I think we initially patched for 4 hours per day. You can't over do it, so try to increase the patching if he is compliant.

Regarding the prescription, that is just for kids who refuse to patch. You can actually blur the vision in the dominant eye with drops, so the lazy eye is forced to work. But, that's generally not necessarily. Order the patches immediately, though. This is truly time sensitive. I encourage any parents with an inkling that their kid is having eye issues to get it checked asap. Amblyopia is actually very common, and it's unfortunate that more people don't know that it can be corrected if caught in time.

Oh, and if you have other kids, get them checked by a pediatric ophthalmologist as well. Amblyopia is genetic. My 3 year old was recently checked and cleared. You need dilation to be sure.

Amblyopia is the most common cause of blindness, but I'd be skeptical that it couldn't be corrected in a 5 year old. My oldest DS started patching around that age, and a year later, his vision in both eyes was equal. Now he is just a kid who wears glasses. Definitely see a pediatric ophthalmologist for a second opinion and start patching immediately. You can order cute patches on Amazon. My kid didn't mind patching at all.

http://giphy.com/gifs/the-hunger-games-face-people-4lCHVkZob7wQM

Welcome to the WTM, where planning for next year is a hobby. ;)

Victoza has been amazing for my A1C.

We have 2 Alexas. We love them and would never be without them. We are early adopters. Love love love.

If you're at all interested in boating, please join Women Who Sail on FB. You will get tons of info on life as an expat in the Caribbean.

Thanks for this, and for the vote of confidence. I'm a bit nervous because Sacha is finally old enough to take the test, and I feel like it's put up or shut up time. It's hard when they are little because you always ask yourself, maybe he's not really gifted. Maybe, I'm just being *that mom/dad.* He does amazingly well at analogies, but can be spotty on quantitative. While he grasps concepts quickly, he often has poor attention to detail. Ironically, quantitative stuff is his strongest area IMHO, but I'm not sure how he will do with the time pressure. He gets anxiety when he knows that he is being timed. The jury is still out on my younger DS (age 3). People tell me that he is smart, but I just don't see the same stuff with him as I saw with older. It's something that goes beyond just being smart, YKWIM? I'm very nervous about adding him to our home school. He's an extremely kinesthetic, whole to parts learner, whereas older DS and I are very linear-sequential.

I would be cool with it, but I would want a text to let me know where he is at, in case of an emergency.

What happens if a child qualifies in verbal, but not math, or vice versa? How often can you retest to see if he/she qualifies for both? How often do you have to retest to stay in the program? We are testing on Saturday. How long until you get results?

My DS (age 7) is in his second year of taking guitar lessons. My husband thinks that if my son doesn't regularly practice of his own accord, we shouldn't bother to pay for lessons. I approach music like any other subject in our homeschool, and think that most kids need to be told to practice (at least, until they get good enough to really enjoy playing). I think my husband is being unrealistic to expect a 7 year old to self regulate enough to manage practicing regularly of his own accord. So, music peeps, what say thee?

Re Galore Park, do I need the CD and Answer Book?

I have a friend who taught a law school class on this topic this morning. His thoughts: So, in short: complete and total repeal is impossible as long as GOP doesn't have 60 senators, but a budget reconciliation move (which doesn't allow unlimited debate) could get rid of premium subsidies and tax credits, individual mandate, Medicaid expansion, and other revenue-related measures. But it would be hard to (legislatively) remove other measures focused on regulating private health insurance. But state exchanges and Medicaid expansion are toast. ETA: If this is correct, my husband and children will all lose their health insurance. Thanks, Trump voters!

I thought the tall hat dude was a Spalding groupie. ;)

Also, a rainbow and unicorn. Just because.

I would like a preach, an amen, and a Hunger Games salute.

DS1 -- Talking in full sentences in two languages at 18 months, reading CVC words at 2. DS2 -- Qualified for Early Intervention Speech Therapy at 2, then an IEP for Speech at 3. Could ride a regular Razor scooter around 15 months and a pedal bike with no training wheels at 2.5. Jury is still out on IQ for both, but they are both *very* different people, with very different learning styles.

I buy tons of stuff from All Day Chemist in India. Totally legit. I've also bought from pharmacies in Vanuatu. Never had a bad experience and never needed a scrip.

Please realize that you are not alone. Medication has been a savior for me, but it is still a struggle. Great recommendations already. Just please be gentle with yourself and don't judge your homeschool by the bad days. Talk to yourself as you would a good friend and you are more likely to see the positives.

I agree that this varies widely by both university and major. As a dual humanities major at a selective liberal arts college, I had the time to work 30+ hours per week managing a health food store, participate in Army ROTC and the Army Reserve, and have an active social life. I managed to graduate magna cum laude/PBK. I don't think I could have done the same as a computer science or engineering major.

Oh no! What were they thinking? Your DD is amazing! Gosh, I know that must be so hard for her. Please tell her how much her virtual friends are cheering her on; I know that she will be an incredible addition to any program. Hugs to you both.

Thank you! This is very helpful. :)

Just wanted to update: I requested the school district evaluate him for apraxia. They brought in the apraxia specialist for SD Unified, who has advanced prompt training. She determined that he did not have apraxia. His private preschool also brought in a SLP to evaluate and also said phonological disorder and not apraxia. He is now 3 years, 3 months old, and is making substantial improvement. He is going to individual speech therapy 3 times per week, and although he is still delayed, he can now say a huge number of new sounds (in the right places too!) He has also been enjoying Reading Eggs. Thank you for all the advice and support. :)