Singapore is our spine (at least for now) but I am interested in both RightStart and MEP too. I do not want to do all 3 so I need to choose either RS or MEP Any ideas on which to choose? I don't want to pick based on cost, so don't let that be a deciding factor It would be for 1st grade DS who is good at math so far (only did kindy :)) (And possibly may use with my public schooled 4th grade DD since Im not content with the amount the school is teaching)

how do you get into the files marked with a "P" ? It says you have to be part of an educational institution

watching this, as Im hoping to combine Singapore and RightStart this year

I think they can look pretty in certain situations (wedding, business meeting, night out with hubby etc) but just don't get it when I see people wearing them at the grocery store, mall, park etc (not judging, they can do what they want, I just don't get it. I want to be comfy in those situations and I don't find pumps comfy or practical chasing a bunch of kids lol). I never wear them anymore b/c of pain from a previous broken foot and back problems--but wish I could wear them sometimes

I see nothing wrong with the use of rewards occasionally. There are some things that my kids just have to do because its expected of them, and some things that are either "extras" or more of a challenge for one of them. In those cases I may reward them with something.

He's actually a homeopathic family Dr...the peds around here are far too uptight to suggest such a thing lol

I don't have any program suggestions b/c I'm only teaching a 1st grader and pre-k, but Im sure there are lots of people on here who have dealt with a child in the same situation. Your DD may never like reading, but maybe you can find something she doesn't mind doing as much...maybe have her look over a few programs? I know she is only 10 and shouldn't get the final say in her education, but I think its good for her to have some input (especially if it makes for a happier student and a smoother year)

We haven't used it, but DSs Dr said he'd prefer the kids ONLY drink raw milk (DH is a little weirded out by it and the price).

Is this the same program you used last year? Maybe it just isn't a good fit for her. Is there a particular part of it she dislikes, or just the whole thing in general? If she can pinpoint something, then maybe you can find another approach that she won't be so resistant to. I don't think you should jump to one curriculum after another, but one of the benefits of homeschooling is being able to pick and choose what works well for each child, kwim? Of course she could just be like my oldest and not like school work in any form, in which case you just have to deal with it Hope you figure it out :grouphug:

Sigh....I do love me some Eric :D (but Edward would do too lol)

congrats! I just adore baby boys---good thing since that's all Ive ever given birth too lol. Poor DD wants a baby sister so bad!

good deal! Wish I saw that before Amazon lol

we didnt use OPGTR because I didn't like it all that much, but we did use ETC and both DS and I enjoyed those. I didn't make him write out everything, in face we did most of it orally (he was doing handwriting with another program and I didn't want to overwhelm him). DS liked the pictures in ETC too

http://www.carolina.com/category/living+organisms.do Heard this company was good

my 14 yr old, yes. But then I tend to let him see things and discuss them, as opposed to sheltering him. If you have a very sensitive 14 yr old, maybe it would be different

LOL! I hope you took pictures :) hhmmm, baby oil or cold cream?

if my kids dont have their own seat and seat belt in a car, they don't ride in that car

my 3 yr old loves the linking cubes we got for math (in fact I can never find them for math time b/c he usually has snatched them and scattered them about the house lol...so I ordered a second set) How about legos, a peg board w/pegs, a balance with teddy bear counters, rice or beans to spoon into other containers, a mini sand box (could be messy)

music....stories of the great composers book & cd, learning to play the recorder, listening to music and singing and dancing :) art....Come Look With Me books (2 of them), crafts that are tied in with the programs we are using, maybe trying some different painting techniques (my boys are obsessed with paint right now lol) Nothing too serious, mostly just for fun and to expose them to some new info

For first grade we are doing history with SOTW vol 1. I may through in a bit of geography since we are sort of doing Five in a Row (doing book only twice a week most likely) and I can tie in geography to where the stories each take place Side note...I asked my rising 4th grade DD to find California on a map and she couldn't! She is in public school and they really don't spend any time on geography or history......so I may start doing some US geography with her on the weekends (just fun stuff)

I try not to make my kids miss out on things because only one of themis causing trouble. Id possibly go to the pool and make the one sit out.......but for my one DS, giving him extra chores to do works far better than taking things away (I learned this over time). An added bonus is things get done around the house that otherwise wouldnt lol

Im bummed I missed out on the pre-order price. Not sure I want to spend $25

yes, you can just get the textbook, you dont have to have the activity books. The textbooks contain all the lessons, the activity books have some reinforcement as well as things to cut out etc. We had both but I didnt use the activity books as much (and wont purchase them for younger DS). I figure we have enough cutting and pasting with our other subjects, dont need it in math too lol

actually Im like this....any cold and I start having issues with my larynx. Usually end up losing my voice too I use albuterol sometimes and it can help if anything is starting in my lungs, but if its just my throat doesn't clear it up

Ive lost soooo much hair over the past 2 years. Ive had my thyroid checked multiple times and its fine. Im guessing mine is just related to hormones, or maybe family genetics (although Im not sure how much hair my mom and grandmom would naturally have b/c they have been going through chemo on and off for a long time)