You can't keep life from interfering in school. I've been homeschooling 9 years and life has always interfered. Today, we have a snow day here. It rarely snows here period much less in Spring. But the kids are making snowmen and clamoring for hot chocolate. That is more important right now. This afternoon I'll have them do a lesson in math each. I try to keep certain school hours sacred. I don't answer the phone during this time. That means that my house isn't always spotless (its usually an hour away from extremely tidy at all times). In 365 days a year, a child can get a good education. We work far into summer most years and it probably won't get any better since we are entering high school. The great thing about life interfering is being able to model real life skills to kids. When grandma is sick we deal with it. We also try to do our core work during this time. Just like I have to throw a load of laundry in and do dishes. I've had so many crises happen and my kids are still doing great. If you see a particular weakness then make that a priority. Make sure you are homeschooling in a way that benefits your kids and you and not following someone else's paradigm of what homeschooling should be. Homeschooling isn't easy but it is so worth it even when it seems like its one step forward, two steps back. I think we forget often that its normal for kids developmentally and even for adults to learn in spurts. Its not always streamlined and neat. Anyway, I haven't read the other posts and my kids are bugging me to see their snow designs. I hope I've helped a little.

They wanted the kids in public school so that any abuse could be documented. Yes, two of the older kids are in foster care. There are only 2 kids at home that are school age. I'd link the court documentation of the abuse but it looks like CA pulled it. I wish I had copied it to show you. I am extremely pro-homeschooling but if I were the judge I wouldn't let these people homeschool based on court records of abuse. BTW, the father isn't living at home. He's not allowed.

I love this. Too bad parents that are the worst offenders probably wouldn't get it.

Wow. That's a good price. Hitmen are usually so much more expensive. LOL!

Yes, there was specific abuse of the older kids, two of which are in foster care. From the documentation I have read on this family I don't think they should homeschool. The father is dominating and abusive. The mother is a silent partner to it.

I had a dentist scream at me when his hands were shoved in my mouth pulling out a cracked tooth from a failed root canal. He caused me a dental phobia. I couldn't see a dentist for 2 years and then that dentist had to be very gentle. I felt so bad about taking my kids to him and they told me he would get irritated with them, but they never made a big deal. I looked this guy up and he is the only dentist in my area with multiple health department judgements. Report that receptionist!

Some are wondering if "pickiness" or food issues aren't hereditary or genetic. I wish I knew. I know that no one ever, EVER planned food around me or gave me junk. I've outgrown all my pickiness but its taken years. I still cannot eat peas but I think that's it. My picky kids are already years ahead of where I was as a child and are quickly outgrowing it. Thank goodness! I was concerned that my "don't make food a battle" mantra was going to backfire on me. But its working its magic before my eyes. :)

I had a tomatoe issue, too. How wonderful that your mom understood. I would've given so much to have my parent "get" my food issues. Ah, well.

I was a picky eater, too. Certain foods and textures would cause me to gag and vomit. I'd get spanked if I did it but I still did it. I'd spend hours at the table with a huge bowl of peas in front of me. People who have never experienced eating issues think kids are spoiled that are picky. I know otherwise.

This is exactly how I handle it. I'm all about my little guests having a good time and wanting to come back. We are the fun house (as long as everyone plays nice and safe). I provide foods that are kid friendly. I'll even fix a kid a quick sandwich as an alternative. It isn't my job to teach the kids about food or manners it is their parent's job. I am modeling good manners by catering to my guests and not being sensitive.

True. But if you make course descriptions along with grades backing up your justification and noting that the child scored so high on an AP exam then you are more likely to be believed by the college that it is an honor's class. I personally don't plan on noting a class as honor's/AP unless it is through some kind of online or local class that is semi-verifiable. We may well do "honors" work but I'm not sure I'll put it on the transcript as such. We do plan on taking running start classes. I think SATs have to really back a lot of the classes and grades as well. I'm still learning a lot as I go along. :)

Don't forget you can also have your child take the AP test and there are AP books to study from as well. Those can be included in a rigorous English class and qualify as honors/AP.

Yes, it can depending on the school district. Other districts just note that it has been accomplished and don't credit it (I think that is because they also offer it in 7th). The public school program/partnership that I'm in allows all 8th graders to earn high school credit for high school work. I'd go ahead and put it on the transcript and let the colleges do with it what they will. Have you thought about how you want to create your transcipt? Are you saving tests and papers to show a prospective selective college? They may not ask but having documentation to back up mommy grades can only be a good thing.

I just posted below. But yes, all the school districts I know do this. Its usually Alg. 1 & WA state history though.

Unless you are with a public school program then I would say only Algebra 1 & WA State History. Look at your local school district as well. We are using a ps program and my ds will have 2 credits on his transcript from the school district this year. He is an 8th grader.

Oldest computer engineer or other kind of engineering, next nurse or singer, and the last two want to be artists and never leave home.

I'm sorry. Is your anniversary today? Mine was yesterday and we are all deathly sick. Sometimes anniversaries stink. Can you make it up another day? We are hoping to celebrate next weekend instead.

For me, more accidents requiring the ER have happened outside. I want to narrow down the possibility that one of my kids will be severely hurt while I'm gone. I don't leave my kids alone more than 2-3 hours on average anyway.

No. My dh will take the well kids and I'll stay home with the sick ones. We've all been sick so much lately that we've hardly attended since the new year. Yeah, it stinks but its a year for illness.

If its really self-esteem then I'd help him find something he's good at and experience success with it or personal fulfillment. He's still kind of young and part of this is maturity as well. Also, discover what his love language is and try to meet his love need. Lastly, get him into an exercise program or health program to maintain his weight while he grows. He doesn't need to know why. He just needs to move, move, move. Its likely he's overweight in part because he will grow tall eventually but until then he needs to atleast maintain his weight. If you care about his self-esteem I'd make his weight/health/activity level high on your priority list for him. Overweight kids have very low-selfesteem and frequently have a hard time ever getting over it. I have a dd that has a low-metabolism and was a little overweight for years. I put her into a homeschool pe program and we talked a lot about health and nutrition - not weightloss. She exercises every day as do her skinny sibs. She's normal weight now. Had I not taken this route I know she'd be heading in the wrong direction now. And you don't want a heavy preteen/teen. Take steps now and you'll make a huge difference in his life.

I hafta drink dh's brand.... uck.

Sorry! *wiping the drool off my chin*

You are a very big person Ferdie. That would be hard for me to hear and not be upset about. I hope that you have many successes and joys with your boy. You sound like a great mom.

Yep, a UTI. Eh, ignore the young chit. Its better to not encourage a bad peeing habit and I hate cat pee all over. Has your boy had a UTI before?

LOL, its way too icky. But oh, how better I feel. Zzzzzzzzzz.