This is an AMAZING idea! THank you!

We take them daily but mainly because we live in a petri dish. Seriously. :) I get them at Costco because it is the only place I've ever found them here. So my choice is limited to one. And Costco is an 80km one way trip. Do research - when I was looking into them I found that many studies have been done which show that the probiotics people purchase sometimes have absolutely NO bacteria at all int hem! I also took the Trader Joe's brand until we ran out of supply (we'd purchased it in the US).

Another way to explain the variable issue is that you want the unknowns and the knowns grouped. You have the equation with two unknowns (3x and x) and knowns (-10 and 90). So group the unknowns (90-10) and group the knowns (3x+x) together. But 4x=80 has STILL not grouped the knowns and unknowns - you still have a known (4) over with an unknown (x). So group it with the other known (80). Which leaves you with x=20.

My 12yo started Math 7 of Teaching Textbooks this September and it was his first exposure to formal math. He had never heard of the multiplication tables before. My 14yo did the same. I got Timez Attack for the 14yo but he really has no interest in learning the times tables. I told him that there really is no reason to go past lesson 14 until he gets those down, but it was up to him but I worried he'd get really frustrated. The 12yo has memorized his times tables in this way. Once he was introduced to formal multiplication (obviously in the course of his life the idea of multiplication has come up, but it has always been in the context of real life and never a math problem) he explored it and we talked about the times tables. I kind of hovered and when I saw he was getting frustrated I introduced the concept of times tables. he was completely overwhelmed and said he'd NEVER memorize them. I told him that I thought he could memorize them in a month and he clearly did not believe me. We stopped the TT for a week and did just times stuff - we explored options and he decided he'd rather fill in charts on paper. So we started with 1's (very easy and instant esteem booster) and then 10's and then 2's and then delved into all of them. Ocassionally in the evening I'd go through multiples of a number (like 4x6, 2x12, 8x3, etc. all with the same product) or (3x3, 5x5, 7x7 etc.) and before we knew it he was there. This week he is finishing up 7 and 12 and has mastered the rest. I think the key for him was involving him in the concept and the method. Now the 14yo does not know his times tables at all but he is one who has to experience defeat after defeat and then he'll find a way around the problem that is something I never considered so I will just keep an eye to offer a helping hand if necessary. If you've been doing a lot of math, how about a math break? If you're going to drill, how about in the car (and only like 5 at a time) or at dinner or something out of the norm and keep the drills small so she experiences a good degree of success?

I've been using Garrison Keillor's The Writer's Almanac for copywork, reading of poetry and history of different writers/authors/poets. Some of the stuff might be more high-school aged, but I haven't found anything inappropriate (but I am probably WAY more liberal than msot). I get an email daily and it couldn't be easier.

Well, never "nothing". I always have at least a thong on.

Unless I've made MacnCheese or Pizza, I always have enough meals to meet the tastes of the kids. If I were the one who received the meals, I'd certainly appreciate the time and trouble the meal-maker had gone to to make me a meal I would appreciate. And if I am feeling taken for granted I simply have a talk with the kids and let me know how I'm feeling and they are certain (at least one of the four :)) to let me know I'm appreciated at the next meal. If there is a person who does not like any of the available meals there is always homemade bread and organic peanut butter. PB is something of a delicacy here as we only get it when prople bring it to us in carryon luggage. This attitude has become much easier for me once I realized that I am very allergic to any (even trace) dairy. So anytime any dairy is used in a meal I have to make myself something separate. As such, I'm usually already making at least 2 dishes a meal.

It is amazing how colored by perception we all are. I voted, "not at all" because i've never read the book (it is on the list of books to get from the US) and according to most of you all we probably "unschool" though I call it "homeschooling" due to my gentle encouragement of academia (which IMO is very much NOT unschooling). :) But looking at your list, I identify with Three distinct developmental stages (I understand the concept but don't know how this is established formally in homeschooling) Chronological history (yup; finished World History and starting Ancients this year but the boys and I keep getting distracted by WWII as we're finishing Japan and China right now) Studying literature in its historical context (nope; don't formally study literature) Making Great Books the backbone of the student's reading (oh yes, definitely) Heavy emphasis on written work - copywork, dictation, outlining, reports (ok, we just do copywork and dictation, so very light empahsis) A rigorous, liberal-arts curriculum (not rigorous at all) In general, a "parts-to-whole" approach (not sure what this means) Studying Latin (my 14yo and I are doing that this year) Studying a modern foreign language (we live in Mexico and I teach the kids Spanish ala OPOL) A reading and inqury-based approach to science Formal teaching of logic and rhetoric (I'm planning on this with the boys later this year) Lots of memorization in the grammar stage (nope, don't do this at all but the girls kind of do it naturally) So even though I voted "not at all" it looks like it would be more than that...

Bienvenidos y saludos desde Mexico!

I missed on the president (guessed at Filmore) and US Rep term (thought it was 6 years - that is the Mexican term...) I'm giving myself a pass on the Representative term as I've been an ex-pat for years. It galls me that those old farts beat me by one. :) Now, can someone explain to me why the caption for the white man said (paraphrasing) "got 8 out of 10" and the black man said "struggles to remember" when both got 8/10? Just for kicks, here are Mexico's 100 questions http://www.sre.gob.mx/tramites/nacionalidad/guia_estudio.pdf and a sample... 1. Name ten Mexican states and their capitals 2. Who or what was Quetzalcoatl? 3. Name 3 ex-presidents of Mexico 4. What is the official name of Mexico? 5. Who was Francisco Villa? 6. Name 3 heroes of the Independence of Mexico 7. Name 2 Aztec emperors 8. Name the place where Hidalgo made his famous "El Grito" speech on September 16, 1810 9. State the names of the writers of the lyrics and music of the Mexican national anthem. 10. How many peninsulas are there in Mexico?

My 12yo is really blooming but it might be a shift to homeschooling from unschooling that did it as my 14yo is going backwards. I realized my (always advanced) 14yo just really needs to radically unschool but my 12yo really enjoys the structure of homeschooling. He learned to read at 10 (I would not have changed that for anything - I always tried to encourage him but he just was Not Ready and I think that structured homeschooling - reading instruction - would have been hurtful to him) but really never read for pleasure. He now will stay up to 2am reading books from Sonlight Core 5. He has been attacking formal mathematics (learned his timestables in less than a month with nothing but encouragement - no coercion - on my part) and has surpassed his 14yo brother in that arena. We are doing the Writer's Jungle approach to LA and both boys are really enjoying that. He is really just shining and blooming and it is lovely to see. now I just really have to back off my 14yo and have faith that he'll find what he needs in his own time and manner. He keeps proving it to me - recognizing stuff I'm reading (whether about digestion or the war between China and Japan) that he's discovered in some other obscure manner. (last night he claimed that he knew about the 4 tongue taste sensations (bitter, sour, sweet, salty) from Runescape. :))

Did the dollar tank earlier - like a month ago? Here in Mexico the dollar tanked to around 9.5 pesos/dollar after holding pretty steady in the 10.5+/dollar this past year. It has climbed back up and I totally don't understand it either. How the dollar could have rebounded (and I'm glad for it as our savings is in dollars) with the economic crisis, I honestly do not understand.

Personally, I appreciate the information my child has given me and use it as a stepping stone to communication, discussion and connection. My kids have pointed out many things to me that I was blind to and I appreciate their desire to help me be the best I can be. They are amazingly respectful beings. I think they get it from modeling. When I am respectful to them, they learn how that feels and when I am not respectful to them they learn how that feels. When I place more importance on being respectful (and as such, they experience much more respect than disrespect) they learn the advantage of respect and will reflect it back. I see it in the same light as parents who hit their kids to "teach" them not to hit a sibling. Can't find the logic there. Same with respect.

Halloween in Mexico is very different from Halloween in the US. In the tourist areas it is becoming more like the US though, and last year, for the first time, we saw costumes in Cancun stores. If we're in the US for Halloween we definitely let the kids go out but here we celebrate Day of the Dead. Oh, and this was to explain my Other vote.

We live in the steamy tropics and would never consider a dryer. We have 100% humidity every night and 64% feels like a desert. I honestly thought that deserts must be around 40% humidity as we were all getting chapped lips when it dropped into the 60's recently. We wash 2 loads a day and they are always dry by the end of the day. Many times I'll hang them up well after dark (if the bats aren't in season) and they'll be dry by mid day. But we get HOT sun here.

I admit to getting very nervous and we are not only debt free but we are paid on rent and utilities for the next 4 years. Basically, all I have to do is feed the family with savings if all fails. But we have a good amount of money in a CD at Countrywide. I'm really getting concerned and wanting to move it to USAA (where we do all our other banking - just couldn't help but get the 4.10 rate from Countrywide vs 3.30 at USAA so I jumped for the next 5 months). Anyone have links regarding what we should do with our savings? I'm thinking Swiss Bank or gold...

I'm the other - one.

I empathize with you. My 14yo was always my "good" reader. I have to admit that I took a certain amount of pride in his reading - like it reflected well on me. As a radical unschooler I must admit it was a kind of proof that what we were doing was *working* and *right* (for our family - I'm radical in our approach; not in thinking that our way is best for everyone). So I think I had a lot invested in his ability to read. He has been reading on a freshman college level for over a year now. His brother (12yo) started reading at 10 and while I haven't tested him, I'm pretty sure he is either at grade level (whatever it is) or just below. But he will readily take up a book and read it. So, check 2 off the list. :) The girls aren't reading but the 8yo is really really close. Ooops - she just turned 9. The 14yo has recently (last few months) just not really had the interest in reading that he used to. So at first I gently encouraged him (his is my shining star after all! :)) and briefly considered more. I recommended books and even without coercion, I'm sure he knows I'm more comfortable when he's reading. If he stopped reading right now and never read another book he'd still be "ahead" of most of his peers. But that isn't what I'm hoping for for him. So I had to stand back and figure out what is my hope for him and more importantly - what is HIS goal? I am hoping that he develops a love of reading and thirst to acquire knowledge that lasts his entire life. I am hoping he constantly challenges himself and exposes himself to different ways of life, thought, culture, etc. Forcing him or guilting him or strongly encouraging him to do something he is not interested in doing will not foster any of those desires but instead turn him off of that which he previously loved. So I read good literature to him and don't even ask what books he's read lately. And we discuss the literature and poetry and for now, that is good enough. And if I don't have time to read to him or we miss a week here or there, in the grand scheme of things, it isn't the end of the world. I hope some of our journey has been helpful to you and your daughter.

What poignant advice. I personally think that kids "act up" for a reason and it is our job to discover that reason and help the kids through it. Something very traumatic happened to me at 11 and I was in a situation where I was going to have to meet my perpetrator face to face. I just could not do it. It was in a religious setting and I refused to move or talk or go along with the procedure. My folks were absolutely STUNNED and embarrassed. I never told them the real reason until I was well into my 20's. I'm sure they saw me as a rude, rebellious and "acting up" adolescent when I was just trying to preserve what little sanity I had left. I'm guessing that most kids' reasons aren't as traumatic as mine was, but I believe there is always a reason for the "acting up" and I take it as my responsibility to help my kids through their difficulty instead of punishing them for it. I also believe that connection is the most important part of parenting.

there was a study recently that showed brands listed by lead content. I"ll see if I can't come up with something there. http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/pbvitami.html But to the herbalist - I have been giving my kids (and myself) vitamins even though we eat whole foods (whole wheat, brown rice, etc.) and little processed food because I can't get or afford organic. It just isn't an industry outside the processed food realm here. And I've read that most non-organic foods these days just don't contain the nutrient content that food should/did have. So I use supplements and even vitamins are hard to come by down here - so I use Costco. What do you think about the lack of nutrient vs. taking vitamins issue?

I'm not sure I believe in either. I don't punish because I don't see it as a respectful way to treat anyone. I wouldn't want my husband to punish me for a mistake and just the thought of further condemnation when you already know you've screwed up tells me that is right. Also, I'm not sure what kids learn when you punish them and I don't see that punishing really develops inner control. I'd rather my kids screw up a million times and develop inner guidance than screw up once but sneak around to avoid the punishment. I also don't really believe in discipline. I believe in modeling and guidance but I also do not believe in coercion. well, this will be short. the 14yo thinks his hand is broken. :)

You need an "other". We don't live in a house - we live in a palapa. :) But we're considering buying a ruin which is over 500 years old and restoring it.

I'm glad you had a good experience - mine was the opposite. My (now) 12yo and 9yo begged me to get them Headsprout as did my (now) 6yo. I got it for the 12yo - he did about 8 lessons and then dropped it - didn't want to do it anymore. I think he was about 8yo then. At 10yo he taught himself to read by playing Runescape. My 9yo begged when when she saw her brother - so she must have been 5 at the time, and I bought the package for her also. Got the sibling discount but that was the only discount. Eventually, the (now) 6yo begged to "do the Reading game" but she also has dropped it. Luckilly, I am using either my daughter (9yo) or son (12yo) account for the 6yo. I keep hoping SOMEONE will use at least ONE of the two programs I bought but I'm not holding my breath. At least Headsprout has never gone back on their lifetime account thing - i've had both accounts for 4 years now and never a peep from them about not getting further than lesson 12 (maybe - not sure how far the 12yo got before quitting). I think I'm going to try and pique an interest with the girls again. But I will draw the line at having another kid just to justify the cost of the program! :) Well, maybe not. A little one would be sweet after so many years without...

I can't imagine that anyone is interested, but I'll post just to clarify my own thoughts. For the 8yo and 6yo I have ETC 1.5 (still trying to get 1) through 8 if they ever decide they want to do it. Singapore 1A-1B (I have more, but I think they will probably do these maybe. Still need to get the WBs) a couple books lingering from Core 1+2 to finish up no idea what living history I'll get for them for Ancients. Still working on that list of books. I'll probably add Core 1 and 2 books I didn't get that are geography and history related. SOTW 1, 2 for when we start Ancients Artistic Pursuits K-3 book 1 (still in the US) For the 12yo and 14yo I have TT Math 7 Sonlight Core 5 (almost done and then we're onto Core 6) books from AO and HO for historical living books Writer's Jungle and Lively Art of Writing Artistic Pursuits K-3 book 1 (still in the US) and 4-6 book 2 History of the Ancient World (Bauer) TOPS 19 and 20 but still working out what we'll do for Science Galore Park Latin Prep 1 (not yet purchased)

I have never assigned any books to read and have 4 kids who LOVE books. The 6 and 8yo's aren't reading yet but love to have books read to them. The 12yo didn't learn to read until he was 10 and then really didn't enjoy reading and would not read on his own at all. It wasn't until we were about 1/2 way through Core 5 that he decided to pick books up on his own and now reads for enjoyment. I honestly thought that would never happen. My 14yo has always had his nose in a book until the past 6mo or so. I keep suggesting books for him (we have quite a library) and he does enjoy books either his younger brother recommends or will finish a book I start with the girls or finish a book I'm reading them. I still read aloud to the boys (otherwise, how would *I* learn anything??? :)). I'm going to totally back off him I think for a while and see what develops. So, my recommendation is to back off. Read quality literature to him and discuss it with him if you're concerned about the quality of books he's reading.