I ditto my love for California. Lived most of my early years (minus time overseas growing up w/missionary parents) here, went to college here. I love my city (Santa Clarita). Wish the political/social climate were different, but I'll never be anything but a Californian.

definitely dried up wax. Usually they have some pads w/oily stuff along with the waxing stuff. You definitely need an oil of some kind.

definitely cheesecake. It travels well, you probably only need 2 as smallish pieces are fine, and you can bring any kind of sauce you want to put on it right before (blueberry or strawberry?). JMO.

Have a ds who will do the same thing (he's 14). Right now, my fallback position is "sorry, I can't help you. You need to choose something different to do that's not so frustrating. You can come back to this later, and you'll be more ready for help, maybe." Rinse repeat. It is so easy for me to get sucked into the drama, I've had to learn to step away from the situation. Guess what? 85% of the time, he'll (eventually) do something else, and when forced to get back to the other subject he's in a different frame of mind and can often do it without help the 2nd time through. You really do need to just walk away from it. The work has to be done, but there can be choice about what to do when, and kids like this need to learn to switch gears when they get too frustrated, and then come back a little calmer. It's a life skill, really.

I have __3__(#) children ranging in age from _14___ to __20__ years old. Among my kids, my (age)_____14_______ year old (daughter/son)____son_________ gets along (choice adjective) __ok______ with his/her (age)_______20___________ year old (brother/sister)___sister__________ because(your thoughts) ____They are both quirky/nerdy/twitchy and have a similar sense of humor and temperment, and dd is mature enough to deal with many of my sons annoying habits.________. Among my kids, my (age)____18________ year old (daughter/son)____dd_________ gets along (choice adjective) ___not that great_____ with his/her (age)_______14___________ year old (brother/sister)_____brother________ because(your thoughts) ____he is 2e & quirky (see above), and she is totally the opposite and takes everything he does personally. sigh. we work on this, but it hasn't been easy. They are both musically gifted and extremely competitive with each other________. Among my kids, my (age)____20________ year old (daughter/son)_____dd________ gets along (choice adjective) ___swimmingly for the most part_____ with his/her (age)______18____________ year old (brother/sister)____sis_________ because(your thoughts) _____they are total opposites, so much so that there is NO competition, and they appreciate the gifts that each other brings to the relationship. 20yo dd is ultra logical/geeky/mathy/engineering major in college. 18yodd is ultra artsy, feminine, musical, crafty, non academic. Leaning towards fashion or interior design or merchandising. _______.

there is. It is called Safety Mode. If you scroll down to the very bottom of the screen in Youtube it is at the very bottom right, and it should say safety mode off. I think you need a google or youtube account, but I think it will be an option somewhere when you sign into your account, and you can lock it.

wow. I think your son and mine are twins. except mine has no language issues. My son responds to scary/unpleasant things exactly the way your son does. You handled everything perfect. You are right on about them just having to vent it. I have learned to not respond, but hubby still wants to go into the "you will because we say you will!!!" mode half the time. I'm learning him gradually ;o).

Yep, big hugs, btdt. But, like the others have said, this is so totally aspie behavior. Wrong expectations (skate park). Bad transitions. Disappointingly honest (although possibly a bit passive agressive) reactions (cake). Impulsive (coming out w/o asking). You really do need to disengage. When he said you don't do things for him, that was total in-the-moment emotional venting on his part. You just can't take that stuff personally, which I know is easy to say and hard to do. The cake thing? Just sounds like he was trying to push your buttons. My response would have been "Cool!, I get cake, your loss (big smile)" I would absolutely not threaten to send him to Dad. I would find some good books on dealing with Aspies, and start learning some different ways to handle things. He is who he is, and as much as we desperately wish our quirky kids were not, they still are. Again, big hugs, and it's just hard. Kayleen

Well, only hugs and encouragement here. my ds 14 is very similar. He doesn't hate church, but he definitely has him moments in the service. Hates having to stand up/sit down during the singing. He's getting mad by about song #4 and has been known to say things like "not another one!!" in a loud stage whisper on occasion LOL. He gets too cold and always has to wear a hoodie or jacket because of the air conditioning. Is very slumpy in general, and always has to lean on dh or me. Or put his knees up in front of him on the seat. sigh. Major empathetic emotions flowing your way.... Kayleen

nope. not a chance. Get a 2000 honda civic with about 120,000 with your 4-5 grand instead. Much better gas mileage, and much lower & cheaper maintenance.

I would say it is both personality and habit. Had/have 2 that were/are like this. DD, now 20, (gifted, quirky) was like this early in life, but I learned to outlast her, and make her do it. Sheer force, bribery, WHATEVER works to get her past X,Y, or Z. And as a parent, you know when they can but won't vs when they simply can't and won't be able to for some time. Parents just know these things. I was not above discipline/withholding privilege etc. until said child had at least made genuine effort with good intent, or had succeeded. This child is now VERY persistent and determined. Engineering major at college. DS 14 has been like this since day one. Gifted and even quirkier (possibly mild adhd/AS). I use same tactics. Musically very gifted, but he would have quit piano LOOOOONG ago if I had let him. I see glimmers of hope occasionally, but for him, success breeds success. If you never force them to follow through, they might have no successes on which to build. For the "can't find it" problem, I began telling ds that if I went and found it, he would have to pay me X amt for doing the work for him. He didn't like that too much. I'll tell you though, if they are used to you letting them just quit stuff, they will fight tooth and nail when you first seriously start making them. I had lots of mantras LOL. Lets see..... "It's not perfection, but direction" "I don't expect you to do it perfectly, but I do expect you to do your best", any version of "you aren't allowed to quit" "we don't quit" etc. "You need to practice doing Z, X number of times before we: leave the park, have dessert, play with friends, whatever...and if you refuse, then the next time we do X(easy fun activity), you must do twice as many practices before you participate, or you can just sit in time out (I know, mean mom for sure)". as my mom wisely told me: every child has his price. For me, this is a "hill to die on" issue. I do not want kids that grow up needing therapy (LOL) because they had a mother that expected perfection, but I will do my best to not let them be a quitter on my watch. If, when they are grown, they wish to be a quitter, fine. It's their life. But it won't be my fault. And, as always, use your good instincts in discerning can't vs won't. Sometimes the line is very fine for 2e kids.

Yes!! That would be a very nice thing. I find myself flopping around back and forth between the acc and ld board a lot. Not that I still wouldn't if there were a 2e board, but 2e-s are their own special breed.

What about the Editor in Chief cd's from The Critical Thinking Co. ? They would do what you are looking for. http://www.criticalthinking.com/series/097/index_c.jsp

Well, there isn't one. Everybody has different ideas about what constitutes "best", and good luck finding any statistics on what might remotely be considered "most popular" LOL :o). However, if you give us an idea of what is important to *you* in a middle school curriculum (are you thinking textbooks, literature approach, ?...what floats your boat?). Now, that said, I'll throw out some well knowns in different categories. Textbook approach: Bob Jones & Abeka. Bob Jones is probably better. Literature approach: Sonlight, My Father's World, Winter Promise, Tapestry of Grace Classical: WTM, Veritas Press, Memoria Press lean calvinist; Seaton, Kolbe Academy lean Catholic Textbook/worktext: School of Tomorrow, Alpha Omega, Christian Light (each subject has workbooks to go through) caviat: this is a brief and not even close to comprehensive list. HTH, Kayleen

my son was later than most. He really didn't kick in till almost 14. His birthday is in Oct., and he's probably grown 6 in since he turned 14, his voice changed, and he has his moustache :o). Definitely wierd. He was just small for so long. Now he's taller than everyone but his oldest sister, and he'll pass her up pretty soon.

Sounds a bit impersonal to me. I'm just very thankful for my wonderful "umbrella school" or PSP here in So Cal. My dd just graduated Fri night, and they have a very nice graduation/promotion every year. There are loads of activities/sports/co-op classes, so all the kids have known each other for a long time. There is a priority when the kids get to Jr. High of encouraging them to do things with their class, making friends etc. It was a beautiful ceremony. There were 9 in her graduating class. It varies each year. Last year there were a whopping 23!!! That was a big class though. I don't know if I'd bother with the ceremony if were just for walking the aisle, wearing the cap and gown.

Really? No fun and games at ALL with the hard stuff? No m&m's for right answers, pretty stickers, slap/clap math drills? No donut shop school??????? You need to lighten up a little :o). You can learn to be playful with the hard stuff, too. If you are spending that much time prepping, spend some of it prepping for playfulness. JMO.

well, fwiw we got a used 03 Honda van with around 70 000 miles on it a few years ago for about 11000. I would think you could certainly get something good and used for under 20. We love our honda, though.

Question about Imacs....I don't see the cost of any of their classes. Do any of you know what their tuition is like?

absolutely still a little boy. No question.

I have 2 strategies I use. The first is just to mentally break the task down. And believe me, I get overwhelmed very easily. After awhile, I just don't "see" the clutter because I just can't process it. I have to deliberately make myself assess. Anyway, I break the task down. 1 task. Like the kitchen counters that are covered with stuff & crumbs. I say, ok, I'm going to put away stuff from left to right. So I start with one 1ft sq approx area on the L and (only) put away whats there. Then I move to the next square. etc. The other strategy I use is the timer method. I'll set the timer for 5-10-15 min..whatever, and clean for that amount of time in one room. Doing whatever I choose to do. Anything. When the timer rings, go to a different room, rinse repeat. When I've done 2 or 3 rooms, take a break. The biggest thing for we-that-are-easily-overwhelmed is to know how to start.

ITA. I make my kids wait till 18. I know...torture. I am sort of relenting, tho. My middle dd will be 18 in 1.5 wks, and graduates next Friday. She was mercilessly hacking my fb page this week, so in desperation, I cut her loose ;o). I'm sure all her friends are relieved. She got her account last night, and I woke up this morning to her friend request on my fb, with the notation that she already had like 75 friends LOL! Talk about speedy networking :o). Not all teen friends, though. Mix of family, family friends, and other friends. I'm not worried about her in the least. But I made her wait darn it.....oh and how she begged and pleaded at age 16!! I was the worst mom in the world. No regrets here :o). Even with the occasional hack LOL.

Ha! reminds me of back when my girls were little, and we were in a little co-op of friends at church, and someone got crayons at the dollar store. It was a hot day, and the crayons were literally bending as the kids tried to use them LOL. We laughed so hard that day :o). That larned us fersure.

yeah, me too. Also by their titles. I hate that I do this, though. There are books I have read as an adult that I passed over for so long earlier in life because The cover/title just didn't do it for me. And they turn out to be amazing books. Enter my kindle. One reason I love it is because I can read a book non judgmentally. I'm not stressed because of how thick it is, or by any expectations based on the cover artwork or anything. It's been a very good experience.

Yes, get the mac. I have your very same kids, and using bootcamp and partitioning your mac is not a problem. My kids routinely play their windows games on "the dark side" lol :o). You can both be happy. honest.