My fifth was 10+ lbs, and 24 inches long. I've never met anyone else with a 24 inch long newborn! :D Fourth was a dream birth. When the midwife told me I could push, I actually said, "Are you sure?!" (She was born a little early, and was my second-smallest baby, at 8lbs.) Fifth was not that way. :-S

::Whispering::...That's what I was thinking, too, as someone who spent a few years with a real European fridge. ;)

Now, when I talk about using a crate...I'm only using it at night, or when we have to go somewhere without him (we take him quite a few places, because we want to keep his comfort level with riding in the car high). Are you guys using it for more than that? Is there something more involved when you're talking "crate training" than simply having them sleep in a crate at night until they're fully housebroken? 'Cause that's all I'm meaning. Just wanted to know if it was a term that meant more than that. :001_huh:

He hasn't had an accident in the crate, yet. We move it from child's room to child's room at night--depending who's on duty to take him out--and if he whines, initially, one of them (or my husband) lay/sit down next to the crate for a few minutes, and that calms him. (He'll sleep in their rooms, eventually.) We've also put a dirty t-shirt in with him (that one of us has been wearing). That helps, too. Something else we did was put a bell on a line, by the back door, and we ring it every time we take him out. He goes and rings it himself now. (Not one hundred percent of the time, but a lot). Our puppy has about the same sleep schedule as someone else mentioned; roughly 10:00 to 6:00. Good luck! They're a great blessing, but also a lot of work! Almost like having another little baby! (But...I never crate trained my babies, lol. ;-)

You say that the bothersome little brother has Asperger's...can I ask what you're doing for him, to address the issues, if they're related to AS? Feel free to PM me, if you would like to discuss it privately.

If *all* of you want to hs, then...do it. Use the summer to work on behavior issues (that's what this is, an obedience/respect/behavior issue), and tell them that you are going to homeschool...but they have to get attitudes in check, first. Focus on your relationships with them, and theirs with each other for a while. I'd suggest this for anyone putting kids in ps, too, but you'll actually have an advantage, homeschooling, because you'll have more time to devote to it. (I'm also going to voice an opinion that you have more of a chance to foster a relationship between the boys by homeschooling, because of the amount of time you'll have.) Find some books to read (Say Good-bye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes is a good one, as well as Shepherding a Child's Heart), pray, and ask God for guidance. Ask questions of older, experienced parents (with grown children) who are willing to tell you what they did wrong, as well as give you advice on what steps to take.

...to have my kids take algebra until 9th grade. Just *in case* there was some logic that still needed to be developed. :tongue_smilie: I'd say trust your gut. If you feel that he'd do better with another year in algebra (and from another source), then, do it. There are times when kids can see/understand something, in a particular presentation, without totally 'getting it'. Is that possibly what you're feeling? That he gets their explanations and ensuing problem sets, but might not be really confident in the subject, as a whole? If that's your suspicion, or if you simply feel he needs some more maturity, then I'd not think twice about having him repeat it with a difference source, next year. He can still get through Calculus or Pre-Calculus, by taking Alg. in 9th--depending on what programs you use--if that's a concern.

Agreed. :-) Actually...the oldest two are very computer literate. Even though they were limited, as far as computer/screen time, when they were younger. :D Honestly...it's not rocket science. The phenomenon of children picking up computer skills quickly doesn't mean anything to me; younger kids pick up almost ANYTHING quicker than adults do. Doesn't mean they need to do it, though, if you get my meaning. I do want them to be able to navigate a computer, easily...but I don't think that means they have to begin at three. I was, erm, waaaay older than that when I first began using a computer, and it didn't take me long. It's just not that complex, really, especially anymore, everything is so user-friendly. (If you're motivated and unafraid to try new stuff. So, a preteen is more likely to be successful than, say, a sixty-five-year-old who is used to being respected, and doesn't like looking foolish). Well, I don't know about other folks you've talked with, but I don't think that limiting kids' computer time to one hour makes them smarter, lol. My reasons for de-emphasizing it (notice I didn't say "limiting") have more to do with brain development and delayed gratification in early ages (Jane Healy's books talk about theories on this), and wanting to steer kids towards more difficult, organic, reality-based activities in later years. ::Shrug:: I don't have anything against screen-focused activities, even goofy, totally unproductive ones (one teen has a Facebook account and the other is playing Kill Zone--Lord help me--as I write this). I just prefer for the main pursuits, at our house, to be more natural. That's pretty much the way I am about almost everything else, though, so while some of it is based on research and cause/effect beliefs...some of it just might be a personality thing. I gravitate towards classical education for the same reason; a simple belief in simplicity, I guess. I think you have a couple of different issues, here. If you're comfortable with what you've decided, then...be comfortable with what you've decided. Personally...I could probably get offended by several people, all over the map, if I chose to...because I don't have a hard and fast mindset about it, and folks can get pretty dogmatic, on both sides. Yes, I don't like for the Littles to be too screen-focused, too early, but with older siblings, sometimes it gets harder to limit that. (My younger kids have had much more screen time--and much more variety in what they're exposed to--than my olders, simply because it's easier when there's no Big Kids having fun doing that stuff in front of you, lol). But I also let my kids do some things that the die-hard No Screens wouldn't dream of. And think it's okay. So...I guess I'm saying find your place, and let other folks believe what they believe. Evaluate what people say, have an open mind when someone brings up a good point...and then do what you feel is right for your family. JMO.

We brought it up with our family doc, who did a sort-of evaluation of his own, and then gave us a referral to the psychologist. You mentioned the biggest pro: Just knowing. :-) It can be overwhelming to think about, but hey, knowledge is power. You don't have to 'label' him; we've told our dd that people's minds work in all sorts of different ways. Her way just means she might need a little additional help in some areas. No one needs to know but you and your dh, if you don't want them to know. (On the other hand, some parents feel that having a diagnosis helps explain behaviors to outsiders or teachers, and actually helps certain situations. We've decided otherwise, for our family, and it's working fine.) You *can* pursue certain forms of treatment on your own. We do some things here, at home (feel free to PM me for details), and many therapies can be home-centered. If nothing else, identifying what you're looking at can help you know what you need to research. A lot of autism/Asperger's behaviors overlap with other things; a professional can help you winnow out what's going on. And having a recognized "name" for something doesn't mean you have to totally go along with all of the beliefs/standard conceptions of what that name means. I believe a certain thing about what my daughter has been diagnosed with, and interacting with professionals who might believe differently doesn't mean I have to take the whole of what they believe at face value. I'm just gathering information, and making decisions.

...consulted with your doctor(s) about it? (Psychologist and pediatrician) A good book that I liked, when breastfeeding, was Dr. Thomas Hale's Medications and Mother's Milk. It goes beyond "don't take this or that", and gives you a rudimentary understanding of how certain medications pass through, and which have had long term studies done, on effects on the infant. Great resource. You can learn a lot about how medications work from this book.

...to pray for you guys. Thanks for the praise report...keep us updated!

Word up. :D When I mentioned my excitement about joining an academically minded, college prep oriented co-op next year, I should have qualified it with the disclaimer that in the absence of that...I'd have no problem going it alone, at home. While this co-op is great, academically...it's only one day a week. (My kids are going on the second day, too, but only for math help). We're still free to develop those positives that come from homeschooling (I believe), the rest of the time, and if I were going to err...I'd rather err on the side of encouraging curiosity, and raising kids who will seek out what fulfills them, career and life-choice-wise, rather than putting them in a rigorous, full-time school option. (Not saying you can't do that with kids in a rigorous, full-time school...just saying I don't know that *our* family could, and do it *well*).

As this relates to the OP's question...I think a sampling of 15 is much more telling than an example of *one*. I can't see getting worked up about one child, displaying a little uncertainty. That said...I do look forward to attending the co-op we've joined, next year, and one of the reasons is that it's generally geared towards a college prep mentality. They've even switched the second meeting day, in part because it will make things easier for the kids who are dually enrolled. I don't think it's necessary to have a peer group that's focused on the future, but I do believe it might help some kids, some of the time. That's my hope for one of my older kids, anyway. (The other came up with goals on his own, and would probably not miss this sort of thing at all.)

I'm with Joy. :-) Seriously...there's plenty of time to work out separation anxiety issues, or even personality ones, if he's "too" introverted. Babies are meant to be held, cuddled and loved. And, don't tell anyone...but I think it's good for them to sleep with you, if you can both rest that way. Our "baby" is, well...still a little spoiled, lol...but the whole family (older sisters, too) is responsible, not just me. And it's not a bad case. ;-)

Dh doesn't really question anything I do...and he also doesn't offer many suggestions. But it works out, because I *want* to do most of it. And I don't like being micromanaged. :-) (Okay, maybe not even managed, lol.) I take that back...he has made one thing clear; he wants them to do well in math. That's it. So, I can follow any approach I want, use whatever materials we can afford (now that's a whole 'nuther kettle of fish; Do You and Your Spouse Agree About Costs?)...as long as our kids have a healthy understanding of math. (And even "healthy understanding of math" is pretty wide open; he means that he wants them to graduate from high school math-literate, so I have plenty of time to accomplish that with each child.) Now, I do appreciate it when he takes up a little slack, or does something to relieve a little of the pressure that builds up from being the caretaker/teacher of five kids day after day (takes over the evening routine sometimes so I can do a little writing, or take a night off with to be with friends...or alone). I guess you could say he 'supports' me in homeschooling by accepting that our life looks a little different than it would if I simply stayed home, while the kids went to school. (Which I would. I'd likely still write, part-time, but I know I'd be a SAHM, even without homeschooling.)

I know this is an old thread, but I saw this and had to respond; they do usually feature articles from the folks mentioned. In fact, last issue's article from John Piper, about voting, was one of the best things I've read in a magazine in a long time. (Full disclosure, though...I write a few articles for them. But I wouldn't if I didn't really like them. :-) If you go to http://www.homeeducatingfamily.com/ and fill out the form there, they'll send you a free sample copy. (It usually comes from the upcoming issue). They may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I like them. Thought-provoking.

As far as The Well Trained Mind is concerned, I picked it up when my oldest was about to start first grade. I'd taught her to read and do simple math, and wanted to see about putting some framework to the rest of her education. I think I'd always kind of thought that teaching history chronologically was best, but I can't swear to that. I know that several things in TWTM resonated with me, as others have mentioned. The Introduction, where Jessie talks about homeschooling her kids in response to how they were doing in school (over-prepared, bored, mismanaged by worried teachers), and Susan talks about her college freshman that were talented, but "digging with their hands" really hit me. I was in a similar situation to Susan and her brother, in elementary school, but because no one considered homeschooling me (and frankly, I'm not sure it would have been a good idea)...I was left where I was. After a grade skip and some attempts at a few other things (one pull out class I remember, a suggestion for a "special school", and a brief move to a private school)...they simply let me coast/quit trying to teach me where I was. (They also figured that I was slacking in math, because my development/giftedness was sooo asynchronous, so I got in trouble for that, rather than getting help.) In other words...it gave me encouragement that I was absolutely doing the right thing for my kids, by showing me what was possible when a parent is in charge, truly, of a child's education. I've strayed from many recommendations, found my own way on some particulars...but I'll always be grateful to SWB and her mother for writing that book, and giving me a map for part of what was rolling around in my head. And for that Introduction. I would have still been "digging with my hands", in many ways, if I hadn't run across the Well Trained Mind, so many years ago.

I noticed, before I started formally homeschooling, that my grandmother could do all sorts of awesome math in her head (figure percentages, etc.) that I couldn't do. When I started homeschooling, I immediately felt a pull towards "older methods". Rod and Staff math and grammar appealed to me, because of their "Old School" approach...and hefty scope and sequence. So...the "Older is Sometimes Better" train of thought was with me, almost from the beginning. To me, "classical" education means using some methods and resources that are time-proven. There's no fraught-with-secret/singular-meaning definition, for me, just plain ol' usin' old stuff. :-) (That applies to "old languages", too, though. Latin, Greek.) There's a little book by Gene Edward Veith that talks about several different "classical education" views and approaches, and the Mortimer Adler section, from that book, probably describes my bent the closest. To quote/paraphrase Adler, I'm concerned with the "classics" when they mean "...anything of enduring value", and promote participation in the "Great Conversation"; the reading and discussion of the Great Books. Adler mentions habits, which puts me in mind of another educator I agree with, quite a bit...Charlotte Mason. But I part ways with Adler on his disbelief in specialization at a young age, because I like to encourage passions in high schoolers, and utilize those same passions in their continuing education. (So...I don't really fall neatly in line with any one educator, for any stage of learning. I like some of Charlotte Mason's and Maria Montessori's ideas for younger children, and move towards a more classical type of homeschooling as they get older.) I believe a classical education will serve my children that decide to go to college well, by giving them a good start...but I also believe that should any of my children choose a path that doesn't include college, they'll have a good, solid foundation for life. That's what I believe a good education should do, and I believe classical methods and materials (to a certain degree) accomplish that. I believe it gives children a taste for good, enduring things of beauty. Puts them in the habit of appreciating them, at a young age.

We watched that when the kids read Gilgamesh. :-) I love that episode. (The aliens use metaphor as the basis of their language...also a great way to cover metaphor for that lit. analysis! "Shaka...when the walls fell!")

Word. Up. :D

I mean, I don't know that it sends me into a rage (wink), but, no...you're not alone. It seems as if more and more stuff that used to be the domain of "high schoolers" is trickling down to increasingly younger kids. We had dances in middle school (and boyfriends...::eyeroll::), not that I think that's a great idea...but elementary school is awfully young, for my personal comfort. Makes it harder and harder for Littles to be Littles very long.

It sounds so frustrating, but keep being that squeaky wheel!

Not just you. And my kids WATCH Spongebob, lol. The combination of that song, the subject matter, and the fact that it's promoting *kids' meals* really disgusted me.

Those, Bob books, and CLP Nature Readers are about the only "readers" I use. (I do have a couple of McGuffey readers, though, and I've used them as an in-between type thing). The Nature Readers are high-interest, for outdoorsy kids, but the last couple of volumes are pretty dense, with regard to vocabulary, and they aren't phonics-controlled. But, you get some good science info in, with reading practice.

...aren't a particular person's forte. :-) It could be that some doctors who seem totally friendly and non-threatening don't believe in homeschooling at all....they're just more skilled at diplomacy, and are asking their questions a little better. :-) He may get over it, if he's actually concerned, or you could have misinterpreted his tone. (It happens. Not questioning the OP's sense of reality, lol, just saying it's possible.)