Testing was helpful to us to a point (and maybe just a bad allergist). We just got sent to a dietitian (all through the same insurance, so she had access to all the same test results) and (crossing fingers) so far her recommendations have been more helpful. What the allergist said was o.k. to eat, she said to eliminate. I think it was partly a difference in perspective, the allergist was looking at keeping DS alive and the dietitian was looking at that he was still sick. Personally, I don't think I could have done it on my own; it was all too overwhelming. But, if you've walked this road before, you may have better results.

DS does a homeschool PE class once a week; he really enjoys it and the kids mostly go to the park and play afterwards. He also started hockey this year (which might not be your DD's thing but you never know) but the key thing was we live in an area where it's not that popular so starting at 10 wasn't weird. Because he's just starting, it's totally non-competitive still. Can you look for something like that, where it's not unusual for kids in your area to start older. Pretty much most other sports here are already competitive at his age. The other things I can think of (but he wasn't interested in) are swim team and martial arts. Good luck.

I don't really know how it stacks up compared to others. It covers the topics I consider necessary for a Pre-Algebra. DS is not a math lover, so a format I can work with to teach him and isn't discovery method, because that would flip him out. Sorry I can't be more help.

They own one and use it for teen nights, but it's not set up n the library. Kids (and adults) use the computers for gaming though.

I think I'm a third? It's kind of hard to tell with the jumping around. I find that the nights I have a glass of wine (2 since I started), I'm relaxed and get a good chunk read. And the nights I don't, I get distracted by all the references I don't know, and the fact that all the chapters I'm not reading are a paragraph, and how come "my" chapters are long, and why do people keep changing names anyway, and on and on by little details and I put it down. So, the solution is obviously more wine :-)

Oh, some of the word problems are decidedly of a college theme. I haven't found anything that bothers me, but buyer beware. Most have to do with the cost of college, one I remember had to do with how fast a gun could shoot (which DS would love), there are many real world examples with the information cited from newspapers. Personally, I find it more interesting than two trains coming at you, but it's another bit of info to throw in the pot.

I don't know if you are still interested in this. However, just today I went to the site to print individual pages because I wanted to work outside in the sun and I hate working off the iPad in the sun - anyway - they have errata for each chapter on the site. Duh! So I bet Memoria Press does have a corrected copy. And now I can as well :-).

My BIL had something similar and it was an infection. Hope he's better soon!

DS has anxiety, not nearly what you're describing, still talking can sometimes help and sometimes spiral things out of control. You will learn when to set limits; it feels harsh but just, "we're not talking about this anymore, I love you" for DS he then has exercises he does from therapy. You won't always get it right and try to be kind to yourself, Therapy has been extremely helpful for him, finding the right therapist was vital. The office works with psychiatrists, so he was evaluated, and if things had progressed, medication was an option, but it was deemed not necessary now for his anxiety.

Most people who are allergic to soy can have soy lecithin (which is what is in everything). Here's a link about soy allergies from the Mayo Clinic. There's one sentence about it towards the bottom http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/soy_allergies/hic_soy_allergy.aspx .

I enjoyed The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, enough that it caused me to randomly pick up a couple of his other books when I see them at the library. It's still my favorite that I've read of his, although you never know, so I'll keep picking them up :-).

I'm looking for a nutrition curriculum. DS is extremely frustrated by his allergies, and having to go on yet (another) elimination diet. He thought it would be good to learn more about nutrition, and especially if there was information about allergies. Thanks!

I had this exact situation in high school, where I got and A and my comment was I needed to work harder. My attitude was, 'then make the class harder.' Sorry, I know it's not much help to you. I'm mostly commiserating, now that I see it from a parent's perspective.

Plan for success, but I don't know what that would look like in your house. When DS was that age, I filled him a snack basket each day. The first day, I think he ate all the snacks at once. He learned to space them out. I tend to make one food on the weekend - pancakes, breakfast cookies, whatever - to freeze and have for the rest of the week. DS knows those are the breakfast foods he can re-heat and eat. Some mornings I do get up and make eggs, but there's always something in the freezer easy and not too messy. I can hear your frustration and I get it, DS is strong willed as well. But if you can find a way not to make it rule based, but instead, a routine, you can teach him more independence without fighting (ultimately what you both want - and I won't promise no fighting - if anyone can promise that, I'm all ears ;) ). I don't know if you've read Hold on to Your Kids; I recommend it. I was strong willed as a child as well. My mom told me you cannot control what goes into or comes out of your child's mouth - you just can't if they want the control, because they are in control of their bodies. You have to hold their hearts. Hugs.

Personally, I think the logical consequence for not liking your dinner is to politely ask to get something else himself. You and he should work out ahead of time what would be appropriate dinners that he is capable of making (PB&J, soup he can heat up, cold cereal, whatever it would be at your house). You had a domino series that could have been cut off at the beginning IMO. My DS's behavior always cascades if he is hungry, so in this house that would have been setting him up to fail. It took a lot of practicing for him to go from "I don't like this," to "May I please get myself something else?" A lot of people would disagree with me, so feel free to disregard.

The hopscotch order - my only wish is that is was on kindle because there is a lot I would be looking up if it was. I suppose by just reading it I'm getting a different experience. I hope that I have enough time before it's due to the library to read it both ways. Of course, the second time should be faster.

Yes, DS was like that. He seems to have grown out of it and now poor behavior is more related to sleep and sickness (and less common). I don't remember when it stopped, just kind of a gradual thing.

I'm going to have to miss my book club :-( . I do so rarely, but DS and I are going to visit my sister out of state and then right when we ge out of state, DH is going out of state, and then right when he gets back is my boom club meeting. It's all too much. I'll try to summarize my thoughts intelligently for you. I do we'll at my book club where it's a conversation; I feel so stupid on the boards "it was interesting." It is not for anyone who feels that homeschooling is a sacred cow (not me), but I think homeschooling was used well in the book. I'm the only homeschooler in my book clubs so I think I could have provided an interesting perspective from that angle, but, oh well. FWIW, the kids were kind of state homeschooled, mostly unschooled. The idea that their unique-ness could not survive inside of school/mainland society was definitely a theme. There are lots of references to/parallels with mythology, which since we are steeped in mythology here, I enjoyed. I found the ending sad, but realistic. The book played with magical realism throughout and ended on a realistic note - it was part of the crashing of cultures - mainland vs island. For an easy read, I found a lot to think about/ talk about. DS is asking to see Oz as well, so I'm glad for the review too. And I ended up getting Hopscotch today and so far, I am loving it! Edited for typos - stupid iPad

We do 4 weeks on, 1 week off (approximately, sometimes more, never less, in the summer, he gets Fridays off, because DH works 4 10s, so he goes longer). We have tried lots of different schedules and come back to this one a few times. He does not do well with long breaks, I don't find any trouble after only a week switching back to school again, and it's a short enough time that usually I can plan appointments and stuff around break.

I am still listening to Wild: Lost and Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. The connector that connects my headphones to my laptop broke, so I can only listen to it through the speakers, so it's going more slowly. I have to be alone, which isn't all that common. I finished #15 Swamplandia this week. Hopscotch is waiting for me at the library. I'll pick it up on Thursday and I think I'm going to read it hopscotch style, but I'll decide for sure once I have it. In the meantime, I'll read a few more chapters on some non-fictions I have going.

Thank you for this information - about Allegra. DS is very sensitive to medicines (well, and food additives, and being allergic for food and environmental things, somedays it seems everything LOL), but I have LNG said he acts very crabby on all allergy meds except Allegra and his pediatrician acted like I was nuts. He also uses the eye drops; it's our first choice and seems to work well.

I finished Swamplandia (#15) for my book club. It was interesting; I think it will be good for discussion.

DS hates toothpaste. His dentist said to have hm brush by dipping his brush into mouthwash. I can't imagine she would eat that.

You're on a plane/ship/train/car whatever - the glass is always plate glass, because no one ever uses safety glass in a vehicle.

LOL, thanks. It should have emphasized how surprised I was a little bit more. I think helping him when he asks for it and making a schedule so he doesn't fall behind and get overwhelmed at the end would both be reasonable. I think it's a great time to learn how to break a large project into small deadlines. It also will let you (and me :-) ) know if things go south before too much time goes by. Good luck!