I've only had time to skim the thread, but I believe the only resource I now have greater reservations about is the James Madison Critical Thinking course. We ended up dropping it. It was contrived and inauthentic. Also, the answers the book gave didn't always seem correct to me.

I sometimes wish people would include transportation time in their posts on various topics. ;) Time spent commuting really makes a difference. I think not realizing this can contribute to inaccurate perceptions of how people do so much. Ruth's post is an excellent example. For some teens, doing all those activities would mean hours and hours in the vehicle each week. That may not be feasible for some families, and it may be frustrating if they aren't aware it can be done in her family because most things are within walking distance in a relatively safe area. A short walk or bike ride to DE that many posters have is a far cry from a 45 min - 1 hour drive each way that many others have. So when making the DE/AP decision the commute needs to be factored in. Our activities range from the city (cities, to be more accurate) to the country, so living in the city would just increase the drive to the country and vice versa. Living in the city would change the driving, it wouldn't eliminate it. If we want the best of what both the worlds offer, we need to drive to get it. The flip side is that we can't take advantage of everything that either offers. Every decision has trade-offs. The decisions about trade-offs do seem to get harder in high school. Context and location matter so very much. Sometimes that's easy to forget online...

Do you know any local homeschoolers? Sometimes they can give recommendations for homeschool friendly health care providers. They do exist. You might need to drive a little further to find one, though. If possible, I would meet with a different psychiatrist for a second opinion. I also second the suggestion to find books that might help you and your child through this time. Wishing you strength and peace for the journey.

YMMV....literally! ;)

This is also true of parents with many kids. I cannot tell you the number of times moms of many have told me exactly what you just described. Their way worked for X number of their kids, therefore it works for all kids. So not true. There are billions of people in the world. Even if you have 20+ kids, that's still a small sample. One book in particular I'm thinking of was written by a father of around 7. I forget the exact number. No, he didn't have some magic formula. I know many families with several children. They all parent differently, some much better than others. Numbers aren't everything.

On the other hand...I treasure the time spent driving. Great Courses lectures, heart-to-heart discussions, quiet thoughts... Our commutes home are often well past dark. Sometimes there's a mystic quality about them. Dh and I both remember reflections that took place on quiet drives while growing up. I try to see them as opportunities. For us, the driving takes time, but it gives back in spades.

I have never understood why the book is recommended so often. It makes me cringe.

Outsourcing was the best approach here too. I wish I had realized what was going on earlier. I misinterpreted so much.

My posts were mainly in response to ElizaG's concern and question about clothing choices in hot areas. My point is that it's still a choice. There are plenty of options even in hot areas. Heat doesn't automatically necessitate less coverage. Social norms, fashion, etc are different issues. If the question is about safety in the heat - Heat doesn't automatically necessitate less coverage. My point about attorneys and field scientists was that both inside and out, you will find people who aren't in shorts and camis, even in hot weather. It isn't a necessity or safety requirement to wear a cami, it's a choice. Again, I was mainly addressing ElizaG's question. There are many different types of fabrics and styles that will keep you as cool as possible in the heat.

Another thought... Even on scorching days professionals still show up to work in professional attire. Attorneys aren't in court in shorts and camis. In blazingly hot places, many field scientists still choose full coverage for protection from the elements. Lost in the desert or at sea? Covering the skin is a big priority. Heat doesn't automatically necessitate less coverage.

We reserved a public library meeting room. It was free, but required a reservation. Eta: I misread the post the first time and didn't realize the library isn't an option.

I find that free-flowing skirts, dresses, blouses, and the like are just as cool as a tank and shorts. They also provide more sun protection. Even on hot days at the pool or lake, as soon as I'm out of the water, I put on a long-sleeved cover-up, sunglasses, and a straw hat. I find that blocking the sun is better than baring the skin. REI and other outdoor clothing providers have different styles that will help keep you cool and provide protection from the sun, ticks, and wandering eyes... ;)

I spend less time teaching now and more time driving. :driving: It's a vital part of what makes opportunities possible. Also, even when classes are outsourced, there is still so much to discover and discuss. So much to read and share. The Great Conversation continues... I cherish this time. The quote in my signature sums up my experience: Now's the time to be here, not to fade away.

DO wasn't a good fit for my dd; she prefers live classes. She's not taken science with WHA, but has had good experiences with other classes.

Not for a forensic science class, but for chemistry dd used Investigating Chemistry: A Forensic Science Perspective.

Anyone care to give an example of what would be good to include in the thank you note? Do you actually mail a note or send an email? Thanks!

I hope the testers dealing with illness and other stressors are feeling a bit better today! :grouphug:

My dd said this about her exam the other day! :svengo:

I hope so too!

Oh no! :ohmy: So glad it worked out OK!

So far, so good. Friendly and helpful staff. Even students from the school were unsure about room assignments, so dd's questions weren't unusual. Everything seemed organized with good time buffers in place to find the correct room. So far, so good...

Was she able to eat, or was she too nervous?

So glad it wasn't worse!!

:grouphug: Please keep us posted. You and your dd are in my thoughts! I hope you are able to work something out and that your dd is able to steady her nerves for the chemistry test. :grouphug: