Wow. Sit her down and watch all 6 hours of the 1995 Pride & Prejudice with Colin Firth together . . . it should hook her quite well. And you too. The first 3 episodes are a bit slow (like the book) as the characters are being established. But then you both will have a terribly difficult time turning off the TV until you watch the remaining 3 episodes back to back. The Keira Knightley movie version will NOT have the same effect. :glare: Likely you can borrow the movie from the library, or borrow it from a Colin Firth fan. Which would be most of the female population. :001_smile: If you had posted this on the WTM General Board, with "Colin Firth" in the subject line, it would get 500 views in 5 minutes. (A slight spoiler) Elizabeth Bennett is NOT a "girly girl", not a mindless socialite looking for a husband. She is a great role model who has taught both my dd and I many "life lessons" in an easy, enjoyable way. So . . . enjoy the movie, and then she will have some motivation to enjoy the greater subtleties in the novel.

I just went over to Amazon & began to read the online sample. I'm enjoying it, but realized I was skimming the material. Not exactly what the author had in mind, I believe. :001_smile: Thanks for the recommendation!

Did you put in your credit card info to be able to watch the episode online? I'm a bit leary . . . yet addicted. :-) :bigear:

Yes, it's on our calendar. Especially since we are British costumed drama fans AND dd is a L&D nurse. Double blessing. And I think it's broadcast here along with the new Upstairs/Downstairs season! Giving this a bump. :001_smile:

I think SWB addresses this in the WTM as one of the reasons SHE wanted to be the one to teach her children history. Her simple example was Christopher Columbus--who can be depicted as either a Christian missionary evangelizing the New World . . . or an evil disease-spreading pillager. (I'm exaggerating & can't recall the actual extreme descriptions.) But the goal is for YOU to get to wind around through all the different events of history, learning along with your child. Reading many different perspectives, and enjoying the many lavishly illustrated children's books about famous historical figures (much more enjoyable than a history textbook). Many are found at the library. :001_smile: It really is an amazing adventure--and it is highly likely that I've learned more than my kids did about the different historical points of view.

:bigear: Sadly, most minimalists ditch the books and are heavily dependent on electronic devices. I enjoy reading various minimalist blogs, but agree that most of the bloggers do not have children, or only have one young child. I just glean ideas from them, and train the kids to keep their special belongings in the two big Rubbermaid sliding boxes under their bed. Minimalism often collides with thrift . . . and hand-me-downs are a very substantial part of our larger family's economy. :001_smile: This is a great topic for discussion!

Our oldest dd was about 10yo, and studying for the homeschool Geography Bee. I heard the talking globe say, "Djibouti". I immediately asked, "Where in the world is Djibouti?" Her answer, "Oh, it's by Eritrea." Another great homeschool moment. I was completely lost. :001_smile:

You could find a familiar tune that everyone knows (even like Yankee Doodle) and change the words to reflect your folks' life. A friend gave new (hilarious) lyrics to the song "I am a Man of Constant Sorrow", and she & her sister serenaded their 2 husbands who have birthdays the same week.

My kids thrive on picking the weird countries when given an assignment. Central African Republic Ghana Bolivia Just let him "randomly" pick and live with the consequences. It's part of the FUN of homeschool!

No dental insurance. Our entire family goes to our local comm college's dental hygienist school clinic once a year for cleanings, which also include Xrays when needed, and inspection by a great dentist. It takes all afternoon, but we're helping the hygienist students improve their skills. Around $30 per family member. We now have total confidence in the program & they would point out any problems that require followup by a regular dentist (or orthodontist).

We did not have family (or nearby friends) to babysit our five . . . so it forced me to be a bit more creative. We school year round, so that we can take breaks when we need it. I have no idea how old your children are, but when they're young they benefit from outside breaks and less sitting-in-a-desk-all-day requirements. Training them to obey, learning to be cheerful while working (including Mom), helping with kitchen/laundry duty, etc. can relieve your stress (eventually). And knowing that they are growing into responsible young adults in the BLINK of an eye! Now mine are 10yo to 21yo, and I have LOTS of free time (in between deep discussions about all sorts of life issues) and plenty of help with the chores. It just took awhile . . . !

We eat supper outside in the backyard most every day possible. However, if you have just moved in, I would wait and see what you WANT the deck furniture to do before you actually buy it. You may want room for add-on friends, or only chairs & small table. And most of the winter and early spring, everyone's stuff gets brutalized by the weather. If you can store it then, it will last longer! (As a result, we're on our 3rd picnic table in 15 years. Thankfully my dh makes them himself!):001_smile:

You can copy Burger King and make Bacon Sundaes. I kid you not. We are a less-meat family, so I use it on pizzas, breakfast for dinner, soups, etc. Just use it in casseroles in the place of other meat. It's just very handy to have it pre-cooked in the freezer. For special occasions (like wedding receptions), I've made Baby BLTs: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/baby-blt/ Stuffed tomatoes with lots of bacon inside. Delicious. Not healthy! Consider it a fun problem to have. :001_smile:

I had a local homeschool group card, but also the HSLDA card works too. My dd has nearly worn out her nice set (after 10 years of use). It was well worth the price, as the pencils are just such higher quality than Crayola-type.

I planned to buy one a few years ago, then realized it was quite bulky & it would have to stay on my countertop all the time. :glare:

Also her book on "You can Teach your child successfully" for grades 1-4 or so. There's so much you can do without a formal curriculum. But it takes time. :001_smile:

No experience, but children of several friends have done it. They offer a discount for dual enrollment, which you can then go on to their "regular" online courses and/or go to the brick & mortar Liberty Academy in Virginia. It has a very conservative Christian teaching, but friends were surprised that some of the online teachers were not quite a super-conservative as they had expected. Most local cc tuition is free or cheaper than Liberty, which makes it a more appealing option financially . . . but earning dual enrollment credits at Liberty may help you to transfer to another conservative Christian school. I would also investigate to see if the college your child plans to attend after graduating from high school accepts Liberty's credits. Some do not.

:iagree: The major (usually unintentional) error is waiting until the child returns from the gap year to begin the college app process. By then the timing becomes very tight, and (at least here locally) only graduating high school seniors are eligible for freshman scholarships. Sounds like a great opportunity for your child!

If $$ is very tight, then try to glean from other local homeschoolers who have curriculum they no longer need. Usually this is easily done here at the annual Used Curriculum Sale, but throughout the year, friends post things to buy/sell on our email loop. The WTM sale board is also a resource for used items. The Library is a great resource, as is the internet! Best wishes!

:iagree: We use online Walgreens, and watch for their weekly specials. You can have them reprint it if you don't like the color tones. I also order reprints for the grandparents this way. You can have the order shipped to the Walgreens closest THEM. No shipping/trips to the post office!

:001_smile::001_smile::001_smile:

I guess I'm in the same boat, except our dd & serious bf are not yet engaged. :001_smile: I'm really, really intending not to stress out about wedding details. Keeping it as low-key and simple as possible--smaller wedding party, afternoon reception, giving them a set budget from us, etc. Mainly, I'd just advise keeping it small, but special in the ways that are important to them. :001_smile: I really, really don't think it is the bride's mom's job to execute the bride's elaborate plan. I guess we'll be starting a Wedding Panic Thread in late April 2013, what do you think?!?

Son who loves Ray Bradbury is also a big Terry Prachett fan.

Maybe you can borrow some lid bands from a neighbor real quick?

I LOVE being able to contribute to threads like this! Dd and I went on a shoestring to England/France (May 2010) for $700 airfare + $1200 rest EACH for 2 weeks. Stayed in clean but thrifty motels, no taxis, walked a lot. It just depends on the choices you make--attractions, season, transportation, food, other "fun". We knew we had to do it cheaply to make it possible. No regrets. :001_smile: