Thank you everyone. Your advice is wonderful and very much needed. I like the idea of averaging their ages for behavior. That makes sense. I don't want to make one child always have to be the big one and resent the others. That happened to me with my younger brother (18 mos behind) and it was so frustrating. I really resented him a lot until we got older and I could let go. I have said all along that they don't have to LIKE each other but need to respect each other. Fortunately, for the most part, they absolutely adore each other and play together very well. It's this transition that I must, in spite of being tired and torn between needs, be even more diligent about what is going on. . .

Thank you. I appreciate it! YES--- I am worried about the younger one. What broke my heart the most was when the younger one had huge tears on his face and said, "I want [him to] stop doing that". Sometimes I do think that physical intervention helps alert the child that this is serious and will not be tolerated. And good idea to do special thing for sibling--- I like that. Thank you! I still cry just thinking about it!!!!

Hello Everyone, My husband and I feel the use of natural/logical consequences with our children is beneficial. Our oldest (5 yrs, 4 months) hit his brother i(2 years, 9 months) in the face this morning when his brother was whining. Yesterday, he scratched his brother's back that drew some blood when his brother stepped on his Lego creation. It's tough b/c I do understand that his brother needs to learn a consequence for knocking things down/destroying creations, but, at the same time, I am not sure how to teach that to younger brother. I would like them to figure out things together without getting physical. We are expecting our 3rd child any day now. I understand we are all dealing with changes in the home right now and I am doing my best, at 9 months pregnant, to meet everyone's needs and stay rested for labor/delivery/post partum. But this behavior is unacceptable. My instinct would be to spank him or make him uncomfortable, but I am not sure if that makes sense--- physical for physical. I did ask him, "How do you think your brother feels? How would YOU feel if that happened to you?" He at first told me he didn't "remember" what happened, then he told me that he would "like" it if that happened (sassiness). My heart is breaking--- for the 2 year old and for what our 5 year old must be going thru to behave this way. On top of that, I am just anxious with everything else going on right now. Thank you for any help/advice/tips!!!!

I am sorry- one more question--- I am getting confused at what point I need to have my child assessed/send in a portfolio. Thoughts on this? How do I go about finding someone to do this assessment?

Hello! Hello everyone! Does anyone have some tips/advice on how to go about writing the letter of intent to send to our school district? We live in Ohio, and we are new to HS. I appreciate your help!

Thank you so much! That is so kind of you to send those names my way. I am not opposed to a doula--- just would like some help around the birthing/labor! Not sure if doula is covered by insurance--- I need to look into all that. Thank you for taking the time to help me. :)

Hello everyone! I was wondering if anyone knows of a good midwife in Cincinnati? We are pregnant with our 3rd child. Our second was "accidentally natural" and came flying out in 30 mins at the hospital. The doctor barely made it to the hospital in time, and the nurses weren't sure what to do. None of them would hold my hand, and I felt like I needed someone to hold my hand on both sides. My husband, bless his heart, did his very best, but was scared--- I could see it in his eyes. After that experience, I would like to see if I can look into a midwife to have a bit more support. I would love to go natural again. We are 29 weeks pregnant and love our OB, but I just have this very very strong pulling to look into a midwife. Thank you so much for ANY suggestions/tips/advice. :)

Thank you to everyone who wrote encouraging words, lifted me up in prayer, and sent hugs. It means so much. The power of prayer--- I felt better this afternoon than I have in days, which is a "peace that surpasses all understanding." Thank you for your empathy and compassion. It helps to know I am not alone. Thank you so much for your prayers. I can't tell you how much that means to me. God bless you all.

Hello everyone, I had a rough weekend and just need some prayers. This is our first year homeschooling. While I LOVE the time that it has given us as a family and my favorite time of the day is HS, I sometimes feel worn out and exhausted and have a hard time keeping up with other things I need to get done. Having said that, the reason this weekend was hard is b/c my husband had to travel for a wedding this weekend. I was so looking forward to going with him and having a "date weekend"--- getting dressed up, being together, having nice meals where I didn't have to feed anyone but myself and the baby that is in my womb! Yet we couldn't find a sitter, so he went by himself. He had to go, as he was in the wedding. Now I don't want to bash my husband or anything, just say that I feel so down b/c I didn't get to go. It is like I just can't shake this sadness and feelings of frustration. I know much of my role here on earth is to serve others. It is hard but I do it. Just sometimes I get wiped out and feel overwhelmed. I do believe in spiritual warfare and believe that I am being pulled down. I just can't barely even feel like praying, and when I do I feel my prayers are not listened to. Anyone else ever feel this way? I feel so alone. I love my children but sometimes need a break. Any tips/advice?

thank you everyone!!! oh you are so helpful. I am so appreciative to be able to hear from other HS moms--- it is hard to branch out into this new area, when many of my friends' children are heading off to school. Thank you for responding. That means a lot.

Hello everyone, We are new to HS and have a DS who is almost 5. I feel he has great attention and is able to listen to full chapter books with what appears to be good comprehension. (For example, his current favorites are "The Hobbit" and "The Chronicles of Narnia" series). He shows readiness in many areas to begin schooling but, this week, we began reading lessons, and he really struggled with putting sounds with the word families (e.g., "at" family). He did better as we proceeded but continued to confuse b, p, d. I backed up and just did letter recognition, and he had a hard time with that. I am wondering how common this is? I am wondering if many children do this, or if this could be an early sign of dyslexia? I truly thought he would be ready, which is why this hit me hard, and now I am concerned about him. Any tips on how to help him? Thank you for any advice and tips.

Hello everyone! We are new to HS and are enjoying the CM method. We have two DS (4 years, 10 months; 2 years, 2 months) and are expecting in early April. We are trying to make nature study a big part of our days right now, and would love to have company on our explorations. Anyone in the Cincinnati area who would like to meet up for nature study?

Hello everyone! We are new to HS and are enjoying the CM method. We have two DS (4 years, 10 months; 2 years, 2 months) and are expecting in early April. We are trying to make nature study a big part of our days right now, and would love to have company on our explorations. Anyone in the Cincinnati area who would like to meet up for nature study?

Thank you to you all for your incredibly helpful responses. I made a huge list and am going to figure out what we need now and what we can wait on and get once we have the budget for it. :) God will provide, right? The energy, the time, the finances, the patience. :)

Hello everyone! OH MY-- -you all are so helpful. THANK YOU! Love these ideas and excited to make my list and get set up. :) My children are 4.5 years and 23 months, and we are praying for more children. :) Researching Charlotte Mason method and will likely begin to use some of the "Simply Charlotte Mason" materials this year as we slowly start our first year. One question--- It sounds like some of you have a separate, dedicated room for HS? I feel like it would be nice to work in the kitchen at the island, but now I am realizing that sometimes I need to GET OUT OF THE KITCHEN :) b/c it is like a black hole for sucking up time and it is hard for me to look at the work to be done in the kitchen and focus on a lesson. LOL. I am not sure what will fit into our budget this year for decorating a room but I do like that idea. Any thoughts on this? We do have an empty room on the first floor that we have not put anything into so that we can possibly use it to HS. And THANK YOU for the added humor. Oh the power of hearing from other mommies and now, for the first time for me, other mommies who homeschool. :) LOVE the chocolate idea. Let the mothers go out and play! :):001_smile: