Continuing to pray. Your faith is an encouragement to all of us. :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

My DH does this now, too. Actually, he's always done it, but in recent years I've learned to actually answer him. I see it this way: when he was growing up, his mother did everything, even though she also worked full time. When he moved out of town, his friend's mom 'adopted' him and would cook for him and do his laundry. Then we got married and, since I don't mind housework and like a clean house, I did everything. I never realized we had a disparity until the kids came along and the work started piling up. The fact is, he has never had to do any housework and genuinely doesn't know how. Not that he can't figure it out, of course. But he would see me overwhelmed and ask how he could help because he really didn't know what he wanted me to do, then I would get frustrated because couldn't he see what needed to be done? So I would say, "Nothing." So he would do nothing. It was a vicious cycle. I learned to give him something to do when he asked, or ask when I needed help, and he figured it out. He does a lot more now. The simple truth is that although we can all agree that none of this should be necessary, it's an incredibly common occurrence in marriage and simply saying "I shouldn't have to go through this" doesn't mean you don't. To flip it around, there are plenty of things DH likes me to do that I didn't even think about until he told me.

Can you outline some of the bad info and give us some good in it's place? If it's anything different from what you've already stated?

I could have written these exact words. I will say, the better I've gotten at asking, the less I have to do it. Are there any men who could chime in here?

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: Many prayers being offered up here.

My MIL says "Warshington" instead of Washington. She lived there for over 30 years and before that lived in California. I don't know where she picked it up but it drives me nuts. Otherwise she's lovely. :)

He looks great!

Just checking in. Still praying!

I hated The Red Tent, but I didn't finish it so I didn't count it here. Everything was so overly sexualized. When they started in on Jacob having his way with the sheep I gave up. It felt really disrespectful to a story that could have been powerful. Maybe it redeemed itself - I only got through one chapter.

Ok, now I have to read it again. After reading some other posts I'm wondering if it was the way it was taught. As to the Twilight series, I admit, ashamedly, that I liked the first one. It was easy, fluffy, silly teenaged romance. You just had to have the right expectations. However, they got worse as they went and I actually didn't realize there was a 4th one. Huh. If you didn't like Hunger Games, and only read the first one, know that they actually end really well - in a dystopic way. Spoiler - everybody dies, or if they don't die they're pretty much irrevocably damaged. Which sounds terrible but I really liked the way the author handled it. It was realistic. It made me think for days afterward. I didn't like Divergent, though. Since dd is 13 I have to read all these YA books and I've decided that all you really need to do to get published is follow the formula. Once you've read about six of them you realize they are all the same.

I don't know where Walnut Grove is, but I live in MN! I guess I ought to get myself out there.

Just playing 'devil's advocate' here, but I think I can understand that. Have you ever had a day when you had a million things to do - important things, even! - and you're feeling overwhelmed and stressed and come to the boards for an hour instead of getting to work? Now imagine that feeling multiplied and multiplied, and possibly add depression or anxiety.. yeah, I can see doing something like taking pictures of sunsets and goats as a way of either de-stressing or avoiding a scary and seemingly impossible situation.

I have started and dropped a great number of these books. Now I'm glad I didn't waste my time. I did really, really hate Lord of the Flies. That was for high school and I still get icky when I think about it. Forgive me, but I read Little House on the Prairie for the first time this week and it was lovely.. until the end. Why did they pack up and go? Why didn't they take the cows? Wait a few weeks to see if the soldiers were really coming? Why didn't Pa take the window glass? Who the heck does that, just decides to move and leaves the next morning? I realize this was a memoir from when the author was a child but good grief. I'm just so mad at Pa right now.

I've done it, lots of times. :laugh: (We have six) I honestly feel that a newborn is easier to have around than a toddler! The first time, I had one in 1st grade, a 4yo and a 3 yo. Baby was born in November. We were schooling with two other families and I'd committed to doing a lot of group stuff. I really underestimated how hard it would be. We ended up dropping the group and putting the first grader in public school for the rest of the year. Having that experience, I'd advise you to start slow. It'll be a transition as it is! Start with the basics and don't put too much pressure on yourself. Really focus on math and language arts - get the Story of the World audiobooks to listen to and sign up for some science classes at the zoo or library. Do what you can but don't stress. Let your first year be a learning experience. Next year you can add more to your plate. You'll be a year wiser and more experienced and ready to take on more. Babies 5 and 6 both came in the summer, but I had no issues with having a newborn around. Now the littlest is 9 months and getting into everything - that's a different story! Good luck to you!

Bluegoat - what didn't work for you in regards to WWE?

:bigear:

Continuing to pray!

A few friends and I are starting a new, uh, thing this fall. We're offering classes but don't require parent involvement. We were calling it a co-op but were told that wasn't the right label. So now we're calling it an 'academy', which still isn't right but people really got the wrong impression when we called it 'co-op'.

"Expresso" I'm from Seattle. Don't mess with my coffee. And if you haven't seen it yet:

Rec center or city league. We've lived in multiple cities and I always find good stuff in the Rec Center catalog. Right now my kids are in track. It cost $60 for the season, which included a shirt. They get to do shot put, discus, hurdles, high jump, etc. All stuff I can't do at home. There have been 5 meets at different schools in the area and they get tons of ribbons. It's not for kids who are super talented, I suppose, but it's a great introduction. We've done the same with dance, gymnastics, soccer, baseball, lacrosse and tennis. This way we can see what they really like and are good at before committing to an expensive program. The library has an entire section of books on hobbies. Orienteering (geocaching). Volunteering! If your kids are into animals or the outdoors, more than likely you can find a volunteer opportunity for them. Older teens might even get paid. Memberships to museums are good. We got a science museum membership for the family for $40 because of a homeschooler discount, but we've paid up to $125 for a year at the zoo, history center, etc. That can be a hobby if your kid is into it. Lego club? The best extracurriculars we've had are just from learning what the people we know are into. DH has a friend who used to be a carpenter and one who loves to fish and hunt (using guns and bows and arrows). When we asked them they were happy to come teach some things to the kids since they love doing it.

I remember Heather who moved to Malaysia! She has a blog I used to read. If I can rediscover it I'll post it here.

I did pretty well because I got 30 points for minor children. That made up for all the sock wearing, not making myself dainty and putting my cold feet on him. Ironically, he'd probably love red nail polish, but ain't nobody got time for that. He rated very superior.

Prayers here, too!

No words, just hugs and prayers. You are a brave and strong.

I just checked my profile and it says member since 2010, but I know I've been around longer. I'm not sure if I was just lurking or if when I changed my name it rebooted. I bought my first copy of TWTM around 2004 when my oldest was 2 or 3. It is still my homeschool Bible. I did upgrade to the second edition, but have yet to go for the third. I remember Peela and Remudamom. And Mrs. Mungo, whom I haven't seen around lately. I do remember the boards looking different, but I can't remember when they changed. I've gone in fits and starts - sometimes neglecting the boards for months and then jumping back in. I have received more compassion and good advice here than I can say. You guys are so fantastic! There's no way I could have gotten this far without you. :blush: