I've seen for a long time. Yet, she was constantly crawling into my lap to snuggle, so I think she just needs some extra love right now.

Tomorrow is my kids' last day of school and in the fall we are planning to homeschool. We have been discussing this most of the school year, so they have known this was the plan for quite a while. My dd, who is 7 and finishing 2nd grade, came home from school today and had a meltdown because doesn't want to homeschool, but rather wants to stay at her school, which she loves. She knows that once we remove her we cannot put her back into this school because we open enroll and enrollment is closed because of overcrowding. I try to talk to her about all the fun things we will do and all our reasons for homeschooling, but she is only 7 and can't really comprehend it all. She is my only child who has never been homeschooled so she really doesn't have a clue what it is all about. My oldest ds, who is 12 and finishing 6th grade, has been just talking like he is going back next year even though he begged me all year until about a month ago to pull him out and homeschool him because he was so bored and miserable. Now he suddenly wants to go back. I think this is in part because we are trying to get him into a new hybrid school and he doesn't want to go. He doesn't respond well to change, so even a boring, familiar school will seem better than the unknown. Only my middle ds is ecstatic about coming home. None really seem to have any enthusiasm for anything I talk about that I'm planning on doing for school this coming year. I'm sure part of that is because they are finishing up a year of ps and they are burnt out. I know that my dd's reaction is probably pretty normal, but it breaks my heart to see her so upset. I have many reasons for wanting to hs them, so I'm not really doubting that decision. I just am really hoping it all works out and they aren't miserable... Has anyone been there, done that??

Thank you! This is very helpful. My kids love to draw, and my dd loves to write, so Noeo sounds like it may be better. We did use Sonlight Science 1 about 4 years ago before the redesign and found it choppy and boring. But the level E books look more interesting.

I am having a hard time deciding which of these to choose for my DS 10 (will be 5th grade) and DD 7.5 (will be 3rd grade) for fall. They both look great. I like how Sonlight explores more topics, but Noeo also looks good (and less worksheety too). I plan to use Sonlight D+E for history, if that matters. Has anyone used these who can offer advice?? Thanks!

I did get a tubal ligation when I had my 3rd c-section and if I could go back and redo it, I would definitely not do it again. I didn't have any side effects or complications associated with the tubal, but I had a very hard time emotionally afterward for the first year or so because I had had the tubal. It wasn't that I wanted more children, but I struggled with the fact that I couldn't have any more children if that makes sense. My body was awash with hormones anyway and adding this compounded the problem. I suffered post partum depression for the only time after that delivery and I think a lot of that stemmed from the tubal. There are other forms of birth control that are less permanent. I now have a Mirena IUD as well and I love it. I never have a period or the yucky stuff that goes with that. I wish I had just done that instead of the tubal. Good luck with your decision.

Yes, I read them every week in the Sunday paper.

We had been afterschooling with MUS, but just a few months ago I switched ds, 10, and dd, 7 1/2, to MM. I do like the program, but I have struggled with a few things. I found a lot of errors in the answer key and some of the concepts just aren't explained very thoroughly or concretely enough for my dd. She doesn't like math and the pages are way too busy and full for her. We just got into the volume and measurement section at the end of MM 2 and there isn't really any explaination; it is supposed to be figured out my hands-on measuring. I almost felt like these concepts were introduced too early; they may have been more understandable after learning multiplication. The program is too abstract for dd; she isn't getting it at all and I convinced her, reluctantly (perfectionist who felt like she had failed) to go back to MUS. The first day back, she breathed a sigh of relief and told me that yes, MUS, was a much better fit for her. DS is doing fine with MM, so I may stick with it for him or maybe we will go back to MUS for him too so we are all doing the same thing. I haven't fully decided yet.

I had all three of my children via c-section, but I actually went into labor with all three because they were all early. The first was after horrible back labor with no drugs. Once the spinal took effect it was a breeze. With my second I opted for another section because my hospital could not guarantee me that a surgeon would be on grounds in the case of an emergency. I didn't want to risk it. That delivery was hard, but not because of the section so much as the meds they gave me which made me shaky, itchy, and extremely fatigued. My third was a piece of cake. I had no complications with any of them.

RanchGirl, We must live in the same community. I saw the obit in the Sunday paper and then saw it on the news. The next morning I sat my kids down and showed them the obit and asked what they noticed about it. Of course they noticed she was only 13 years old. I then showed them the news cast and we talked about it. Luckily they seemed to think it was a pretty dumb thing to do, but you never know... I had heard about this before. There are just so many scary things to worry about as a parent nowadays. A boy at my ds's middle school just hung himself about three weeks ago, so we just had a conversation about suicide as well. These things scare me so much as a parent.

:iagree: I also wish that candidates didn't require so much money to be viable. I think the media should donate equal time to all willing candidates and the campaign season should be much shorter. I think this would open the field to many more interesting, perhaps down to earth, choices. I think that very few people really have beliefs that neatly fit into either political party ideology. For example, I am very socially liberal but more moderate on many (but not all) other issues so there are always things I like and don't like about most candidates. I think many people probably have the same dilemma.

Do blueberry bushes spread (propogate? is that the word?) like raspberry bushes do? I've been interested in getting some for several years.

Make sure they understand that they should not shut their laptop with earbuds inside:glare:. My ds is now $118 poorer after learning this lesson the hard way. We don't use ours for schoolwork yet, but we will. This is the direction technology is moving so it makes sense and the portability is a big plus. They just need to really understand how delicate laptops are and how to handle them with care.

This is very encouraging and inspiring to me as we get ready to jump back into homeschooling. Congratulations!

I haven't read all the replies, but I wanted to let you know that my children have been in ps for 4 years and my house is *almost* as messy as it was when we were homeschooling. It seems like our time would be freed up to clean more, but it doesn't really happen in reality. I am starting to let go of the clean house ideal and accept that with children, there are things that are so much more important than a clean home (I'm not sure it is even possible anyway). When they are grown I know I will never look back and wish I'd spent more time cleaning. Time goes too fast and I am selfish; I want to take all I can with them right now.