I agree it is very good that the program got them out in the field early. It is really hard to know whether you will like something until you actually try it. Bravo to you for being understanding of this learning process and supporting her as she moves into a different field. Too often kids get the message that because you can do something means you should do something and they would force themselves to do it even though they hated it and wouldn't ultimately be successful as a result.

You might want to look on Amazon for the slim cut Docker's and also try Land's End 20 slims for boys. http://www.amazon.com/Dockers-Front-Khaki-Stainless-33x32/dp/B003QTE2TM/ref=sr_1_1?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1316810344&sr=1-1 These say 28 waist but my son was able to wear them belted when his waist was more like 26. It is a tough phase and there needs to be more available.

And, good for her for babysitting even though she knows it might be rough!

I do think it can help to minimize the big farewell. If it is okay with the family trying a walk was going to be my suggestion. A new toy is a good idea. Also sometimes a simple new game - hit pillows, throw balls, whatever can be a good distraction. Sometimes rather than trying to coax the kid to participate if the adult will just start in and narrate the activity kids will get get interested and join in. Also as a parent of a baby who had that kind of intense separation crying, I would tell your 19 year old that it may help to shift in her head her idea of what she's supposed to do. It isn't her job to make the baby stop crying. He may need to get it out for a bit. It is her job to keep the baby safe and to let him know she's there, offer to hold him, etc. but the big thing is keeping him safe not making sure he doesn't cry. I'm not sure if that helps, but getting a different frame of mind sometimes can.

We found regularly using a calculator aided with memorization of facts allowed for a progression in math that kept interest up.

I've had good luck with this recipe: http://www.culinate.com/books/collections/all_books/Moosewood+Restaurant+Low-Fat+Favorites/Dark+Chocolate+Pudding You can make it with full fat milk. It is not a super sweet pudding though if that's what the kids prefer. I also agree with the suggestion that it would be a good time to try cheese making.

Yes, you are very lucky to be in a state with so many good public university choices. You are absolutely correct that students do not need to go to a private college to have good graduate school choices. College of Wooster is a good school. It is a College that Changes Lives school and there may be good merit aid options. If you are trying to find schools that are academically comparable (not the same but in the same league) you might look at schools like Kalamazoo, Albion and Hope.

Aside from the major is she happy? The majority of students change their major so it would be good to explore how totally certain she is that she's not going to change. Two other things she might want to explore: 1. Look for closely related majors and the quality of classes in those majors. Could she get a very solid foundation in another science major or possibly double major? Could she possibly pick up a major in a related field like math, computer science, or biology? In most fields it isn't vital that the student have the exact same undergraduate major. It is important they have related skills and experiences. If she has a solid research background it may not be crucial that is in exactly the same field. 2. What are her options for staying at her institution and doing some of her study either at another campus or abroad? This might be a way for her to stay put if she's happy and still have access to some program beyond what her college offers.

Thingummies. I like that. :) In my experience yes, it can take time to get thyroid levels stabilized. If you don't feel better in a bit you may want to also explore natural thyroid such as Armour. It makes a big difference for some people. I can't say whether or not you should go to dance class, but it is good to listen to your body and not push too hard.

Tossing out three random ideas you may have already tried.... 1. Exercise or walk at the beginning of the school day. 2. Shift the goal from getting the problem right to trying without having an outburst (crying, or whatever). One strategy might be to encourage her to set a timer for how long she could try at the problem before she gets upset. If she only sets a very small time like three minutes that's okay. If she makes it without getting upset - HOORAY - and try it again. Don't worry if it seems like she's not getting a lot of school done. If she can build up her endurance with not getting upset that's worth a lot. 3. Try to incorporate some different format work to get away from the table for a bit - games for math, writing on a chalk board, etc. Anything that keeps it positive and emphasizes she's doing well.

Oops misread your post... so I'm editing... If your scores are really far off the PSAT mark then yes, I think you can skip it. However, if you haven't taken group standardized tests in a school yet, it may be a helpful experience. It is low cost and you don't need to show the scores to anyone. Some homeschool students find it is quite a transition to take a standardized test in a school classroom - so much stuff on the walls, so many other students close by, etc. If you think it would be good for that experience it would be an easy way to get that done. It is great that the ACT looks to be a better test for you!

If you can't find an existing option, you could consider organizing a homeschool class. It doesn't have to be anything particularly elaborate in order for it to be meaningful. We did this a couple of years and it wasn't at all difficult to put together. If you live near a college or university you may be able to find a student to hire to lead the group.

I agree. You want your kid to be at a college where they will have good peers and good opportunities. I would suggest though that for most students there are a long list of colleges that fit that bill and it may go beyond the list of schools that the student thinks are big names. Motivated top students may get some really stunning opportunities and support at colleges that aren't as much big name schools. That can translate into good opportunities for graduate school as well.

That's where the individual strategy part comes in. It really depends on the individual family's financial situation and the types of schools the student is competitive for and would like to attend. Some highly selective colleges define "low income" radically different than most of us do and some of those schools have a commitment to low or no student loans. There are middle class students that will find a private college less expensive than a state public. Again, it is very individual and that's why I suggest they start with looking at net price calculators to explore financial options. I'm a fan of exploring all options.

If he's ready for it he should take it now! We did it that young and it was no problem at all. It is not at all uncommon in many areas to have sixth and seventh graders taking algebra 1. I wouldn't worry about it at all. Math at this level is sequential so as long as he has more advanced courses on his transcript they will recognize he's completed the earlier courses. If he wants to be competitive for admissions and scholarships he should have math every year in high school. Are you aware of your options for online courses and do you have a college or university near you? In addition to calculus there are many other options like linear algebra, number theory, logic, etc. He'd be a very competitive candidate if he gets some of these courses in before college.

Test scores were crucial here. So, before long I'd have your daughter take a practice ACT and SAT at home and see how she's scoring. Make sure she's got the necessary academic foundation, particularly in math. In addition to all the other great advice you've received I wanted to add three suggestions. 1. Try a couple of net price calculators if you have not already done so. Look on the sites of colleges she's considering and start to get a realistic idea of what your family will be expected to pay. The LARGEST pocket of aid for college if based on financial not on merit. 2. Look for leadership and service opportunities. This is one area where homeschoolers sometimes fall short because the paths to "leadership" may not be as obvious as they are in public school. Leadership is a criteria for a lot of private scholarships so I would encourage your daughter not to be just active but to take on leadership roles - lead projects, start a business or nonprofit, etc. 3. Be very strategic about where she applies. When you get closer to college take a really honest assessment of her statistics and carefully consider her college list. If she has high financial need look to schools that meet 100% of financial need or as close as you can find to it. Often these may be schools that are hard to get into. If she has really high test scores, look for schools that reward that. Often the biggest merit scholarships go to students who are willing to go to schools where they are absolutely at the top of the heap of incoming applicants. In other words, not just schools where they get in but schools that are happy to accept them.

Yes, your best bet is to have him take a practice test for each at test at home and you should have some sign from there what to work on. Get the "real" test guide from the ACT (it is the red book, and it sounds like you've already got the blue book). The SAT isn't really rewarding unconventional thinking but more the ability to handle tricky questions. I'm guessing from your description that as a bright guy who doesn't like testing that he may do better on the ACT so I think it is worth taking a sample test at home to see. The ACT is more straight forward and has a science section which may boost his score a bit if he's good at charts and graphs.

Is she a bright student who tends to score very high on standardized tests? If so, I'd start with a sample test and see how she scores. Then, Google and find the cutoff for your state for last year. The cut off varies quite a bit by state. If you see she's in the ballpark, yes, I think it can be worth while to do some preparation. Look for any weak areas on the test, such as math skills, and try to strengthen them. Take another sample and see how she does. Our son received a National Merit scholarship. He did some SAT prep and found that was good prep for the PSAT - it felt so short and like a breeze after being prepared for the SAT.

In my experience these questions are asked much more often of little kids. It is just a way of grocery clerks, etc. making pleasant conversation and as others have said an indirect way to ask about age. By the teenage years these questions from strangers largely stopped. If they do happen by then your child will likely have a strong opinion how he or she would like to answer so I wouldn't worry about it. As a parent of a child who went to college early, my position is that revealing that is up to the student. If they don't feel like getting into a long conversation about that with a stranger it is fine and it is if they do that's fine too.

Glad I could help! Best of luck to your daughter!

Just double checking... Did they change the National Achievement essay topic? In the past I thought it had some choice - like describe an experience you've had, an obstacle you've overcome or a person who has influenced you.

Congrats to your daughter on National Achievement - that's a big honor! First, I think it is worth noting that essays typically don't carry that much weight in the process, particularly at state universities. So, it is very possible to overestimate how significant this is. My concern is not that she will be at a disadvantage for revealing her religious beliefs. Colleges need all type of students and that includes dedicated Christians. Without having seen the essay, but having read a few that answer that question in the same way I see two possible problems. 1. It is a common answer, so even if her treatment of it is better than most it may still seem cliched. Any time you are asking someone to read an essay that answers the same question in the same way they've read many times before you are risking irritating them. If I had to make a list of the most common answers to this question this is one of the top three (along with mom or dad or a grandparent). 2. And, this is the bigger one... The question really isn't about the person who influenced you, they aren't the one applying to college. So, the essay really needs to be more about revealing yourself. For most students it is difficult to make the topic more about themselves when they are talking about God. Does that make sense? Is there a choice of of topics or does it have to be about the person who influenced you most?

For me the bottom line would be that it is important for both parents to have a buy in and confidence in an assessment. There is no point in getting results if are both not going to be prepared to act on that information. It sounds like your husband would question whatever result you get here so it is best to move on. If you trust the friend's husband I would absolutely ask him for a recommendation of someone else to go to.

It is negative and prefers to children who have been pushed to develop. The term was popularized through the book Hothouse Kids. http://www.amazon.com/Hothouse-Kids-Dilemma-Gifted-Child/dp/1594200955 Note the very negative reviews.

Often the difference between the double major and the dual degree relates to how many credits the student has taken. The dual degree may require more credits than the double major.