This makes a lot of sense to me. Great idea to start them off slowly, then gradually increase their responsibility.

Wow, your responses have really given us something to think about. I do wonder how he will handle a job and a full course load. Dh thinks he needs a job to pay for the things I listed. He wants the kids to get used to paying for some things for practice and to appreciate what they have more. He feels, as do I, that our kids tend to appreciate things more when they have to work for them. I will admit that this particular young man has MUCH more of a taste for name brand clothing and toiletries. I think we spend twice as much (or more) on him than on ds20. Regarding college, dh is a professor and we have a tuition exchange benefit for the college ds is going to which covers all tuition (not fees or books). Like someone above said, this is all new to us! Honestly, I think having young adults is much more difficult than toddlers ever were.:tongue_smilie: Thank you again for your responses. I am going to read them again and make a list. I go back and forth between agreeing with the poster who will not have her kids pay for anything nor require a job and those who have their kids pay for much more than mine! Yikes, I need to make up my mind, be sure dh and I are in agreement, then stick to a plan. Wish us luck!

My ds 18 will be a college freshman in just a few weeks. He will be living at home. We have discussed with him some of the things he'll be responsible to pay for, including: 1/2 cell phone bill gas to/from college and work insurance (once he gets his license in a few weeks) 1/2 college textbooks He works 25 hours a week during the summer but will cut his hours down to about 12 during the school year. Is there anything else he should be paying for? What opinions do you have about who buys their clothing? His older brother pays for about 1/2 of his clothing, but he lives on campus and only works about 7 hours a week. Thoughts? Thanks, everyone!:)

Hmmm...the thought of this combination leaves me not excited. However, I am not saying I won't try it!:D In London, they have Cadbury Spread. It is like Nutella only without the hazelnut - only chocolate. It is basically heaven in a jar. I found myself using it on so many things, even convincing myself that because I was putting it on fruit, it must be healthy! I have such mixed feelings about the US not carrying it. I know I would completely lose it with this stuff in the house!

Sorry I can't be of help, but I just wanted to say that I love the idea of a CSA. I'd love to hear more about it sometime. Sometimes when I buy produce from the farmers market, I feel so much pressure to use it up quickly and figure out how to use it all! It can be stressful! I know that sounds weird...I wonder if my nerves could handle a CSA! LOL!

We liked Wordplay, about avid crossword puzzlers who participate in competitions. I also liked Spellbound, about the spelling bee world. Gee, I sound like such a geek! I'll try to think of more.

I just did the math - We are going on Year 15. Unbelievable.:tongue_smilie:

We store books downstairs, where company does not go. Otherwise, our house would be overrun with books. There are several huge bookcases full down there as well as some Rubbermaid bins. The kids keep the books they are currently reading in their rooms or the main living area, but that's it.

Here!:)

Well, I checked "My mom is alive and I have contact with her frequently." However, she has Alzheimer's disease, and it is definitely not the same. I sure do miss her.

:iagree:My son loves the Animorph books. I suppose I should be embarrassed about this...but I'm not. ;)

Wow, thank you so much. My sons will surely appreciate this!:001_smile:

I am certainly no mathemetician, but I don't think the identity law applies here. If you're trying to explain to her why you only put the one number in the column and "carry" the other, this seems fine. I may be confused, though. In your example above, wouldn't you write the 0 and add (carry) the 9 to the column to the left? Actually, the more I think about it, I think I am surely am confused as to what is being asked. Sorry I can't be more helpful! :001_unsure:

Not commonly used in Western New York, but it sure was when we lived in Oklahoma!

I've never heard of churches charging! I suppose it depends on whether it is considered outreach or if it's just primarily people already in the church. I also suppose it could depend on the size of the church? Perhaps churches need to charge if they don't have enough support from the congregation. If this is the case, however, I wonder why they would hold a VBS. Interesting. Now I will go and read the other replies. That may help me understand.

Creating your own is pretty simple if you're up for it, as the posters above mentioned. If not, I have used Abeka (got it free) as a spine and supplemented with library books about each topic. That actually worked well because I didn't have to plan anything.

:iagree: However, it can be quite time consuming depending on how many children you have. I have found that if I submit everything on time and give them enough but not too much information, the district never has to contact me except for their required packet they send after I submit the letter of intent and also for confirmation of their approval of my IHIP. I live in Western New York, the Rochester area specifically. I grew up in the Buffalo area. Feel free to ask any questions you might have!

During the summer, I spend a good amount of time doing the legwork. I check our library system and see what is available locally and what is available inter-library loan and make a detailed list to put in my teacher notebook. During the school year, I get on the library site once a week and request those books that we will use in two weeks. It is .50 to have a book sent inter-library loan, which can add up. I just think of it as a small rental fee for the books, many of which I wouldn't have wanted to store on a shelf anyway. If I stay consistent with my system, it works very well and saves money. If, however, I get "off track" for a while, it is extremely frustrating!

The reproducibles were wonderful. I used MOH the first year without them and the next with them. It was a small price to pay for the convenience! I bought the craft cd and did not care for it. Didn't need the audio CD, as my kiddos were old enough not to need or want it.

:iagree:

That is fantastic!!! I have been hsing for 15 years, and I wish I had done this that many years ago. :) Enjoy your organized year!

In addition to other boxes, I checked other because I like literature plans. I especially like it when the questions are written out for me and thoughtful answers are given (Sonlight) for us to discuss. Having said that, I have been using SOTW for two years and still like it, even though it doesn't have as many discussion questions (as opposed to comprehension questions).

It would seem to me that SOTW spine is very light for an 8th grader. I agree with other posters that you would need to add some higher level lit and some deeper reading, but you are looking for a light program this year, and this would fill the bill. I like the addition of notebooking. Was he mortified by the reading level or something else?

That is AMAZING!! Your schoolroom is nicer than any room in my main living area! You did a beautiful job, and your children are blessed. Thank you for sharing with us!:)

Hooray! Those moments of comprehension are what keeps me going! Good job, Mom. :)