Is there a little light that tells them it's clean? My kids know if the light is on, the dishes are clean and had better be emptied, pronto! Or...hmmm.....do you run it at a normal (scheduled) time? We run ours every night, so in the morning they're always clean. Well....that's the theory, anyway. :)

Wow, this sounds very much like my son. He doesn't have the issues you've listed, but he is ADD and was a fetal-alcohol baby. He describes his brain fog as too much noise in his head, kind of like static or too much input. Other than meds, the only thing we've found so far that helps is a shot of espresso. This was working for a while, but over time it seemed to build up and didn't allow him to get a good night's sleep (even if he only had coffee first thing in the morning). When he has caffeine, he says it "quiets" his brain and he can think properly. FWIW, we resisted meds for a long time, but now a very low dose of Adderall is helping. I hope to find another solution though, and would be interested in hearing stories of natural methods (we already take Omegas).

4th & 5th grade: RS4K and Exploration Education

4th & 5th graders: IEW Ancient History and TOG Write Aid

I school year-round, so I am always planning since my kids finish their subjects at different times throughout the year. We just immediately move into the next book. Many subjects, like grammar & math, don't require me to plan--I order the next book. I happen to be doing a lot of planning right now, because coincidentally we are finishing up history, grammar, math, Latin, & science by the end of February. We will be starting our new year in those subjects at the end of March. Plus, we're starting TOG for the first time and that is taking a lot of planning. Luckily, planning is one of my favorite parts of homeschooling. ;)

When my dd was starting Latin (3 years ago), we used Latin for Children and loved it. But you may have the same problem--lots of memorization at first with little translation. For younger kids (less than 10) I think it's a good way to go--we learned so much vocab that translating now is not that difficult. My dd is now 10, and we're finishing up Latin Prep Book 1. If your kids are 10 or older, I would suggest using Latin Prep from the start. It moves quickly, but there is a lot of translating right off the bat. I just stop and make sure we have all the vocab memorized before moving onto the next chapter. FWIW, if Lively Latin had been available when my dd started Latin, I'd have used it. I'm starting my son on it in March, and just by looking at it online he is very excited, and I think it'll be a good fit.

My 10yodd is currently reading Inkspell, Sing Down the Moon (again), & one of her Horrible Science books (again). My 10yods is reading the 2nd Harry Potter book, his Animal book (encyclopedia type), and Gone Away Lake.

Jenne, Boy can I relate to this! We are overseas right now, and my dh had to fly back to the States for 12 days. We're used to him traveling, but it's been a while since he's been gone for so long. I don't like being a single parent! I finally had to set some serious rules about following me around this apartment--when I am in the bathroom, stay OUT for crying out loud!! Hang in there, and here's a virtual {{hug}} for you. We can survive!! :)

Never mind! I found it--under "User Settings" it's in "User Profile".

GothicGyrl, help! When I click on "user settings", I don't see a place to click on "Find all posts by" OR "Find all threads started by". I may be lame, but I've looked at every inch of that "user setting" screen. :confused:

We used SOTW and the AG for 1st grade, and it was wonderful. I didn't test, although I did do one narration a week (I just chose one of the sections). Here's our schedule: Monday - read section 1, and do map work as applicable Tuesday - read section 2, & do map work (narrate either Monday or Tuesday) Wednesday - Read library books (extras that are listed in the AG) Thursday - Project out of AG We only schooled 4 days a week in the early days. HTH!

Hey, that's what *I* was going to say. Well, only I was going to switch it to vodka. Or rum if the drink isn't too sweet. Or gin & tonic. Or wine. Ummmm, really, that's it. :p

Boy or girl? My 10yodd loves to read Inkheart series, Warrior series, Horrible Science, the Hobbit (she's tried but not yet ready to read LOTR), and many more. She always has 2-3 books going at once. What level is your dc reading? What interests? Does s/he prefer fiction or nonfiction?

Ginger, have you tried the Magic Tree House Reference Guides? When my dd was 7 and 8, she preferred them over the stories. But she tends to enjoy nonfiction better than fiction, so maybe it was just a better fit. You could get one from your library and see what he thinks.

TOG Write Aid, R&S Grammar, IEW Ancient History Writing

10yo dd is finishing up Latin Prep 1, and has also used LFC A and B. 10yods will be starting Lively Latin next month--he can't wait!