My ds 15 has been so frustrated by these questions on fb. He has repeatedly given math lessons to people who have tried arguing with him. I told him that it was a loss cause and not to judge everyone based on fb postings.

This ticks me off so much but it doesn't surprise me. We pulled our son out of ps last year because of bullying by a teacher. He would tell him on regular basis that he was "stupid" and that his worked "sucked". He would yell at him in front of the class and according to students in the class who were not his friends the teacher went out of his way to berate our son. We told the principal but he just brushed us off. Then this year a woman I know had the same problem with her son, she also pulled him out. This is a well respected teacher in a highly regarded gifted program. I kick myself for not doing more because I know another child will be his victim. But honestly I just wanted to get him out of the situation. I can't comprehend why people go into the teaching profession if they don't like kids.

Sadly it is. My daughter is a thin girl but when she was in second grade a neighborhood girl decided she didn't like her and started calling her fat. It horrified me that kids could be so cruel at such a young age.

Geotrax are good, we also had good luck with kapla blocks when mine were that age, plus they grow with them. I also think those gear toys are good. We have a set and they still pull them out from time to time.

I read the story this morning and just cried. I can't imagine what the mother is going through and her poor sister for finding her. My son attempted suicide when he was 11 the same way and it just brought back horrific memories. My heart aches that any child so young is in so much pain that they see no wait out. I want to have faith in humanity, I want to see the good in the world and then I realize that there is good but there is also so much bad. I have seen how cruel children can be, I wish they would learn kindness in their homes but sadly our society just seems to be fueling this type of event. Also this morning I just wished I could force my three that still choose to be in school to stay home. I just hugged them and told them I was always here for them. What more can we do.

Very sad.

:grouphug: I wouldn't make any decisions until December. Just keep trying to do what you are doing, enjoy the fall weather, try not to stress over the small stuff, yes yes easier said than done. Enjoy your time with your children, that is something you won't regret. And see if anyone has a space heater you can borrow.

Should not have read this thread...now my poor children will have to put up with my bad singing all day long.

Glad you took him in, it's amazing though how quickly they heal. I would recommend books, board games and video games to pass the time. Time will fly and he will be back to as good as new before you even realize.

Very cool!

I would trust my kids with them because I actually keep an eye on my kids. But and a big giant but, I think in general they are probably not a good idea. Last summer a kid lured one of my kids into the backyard of his house, my son (13) is an aspie and is pretty trusting even though this kid regularly bullied him. Then he pulled out an air soft gun and shot my son in the neck, point blank, no warning, nothing. We immediately called the police because I really think this kid needs help. Anyhow his mom made excuses for him about how he was always made fun of for his weight and actually tried to blame my son. Oh and mom was home and asleep at the time. I just don't trust other people's abilities to parent. It did teach my son a lesson, he just doesn't trust people, since that time he rarely hangs out at other people's houses just because one kid was a total jerk.

Algebra...well mostly word problems are the bane of my existence. I understand my son's (ds, 12) frustration with them and because of that I have turned to my ds (15). He is an expert in word problems. I have found that solution manuals are my best friend in these situations.

Dh got into poison ivy this summer, it's happened before. But of course he ended up going into toxic shock and spent four days in the ICU and nearly died. The nurse told him that is was a good thing he was young and healthy otherwise he never would have made it. After he was released he was giving prednisone and ended up having an allergic reaction and ended up back in the hospital. I know when we went back to the ER they took our concerns very seriously. He was having massive headaches and his pupils were different sizes (weird). The doctors office should be taking your concerns seriously. He could very well be having an allergic reaction. If you are still worried trust your gut and take him to an ER. :grouphug: After this summer I look at poison ivy as the deadly foe it truly can be.

So many people just don't know a different life. I know that when I go into the inner city it is shocking to me and I don't exactly live in a posh area. I think that many people are just defeated and they see no hope. I agree people should be revolting but when you've been knocked down so many time and you've never known life any other way, you just sort of accept the cards you are dealt. :sad:

You need to be committed to your daughter and what is best for her. I am committed to homeschooling as long as it is what is best for my children. You know what is best for her. Follow your instincts.

You have to look at your kids as the individuals they are. Each of my children have their own needs and strengths. We pulled ds (12) out of public school last year and I don't think he will ever go back. Ds (9) will be pulled out next week, I wanted to give notice and am waiting on some curriculum to arrive, I don't know if he will ever go back to public school but I will always do what is best for him. My other kids are doing well where they are. I would never ever bring dd (10) home because she loves her friends, she loves school and all the activities, she loves work and if she's out of work she finds someone to help, she would be miserable if I brought her home and she has made that clear. You have to decide what is best for your children. As parents we will always have the what if's in the back of our minds but you just have to trudge through and make logical and well thought out choices. We also need to trust our children to a certain degree, we must trust their feelings and consider them. Good luck on what ever you decide. Try not to be too hard on yourself, I know as moms we strive for perfection but we need to learn to love our reality.

:grouphug: Get well soon!

Ummm no...seems kind of stalkerish.

That story was heartbreaking. I was listening to it in the car with ds (15). I had heard from time to time about medication shortages but I didn't realize it was so widespread. I guess it's something we take for granted. One thing that did anger me was that many of these drugs that are in short supply are generics. So because they aren't money makers they seem to be less important. It seems like everything has been corrupted by greed. I say that though with no solution. I just wish that life saving medicines would be an important thing to keep making.

:lol:

This reminds me how twisted labels have become because honestly this is us, except for the military. My dh is a small business owner. But we both come from a long line of military families, we just went a different direction in our lives.

My oldest took the terra nova way back in kindergarden. I don't know much about it, I just know the district I am in in Ohio has been using it for at least the past decade but probably longer.

I am fairly liberal, yes I have been called a socialist before but heck I always find people more liberal than me. I haven't heard of Hayhouseradio, I am an NPR listener but I will give it a try. As far as liberal homeschoolers. I happen to have found an amazing group in my area. Most of the moms are very open minded, many of them are unschoolers but what I love is that they are open and non-judgemental. I just feel at home with them.

:grouphug: Not that I am glad someone else goes through this with their aspie, but I kind of am, IYKWIM. The whole going on and on and on over one minute detail drives me bonkers. Some days I am able to just step back and say "we are moving on" but someday I literally want to pull my hair out. Anyhow, hang in there, you are not alone.

:grouphug: You made the only choice there was you can't beat yourself up. I hadn't seen this report. My ds (13) had emergency surgery when he was 6 months old to remove a penny lodged in his esophagus. When he was 4 he had a gelastic seizure and was put under for a few procedures. He is my only child that struggles academically. But he also has asperger's and a mood disorder. As a parent we always wonder what we could have done differently but I like to tell myself that everything that has happened has led me to where I am and that's exactly where I want to be. :grouphug: again. It sounds like you are a wonderful parent and he is happy to have you.