Those little colored circles. I guess I won't feel like we are losing out on something to skip it.

Thank you all very much. I will tell DH this as he would like to know. We do not think it is right for her to mislead just for the sake of feeling better that she would rather have it free to send him off vs have to pay or stay home.

So it appears that junior K is a part of the public school system and this would be no cost then. That would explain why she told MIL it is absolutely mandatory. He actually had a really good daycare and was very happy. Unfortunately even though they can afford it they would not worry about his well being over cost. I feel really bad for him he says "I don't want to talk about school" daily. They chuckle about it as if school misery is just part of growing up. FIL thinks boys need to learn the ropes of life right off the bat, and girls are pretty and perfect. I say this with no snark, he actually admits to this way of thinking.

I'm curious, and I cannot find anything with more information when I googled for over an hour but maybe I am not so resourceful.. DH said his mother told him that now in Ontario, Canada it is mandatory to attend preschool. DH and i being the skeptics we are LOL, thought that sounded off and since she could not give us any solidified information we have been trying to figure out what she meant. SIL is not necessary the attached to baby kind and she kind of jokes about my nephews hard times as if it is funny. Apparently the poor kid (almost 4) needed to use the potty and it was so busy that a bunch of other littles were watching him and no one noticed because there are too many kids in the class :( She told MIL that she has no choice but to send her DS there because preschool is not optional anymore starting at 3. I won't say out loud that she just needs justification for not having to worry about a better option. And I am not being judgemental just matter of fact because SIL started leaving baby with MIL for WEEKS at a time when he was 3 months old. She has always spoke of the inconvenience factor. MIL is very sweet and believes what people tell her without asking questions. So is this true? Are they really trying to separate children at 3 or 4 instead of 5 or 6 now?!

We use Singapore, and MM. They are quite similar actually, however we really like the looks of SM better. I love the HIG, and the textbook almost teaches DS on his own. Of course we go over the lesson but the textbook in color works out examples and is easy to follow. Now that I have SM I actually love MM again, because I don't feel like I'm missing something. MM is inexpensive and I really LOVE her clock section. DS soared through that and it was so very complete that he was completely clock fluent in one week. And the same reason we read MCT lit, and have 3 separate and "complete" LA curriculum, writing, grammar, etc.... I just can't use the same thing day after day after day and fully appreciate it for what it's worth. But I think the question was is SM all you need, and YES, I do believe that it is.

I just can't do this. My kids can't stand it. Come to think of it for some reason lately we jut dread AAS. It's like it's annoying but I cannot put my finger on it. EVERYTHING else we have is teacher intensive, and I just really for some reason thought spelling would be the one thing more independent. DD is only 5.5 and not a fluent reader yet but she does like spelling and grammer. I JUST started her with GWG and WWW 1 very very slowly and it's actually helping her reading come along. I know they have a spelling curriculum too. I know DS does not like the multi sensory method. He's more of a "give me a list and I'll study it" type with everything. The tiles are falling all over lately and it just seems like this huge episode to get through spelling. Any suggestions? I don't mind just dumping this and switching to something else I just don't know what else

I haven't read every response but skimmed through. Yours is actually the best I have read to describe my exact thoughts and I can never say it this briefly LOL.

What about purchasing some long sleeved t's and having the kids help make some holiday designs with stencil and fabric paint? Or just get matching socks and settle for green/red sweats or something? If you do want a holiday table cloth like you mentioned, you could just do a new sew version for now with iron on hem tape and finish it after you get a machine or have time.

I cannot stand the look of that loopy cursive. I LOVE the Getty Dubbay courses. Both my kids and I are using them.

Do you have an organizing system in place for their bedrooms? I am an organizing nut, but still I am constantly decluttering and adjusting. You have to work with your own budget and there are lots of options! I love IKEA for kids rooms. Here are the pieces of furniture and bins which organize our stuff, and there's a TON of it LOL. The breakdown of our house....everyone has their own bedroom, there is one extra room which has bunk beds, the play kitchen set and over flow of toys that are not played with often or community toys (except blocks, those are downstairs). They are 5 and 7, and DH trust me is another child and a HUGE pack rat as far as clutter/toys/stuff goes LOL. DD has a million barbies, calico critters and house, huge barbie dollhouse, doll bed and doll cradle in her room, along with the tons of other random items she has collected. They both have captains beds with drawers under one side. In the closet I have organizers. One side is all clothing, the other side has shelving for her millions of build abears. I also removed the doors on the closet and hung cute curtains. Each side has a tie back hook so if she is dressing, she can open that side and close when done, but often leaves the other side open because it more displays her things. I built and painted simple shelves from cheap pine from lowes and hung 2 above each kids bed. They keep little sets of random display things on those. I use the IKEA trofast in DD's room and label the bins. If things need to change just peel the label of and make a new one. SHe has two of the tall white towers with the green and pink bins. The green are more shallow, the pink are very deep. In DS room I use these things from IKEA, and he has two stacked on top of each other.http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S29877698/ except with all solid bins. Man alive that can hold some stuff. Same idea in his closet, except with legos. He has a corner desk with hutch for his "lego lab" as he calls it, and a table beside it for his lego desplays. He also has a captains bed with shelves built along side (both beds are pushed against one wall) for display. Downstairs in the corner nook area is where school desks are. They each have a desk, and a cabinet beside it. This is for school/personal related stuff only. They each have a nicer looking basket for their daily school stuff I fill up and put on top of the cabinet (cabinets are desk height) with a small white board (think letter size) with daily schedule and checklist for what they need to do. They each have a little desktop organizer for pencils, stapler, paperclips post its etc. On one wall we have 3 of these next to eachother:http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80134048/. Actually we have one single and the double, but you get the idea. We have the white doors that cover 2/3 of the cabinets. The rule down here is each kid gets one, DS the middle and DD the right side and whatever you can fit behind the door you can keep down here, everything else up stairs. I realize not everyone has this much space but you can work with whatever space you do. My bookshelf is the left side and my desk is beside that, with another bookshelf to the other side with my printer and also wii/media stuff. We have one large great room and I have an old low/long dresser on one wall to act as a console table and corral clutter or odds and ends. So my cleaning system for bedroom is I announce I am going to vaccum and need the floors clean. Often they will do their best but sometimes tell me it's pretty clean and just use the bucket method. My bucket method is everything I find on the floor goes in one of their buckets and they can sort later. I do the same down here. I take some kind of bin and just corral the random stuff I find and leave them out visible usually in front of the fireplace in corner as that is out of tripping path. Also we use the garage as entrance and I have MORE IKEA besta bookshelves, 3 in fact and have them outfitted like lockers. I have a hanging bar and DH and I share one, each kid gets another. This really contains stuff when coming in. Also if stuff needs to go up to their room I put it on the low shelf for them to take up. I have a sewing room, DH has the big bonus room upstairs as he works remotely and we try to model good organization. My home is definitely not a BHG shoot but I do have a place for everything. I probably have overkill for storage and often some of it is empty but it's hard for my kids to tidy up if they have to put everything away in a tight squeeze. As far as cleaning schedule goes, well I do the necessary and keep a list of extras going for the few minutes here and there. I like the idea of just quick minutes of tidy up everywhere and corral clutter in to bins for each person. I don't spend hours cleaning becasue I don't have time and like you, I want to have the time for my kids. We do a game. I blast fun music and set the time for 10 minutes. This is a few songs worth, and we run around cleaning up. We usually do this toward the end of day, before DH is off and dinner is started and I just want to see a clean space. I notice my kids are much more easy going and compliant when things look simple and tidy. I really like cabinets with doors, and ways you can put things away and not see them. SUre magazine photos with display shelves all over look great but I cannot keep shelves looking nice. I also like WHITE. white bookcases, white doors, etc. Even in an old house it brightens things up and if painted something likle enamel paint it is very washable. Not that you hve the extra time, but if you have an older home simple things like brightening a room with fresh paint can make a HUGE difference. I have been working on repainting our kitchen cabinets white and cannot wait for it to be done. I get happy just looking at the side that went from old wood to white! And the walls are an apple green. I think it looks cleaner just because of the white and green paint hope that helps at least a little! It's how my house is set up and works very well for us.

If you have the money to purchase a machine those can be very simple to make. I would start by making a few of the napkins you want to get used to the new machine and sewing. Sewing a simple pair of pajama bottoms with a turned elastic casing is very simple . I like to shop fabric.com. They have great prices and ship free over $35

We so badly tried to stick with MM. DS suffered through it 1st, and I did supplement and rewrite some. We started using it this year in 2nd, and DD the 1a but she was NOT having it. We finally switched to Singapore and it is just SO much nicer to look at. Same method as MM but better execution IMO. DS actually thanked me for it LOL! I don't know what it is about MM. There's just something missing for us. So I guess I'm saying no, if you don't like it now I don't really think you'll like it later on if you are speaking of the layout, presentation ETA: In Singapore, there is a text book and workbook and the HIG is helpful though I don't use it much because we kind of "know" how to teach this way and I pull it out if I feel stuck somewhere. The textbook is in color, and gives walk through examples, and some problems. We actually don't do all of these on paper only if needed. Then the workbook is black and white for practice. We go over the textbook lesson, then I keep it open for him to use as reference while doing the workbook. The corresponding workbook exercises are very clearly stated with each lesson in textbook at the bottom of the page. I know MM is supposed to be "self teaching" with the teaching on the page iwth the work, however this is SO NOT the case for us LOL. DS never was able to look at the examples and figure it out.

Hmmmm, I've never actually said this out loud to DS but this may be very helpful. He is such a practical thinker, and loves non fiction. I think he just finds it like you say, un natural to really visualize a story. I thought he was just strange (in a funny way) to enjoy reading out of my sister's university astronomy class and recalling more of it that she the first time, or things like computer programming or biographies of intersting people. When I read him some of the passages from fairy tale type stories it's like he is totally un interested. He says he tries to remember but they are so boring. This is where we struggle with WWE. He plays sword fights like he's straight out of a fairy tale with his friends so it's not like he doens't have an imagination. And he watches VERY little on screen.

I would have to agree with boscopup. DS is 2nd grade and we have MCT. We love the reading, and will continue to use it but not as curriculum. The writing portion is a bit much for us right now. We just started using GWG and WWW, along with WWE2

I think you should seek advice as to how to prove the children are neglected to a dangerous degree, not sent to school, deprived of sleep and a safe environment with an awake adult to take care of them during the day, etc. I don't have advice but if I saw the severity of what you describe I would have social service on the phone and keep the chidlren you have in your care with you alone if they are in danger elsewhere. I think you describe more than just a need for homeschooling here. I hope you find some good advice but I think this will go way off topic and I already commented on the schooling, but I wanted to wish you well with the other problems you face.

This cracks me up because I wrote for my highschool/college newspaper, and I STILL struggle with summarizing LOL. That's all I did for years! I takes me reading/re reading notes a thousand times. DS is 7 and doing WWE2. We just started this 4 weeks ago, and at first it was like pulling teeth, however he has made some progress. I think maybe he is not a huge fan of fairy tale type stories, as he is a very practical non fiction reader. I started using this just once a week for the narration/summary portion, just so he can still have this skill with material that he doesn't find interesting. I have noticed, that if I have him read a page out of some computer programming book or the history of a US president he will literally lecture on the subject. This is what we have been doing, and then I help him summarize in a few sentences. He has an easier time retaining when HE does the reading. I love a combo of WWE 2 or something for narration, AND WWW.

Well I think any child can benefit from a thoughtful and loving home education if they are not thriving in a school setting for whatever reason. I do however, wish you would reword slightly. The phrase ghetto kids just doesn't give a good feeling. I'm sure the situation is tough but I wouldn't turn it into what you have to do because they suffer so badly with mom when they are there. Are they really going to bed at 2am? Because this would be terribly alarming. And if they are there one night a week and up until 2 am is this a school night? I don't know details and do not want to make assumptions. You should start with basics and very gently. Read them fun stories and have them talk to you about them. Growing with grammar or First language lessons would be agood place to start. Writing with ease 1 will help teach them to narrate back to you what has been read to them and does not require writing. As far as not speaking in complete sentences, do you mean in every day language/conversation? Or as in when asked a question they narrate back with a fragment? Because the latter is normal if it's not something that has been practiced. Just say "that's a great thought, now lets talk about what we need to make a complete statement." I'm not sure of their ages so maybe could give more specifics.

I love this today and needed to hear it LOL. I am in the same boat and did the SAME thing. Everyone is so much happier and I'm SO over the "I can do everything and make up everything for every subject so it's creative and original every second of our lives." Now I actually have the time to make history more interesting and the extra curricular things. History/science are the only things we spend alot of time planning (and I have a fabulous hubby that helps with it).

It's not too late to change course if what you are doing is not working. I couldn't see something through all year just because I started with it, if we were all feeling like it was boring/busy work. I can't imagine sticking with a history curric that is boring when it CAN be so interesting. I loathed history throughout school because it was dry, but now I just LOVE relearning with my two kids. I have had to make changes, one within the last 2 weeks. It was with writing, and I just made a plan to condense some of the first parts or things already covered. IT should be that difficult

I have MM for extra practice or just to give a different "look" if you will, so that we are able to recognize how/what to do in different text. It's fairly cheap for an entire year and I do like the clock/money section. We use standards. DD uses the textbook for a coloring book, and does the problems from the workbook. DS is in 2A and uses textbook and workbook, though we only work through a few problems from the textbook because right now he is getting everything quickly without the extra practice. i have heard great things about the CWP but DH handles the "life math" quite well at this point and it's a great way for him to be involved. I think you will really lilke it! The HIG's are helpful. We hve always taught math by this method, however it does give a good outline of the lessons and some activities/games and means to explain concepts thoroughly.

I started playing flute when I was 7. I played all through high school and sat first chair, and through college. I took piano lessons briefly and intermittently from later childhood until high school, but did not become serious about it until I was 16 almost 17 and in college. I could always read music, and practiced just for fun, and of course kept playing flute. I was a music theory major in college and though I never thought I would enjoy studying piano hours a day, I did enjoy mastering a difficult piece of classical music. I think it is helpful to be able to read base clef. It is even more beneficial to PLAY a harmonizing instrument but I don't know that it is necessary to start there. I had NO desire to play piano, and I'm grateful my mom bought me a flute so young. I LOVED the flute. I picked it up quickly and it was beautiful. If someone would have told me you must play piano for x amount of time BEFORE I knew I loved it so, I am sure I would have forgotten it. However, If after I had played for a year someone told me you must play piano for x amount of time if you want to continue flute, I would have complied. I quickly realized though, in middle school band, that some of the children played both a band instrument AND piano. The competition was compelling in itself. Music is joy AND work. I'm not totally sure how I will approach piano with my children if they refuse, because it is a good skill to have if you will play any instrument. They are just learning, and play guitar and drums. As of now, I want them to find what they love, then help them realize what is necessary to be the best they can be at it.

Thank you all so much. This is good advice. As far as MCT, it' s more of a fun read and reinforcing grammar by story. We like to read it but I don't think of it as assigned work. WWE2 is booooring. However, we still need some practice with narrations so maybe I'll just use this one a week or something. OR, follow the format and do narrations for other subjects. He enjoys the passages and it is fairly quick so I'll just keep it on the shelf and figure out if it's needed after we begin WWW. Coffeemama - how quickly does WWW3 get in to paragraph writing? I like to keep DS a bit above grade level because he his so capable. He can definitely narrate, but the physical act of writing is a bit slow for him. I know he just needs to up the practice and he is very happy to do his work so I don't want to make it TOO hard for him, ya know? I think since we have read quite a bit of MCT he's got a good basis for basic grammar so i wonder if GWG3 would be good for him. Being that it is partially in to the year i don't want to start all over. So with DD 5.5, I considered getting her WWW1 and/or GWG1 to start going through slowly. Do you think that is a good idea? Is there anything in particular you were not impressed with?

I find that grammar/writing is just all over the place at this stage. DS is 2nd grade. I am not interested in FFL, however we are using WWE2. It is definitely helping him realize/understand how to summarize and give a narration. The lessons are short and layed out well so it is working. We do not use the copywork because we do that elsewhere. However, this is a totally non creative curriculum and we are getting tired of it. I could see using it once or twice a week just for summary practice or something. I recently looked in to GWG and WWW and they look perfect, but how do we do all of these together? I have MCT, but we do this more for fun. We will start the sentence diagramming but it's just a bit vague as far as structured lessons. So, if you use WWW and GWG is that all you need? I was consider adding just GWG but then I looked at WWW and it just looks so much nicer and more creative that WWE. I know at this age TWTM suggests children are not as creative in writing at this age and just stick with narration/ditation, but I'm not sure I really agree with that. I notice the more creative DS' work is, the more eager he is. I guess I could just use WWE once a week or something for the narrations.

I've been at this forever. I briefly cleared out a room for school but it just wouldn't work. We have a huge main living area with an open floor plan. We have one big great room concept with the couches, coffee table and a tv etc. Off of that end I have my sewing room and on the end of the main area is a corner where my kids each have a desk and small cabinet. We have a wall with 3 very tall IKEA Besta bookshelves together and I have doors on each on that start at the bottom and go about 2/3 up. My rule downstairs is, each kid has a bookshelf and I have the one on the left. Everything you can fit behind the door you can keep downstairs, everything else in your room (goes for me too and I try to set example). I have a sewing room, DH the office upstairs bonus room because he works remotely, and they have bedrooms of their own plus a smallish play room for overflow and DD's kitchen stuff/tea party and a bunkbed for fort building. Down here stays pretty tidy. I keep all the books we are working on in each child's bookshelf and fill up a big workbox with all the stuff they will need that day. The workbox system with the cart and a bucket for each subject just didn't quite work for us. We have more of a checklist and a nice basket filled up with the daily stuff. I have a billy bookcase from IKEA on a small wall by the kitchen and our digital piano is opposite the dining room table so on that shelf I keep cookbooks way up top, music books on bottom, and all other 5 shelves are for books organized by topic. I have said this before but I need to take photos of our space. I never have time to think about it during the week and on the weekends the clutter comes in. One other thing I started doing was instead of hanging a white board, I have the Board Dudes lightweight kind now, $20 each at business costco and they are lighter weight and 2x4 ft. We just tuck them behind the sofa when not in use. They sit either at their desk, the couch/coffee table, or often my sewing room. I have lots of desk space in their as well.

The only time we have used the student book is when I sent it to Grandmas and I didn't even realize which one I was packing. I have them both but we read this together so just use one. I am using WWE as well. We do a somewhat condensed version of the scheduled weekly outline but DS really needs the straight forward simple practice for narrations still. Maybe some day MCT could stand alone here but for now we do need that extra practice. We read through grammar Island in I'd say about a months time or less, but we pick it up often for review. We are in the midst of sentence Island and building language and we like them both. A child could easily read on his own account but I love reading it together as I am definitely relearning right along side him. It's been a while since I had formal grammar!