Wow, I couldn't imagine doing without meat. What we have done is switched to ground turkey which is cheaper and healthier. It took the kids some time to get used to it, but we have been doing this for years now and they no longer care. Instead of bread we substitute the soft taco shells and make wraps with them filled with taco meat (ground turkey) or grilled with cheese in them. You can fill them with whatever you want to. We also eat a lot of chicken which we purchase on sell and Sam's lately has the whole fryers for .88 cents a pound we fill our freezer. Growing our own vegetables is another way we have saved money and maintained a healthier lifestyle. We grow our own organic and the kids love to pick and eat the cherry tomatoes right off the vine. Buying organic is more expensive then non-organic. I also shop at the local Save-A-Lot you may have one similar where everything is in boxes instead of shelves. We buy all our can goods there along with condiments and some other things. You also might want to consider the gas you will spending to go a further distance and weigh that with other choices which will still allow you to stay within your budget and eat healthy.

I lived with my in-laws for 16 years and did not leave until I re-married after their son died. Sad way to get out, but I love them and stay in touch even though we had our issues.

I think this is a great idea, but I would alternate between the both if your child needs to maintain skills. While MUS does this it was not enough for mine and he forgot things. We used Rod & Staff last year and MUS but did not alternate, I think it is a great idea wish I would have had it. You would think after twelve years of homeschooling, but no still learning. While the technique is different my son still was able to apply what he learned once he switched back to Rod & Staff. Peace, <>< Joyce

I have a ten year old who is also a great science fan, absorbs the stuff like a sponge. My opinion go with it let 'em read all they want even if it is not during the scheduled science time I would still count it as school time. I don't know about yours, but mine loves to share the information he has gained. Right now he wants to study rocks and minerals so that's what we will do. He seems to get into a specific topic and get all he can then moves on. He can tell you all about the planets which is his biggest passion. Peace, <>< Joyce

My step son was on meds for ADHD and I don't feel like they helped at all. When the kids dad died my now 11 yr old became very unruly, due to the circumstances I was patient, but it got to where he was uncontrollable. We started going to counseling which in my opinion was just a time to play with new toys for him. She had me due the evaluation, but he did not come up ADHD or ADD. I'm curious to know if your child feels remorse when she does something wrong or does she just blow it off. My step son was like that but my 11 year old is not. While he tries to run the show I remind him I'm the mom and I'll take care of things. He seems worried like if he doesn't take things into control no one else will, but he appears bossy, demanding, and controlling. The only punishment that has ever worked for this child is to put him in his room away from everyone else, a half hour and I have a new child. Of course all children are different and respond differently, it's a matter of finding out what it is that will work. Someone else said pray, and I agree it is the one sure thing we can do. I know of others who have had children like this and I hear they grow up to be wonderful people, so there is hope. Oh I almost forgot to mention the times he tried to get physical with me. All he did was raise his hand to me, I grabbed him and used my Tae Kwon Do training to put him down, I did not hurt him I just let him know I don't care if he is bigger than me he will not get away with it. Needless to say he tried it again and got the same result, he has not tried it since. I want to also mention that he was so upset by this I had to restrain him for about twenty minutes until he calmed down. While not everyone has martial arts training I encourage you to take a stand right away against any type of physical threat. You don't have to hurt them just let them know that type of behavior will not be tolerated. It is scary when one of your own children threatens you in this manner, but if it is not stopped who knows where it will led.

I recommend thinking about how she learns and what her strengths and weaknesses are. You mentioned A Beka is advanced and this is true in comparison with other curriculums, I used this with my third grader last year because he finished BJU. BJU flows very nicely and there is just enough work on a page for a student who may become overwhelmed easily or is struggling. I have used R & S for the upper grades due to the easy explanations, repetitiveness, and the number of practice problems for new concepts. I read recently where someone had wrote while they liked R & S when their child was tested it was discovered that there were gabs, anyone care to comment on that? While Saxon offers the easy explanations, repetitiveness they lack in the number of practice problems for new concepts and new concepts are introduced daily which can cause a child to be overwhelmed, I don't know if this has changed since I used it. Saxon may be good for those who catch on quick and retain well. This year I will be using MUS with the boys (9 & 11) because I stink in math and I feel this will be easy for me teach and understand, so we'll see. There were a one or two curriculums mentioned that I am not familiar with, but the one's I mentioned I have used. Of course this is my opinion.