BBC has free Spanish curriculum online: Have you checked out Family Time Fitness? It's great for the whole family.

:grouphug: It's perfectly normal to be burnt out once in a while when you have 8 children!!! and a husband!:D It's amazing that you don't think about quiting. Is there some way you can step back and look at your situation objectively? Or, is there something you can do out of the ordinary that can help? Just don't forget to enjoy your life even if it is busy. Have a fun attitude. I'm not trying to annoy you when you're burnt out, I've been there and these are the things that helped me.

His time in school was probably a good experience for him and he can appreciate homeschooling more now. It's wonderful that he feels so connected to you and the rest of the family. You must be doing it right!!! :):):)

For speech, I'd suggest taking it at the CC especially if he's nervous in front of people. First, check the www.ratemyprofessor.com for reviews on the different speech teachers at your local CC. There's also a good Thinkwell course for speech but if he takes speech at the CC, he may be able to use it for credit for the school he's going to attend. You can see reviews on the English teachers at the CC as well on that website. I've seen some really great English teachers at our CC. Also, if you can, check what books they use. You can tell a lot about the course, sometimes, by the books that are utilized. He also may be able to take the classes online and do everything at home for credit.

:iagree: From someone who has finished homeschooling four children, let me tell you. It's WORTH IT!!!!!!!!! So many times, in little ways --- that add up to big--- my children tell me of the ways they are grateful. They haven't always felt that way but when they think of their children or future children, they think seriously about how to educate them. How many parents think about this as seriously as homeschooling parents? Many but to actually spend the kind of time and give the kind of guidance to our kids is phenomenal. Hard at times, but amazing.

When my daughter attended 6th grade at a school, she almost never had recess for the entire year. Everyday somebody did something and the whole class got punished. This was not in the US so I'm surprised to hear of no recess being a punishment here now too. My daughter was frustrated so often that year.

Remember that when your kids go to school, they come home with homework everyday. Sometimes the homework takes longer than homeschooling. Plus, when they are in school, you have deadlines, obligations, and schedules related to the school which you don't have anything to say about.

Has she looked over the Annenberg Media. Just a quick glance I found this resource: http://www.learner.org/resources/series203.html This website has videos and a separate webpage with more resources.

Since there's a lot going on for him and he's planning to go to CC, I'd just let him deal with it there. Some fields don't require a foreign language and some universities don't either. When he gets into CC, his counselor will let him know. If he wants to continue Italian, there's free lessons online here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/

I quote Julie not to say that we have to spend a lot of money but sometimes just trying to get the cheapest route isn't always wise. Personally, I didn't spend too much but there were times I decided to invest in better curriculum. There are some charter schools that let you choose your curriculum and pay for it. Of course, when you do the charter school route, you will be subject to their rules. I loved researching curriculum and if you make your own you can save money. However, one thing to remember is that as the kids get older, they tend to not want what you want. In other words, it does help to have something they can do on their own at least part of the time.