Well, this topic is clear as mud! Lol! It sounds like I shouldn't attempt to be frugal since I was not taught math the Singapore way (defining that to mean a conceptual understanding of math that is broader than the plug-and-chug algorithms).

Sunnyday, We've been using the CWP for the last year along with MM, and, from my perspective, some of the problems in there are HARD, I can understand why some people use them a half or whole year behind. If you are using BA, which we aren't yet, they may not be necessary, but for us at this level, they are a really great addition.

Thanks everyone. So, it sounds like I should skip the textbook, but get the workbook for the cute, the IP, and the CWP. I was not brought up with Singapore Math, but I think I will work through the Grade 1 IPs this summer and decide on the HIGs then. Or, perhaps, buy the 2A HIG and see if I end up using it before I buy 2B as well. I am really happy that we made the change from MM. MM was plugging along fine, but I just kept having this nagging feeling that Singapore would work better for us (in large part based on what I had read here), and I am glad that I listened to that instinct. So, thank you!

We just switched from MM over to Singapore. The reason for the switch was because I found MM to be pretty dry, dense with problems, and just not very cutesy when compared to Singapore's workbooky style. I bought 1A and 1B Intensive Practice books to do over the summer as review before starting 2 (Standards edition) in the fall (to ensure there were no gaps with MM), and, so far, my son is really responding to the change. Singapore is just adorable for a 5 year old! But, I find myself going through a lot of curricula, which is getting expensive. So, do I really need to buy the HIG to teach second grade math? The IP books just seem so self explanatory. And, to that end, do I really need the grade 2 workbooks if I am using the grade 2 textbooks, IPs and CWP? It seems like that is a lot of problems already. What has been your experience -- do the brighter kids really need all these books? Thanks so much!

As an aside, is there a central repository for these gifted camps?

I also have a young one and have struggled with the same questions (i.e. is he gifted vs. bright, and does the distinction really even matter). This board continues to be enormously helpful for me. I would like to recommend this article from Davidson, which I found helpful because it also addresses issues of personality type and sex differences in the classroom. http://www.davidsongifted.org/db/Articles_id_10480.aspx I'm a very reluctant homeschooler for a couple of reasons. I have an extroverted child who enjoys being around his age peers and doesn't (yet?) seem to struggle with the EQ issues that some gifted children face. In contrast, I am an introvert, struggle with mood issues, need my alone time to recharge, and have a newly mobile baby to chase after. We are choosing to homeschool because there is no G&T program in our district until the 3rd grade and private school is financially out of reach for us. But, we are compromising by enrolling my oldest son in a California public charter homeschool program, where he will take classes on site a couple days per week (to give him the social aspects he craves and the break that I need), and I will teach him the rest of the time (he will officially be in K in the fall, but is mostly at a 2nd grade level). I am hoping that this will be a happy medium for us. The charter school does require testing, but not until the 3rd or 4th grade, as I recall. I am OK with it. Depending on how things play out with my son, we may also do some talent search testing down the road. I am not sure if any of that is helpful for you, or an option, but I just thought that I would throw it out there, and welcome you to the board!

I switched from Verizon to TM when we recently moved back to San Diego to save money. So, not exactly rural. Not impressed. Coverage is very spotty.

I'm aware of the legal distinction, but the practical reality is that it is hybrid homeschooling to teach your kid 80% of the time.

Thanks, but I was referring to actual onsite classes offered by the charter. They have a large list of approved vendors, but I'm thinking of utilizing the learning center classes for the social aspects and (if I'm being candid) a break for mom. I'm just not sure I can spend all day with my kids with my sanity intact. :)

If you went the CA public charter route, did you take any onsite classes? Did you find them worthwhile -- academically or socially? I appreciate any experiences.

“The message of Passover remains as powerful as ever. Freedom is won not on the battlefield but in the classroom and the home. Teach your children the history of freedom if you want them never to lose it.†-- Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks Enjoy your seders!

I have a housekeeper come weekly in San Diego (twice per week when we lived in Mexico). She cleans everything for about 4-5 hours, does our laundry (and puts it away), changes linens, does dishes, etc. We pay $75 per week. Our marriage wouldn't survive without it.

My oldest son will be at the Jewish Community Center day camp in San Diego all summer. He's doing 2 weeks of a science camp, 4 weeks of Spanish, 4 weeks of musical theatre, and 2 weeks of Lego/Robotics camp. They swim every day as well. He's really looking forward to it, as am I.

Where will you be sailing? Unless it's in the tropics, you will likely be cold. And you will likely want more clothes.

I would take him to the women's bathroom. My husband often goes in the women's bathroom to change a diaper because changing stations are often not in the men's. He just calls out to the women. Honestly, most women are thrilled to see a man changing a diaper and have given him nothing but positive comments.

I take mine to a pediatric dentist starting at 1. They go every six months and get cleanings and X-rays. We've often been without dental insurance and it was around $100. I consider it an important part of basic preventative health care. I've seen too many young kids with dental problems with their baby teeth that affected their adult teeth. I personally wouldn't wait for a problem to arise.

We are a family of 4 on a 41 foot sailboat. Probably less than 400 sq. feet of living space. It can be done.

I've had it with both pregnancies and both babies were healthy and normal size. I wouldn't worry unless there are issues on your BPPs (mine were always 10/10). I also wouldn't stress about your diet at this point. Insulin resistance actually peaks late in pregnancy and then improves. Just keep things low glycemic index and healthy. Also, weight estimates are notoriously inaccurate in late pregnancy, off by as much as a pound in either direction. So, I wouldn't stress about that either. Try to relax. Your baby will be here soon.

I have the female sign with the scales of justice hanging from it on my back. I got it in NYC on the evening that I found out that I'd been admitted to my first choice law school. I was 24. I got my second two years later when I was interning on Wall Street. It looks like the Merrill Lynch bull. It's on my hip. I would love to have more, but I subsequently converted to Judaism and it's verboten.

Following

Thank you so much!

Which classes at CTY did you like?

I would definitely report it.

Yes, it would be weird. I'm not disputing the red flags here at all. As far as erections, this would seem to vary widely. If a child is wearing a lot of clothes, I would imagine a parent wouldn't really know. But, if the boy is running around naked quite a lot, it would be more obvious. Because we live at the beach, I'm around a lot of naked or semi-naked kids in the boating/beachy/swimming community, and frequent erections seem pretty normal to me. I asked my husband and he agreed. I certainly don't think it's rare, at least in my experience.

I see, so my husband and I are just being inappropriate vs. abusive. Forgive me if I still feel that statement is incredibly judgmental. We live in the tropics. It's 80+ degrees at night during the winter, plus humidity. I won't even begin to tell you about the summer. Suffice to say, no one is wearing "bed clothes" if they would like to get any sleep in that kind of heat. My son also recently had to transition to life in another country and a little brother, so he's wanted a little extra comfort from his father and I of late. Certainly, when my son begins to show some modesty about his body or mine, we will cover up. But, I'm not going to make a big deal about nudity while it is simply a nonissue. Children develop in very different ways, and I prefer to allow that maturation to occur organically vs. arbitrarily, based on someone else's definition of normal for X age. He's never exposed his genitals to another person, and has no interest in sex (beyond wondering where babies came from while I was pregnant with his younger brother). I don't see any reason for concern and would change course if I ever did. I suppose that I find it more inappropriate to make broad generalizations about how other families should live, without context or knowledge of specifics.