DS5 spent literally hours at that age with dry-erase markers on our easel whiteboard while DS11 and DS8 were doing math each day. Some did occasionally get on our lovely cream coloured dining room carpet, but they scrubbed off very easily. Here he is aged 4 with his picture of Dr Who :D. ETA The markers do also get all over little boys, but they wash off easily.

I've just looked on Amazon.co.uk - one of the reviewers was reading it to a 9 yo, the other who was using it with some Year 7s (age 11-12). Both reviews were highly positive.

I was thinking too low.

DS11 and I read Michael Morpurgo's version of Beowulf a couple of years ago. We really loved it, but I wonder if it's at the level you're looking for.

Admittedly I don't have littles running around, but with DS5 I find that it's best to allow plenty of time for activities and work hard at engaging him in what we're doing. The idea of setting a timer to stay in control just seems counterproductive, as any interest he might be developing in what we're doing would immediately be lost. We're using RightStart A for math, which is very teacher intensive and so I am able to repeatedly focus his attention. For reading we're working through early readers which he enjoys and often he'll read twice as much as I'd planned simply because he's enjoying the story. We start writing with warm-up games with DS8, which he loves, then move on to WWE 1, which again is very teacher intensive and only takes about 15 minutes. I'm not sure from your post how successful you are at keeping the distraction of her younger siblings under control; I can imagine that would be quite crucial.

My two eldest had this problem. I found adding fabric conditioner helped a bit. The only cure was to prevent the toxic sweat in the first place :D. I invested in cans of extra strong underarm anti-perspirant and deodorant, then nagged them to use it. I didn't have too much trouble with DS13, I bought him a variety that had 'chocolate' undertones, and told him it would drive the girls wild; he's at that age when he considers the wearing of such a product an interesting and possibly rewarding experiment :D.

DH and I talked to DS11 and DS13 about it again last evening. DS13 has been in this class for two years now and said they've never discussed or been shown anything like that before. DS13 was also upset by it, although I'd assumed that he was a bit more worldly-wise than DS11, and is generally less sensitive than him. DH recalled that one of DS13's friends mothers had told him she'd volunteered to help in the class because of things her son had reported, she wanted "To see what was going on." DH then e-mailed the Youth Coordinator about our concerns. This man replied very promptly saying he was unaware of the content of the video and apologised for any distress caused. He also thought that it was shown with the best of intentions, but agreed that it was inappropriate. I'm still a bit annoyed with the woman who showed the video, it seems she did know what the content was, and even 'explained' it in more detail afterwards :confused:. This woman has two children herself, aged 7 and 9 yo, so I'd have thought she might realise how it might effect DS11. Anyway, hopefully it won't happen again, but I'm very disenchanted with Sunday School just now.

Oops ... I'm sure it was nothing personal :tongue_smilie:.

Thank you, it looks amazing :001_smile:!

I adore brussels sprouts, so that sounds absolutely heavenly :drool5:. Sadly, I'm thousands of miles away from the Atlanta area. You've inspired to get recipe hunting though :D.

DS8 used to tantrum in the way you describe, and like yourself I would tend to largely ignore it. At times if it really upset me I would lock myself in the kitchen while he hammered on the door. When it got to the point where he was so out of control he couldn't stop himself I would pick him up and just hold him; more often than not he would then just collapse sobbing in my arms, all the fight gone out of him. He'd mostly grown out of it by the time he was three-and-a-half and is now a gentle, sunny soul, just occasionally a tad stubborn :001_smile:.

The vast majority of our neighbours, friends and family are reasonably positive about homeschooling. The main comment I get is how it must be such hard work. MIL is the only one who consistently criticises - she hated it when we first started homeschooling and continues to view it as unnecessary and unhealthy.

Yes, I was wondering whether the teacher had previewed the video before watching it or whether it had simply been handed to her by the Youth Coordinator. I agree that DS probably shouldn't be in that particular class if they're being presented with this type of material. If there's no reasonable explanation or reassurance that this won't happen again, then at the very least I'll ask for him to be moved back into his old class. It's good to know it's not just me who thinks this inappropriate for an 11 yo, I wasn't sure if I was being a bit squeamish or over-protective.

That does sound a very busy, strenuous day, but I know exactly what you mean. I'm 48 and days that I would have easily taken in my stride just a couple of years ago leave me feeling totally drained and exhausted these days. I always wake tired and fuzzy headed. I've recently tried to look after myself better, getting more outside exercise, eating very healthily, and making sure I always wind down and get to bed at a reasonable time. So far I'm feeling a bit healthier, but no less tired. I've been wondering whether energy levels return to normal post-menopause? Whether it's the effect of the hormones that's knocking me out, similarly to when you're pregnant and suffering morning sickness? I'm certainly hoping so.

DS11 came home from Church at lunch time and I was asking him what he did in Sunday School. He's recently moved up into a new class where he is one of the youngest and he's not been enjoying it so much. Anyway, he said they read the Bible, played a game, and then watched a video about children in Latin America. He described how in the video they were told about young children being on drugs, being raped, and how one 7 yo had watched his sister and grandmother be raped. The point of the video was to show how these children needed sponsors. I understand that this is an important issue, that awareness needs to be raised and support provided for these poor children, but did his Sunday School teachers really need to show this to an 11 yo who has only found out what s£x is in the past couple of months? Would you be upset if your 11 yo was shown a video like this? I don't go to Church, so I've asked DH to have a word with those in charge of DS11's class. He's a bit non-committal about doing so, though he does agree that it was probably inappropriate to show this video to that age group. Should I say something?

Yes, I'm probably addicted to sugar, although I manage it by avoiding it most the time, especially now that I'm older and my health isn't quite as robust as it was. As for alcoholism, there has definitely been a family tendency towards heavy drinking, but mostly not to the extent where it caused problems or interfered with normal, everyday performance.

The London Dungeon?

DS11 has just enjoyed Ratburger by David Walliams. DS11 will mostly only read funny books.

:001_smile: Sounds like a good excuse for a celebration :cheers2:. It is celebration time here (9.50 pm), don't know about where you are, but I'll raise a glass to your good week (mine was more 'so, so').

I can relate too. We moved a lot at the time my eldest two started school, they went through 4 four schools in as many years, and I was always 'the new girl'. What I found was that I had to consistently make an effort to talk to the other mums when dropping off and picking up, even though it felt forced and strange. Over time a 'rapport' developed, even with women I wouldn't normally have chosen as friends. Each time, after a year or so, at about the time when we were about to move on, I realised that I'd finally been 'accepted' and had friends. We've lived in our current town for over six years now, but I don't think I felt truly accepted here for the first two years or so. Friendships just take time. I doubt that your age has anything to do with it. I'm an 'older' mother and I've always had lovely friends who were quite a bit younger than me. Don't give up. Keep smiling, keep chatting. One day, when the other mums have had time to get to know you, you'll find you have lots of friends. :grouphug:

To my mind? Yes drugs, drink and all that contributes to the break down of families, leaving vulnerable children in desperate circumstances. The breakdown of communities who cared about and looked out for everyone. Unemployment and underemployment causing despair and idle hands for which the devil makes work. I really don't know what anyone can do anymore :(.

Yes, I do ... but today's not one of them :glare:. Today DS8 and DS5 are being wild, annoying and boring. I even started wondering when might be a good time to send them back to school. Thank you for your post, it reminded me, amid my dark and grumpy thoughts, that yes, we do have those blissful days, more often than not :001_smile:.

:iagree:

:lol:

Wishing you and your family peace and prosperity. I'll miss you. :grouphug: