We were taught French and German like that in school, and learned no grammar until we'd been doing the language for two years. I think it works well for some kids, but not others (including me). I like to have all the grammar explained, and learn lists of vocabulary first. JMO. But if your child enjoys it - maybe it is the right way for her?

How annoying. I really hope it's resolved soon. $112 is nothing to sneeze at.

No, he doesn't know my family at all, unless by report from someone in his homeschool group who knows me.. but.. we have not seen any of those people for some years because we moved away from the area and don't attend the same homeschool groups any more. Thank you so much. I was rather sad that people had misunderstood this. I am trying to make the best choices for my family under the current circumstances. I'd spend all day on this board if I tried to explain everything that's going on for us right now, which lead me towards thinking that I could not offer this family our friendship at the present time. Please, ladies, don't judge me for my choices and my inability to explain things properly. That's very true. But is it fair to this family to have one - two - three - playdates and then move away, when the dad seems to want a proper friend for his daughter? If you'd read all my posts, you'd know that I don't forbid my children to hang out with anyone either.

That's really encouraging! I joined a group a while back as I had around 80 pounds to lose. Lost 20, quit the group, and then couldn't keep it going. I've just started trying again but without a group I am struggling. If you don't find a local group to join in person, how about creating one on this board? (if the moderators are ok with that!)

I'm sorry. We'll be praying for you all.

:smilielol5: Too funny.. these have really made my morning!

:grouphug: Sorry for you - that sounds horrid!

Just to clarify - the family lives in a city where at least 25% of the population are of South Asian origin. The two homeschooling groups they attend (that I know of) reflect this diversity. Denise.. don't worry, I feel bad for not explaining myself properly. I was in a bit of a state when I wrote the first post.. note to self.. calm down before typing! I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone for their contributions, it's helped a great deal in formulating a response.

:D Ice hockey does it for my 5yo ds, every time - sleeps like a log!!

Scubamama - sending you a big hug. You know your situation best, so if you can't "volunteer" at this time, then 'nuff said. Praying you'll be able to work something out.

Thanks Cat. I guess you're right, I was pretty stunned by the email.. it was from the dad, incidently.. just realised that in removing the name from the bottom, that information didn't get through, either.. and I didn't think to mention that I was literally shaking when I'd read it, at the thought of meeting someone new! Your post wasn't obnoxious, either.. I'm not offended by any of them.. it's probably my fault for not explaining things properly.

Thanks for your thoughts. Obviously people have very different views of the whole situation, and I can see that perhaps I am being negative about this. However it was reassuring to read of at least one person who also thought the email-would-you-like-to-come-to-my-house approach was not the usual way of making friends. I'm truly sorry if I've offended anyone over what I wrote, that wasn't the intention at all. :sad: I hope you understand that I really don't have a problem with people believing whatever they choose - or nothing. It seems that I've come across to some as narrow minded and unwilling to mix with anyone who was different to me, but that's not the case. Most fine days all four of my children play out with their friends in the cul-de-sac after school. Not one of them goes to our church, and there's a fair mix of religious/life beliefs and skin color. I will put my hands up to this.. I'm an introvert, very nervous of meeting anyone, I am struggling with even the thought of saying that we could meet at all.

Sorry. In my bother and haste, I forgot to put what is probably the biggest reason why I want to say no.. we are very likely moving sooner rather than later. Dh is from Canada, and we are planning, Lord willing, to move back there within 18mos. And although that may be enough time to enjoy a short friendship, it's not even sure that we're actually going to be staying here in Yorkshire - dh wants to move to London first as it will be easier to sort visas and passports out and ourselves moved across when it actually comes to it.

This isn't the first time I have received such an email from this person, but previously I ignored the request because at the time I was going through a difficult time in my relationship with my husband. I am at a loss as to how to respond. Everything I try out sounds rude. Here's the email: "Hi, Hope you are well. I find you from the -W- contact list. [This is a yahoo support group for local homeschoolers.] I hope your home educating is going well. I have been looking for anyone with children within the same age range and hobbies as mine. I have a girl aged 8, who would love to meet your girls. I believe yours are aged 9 and 7, or maybe they are now 10 and 8 as the list I have was printed last year in October. I don't know about your children, but my girl doesnt have much friends they same age, and therefore I am looking to find someone who can be her friend and socialise with her at our house. You are welcome to pop down with your kids anytime. We live in -X-, and I see you are just in -Y-. My daughters hobbies include, reading, drawing, painting now and again, playing Nintendo-DS, talking loads like yours. Would love to hear from you. Take care. From (the dad's name)" EDITED TO ADD: We know the family are either Muslim or Hindu for sure, although this doesn't denote skin color as there are a number of white people here who are turning to Islam. I don't have a problem with people believing or being different to me, but I'm an introvert and very anxious when I meet new people. I know that the cultures are very different, I am nervous of saying or doing an offensive thing without realising it. It always takes me a long time to get to know anyone. We are also planning to move to North America within 18mos, and are very likely to move to London first - probably around December - so it greatly limits my opportunities for developing a friendship with this family. I know that the family go to two homeschooling groups in their city, which is 45mins-1hrs drive away from us. One of these is large and there are plenty of children around the age of this man's daughter. 4 years ago, when we lived nearer to this city, we attended this group (it was much smaller then) and I sort of know a few people who still go. I contacted one of them - she is a group leader - but all she could tell me was that she had seen this dad and his child (children?) attend, and sometimes the child came with her mom. She hadn't had any proper conversation with either of them. We occasionally attend a local homeschool group in our town, but not as much as we used to since I'm now spending more time sorting and packing things for storage. From the conversations I've had in the past with other homeschoolers, I believe that most people wouldn't find it acceptable to just go round to someone's house that they'd never met. We've moved 8 times in 12 years, mostly living in towns, and I have not come across anyone else who has asked me on email to visit them at their home as a first time meet. My experience thus far is that you meet other homeschooling families at activity days or clubs, and friendship might or might not progress from there. For me, I'd need to know the parents pretty well first before I visited the family at home. So please help me formulate some kind of reply that gently but firmly says no thanks. I am so stumped.

That's good :001_smile:

:D I have one of those.. sometimes she goes by Little Miss get-into-the-food-cupboards-and-make-a-big-mess-on-the-floor, or Little Miss loves-the-cat-a-BIT-TOO-MUCH!

hehe me too! It does happen very occasionally, but more often than not somebody gets distracted. I set up a double desk in my dd's room (2 kids per room.. this is the UK.. small houses..) so that whoever is doing independent work can be there in peace. I wondered whether they would dawdle and dream, but they're actually very good and get on with their work fine. The desks have a lift-top for them to store their pencils and so forth in.

I bought mine off amazon. I'm not using it with the kids yet, but I may do when they're older. At the moment, my right-hander is using the Christian Liberty Academy series, and my left-hander is using Diana Hanbury King's Cursive Handwriting for Left-Handers. (that might not be the exact title but it'll be close - can't find the book atm!)

Definitely.

We use Diana Hanbury King's Left Handed cursive handwriting book for the eldest, and the Christian Liberty Press handwriting series for the others. CLP makes big use of Bible words and verses. I think both are excellent.

Great idea. I was reading about the Duggars the other day, and I believe they use what they call a "buddy system" where older ones help with younger ones. - Probably even more necessary when you have 19!

I have to say.. the one criterion I had for my curriculum, besides being basically Classical, was that the children would be able to do at least some of it by themselves. I also assign them a LOT of reading and memorization - that's possibly something else yours could do while they wait for you to be free?

This sounds like a brilliant idea.. though I don't have any brilliant suggestions! Unless you wanted to do a search for 12 most popular/compelling/culture-changing (or whatever your criteria might be!) composers and artists. :bigear:

Btw.. I LOVE your quote :D

Is there any way you can teach them at the same time? Combine the teaching of History, or Science, but then have them do age appropriate work? My 8yo does quite a bit of her work alone, just coming to me for explanations as needed: Grammar, Spelling, part of her math, part of science, part of the French. So I can start her off, and then leave her to finish whatever, while I do something with someone else.