What a great idea! I think you've given me more ammunition in making my case that our homeschool *needs* an iPad. ;)

We don't use it as a spine, but as a supplement. I have to come to rely on the Khan Academy videos to help my dc with concepts they don't fully grasp from their texts or from me demonstrating how to do the problems. The narrator has a definite knack for explaining things in a straightforward way that even non-math people can understand. And on a side note, I used Khan Academy myself to study for a college placement test; I needed to test out of Algebra I to be eligible to apply to nursing school. Although I've only taken developmental math at a community college, I tested out of both Algebra I and II and qualified to register for higher-level college math. Khan Academy is a wonderful resource that I intend to use with my dc throughout high school and college.

:iagree: I am also very sorry you're having to go through this. I hope that you can find some measure of peace with the situation so you can be there for your mother, but you are most definitely not awful.

She's absolutely gorgeous. Congratulations!

My 3GS has 64GB, and after over a year of heavy use I still have 45GB available. That's with 922 songs, 153 apps (many of which are more for my dc than for me), and a truly ridiculous number of books loaded into my Stanza library. I love my iPod! Truly, I never expected it to be nearly as useful as it has proven to be. I'd say a 32GB would be sufficient, but I agree with the advice of buying as much storage as you can afford.

We just moved to a new state, and chose a house largely based on the good schools within half a mile. Our plan was to enroll our 3 dc into ps and supplement with afterschooling, because I am supposed to be starting nursing school in January. We knew the district has serious problems in some of its schools, and planned to look for alternatives before high school. However, when I called the district to enroll the dc I was told that we couldn't use the local schools because they're full. Instead, my dc will be bussed to inner-city schools within the district. The middle school my 7th grader would be sent to has 40% teacher turnover annually, abysmal test scores, a 20% suspension rate, and is rife with gang activity; the district could not tell me which school my twin 5th-graders would be assigned to, but were certain they would not go to our local school. We can't afford private school, so it looks like homeschooling is our best option even though it means me giving up on school (at least for now). Paying higher property taxes, or moving to a "good" area doesn't always ensure your dc will be allowed to attend better schools. I feel embarrassed by my ignorance, but I never truly understood just how messed up the public education system has become until it impacted my family directly. I am grateful that my family has the option of homeschooling, even if it derails my own personal goals for now. My heart hurts for all the families who don't have the resources to choose to remove their dc from failing schools. The system needs changing, and while I'm willing to do my part to effect change via political action, I am not willing to send my dc to dangerous or failing schools to do so.

Thank you! One of my dc has a difficult time winding down at night, and I think this playlist will be very helpful in calming him. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to share your expertise with us. :001_smile:

From someone who has been told that my Aspie would be "normal", if only I were a stricter parent...:grouphug: It still stings even when you know the person is utterly and completely wrong.

:grouphug: