I know some people don't think you should because it is taking advantage of someone's misfortune. But, when I drive by houses that are sitting empty and getting worn down for lack of care I think if it were my house I would feel better if my house had been bought by a family who would love and care for it rather than just sitting empty and falling apart.

Good point. This happened sometimes with my son. It helped to say think about it a little we'll discuss it after lunch. Or to just sit quietly and give him time to think. Of course now he does debate and as the previuos poster said he know how to argue ...I mean debate everything! Remember it's the small steps. It won't happen overnight. Just keep plugging. I love the questions Susan Wise Bauer has to discuss after reading. They helped my son begin the deepr thinking. As well as the logic puzzles, grammar and Latin.

I think he needs to make his own decision. As long as it's not something like mono or bronchitis.

At the debate tournaments, the kids would drink several these a day to keep their energy up. And not eat because they were too busy. Drove me and the other moms crazy. But then of course the questions with highschooler is if you forbid it, then they just sneak. Try and talk about moderation, eating for energy etc, but as smart as these boys were they sure lacked common sense. Luckily my son (as far as I know) didn't drink the stuff. He's so hyper as is he doesn't need extra energy.

Truthfully...Yes!! My ds is in college now . When we homeschooled, we did occasionally(especially in the younger years before high school) take days off and just read. Now, guess what the stuff he most rememeber is? The books he read on his days off>:001_smile:

I like the idea of checklists and sitting with her. Maybe some other ideas to motivate her: If she finishes all her schoolwork she gets to pick an activity to do with mom (baking, playing game, something like that) She earns points each day. When she has enough she bets to pick out a new book. Alternate seat work with other activites. Do some seat work, then do do some craft work or other activity. You mentioned Latin as one of the things she struggles with. It is really easy to get boogged down in that. Can more of it be done orally. Or work on together. You do a sentence-then she does one. Or playing games for the memory work. We had some games we did. After my son did the book work we played a Latin game and practiced grammar recitation together. That seemed to break it up and make it more doable for him,

I use it, but I am flexible because I get tired of routine. I stick to the zones, that helps me not be on overload as what to do. Then I look at the sneak peeek for the week on Mon. I do the missions sometime during the week, not on the day assigned. Or maybe I'll pick a differant (still short) mission to do. For heavy duty I'll just do what I feel needs to be done in the room. I use the system to help me focus on a zone and keep it short. I try to do short decluttering in the area too.

No chores- he is gone all day, sometimes in the evening. or doing homework. But, I do ask him to take garbage on his way out, he helps clear dishes after dinner if he's home (unless he's buried in homework) if people are coming over and he's home he'll help. And pick up after yourself. For some reason he's forgotten how to do that, so we're working on it. Curfew- he calls if he's going to be later than 11:30 during the week. He determines his own bedtime. Attitude-better be good! In general, we all just try and be polite and curteous to one another.

I think shy kids do a lot better being homeschooled. Small groups give them a chance to build their social skills and confidence. My son was shy-people said it was because he was homeschooled. But now he is in college, has a small group of close friends, can talk to his professors and other adults with ease, and is on the debate team. I think if he'd done public it wouldn't have given him the confidence he has now. SO phooey on the naysayers!

I had a friend in this situation. She decided to try. But her dh is one with the attitude of he works at his job, the wife is responsible for everything at home. And she had 3 little ones, besides the one she was homeschooling. So she quickly became overwhelmed. I think if the dh really wants it, he should be a BIG help in it, and listen to what his wife's concerns are and see if they can work something out.

It's pretty normal I think for 13 year oldboys , or just boys, in particular to give thebare minimum acts. Most boys aren't going to go on on, ok in my family even my husband doesn't. With my son, I had to play20 questions. Even now with both hubby and son, I'll have to say " I feel like I'm dragging it out of you please tell me all" It's not lying (unless he is trying to cover up) it sounds like he just gave you what he thought were the necessary pertinent facts. He probably felt like no more was needed to say-what would that have accomlished ?

I love my EA sports active more! It is fun and challenging. THe activities have you squatting and lunging. But it doesn't feel like working out until you finish and you feel all your sore muscles. I use my Wii Fit too. It has some good exercises, but they aren't as challenges as the EA. Also, you can link up the strength to do it an row which is nice. But you can't link up the activites to make them a workout as you can in EA.

No, you don't need a car. When westayed at the Ramada Maingate we walked. It's a couple of blocks to the entrance. When we stayed at the Grand Californian it was even easier. I don't think the meal plans are worth it. As far as budget http://www.wdinfo.com has a list of the restaurant menu's and prices. That will give you a good idea of $. We brought waterbottles in and snacks. You'll probably want to include California Adventure as well as Disne;yand because the Californa has more rollercoasters. We went late September-it was a great time of year to go. On the weekend (Friday evening) it was super crowded. Many people have year round passes, and come Friday evening for parads/fireworks. Just to let you know what to expect. The rest of the time there were hardly any crowds.

At 12 I think I'd give him a shot-with requirements. He can read as long as he wants, but has to get up at the time needed, be pleasant, and not be too tired to do chores and school. I did this off and on for my son when he was 12 and up. Usually he ended up losing the privilige of staying up late after a bit because he din't meet the requirements. But he became better at it the older he was.

I let my teen sleep in until 8:30 or 9:00. He is now in college and has to be at the bus at 7:00. He doesn't have any problem getting up. He'd rather not have early classes, but he was able to make the transition. He was allowed to sleep in as long as he was able to get his work done. With him if he slept later than 9:30 it was negatively effected, and he didn't get to work until noon but still wanted to be done by 3 or 4.

I have gottenI that comment too. And the sad thing was I believed them. I felt like I could never offer advice or be proud of myself as a parent. It wasn't until just recently I realized how I had heard this and internalized it.

I bought the Wii EA sports activities more activies with my Christmas cash. I love it. Lots of fun games-that I think are a real work out. You do skiiing,obstacle courses, sprints. You're squatting, jogging, lunging. My legs were sore the next day. The Wii fit is fun too. I don't think the cardio is much of an intense workout-you could do several and make it that way-but there's no link like the EA one. I do the yoga and strength on the Wii fit and like them too. Though when I first got the Wii fit it was more of a cardio workout, so it is a good start.

No words of advice, cause I'm with you. Not only my son, but my adult (19) son expects me to plan social events too. They both asked me who I was inviting for New Year's eve. I simply laughed at my son and told him that he could have invited any of our friends and family over. What I mainly do is do what I have the energy for and not do what I don't. You'd think someone in our family would be an extrovert.

or to cook! SO maddening when I had to grab them just to read a recipe.

:lol::lol::lol:

Great post! SOmetimes those lighter interst geared courses are where they learn the most.

Congratulations! It is kind of a mixed emotion moment isn't it? I finished last spring ,but still hang out here.Hopefully you will too.

Probably not much. If they consider him a transfer (which they should if he has the fll A.A) then they will pay more attention to grades. If he ends up not getting the full 2 years dredit they will probably pay more attention

I agreed with many of the article's points. But I don't think it explained the drop in knowledge between elementary and middle school. I think science centers/ science shows/ and museums are fantastic. But we need how to apply science to real life. I love all the explainations that aithmanor said her family was doing. Helping students apply knowledge they've learned to things they want to know in real life is one of the keys. Susan Wise Bauer suggested having a student think up their own project(something they have a hypothesis about) and do they experiment on their own . I think this would be super. If your kid is interested without a formal schol requirement(learning to make sheep formula example) great I would give them the time to do it.