They are undisciplined and have poor manners in a group. They aren't willing to do work unless they are personally interested in it (i.e., unwilling to do boring memorization of facts or grammar lessons). Unschooling = TV and video games all day, every day Their parents are helicopter parents who shelter their children and micromanage each experience.

Okay, what about a jewel hunt? My DD loves to do this on Webkinz. You could hide the jewels in the house and have them search for them. When they are all found, they could make a Crown Of Wonder out of paper and glue on the jewels. (Has anyone ever actually achieved a Crown of Wonder on Webkinz, or is it totally rigged?) Also, serve pudding and call it Gak.

What a darling idea! I don't really have any suggestions, but will be lurking here to see what you get. My 6yo LOVES her Webkinz and has connected with several homeschool friends this way. For the record, I think you could invite the other girl by explaining to her parents why the other child is staying with you and the fact that you are trying to keep her happy and distracted. The family will probably understand and may rise to the occasion and make things even merrier.

We have bought and sold on it many times. We only deal in cash, and I insist my husband be present for the transaction that must be done at our home for safety reasons.

My oldest two only have the same science curriculum, so that I put off until they can both do it. Otherwise, the healthy person works as usual and the sick person lies in bed and reads or watches TV in the office (so, away from the learning child and not a distraction). I actually think this is one of the benefits of homeschooling - feeling nurtured and surrounded by family when you are not feeling well is so nice, and there is plenty of time to make up the work. My oldest took the morning off today since he is recovering from having the flu this weekend, but if he feels better later he can crack open the books at 4pm.

I agree with Country Mouse, and I just want to point out that sometimes small, closed groups can get very dysfunctional - like they all breathe the same poisoned air. It is so disappointing to discover that what you hoped would be a nice group of friends is anything but. Get out now!

I have basic philosophy of not protecting kids from unpleasant information, but instead trying to explain it in an age-appropriate way. So, I would not find a modern version with the offensive parts expunged; instead, I would read it and comment that back when the book was written, many people felt this way, but in 2008 we have come to understand these reasons why that attitude is wrong, etc. My son is 9, so older than yours, but in September he read Peter Pan which has very offensive stereotypes of Native Americans. I did a whole lesson on what stereotypes are, common Native American stereotypes, why stereotypes are wrong, and showed him some web pages I'd found with examples of those stereotypes. (For example, the Land O' Lakes butter in the fridge has a stereotypical "Indian Princess" advertising a product that Native Americans did not eat). It made a bog impression on him. Good luck.

I have to say I am really aggravated with the woman who is ready to track him to a menial job already! Who among us was performing their best at age 14? It is such a hard age. Now, imagine you are expected to function in an American high school after immigrating form a war-torn Third World nation? God only knows what that child has been through. It is too early to write him off, ESPECIALLY if they know he is quite intelligent. WTH?

Is the loss of ESL classes in high school a done deal? They can't just NOT offer ESL in high school, so there *are* supports there - what does he need to do to get them? If he can't keep up, that implies he should not leave the ESL program. Perhaps you can help the family navigate the procedures they will have to go through to get appropriate services from the school district. Does this person REALLY have insider knowledge about his abilities? Has she worked with this family and the school before, or is she making assumptions based on how he acts when she is present? He may behave differently in her presence than he does at school. What a wonderful thing your family is doing to help this boy! I'd love to get involved in something like that.

It's really shocking what the reform math curriculum covers vs. what was taught 30 years ago, when I was in school. Our school district uses Investigations and that poor curriculum was one of the major reasons we will not go back.

Wow! What a challenge, but I bet the children will come together beautifully as they grow up. I agree with the others that your DH needs to deal with his own family.

We did this. The only thing that was disconcerting at first was that there was suddenly no filter - every call came straight to me no matter how banal. Also, we just had a home alarm system put in and had to have a land line for that, so our phone has been reconnected until the company catches up with modern technology.

Not enough! I have a 3yo, so no project goes "unhelped", which means it takes 100x longer. So I don't try to pull off more than a few minutes at a time. Also, if she figures out I am planning to get rid of stuff she instantly becomes attached to anything (pots and pans, my old clothes that I haven't worn during her lifetime) and refuses to give them up!

If you know the funeral home you can call them and ask for a florist recommendation.

What a beautiful and fitting celebration of his life. I am sorry for your loss.

With all the background info you have given, I would have accepted and eaten the cupcakes. It sounds like he was being generous. I think the poisoned food urban legend is way overblown. Furthermore, I think it's the people you know who are more dangerous than the people you don't. The only recent stories of tainted food that come to mind are student-to-teacher and spouses trying to kill each other. There's usually emotion involved in that type of crime.

Mildew in the washing machine?

Our tree would drive you guys crazy. I really try to let the kids decorate without correcting unless it is dangerous for the ornament or a fire hazard. The kids break pretty much every rule listed but they LOVE their Christmas tree!

Could a cat have urinated out of the litter box, and you haven't found it yet?

Christmas is not as fun as it used to be since I am now the point person for presents, cards, cookies, etc. Too much responsibility! Just last night I downloaded Flylady's Christmas control journal. It is free on her website, and even if you don't like her method of organizing by e-mail, I find the Christmas planner very helpful.

Okay, where do you live? I need to be best friends with you and your family. Your boys are hilarious!

India is such an amazing country. I am so sad for the people of Mumbai.

These are great insights and suggestions! I fell better already! Anybody else have words of wisdom?

Aaarrrgggh. My 6yo is going to drive me insane. Despite having a pretty great life, nothing is ever quite good enough. She needs more homeschool friends (we both agree on that), so we meet a girl and I arrange a big play date at our house. I effectively cancel lessons for all my kids for the day, clean the house, make a special treat, host the girl, her mother, and her younger siblings (who were all very nice) and my daughter appears to have a wonderful time with this sweet girl. That evening, when I ask her to tell her father about the new friend her only comment is, "Well, it wasn't that fun because I wanted to play Littlest Pet Shop and she only wanted to do crafts the whole time." IT"S NOT EVEN TRUE! They played a lot of different things during the play date. I was so annoyed. I apparently slept off my memory of this, because we awoke to a beautiful day and I offered to get out the bikes and go to the neighborhood park with the kids. After many complaints about what to wear, how we were getting there, and how hard it was to ride her bike, I said forget it and we turned around, causing my toddler to totally freak out. Obviously we are doing too many nice things if all she can do is complain. I do not try to center family life around the children, but it must be unbalanced now because the kids are not appreciative of the fun things they get to do. Any words of advice are appreciated. I am particularly aggrieved because it is Thanksgiving, for pete's sake!

Go Go go! You never know how things can change in the future. If you can spend time with family now, do it!