We used the malem alarm this year, after a quick urine test with the doctor found no probs. Worked brilliantly, 6 months on and there are no wet sheets. The first week is emotional! My son is 11. maria.

Machiavelli, because we enjoyed reading parts of The Prince Walter Raleigh and Drake for being Bl**dy pirates We went to a replica of the Golden Hinde which was inspiring for both the older boys and my four year old son. It was one of those day trips that made the whole period come alive. Maria.

my son is 11, and we went to the doctors. As he is dry during the day, it was considered unlikely to be a physical problem, though he did have a blood test. The malem alarm worked brilliantly. Yes, it is loud, but he was dry within three weeks. We have not needed the alarm since, nor have we had any accidents. I noted that one reply said how it frightened her child, but that was not an issue for an 11 year old. I was reluctant to buy it, but it was worth it's weight in gold! Maria.

I'm really sorry about the changes your family is experiencing. My mother's health deteriorated after my father's death and I still feel I'm playing catch up. It was a steep learning curve. She was prescribed anti psychotic drugs. she stopped the first lot because they made her so sleepy, and used the same reasoning with the second batch. I wonder if your father is taking them? I think getting the right dosage takes time. My mother refused to take any. She had vertigo for about a year, but after several scans to look for physical causes, the vertigo is no longer a problem. There were also nightmares, delusions, including the belief I was a demon torturing her. It has got better, maybe because this was triggered by an event. I would talk to the doctors, whom I found very helpful, once they realised what was happening. We also had an emergency number if there was trouble. I realise this post is a bit jumbled (partly because my 2 year old is now climbing the computer), but hugs to you. Maria

HI, I remember this really emotional time, and the feelings of frustration, and fighting (when you don't want to fight) I found I became "ready to fight" whenever near hospitals, and never did find a supportive dr. ds3 was vbac born at home. I'm trying to think of any helpful advice should you labour. run around in the early stages, stand up, don't lie on your back (you know, the usual stuff..), I seemed to be on a beach looking at pebbles for a lot of the time. I know I react horribly to syntocin, (which is bad news with vbac anyway) and had ds3 without pain relief. At one point I asked for gas, and the midwife fobbed me off with some excuse which I accepted. Pushing out- didn't feel a thing - just too grateful to have got past dilation. dd4 was a csection, with a good dr, and that is a different experience. from this I learnt how quickly you can get going again, and recover. dd4 was in special care, and I was able to see her as soon as my legs could support my weight (less than a couple of hours) I was discharged the following morning. Your determination will give you strength. Good luck with this, and look forward to hearing you've had a beautiful baby. Maria.

my son was dry during the day, but not at night. we checked with the dr at 11 yrs old. nothing was wrong physically, and her advice was to try the alarms. worked great within about 3 weeks, and has been fine since. maria.

we've just enjoyed moliere on dvd. also have cyrano de bergerac, which i haven't watched for ages. (can you tell we're in the 1600-1850 period?) maria.

We have been using HWT for the last 8 weeks or so. Ds is 4, and has completed the pre K book. He is really pleased that he has completed this book, knows his letter names and sounds from it, and is progressing well with HOP. I think the wooden letters, chalkboard, and crayons appealed to his sense of order. This style of teaching, and encouraging his enthusiasm seemed more important than the case of the letter. We're only at the start of this journey, but I don't foresee difficulties when he switches to the next book, which covers both upper and lower case. Maria.

Hi I've only got the first 10 weeks sorted out 1 Don Quixote SOTW CHAPTER 1 2 Pocahontas SOTW C6 3, 4 and 5 The English Civil War SOTW C12 including Cavaliers & Roundheads by Bob Moulder which is the best book I've found for a simple, chronological overview (plus it has stand up scenes:thumbup:) and The Children of the New Forest by Frederick Marryat which is an excellent adventure story 6,7,8 The dutch, Vermeer and Rembrandt 9 Peraults fairy tales SOTW C13 10 Robinson Crusoe This was a very patchy use of sotw, as it was based on WTM before sotw arrived. Our 2009 terms might be more consistent. Regards, Maria

thank you for all your suggestions, the sabuda books are beautiful. we have an old collection of spot books, with lots of sellotape. yes, they were well used! thanks, again. amazon here I come... Maria.

hi, my son is just discovering the joys of pop up books (he's now beyond the grab and rip stage) any favourites, we have a broad age range from 12 to 2 thanks, Maria.

thank you both for your suggestions, i'd forgotten about "natural" fairies, as i'd been overwhelmed by the bubblegum pink kind. we went to a local toy shop, and bought some fairy snap cards. my eldest son (12) remarked he didn't know there were so many different kinds of fairies... having fun thanks again, i'm tempted by the beautiful books at wee felt folk. now to be brave enough to make some.. regards, maria.

hi, we're looking at "the tempest" with my older boys, and I thought the younger boy (4) and girl (2) could join in with a "fairy theme". That's when I realised our lack of anything to do with fairies. Three boys, and I have lots of books for dinosaurs, rockets, diggers, but no fairies. any suggestions for fairy books, or activities (apart from cardboard fairy wings which we're making this afternoon)? any night time reading books would be great too. Nothing with too much peril, my younger son was not happy with Peter Rabbit's predicament thanks, maria.

we've just started writing strands 3, and i'm not sure about it. Some of it seems very simple (write a sentence with two words), but it may get better. i have ordered classical writing for next term as i hope it may be more challenging, and has a clear program as they progress. my sons are 11 & 12. maria.

my sons both enjoyed the breadwinner by deborah ellis. i'm not sure if it's what you're looking for, but it is modern and has a female role model http://www.amazon.co.uk/Breadwinner-Collection-Deborah-Ellis/dp/0192726021/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209725626&sr=8-2

thanks for your help. i went to a local bookstore, and managed to get a copy of strongs, an illustrated dictionary, etc. it helped to see them. i found the bibles we have didn't have additional information. thanks again for your help, and welcome:001_smile: maria

we're just about to use rod & staff "god visits his chosen family". I'm new to using these texts. In the teacher's manual it refers to using a concordance. Which one did you use that would help a 12 year old? thanks, (also new to posting, so I hope this is ok) maria.