Thanks for the help. I'm sorry if I was unclear. I'm trying to figure out if the the local state U is $12,000/year (non-resident) how much of that would the we need to pay based on our income? For example, I can locate online mortgage calculators. Plug in the numbers, and that's what you pay for your house/mortage/interest. Is it not that simple with college costs?

Could someone recommend an online financial aid calculator? I'm wondering if it's possible to put in our income and the cost of the local State U and get an estimate? I know it won't be exact but I'm trying to figure out a ballpark figure. Thanks!

Thanks for some ideas. Lunch is 20 minutes. There is one 90 minutes study hall every other day. At freshmen orientation, the parents were told to expect a minimum of 2 hours of homework a night. Friday homework is due Monday or Tuesday depending on the class. There are 30 Algebra problems a night at 2 minutes a problem that's an hour of homework in one subject. And no, I haven't yet fleshed out what "unsupportive" means.

My oldest has chosen to go to public high school for the first time this year. He's in a great district and he likes the whole experience. My child mentioned to dh that I'm not supportive of his choice. Sigh. I don't want to damage my relationship with my child. However, dh works a lot of hours so he's not aware of the changes. My kid is gone from 6:30-3:00. He walks in the house, gets a snack and gets started on homework. Usually he works til 9 or 10 on homework. Plus homework on the weekends. I cannot figure out how to fit in any bonding time with this kid. Local PS parents have told me that to carry all Honors or AP classes their kids have stopped doing chores, running errands, or spending time as a family. I get the feeling that this is just the way it is for most families in my area and that it's me that out of sync. If you've BTDT could you make some suggestions.

My grandparents had two bio kids and then adopted my dad as an infant. I was told this by my mother during the "birds&bees" talk. And it was never really discussed again. His bio siblings all comment on how he looks just them, etc, etc. Here's the thing, I have a unique feature that clearly must have come from his biological parents. My sibs don't have this feature and none of our kids have this feature. I was never curious about this feature until I started have my own kids. I would love to know who I share this feature with but since my dad has never been curious about his adoption, I didn't think it was ok for me to going looking for his bio family. So I don't have any answers to how to speak to your son, but I just wanted you to know that as a child of an adoptee I have wondered a bit.

The only thing I can contribute is that we know a family who didn't address it when the child was younger. Now at the middle school years, the ortho won't put braces on until the child stops. So it's probably good to get some help now.

Tonight's Boy Scout meeting was an entire meeting devoted to Board of Reviews. My son has all the requirements for Second Class signed off in his book. He asked for a Board of Review tonight. He was told that he couldn't have a BOR because the Troop computer didn't have all the requirements entered into the computer. The last requirement was signed the first week of May. The leader that signed his book in May didn't enter the info into the computer. Please tell me where in BSA materials that the Troop computer overrides the signatures in his book.

Does anyone know how to find out what the House & Senate are voting on next? I've done a tons of searches but I must not be using the correct words. Ideally, I'd like to find an easy to understand issue for the kids to follow. (Political party doesn't matter.) Thanks

I feel the mom needs to be encouraged to push through. It sets a tone for their relationship that the daughter can tell her anything and that the mom will protect her.

If you or someone you know works for GateHouse Media I have a question? Could you tell me what has happened to current employees when GateHouse purchases a newspaper? All I can seem to find is that the employees are laid off and then have to reapply? Is this correct? Thanks!

I have an 8th grader that has been bitten by the Lego Robotics bug. He's been on a FLL middle school team. However, there aren't any high school teams in our area. I know one suggestion would be to start a high school team. I also suspect that he needs to have a good math and science education. What else should he focus on during high school? Does anyone know of any distance learning classes that focus on Robotics? Has anyone else had a student head in this direction? Thanks for the suggestions.

My friend lost her sister to br**st cancer last year. The sister left behind a husband and a young son. I strong suspect that my friend has been diagnosed with br**st cancer and is doing radiation. She has a dh and young son. When she chooses to tell me what is the very first thing that I should say? Thanks for the advice.

You are probably looking for someone that has wirecutters. Anyone you could borrow from?

Wow! You guys are good! Thanks so much. There are lots of questions I would have not thought to ask.

My 8th grader has always been homeschooled. The local public high school has an open house night this fall for interested 8th grade students. We're on the fence about homeschooling high school. This school scores well on the state tests and offers AP classes. What questions should I ask at open house? Thanks!

My cycle returned between 12-15 mos. for each child. So I did conceive while nursing but it was not unexpected.

I have a friend who is convinced her 12 yr old son knows absolutly nothing about the topic because he's never asked the parents any questions. Well, he's getting his very inaccurate information from somewhere because he keeps telling my kids how things work. And my kids keep correcting him. I have gently suggested to the parents that they should speak to him but they think that it's too soon. My kids have been given accurate information at home and somtimes they still need clarification after the 12 yr old has told them some confusing details. :tongue_smilie:

My neighborhood backs up property that boards horses. I make my kids stay on the road when we walk near the property. However, when we walk on that street the horses coming running down to the fecne near the road. I suspect that they do that because people feed the horses. There are signs that signs that say, "Do not feed" and "Do not touch" and there is electric fence. I don't have any additional ideas but dh's buddy had the same problem with his cows. So I'm sending you my sympathy.

Is there a hall that you could use or rent? ex:church, vfw, etc

walk around without a shirt :)

We have neighbor kids watch the dog when we're gone. But I know the mom well enough to know that she views it as a job. It's an opportunity to give the kids some responsibility and money. We ask the kids directly and they choose if they want to work for us. They are from a family that the kids have regular chores and understand the meaning of work. We also only aim for them to watch the dog 3 days and we ask that they come over twice a day. I think he was 10 when we first started to dog sit.

Have you looked into dental schools? They tend to be cheaper and some take insurance.

I would suggest to really look at what dd is saying or doing to him. He didn't just wake up one day and start hitting her. My guess is she's creating part of the problem when you aren't looking or listening.

A friend lost her baby and delivered a stillborn at 39 weeks. She has family support right now. I'll travel 3 hrs. to her for the service. What could I do, buy, send, that would help? I know what not to say but is there anything I should say? Any suggestions for her husband and preschooler would also be welcome. Thanks for all your suggestions.

I've almost always had a little so I've had to get creative. I usually play with the littles while everyone else does cursive. Then I have a big play with the littles and I work with another big. I always have a big with a toddler and at the same time I have somebody else at the kitchen table doing schoolwork. It makes for a longer day but this way I know the basics get covered. None of my littles have napped beyond 2 years, so I do understand your stress. Do you have a yard? Can you send the littles out to play a bit and school near the back door/window?