I feel this way about photography. One of my besties gave me her camera when she upgraded. She really wanted me to invest in some "me" time and I was so grateful for her thoughtfulness. And I really tried to get into it. I found that the learning curve was more than I wanted though. If I'm honest w/myself, what I really enjoy is researching curricula and learning w/my kids, spending time w/them. So, over the years I've taken fewer photos and I've done NO scrapbooking :glare: Yep, I feel guilty on both counts.

My dear friend was misdiagnosed for 18 years with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. If I remember right, the drs did not use the most accurate tests, so it went undetected. She is currently on heavy rounds of antibiotics with lots of supplements. She is under excellent care. Whereas I am a firm believer in herbal remedies, I believe, along with my friend, that healing of Lymes doesn't happen apart from antibiotic therapy.

I was thinking for the money, wouldn't it be nice to save so your whole family could go. I think it's very sweet that your ds wants your whole family to go to WDW. But, since it's not likely to ever happen, then yes I would make every effort to let me ds go w/his class. I don't have experience dealing w/balancing special needs kids within a family. . . but I've heard that sometimes siblings of special needs kids can become resentful of being kept from the "fun" things in life. If I were concerned at all re: the other chaperones, I would try to attend or secure an uncle or trusted friend to go, if possible. All the best~

Said a prayer for your husband re: his jobs! A company without good customer relations won't last long. Good for your dh doing right by his customers! All the best~

Is she nursing/eating OK? You said she seems fine except for the diarrhea. . . . :grouphug: Said a prayer for her and you.

Yes, stayed the same, yet deeper and broader. ds12 analytical, observant, silly, protective - I can instantly give examples of these traits in him from when he was 2yrs old to now. Same with my dd10 and dd8. I enjoyed my reflections - glad you posted this :)

I agree w/most of the other posts. I've seen far less break up long-standing friendships. What I think would be wonderful for all of your close-knit families, though, is to individually homeschool then get together for some co-op classes such as science. For most families, home education requires a lot of financial sacrifices. It sounds like all of your friends want to stay together as a group, and are committed to the idea of home schooling their children. Even if all moms in your circle worked part-time, they could perhaps educate their own dc at home. My 2cents.

This is why they sometimes feel entitled to "more" from a girl. Not saying anything personally toward your son, just in general. So, what do you all think about dating and going dutch?

Same story here.

Huge applause! Bravo. When I was young, I would have wanted (yes, even as a teen in the moment) to have my parents pursue me and care this much. :hurray:

:iagree:completely.

Prayers for your family: job(s), sustenance, peace in the midst. :grouphug:

We school lightly in summer. It keeps a routine going for us. We take days off here and there to spend with friends or to do something special. It is very relaxed, until early to mid August when we start adding in subjects. By mid-Sept, we are in full swing. I like year round b/c there's no push back when school starts up for the new year no need to spend time reviewing gives me "permission" to take days off during the year, here and there as "needed" demonstrates learning as a way of life

Until you get a vehicle, could you take the bus? Or ride a bike? walk? It is one step toward independence . . . .

This is exactly what I was thinking as I read your post. Well said, elegantlion.

a few favorites: Blues Bros Chariots of Fire Princess Bride Forest Gump (80's, I think??)

Happy and excited for you! Beautiful ring! All the best to you and your family :hurray:

My dc (3) and I have loved RIGHTSTART! :thumbup: It's very strong conceptually. The main manipulative is a special color-coded abacus (so dc can learn to "see" numbers in groups rather than resort to "counting"), instead of blocks or separate manipulatives that scatter and fall. In fact, all RS manipulatives are helpful visuals/aides. No fluff. For review or practice, RS uses games rather tha worksheets. RS does have practice sheets as additional practice, if desired. RS is a spiral to mastery approach, so it builds and circles back for mastery. Like MUS, it addresses all learning modalities, but imo RS is stronger than MUS in teaching concepts. I have heard that Saxon is good for upper grades, not so much for lower. I don't know anything about Math Mammoth.

In the book by Leigh Bortons, The Core, she lays out how to teach world geography, basically how to draw it starting with circular shapes. We are planning to start this later this summer after I reread this part of the book. I think it could be done in 15 min/day or so.

Another question: Are the diseases, against which we vaccinate, treatable/curable? Great questions, btw!

What a cutie! :lol:

Thank you all so much! You made me glad I asked such a vague question:D I appreciate all the tips! (I'll remember to get the Educator's discount). Btw, I'm already drooling just listening to your great experiences w/Mac. Can't wait. . . though it will be a little while yet. In the meantime, I'll visit the Apple store and allow for plenty of time ;) Thanks, again.

Did your dd learn to read using phonics/phonograms approach or "whole language"? How is she with spelling? with reading comprehension? My son will be in 7th grade and we will be starting 5th grade Rod & Staff for grammar, since I wasn't satisfied with the program we've used for the last couple years - waste of time. I'll be learning right alongside. . . . So, you're not alone! The writing program we'll be using starts in 4th grade. . . but, like you, I'd rather remediate now and go for a stronger academic foundation, than have him less than ready and confident for college - and life! We will work at an accelerated pace, which shouldn't be a problem to get caught up within the next couple years. I'm not worried about it. As far as going back to the grammar stage of learning for your dd. . . . If I understand the crux of classical education, it is the 2,000 yr old method of learning, really. So, we are teaching our dc *how* to learn. Even as adults, we learn something new by learning the grammar of it first, then move into logic stage with understanding, then to the rhetorical stage where we know it so well, we can teach it. I came to understand this better after reading The Core by Leigh Bortins. Anyway, I'd like to hear what others have done in your/our situation, so I'll be listening :)

OK, now I understand what you're asking encouragement for (I've read your posts up to page 2). First, can I just affirm you for all your VERY hard work and what you've accomplished in helping your son? No wonder you are having a harder time focusing on your dd's needs. Seriously. You must be exhausted much of the time. You asked for encouragement to change your thought processes. You find it hard to follow up with your dd, because she goes through so much due to the attention your ds needs from you right now. You are looking for an easy way to "reward" her for the pain she has endured. What I think she needs is to reconnect with you - and gain your positive attention, affirmation, etc for what she does right. Would a simple (you need simple) chart help her and you - something that lists her responsibilities and she can check them off as she does them. You can do random checks - and if every time you check and she has it done, the two of you can find a way to celebrate by spending time together. I'm thinking a chart in a plastic sleeve and a Vis a vis marker or dry erase - something you don't have to think about too much. :grouphug: and all the best to your family.