I would be cautious of her getting to know and liking someone who is going to be leaving for a long time in three months.

It is really interesting to hear the different thoughts on this I can't imagine allowing my kids to jump on the furniture. I don't see why that would be something that they should do. They can go outside for jumping and running.

I hope you are not re-doing the chores that he didn't do correctly. And I hope you are not doing his laundry. What chores and responsibilities does he have around the house? Does he mow the grass? Clean a bathroom? Make his own breakfast and lunch?

Wow, I am so sorry. Do you mean he is crying in his crib for 4 hours? When you go in to comfort him, he won't stop crying and cries for hours? That sounds so hard. Have you checked with your doctor?

Stephanie, even if the mom brought him to the doctor, what would the doctor actually do? Test his testosterone levels? If they were too high, would you suggest that the OP put him on some sort of medication to stop puberty?

One of my sons needed deodorant at age 8, and had underarm hair by 9.5. It is normal.

Thank you, Gina. I appreciate all the responses. I meant no offense towards anyone. I was just thinking about homeschooling and wondering if our family has made the right decisions with regards to homeschooling/socializing, etc. I will bow out now, as I certainly did not mean to stir up trouble or cause offense. Just working through my own thoughts on the matter. Perhaps a message board on the internet was not the best place for me to do that.

My kids have never seen anyone who is drunk. Except on TV. They have never witnessed a robbery or seen a drug deal or even someone on drugs. We live in an area where you just don't see that stuff. Our neighbors are wonderful and sweet. We know all of them. One of them brings us homemade goodies all the time and watches our dogs for us when we are away. I guess it depends on where you live. It would have been good for them to see some of those things. I do talk to them all the time about issues, politics and sex and all that, and they do watch TV and go on the internet. (too much!)

What i was wondering, more than whether homeschooled kids are more likely to rebel, was more of the idea that homeschooled kids are often unaware of pop culture, of the latest slang, the coolest clothes, what music is popular, etc and might be shunned or teased because of it. Also the author talks about making choices on page 52. He says that as early as first grade, kids learn to make choices in situations that are not in line with the family's belief systems. He suggests that having the opportunity to do so at a young age when the stakes are smaller, is better than first encountering peer pressure situations in high school (for a kid who was always homeschooled until then). It is almost like he is saying that the act of making choices and standing up to peer pressure is a muscle that must be exercised to get stronger. I read this quote that speaks to this as well- "Character cannot be created. It comes out of choice. Character does not develop in a moral vacuum. One does not learn to be good by never being allowed to do evil. Character is the end result of many moral contests. One must face moral dilemmas, with no limitations or constraints on his freedom, and choose between the naked realities of good and evil in order to develop character. Further, one must chose good in circumstances that are hostile to his choice." If homeschooled teens ( not just ones who are sheltered,-but also the ones who are not having regular interaction with non homeschooled peers) are not exposed to situations with their peers where they have to - 1. learn enough about pop culture and how to act in such as way as to fit in to the degree that they are not mocked 2. deal with situations where they have to choose how to respond , such as sexual pressure or alcohol or drugs or porn on someone's phone, etc. Is that a problem? Will that become a problem for them in college if they are homeschooled all the way through high school?

People like this are toxic. They don't take advice, and just want to complain and complain. They usually want attention. But after you are around people like this, you leave them feeling negative and worn out. Therefore they are toxic and I choose to not be around people like this, if I can help it.

We have always homeschooled. I am reading a book by Mark Gregston and this one chapter is really making me think and almost question our decision to homeschool through high school. I would love to know what others think. It is chapter 5 called The Homeschool Rebel and you can read it here- https://books.google.com/books?id=j6OHxe4mErIC&pg=PA46&lpg=PA46&dq=mark+gregston+homeschool&source=bl&ots=wQQ9SrNpNH&sig=mQj8aSRvfUWsZCL6wCqlbI-JGOY&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiY7bLclubLAhVU1GMKHaMHAHoQ6AEIHDAA#v=onepage&q=rebel&f=false

Have him keep all his dirty clothes in his room until he chooses to do his laundry. If he does not do this, then simply put the clothes that are in the laundry room that are his back in his room.

I would have him just do his own laundry.

I agree about supervising...but I also think it would be a wise idea to empower your own kids to know how to deal with this kind of thing. There must a book or something that teaches kids what to do/say to a bully.

I see it as a life skill that is not optional. Just like teaching them about math or science or sex or history...we need to insure that our kids have the life skill of driving a car. Plus I don't want to drive my kids all over when they can drive themselves!

Some ideas- 1. Go out on "dates" with him at least once a month-just you and him and do something he enjoys. 2. Be consistent with consequences, but not harsh. 3. Evaluate areas where you can give him more freedom (as Indigo said) as well as responsibility. 4. Get software or some sort of filter for your devices unless you don;t mind if he views graphic porn. The average age boys first see porn is about ten. There are many, many youtube videos that are not appropriate for kids. 5. Make sure he is eating protein and enough food overall and getting enough sleep. 6. Be patient and do not ever yell. Anger increases misbehavior. 7. Have him spend regular time with his dad or other positive male role model (if Dad is not around)

I will try to, but I need specifics, not just that he is being difficult.

That is what I do. I only turn on the data plan when I am out and need to get online for some reason.

PS We own the phones. We paid $15 for one phone and $100 for the other.

Yes. But it is not unlimited. We each get 180 minutes, 180 texts, and 180 megabytes of data a month. It rolls over, so if I don't use it all, I don't lose it. Sometimes I run out of data (not texts because I use a free texting app) and can get another 180 of everything for $20. I only run out about 3 times a year.

Actually the $10 a month is not for the phones-we own them. The $10 is for the plan. (data, minutes, texting)

We pay $10 a month for two smart phones. I don't know why the other plans cost so much. We are thrilled with our phones-and the price!

I would do the Love and Logic-"Oh what a bummer! What do you think you're going to do?" Try to help her focus on solving the problem instead of crying about it.

We did use it but after one of my kids was able to access graphic porn with it installed correctly, we changed to Covenant Eyes. That said, no filter is perfect. But we have not had any problems with Covenant Eyes.

Star wars!