We did not. I considered not having to do scheduled PE one of the perks of homeschooling. I honestly have no idea if my kids can do sit ups. I'm sure if they wanted to learn, they could.

I'm sorry I don't have any advice; I hope everything goes as smoothly as is possible in such a situation.

I have IGs going back to 1992. The very early years were similar to what you see now (except in much less detail). Right around 2000 and through the mid 2000s I thought SL was really excellent as far as their academic tone. They used exceptional books and had some exceptional commentary (also some strange commentary, but I'm not sure if that was just because I am so different in my religious beliefs). As they got towards the end of the 2000s and definitely into the 10s I felt that things were becoming more watered down and that the product was marketed more as a whole product deal...buy this; we will tell you what to teach your children, how, and what. I STILL get excited when I read old catalogs and look at old IGs. I find them super. The new stuff...eh. Really, when you start looking, I think it is a case of Sarita's hand being more involved in the development of the IG/manual tone in the beginning and now, with John more in charge of things in the middle. My interactions with John have been iffy. There is a LOT of stuff that he says that startles me (in a not good way) and a lot of issues I disagree with him on. I stay interested in what is going on with SL because I find them fascinating...it is obvious that Sarita and John parted ways as far as their individual beliefs long ago; and SL seems like a train wreck waiting to happen...but one that manages to keep sliding by for some reason. Now that I am able to separate the curriculum from some of the other stuff surrounding SL I am using it again in conjunction with WP. Starting in August I will switch to BkSk though. (Together, SL Core W, WP QAW, Algebra I, and Language Arts manage to keep my 12-year old occupied for about two hours per day.) If you have specific questions, it is possible I could answer them or look up the information.

Me too. I really wish I wouldn't have purchased Core W now...maybe I will switch out and do their 6 and then 7 once those guides are out.

I did the infant activities just naturally...I was really surprised when I read the book and saw that they were listed in there! (I bought it when my first son was about six months old). I thought they were fun to do and a little bit of stimulation (but not too much) for the baby. I was never really into their toddler or preschool activities...I liked other stuff better for those years.

I would personally guess WP rather than SL...WP is VERY proprietary about their user's guides, and illegally tries to tell people they can not resell them.

Yes! LOVE it! I've been a member for several years now.

I agree with everything you wrote, but especially this.

We used to do allowance, but no longer do. My kids get money for birthdays and Christmas, for doing extra chores around the house, etc. My oldest earns about $20-40/mo doing chores and gets between $50-100 from various relatives for each holiday. Allowance didn't work for us because my oldest became obsessed with trying to figure out it would take to save money for the stuff he wanted. My husband and I both get spending money...he works outside the home, I work inside the home. My kids also work around the house, so I figure they should get the benefits of that as well. I received allowance as a child, my husband did not. Having the kids earn money for doing extra chores has worked really well for both of us.

I agree with this. I stick with things if they are working and move on if they aren't. I know what our goals are for learning, and I have never seen any disadvantage to using a wide variety of resources.

:lol::lol: (yup, I'm here, too!)

Ack! You picked the quote I wrote on the crockpot thread. It was totally hysterical to come over here (totally randomly!) after basically several months away and this was the thread I opened...and that post was there! (we still have our old crockpot; if there is lead in it we are happily consuming it along with our wild boar and venison)

Yes, I read individually to each of my boys. I schedule their bedtimes to stagger so I can do that...sometimes now they like to listen to the other's stories though. We read a variety of stuff...non-fiction, encyclopedias, fiction, picture books; whatever is striking our fancy during the moment.

Hey there! I didn't even know you were on wtm!!!!!:D

Only bio kids right now. We would absolutely be open to raising kids that are "ours" through other means...my grandparents raised me for part of my life, my mom was a house mother for several years...and those girls are 100% my sisters, I have a step-sister from one marriage, and two step-brothers from a different marriage...all "ex" but still my siblings! I have two half-siblings from my father's second marriage, and my mom also raised a little girl for a year or so until she could go to her grandparents (she still visits and is a "forever" part of our family...she's around 12 now). So I would definitely be open to a child coming our way. (I didn't answer the poll...I don't have my glasses on and can't read the poll questions!!!)

I'm a non-push person. I was getting B's in my college major (one of them), and one of my profs told me that I could do better...I should be an "A" student; I should be trying harder, etc. I never tried to get any higher than a B in any of his classes after that...

We like it too...we've canceled before but always come back. There are great educational programs, great documentaries, and some great regular ol' tv shows, too.

Yes, I think that would be better.

I agree with this post.

If you do decide to go with something get a puppy clip. It looks really cute on border collies, and still gives them the protection they need.

I thought it was funny that this was the first thread that popped up in google when I was looking at using MUS blocks with Miquon (don't worry, Bill...I'm not going to!!!). I decided not to...but I definitely can't invest in another set of math manipulatives! So I cut apart my wooden base ten rods (yes, they're notched), printed out "covers" for each value, and covered up the notches. :D And if I ever need to use them as MUS blocks...all I have to do is take the (laminated cardstock) covers off!!!

I can see the point of all of these. I used to be someone who handed out tracts, but honestly, most people I know do not appreciate receiving them. First, I think it assumes the person is not already a Christian. Two, I think it's rude to proselytize in this way. Now, the whole paying for the meal thing I don't mind at all...there have been times when entire drive-thrus have paid for the meal for the car behind them. I think that's wonderful!!! But I'd really honestly rather not get a tract along with the niceness. (Yes, I'm Christian.) In a poll on a very evangelical, Christian board I'm on the majority agreed. Most do not look kindly on tracts at all. However, I also know that the people who are giving out tracts are doing so out of the kindness of their hearts and I'll accept them (usually) as long as they're not trying to hand them to my kids. I just think it's a little misguided to hand out tracts.

I was basing it on my evaluation of the OP's thread...in other words...until after I had answered I didn't know there was a specific incident that had occurred. If I had known that, I probably wouldn't have answered, not having seen that (or any other) thread with the response in it. The thread itself, seemed more general than that, kwim. It just mentioned that some things about mentioning conception were rude...and people do have different sets of values and opinions on what is appropriate and not appropriate to say. (That's why I went back and edited to say I hadn't read the original thread...I didn't want people to erroneously think my response was based on whatever had happened in the original thread/threads.)

Totally! I find myself doing this as long as there is a download option!

Doesn't bother me at all. Hands are hands. People have been using them for millions of years. It's important to wash hands, but I don't think teachers need to start wearing gloves or using implements to serve everything! (I was just thinking too, that I almost always use my hands to serve snacks...at co-op, at home, etc.) I mean...they're part of our bodies. I'm not too scared of germs to begin with, and I think our society is becoming too conscious of every little germ out there and starting to be a little too careful in general.