I am really, really struggling with this. I pulled her from PS because they weren't able to give her the stuff she needs: she is in 1st grade, but working at a 4th and 5th grade level for math and LA, respectively. I don't know if I can continue to challenge her, by myself. I am absolutely horrible at math, and although we've been looking into MUS, that is expensive stuff. Not to mention the fact that I myself am not that regimented about her schooling and feel like I need to be. There are thousands of choices out there...it's like being a kid in a candy store (only without any money!) And while I realize religion plays a huge role in a lot of people's decision to homeschool, my belief system is very, very different. So, trying to find a good, comprehensive and secular curriculum is HARD. I hate piece-mealing stuff - it's messy. So, is it more important to be a part of a school system and abide by the "law" and have structure and accountability with a somewhat pre-determined curriculum, or is it more important to have the freedom to choose what you want, when you want, and hope for the best? My dd is brilliant - do I have the ability to grow and nurture this myself? There are facets of her education that I am confident I can teach, like life skills (you know, cooking, cleaning, balancing the checkbook, etc), but the core stuff? LA (spelling, vocab, grammar) - up to a point. Math - I still count on my fingers and do long division the hard way; I suck at subtraction and can't imagine anyone doing mental math. Science - not so worried about this; I like science and it's relatively easy to teach. Latin - I feel that I have to teach her this to give her a good foundation of vocabulary, but who in the world knows how to pronounce some of that stuff! History - also not a problem because I dig history, myself. I know this is an insanely long response, but I have read countless posts and replies on several different subjects on TWTM and have come up with a tangled ball of information. Maybe I am making a mountain out of a molehill; I don't know...

This is something that I'm trying to work out - I really enjoy the freedom of being able to go do something else and skipping a few days...but then again, I feel like I need the discipline of a schedule and making sure that she gets what she needs. I am hoping to find some kind of happy medium. If not, I can always pull her from the VA and go back to the search for "the perfect curriculum". Which while fun, is too time consuming! Thanks again -

Has any of the other OK mommas heard about this? Apparently K12 is starting a virtual academy for HS through the White Oak School District. I am checking into this because I really loved what K12 had to offer, but not the price tag. Applications are due in by April 1st - here is the link to go check it out. http://k12.com/okva/who_we_are Thoughts?

Yikes! Sounds like your plate has really been full. A suggestion I would put out there would be to RELAX. Life does get in the way. And it will continue to get in the way. I have to wonder that if you give up all of the things you love to do, you won't start to resent the whole mess and really throw your hands up in the air. I don't know if you live in one of the states that requires reporting, but honestly: how important is this writing assignment? Skip it! Take that off of your "hot list" and do the other things that have to be done: taking care of your father, getting kiddos prepared for their respective performances, taking care of springtime planting (or whatever you all do on 50 acres) and keep the schooling to the core programs - they certainly won't suffer for it. And maybe they need a break from the writing pressure, as well? For me, I have to prioritize what is most important for that day or week. I used to be a control freak and dedicated multi-tasker. I had to let go of some of that because it was driving me insane, not to mention my poor family. I've learned to relax and realize that I cannot get it all done (bitter pill to swallow, to be sure!) but I am so much more calm and able to deal with what LIFE tends to throw at us. HTH, and please: RELAX A LITTLE. In 20 years, no one is really going to care about a writing assignment!

I have to agree with the moms who said that if she is going to be in the professional world of ballet, it is not a nice place to be nor is it an easy row to how, as they say. However, that does not allow for that kind of insult at this age. I am also in agreement with the moms that you need, if possible, to find another studio. It's not worth this kind of anger and resentment - artists DO have very fragile egos and don't always act like adults. And I would be afraid that the lady would take it out on my kiddo - the protective she-wolf in me would come out and tear her to shreds, I think.... Please spare your dd this - life is hard enough without having to add someone else's attitude to it, especially since you are forking over hard-earned money for it! EDIT: Hopefully since another studio isn't an option, you can approach the head mistress (or whatever) with your concerns. Obviously it needs to be addressed - and this may sound really, really silly, but do you think maybe inviting her out for coffee or something and having the conversation in a neutral location would help? It may be that she was just having a crappy day...and though that doesn't excuse it entirely, she may just need a reality check, KWIM?

I love cats of all colors and sizes - Lily is gorgeous. Enjoy her!

:)

Has anyone ever tried to utilize an online course for ASL? My dd would like to continue learning sign language, but the websites that I have seen aren't that great. I am looking into the Community Colleges around here, but if I could find a really good website, I'd be happy. Thanks!

Thanks! It does seem mysterious and scary to me. All of this does! But, thanks to this board and the wonderful parents, it demystifies a lot of stuff. Big hugs to you -

I only have the 2A and 2B Textbooks. I will look for those HIGs online and get them, then. Thank you very much for responding - I appreciate your time!

I just recently switched over to Singapore 2A - which my dd loves. However, I do not know if I am teaching her right. The whole mental math thing befuddles me. I have used my fingers to count on forever and have to write bigger problems out. I am most assuredly NOT math oriented. She pretty much is self-directed - and I let her go at her own pace. I guess I really don't know how to teach "mental math". I don't do it myself, and am wondering if this is something that is going to make or break her math abilities. Advice is most welcome, thanks!

World History: Take journeys to Egypt, Rome, Greece, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia; I do believe we would hit 6 out of the 7 continents. As far as US History, we would start on the East Coast and work our way West. Just makes sense... Math: Probably not much different; maybe buy all of the Singapore books and hire a tutor. Language Arts: England and Ireland (I would like for us to learn Gaelic) and travel around the entire UK. Just to hang out and hit some pubs. The kids would of course have a nanny on those occasions! Science: Hmmm. R.E.A.L. Science by Pandia Press. Music: Oh my gosh. If at all possible, I would see if David Crosby could teach her the guitar. How cool would THAT be. Ah, to be financially free....

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Thank you for having the courage to respond to this. I'm not sure that I would have. I am so glad that you found your peace! But, I think that it's really hard for most mommas to think about not being there for their kids, let alone doing so willingly. I sometimes feel that my kids would be better off without me (usually when that time comes-PMS) but then that maternal instinct and love for my offspring kicks in and I am as protective as a badger. It comes down to this, IMO: unless one has walked in another person's shoes, one cannot truly understand.

Thank you for the pep talk! I am going to sit back and re-think some things, whilst allowing dd to do some work book pages that engage her. We'll resume in a week or two. Thankfully, today is supposed to be nice (upper 60s-70s) so the kiddos can go outside! WooHoo! And I can work some.

I haven't read the other posts, but in my opinion, if she is that selfish and unconcerned for her kids, then they may just be better off with their daddy. There is not a snowball's chance in h**l that I would leave my kids for a man, of all things. Although, that may be her issue: she needs a change and is going through some kind of mid-life crisis. Having said that, we women do not have the luxury of allowing ourselves to have a "mid-life" crisis. I am generalizing, I know. But I do believe that most mommas would agree: we are the glue that holds our families together, and to let a passing fancy dictate our actions is just not feasible. Speaking for myself, now: I do feel the need to go crazy, act single and childless and act like I was 18 again. But I cannot. And I will not. I will wait until my kiddos are grown and then look out! Yeah, probably not - I will be close to 60 (I'm 39 now) and my kids are 3 and 7. But, it's all good. She'll figure it out and grieve for time missed with her kids. She has to bear that forever. Unfortunately, so do the kids. Hopefully family will rally 'round and shower so much love and attention that it will diminish somewhat the shadow of being "abandoned." I wish you the best - be strong!:grouphug:

I imagine this has been covered elsewhere, and I did do a search; however, nothing pertaining came up. Mayhap I used the wrong words... IDK. Anyway, I am struggling to keep her on schedule...I feel a bit like I'm losing her attention (and I'm kinda spacing out, also.) I have a sneaking suspicion that the curriculum choices I have made are NOT the way to go. I recently switched her over to Singapore and she seems to be really interested in that. I don't know if it's just the winter blues and being lazy, but we've got to get this party started, if you ken my meaning. I know this has to have happened to at least 1 other momma; how did you get things going again?

Mac & cheese Cottage Cheese mandarin oranges grapes apples chips (Pringles) Kool-Aid (yes, I do water it down quite a bit) milk eggs coffee creamer veggies: corn, peas, limas, green beans (frozen for now; we will have a garden this summer and I'll can) potatoes cereal granola bars poptarts frozen waffles tortilla shells grated cheese we have a deep freezer, so we buy extra each week: Hamburger (usually 2# a week) Chicken breasts Pork Chops Roast (once a month or so) Steak (once a month) I am sure I'm missing some. But, that's pretty close to the regular trip to Walmart!

:iagree:

I didn't know there were 2 different manuals, either. And do you know what is sad? I have come to a screeching halt at the word "puella" because I am afraid I am going to teach it incorrectly...so, I am off to find the other manuals!

and I love it. No stinky gas (keep away from the duck, though) and the piles are easy to pick up and "relocate". We use the sweet potato and venison - we have a golden and he loves it and looks absolutely fantastic! And, it's a little easier on the pocket book...

Support? What is that? My DH is just the provider of funds and maybe discipline. And not much at that. Do I get angry about it? Sometimes; not usually because I'm a control freak and he is worthless when it comes to taking care of "home things". So, that's my $.02 worth.

I went and looked at the George Washington copybook and I think it is really neat. This is what we will be using starting next week. Thanks for the link!