Well, I jumped on the "all the way through" bandwagon pretty quickly. I was willing to look at options, of course, but homeschooling was our default. I was going to make homeschooling work period. But I definitely think it may be easier for some first timers with very young kids to say "we'll see how this goes." And things change as time goes by. We didn't use a full curriculum before but then did with my daughter in 7th grade. It was only one grade though. The virtual academy opened here and my son has done 7th grade that way and will be doing 8th grade that way also. We HOPE that they open high school by the time he's ready for that. It is a good situation for him. So be open to options :) One consideration: Don't go back and forth to an extreme. I wouldn't necessarily commit to a whole year because if you aren't doing right at home, school is better and if something awful is going on with school, then you need to get kiddo home. But the back and forth a couple times per school year is not a good idea. I've seen it twice and both times the kids' education suffered GREATLY (being several levels behind, not having foundational skills/tools/information, self-esteem issues, etc) as well as their behavior. But you aren't going to hurt a Kindergartener just about no matter what. And if you would like to get your feet wet this year and make the decision for 2009-2010 next Spring, I think that is perfectly reasonable :) Just remember that homeschooling DOES take some time to get used to and you are going to have doubts along the way. Keep coming back for support :)

We registered late for this course also and they also sent us the first 6 chapters (good thing because the book is ALSO going to my mom's 5 hours away instead of coming here so that will allow my mom to get it to us!). We're really looking forward to the class. :) Pamela

I agree with Jann. I will tell you that I HATED repeating work when I returned to public school and thought my grades of 99 in math on every report card proved I didn't need it. But once I moved on, I honestly believed (and still do) that extra review, solidification of skills, etc was the best thing that could have happened to me. And my experience with my kids...We've taken an extra year with each of them and though I heard complaints I have NO doubt that they benefited GREATLY. I think they probably agree now. HTHs, Pamela

Well, I'll be the odd man out. My kids found out about this game from me because of the WTM boards. Though the original poster had mentioned addiction issues and behavioral problems since starting the game, I stupidly thought my kid would enjoy it. My checking it out was an hour or two which was completely innocent things like learning to build a fire and such. :( I'll just say that the behavioral and addiction issues were beyond an extreme here. Also, there are things in the game that hurt our consciences. PLEASE research these issues carefully and pay attention to what you know about your children before you allow this game. BTW, I choose not to judge other people so hopefully the others will not feel defensive. I just wish I had paid attention to other parents on here that outlined behavioral and conscience issues.

We got ours almost 3 (or was it 4?) years ago. It is absolutely wonderful for many things, especially smoothies :) I use mine almost daily! HTHs, Pamela

We have 3 guinea pigs. We used the cavycages.com site to learn how to put a cage together. Recently, we upgraded and they now have a 4ft by 7.5 ft mansion. It is lined with fleece because I couldn't stand the shavings for another second! http://www.flickr.com/photos/75649042@N00/2294920856 (all 3 in new cage) A couple things: 1) I wouldn't assume son is not allergic to piggies...also, what about hay, shavings, etc? 2) Definitely go to a rescue or someplace to get a piggy. We got our 3 as babies from a rescue about an hour and a half away. They also had the coroplast CHEAP there. They also were able to give us food, hay, etc for THEIR bulk price rather than having to pay for smaller amounts, mark-up, etc. But we usually get stuff more locally. 3) Definitely get 2. 4) Ours still seem skittish about being picked up, but once we have them, they are friendly. They do pay attention to us a lot: looking out at us, wheeking for our attention, being silly about food, begging (heehee), etc. Ours have SUCH personality, all so different. Even if pics you can see it in them. http://www.flickr.com/photos/75649042@N00/2294132607 Zippy (mine) http://www.flickr.com/photos/75649042@N00/2294134347 Reven (my son's)

I've done it twice. The first time (many moons ago) went very well. The 16yo 8th grader progressed nicely and a year and a half later started college. I got much satisfaction helping her. The second time was the beginning of this school year. We struggled a lot though we love the child (8th grader) and though she and my son could do much work together. The reasons were numerous. The final straw (and maybe something to consider) was when my daughter's health required hospitalization (kidney disease) and then medication (which severely affected not only her weight but her whole day, including learning). Add to that a bout of severe depression (including hospitalization) for me. It was just a BAD fall! Now the virtual academy may be an option worth considering! Is it public school at home like the TXVA.org? My son and the 8th grader started ours in very late October and it has been WONDERFUL! I know that so many people are against these things, but it really has been an absolutely awesome opportunity for my son. Also, because it's public school, that may well be of great help legally for dad. Dad would still need someone to be with her as a "learning coach" though, especially as she's so young. Anyway, I'm also in Texas so law regarding working with other kids may be a consideration for you. But I just wanted to share my experience.

I agree with Kay in Cal. I like their books though I don't agree with everything in the latter ones. I like that they are straight forward and clear as well as enjoyable. This is the one we have (though my kids are now older). I believe it's for 7yrs and up. http://www.amazon.com/Its-So-Amazing-Babies-Families/dp/0763613215/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204746708&sr=8-2

Academics here also. I wanted my kids to: 1) go the pace best for them as individuals 2) take things deeper/broader as interested 3) follow through more 4) have more time to do the above My hubby's first reason, btw, was for them to have the opportunity of healthier social development. Of course, by the time they were school age, we added in physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and family reasons also :)

My daughter started EPGY just before turning 7. So we were also considering it about the time you are doing so :) Here are a couple things of our experience: 1) my daughter did four grade levels (3rd-6th) in that first quarter. We signed up for only one more. 2) she did it in spurts. She'd do it for a time each day for a couple days then not touch it for a week or two. Honestly, the above drove me batty. I was also concerned with the cost. And lastly, the higher math courses had a time requirement I didn't want to even encourage, much less require of a 7yr old, though I've since learned they don't hold you to that much as long as the progression is reasonable. I'm glad for the opportunity. My daughter DID enjoy Algebra at 7. But we went through it in our own way while keeping up the lower math skills, broadening out, etc. We revisited the idea a few times. I kinda wish we had done it around 10 or 11.

I agree with the others. My daughter also became sick this year (as did I too!) and it has turned out very oddly for us. We have no oversight though and other circumstances allowed us not to have the concerns you have though we are changing our plans for next year. Anyway, I completely agree with getting a medical exemption. If you haven't already, start a journal of her daily symptoms and another of her activities. That will allow you to show that she does her work as she's capable but that you have more times than normal that she is just not capable at this point. I SO get brain fog. Just have her do the best she can. Continue her courses in her own timing. It'll work out in the end. The great thing about homeschooling is the flexibility and though state oversight can make that a little more difficult, it can't take it away completely. I hope the best for y'all. Try not to worry too much.

I personally LOVE the http://www.beachbody.com programs. I have several and highly recommend them. There is information on the site on how to choose the best one for yourself. Also, you can look through pages and pages of stories and before and after pics. There is a message board also. Anyway, they are great and my kids have enjoyed them also though they kinda like Sweatin' to the Oldies! LOL

I would not judge someone for using a different style (and btw, we've gone through a couple ourselves). I also would never judge someone based on where their children are academically (and btw, my own kids vary also). Well, I try not to judge others anyway, but I can't help feeling badly for teenagers that are so far behind after years of neglect (not just different choices). The parents often acknowledge problems but never do anything EFFECTIVE to do better. Of course, you're right -- at some point, the kids can take responsibility for themselves and learn DESPITE their schooling.

I believed that for a LONG time. But about the time my oldest was 13, I saw a huge difference. I think the parents still CARED, but they weren't conscientious at ALL. That year changed everything. Maybe it's the age thing? I know *I* got tired by the time my youngest was 12. We changed things up quite a bit, but neglecting them educationally wasn't an option! Maybe other people just struggle more with that? But.... Before then, I had known two families who had no business homeschooling. One put her kids back into school until they were teens and that worked fine and the kids did fine (now teens and adults). The other didn't. After then? I knew less than a handful of families that homeschooled in a conscientious manner (regardless of style choice) but knew tons of families whose children were being neglected educationally. Anyway, I wish it were like how I saw it when my kids were little. Now I'm afraid that a large percentage of homeschool kids are neglected :(

I would assure the mom that she could easily have her kiddo go another 4 years, especially depending on her plans for college. Also, I would encourage her to consider a more rigorous curriculum in enable a BROADNESS of education rather than just a linear education. JMO, her daughter isn't advanced. Algebra I and Physical Science sometimes are 9th grade classes in some locations (almost every that I've lived in). However, LOTS of kids take them early and there is PLENTY of math and science beyond them. Many of our kids double up on sciences in order to take the advanced sciences in high school.

Well, I'll be the oddball. My kids get a part of the tax refund each year. They'll also get a small part of this and are already thinking of ways of stimulating the economy :) However, NO ONE in this house believes they are ENTITLED to it. It is simply something we CHOOSE to give. And they certainly aren't getting anywhere close to $300 altogether, much less EACH!

Lots of homeschoolers do the online call centers....and lots of people work these things full time making just about whatever money they wish to make. I saved us from foreclosure back in August making $2600 in one month. It wasn't ideal living conditions but NOTHING will be while you are trying to homeschool your kids. At least I had a 6 step commute and not a 30 minute one. Just a thought. Pamela

Deb, For an opportunity for a student to participate in a public school sponsored program.

I know it's been discussed many times in the past as an issue, but I'm wondering if anyone knows how to quickly PROVE their student's high school courses? If you said kid did these classes for 9th and 10th grades, but they were strictly homeschooled (courses not taken through correspondence, online, in person programs), how would you PROVE they actually did it? If you didn't have the means for your primary methods, what ELSE would you do?

I've not done very well exercising due to severe depression, but I'm hoping I'm on an upswing and will do better. This morning, I did walk with the kids and dogs :) My starting weight (this time) was 230. I'm down to 219 as of this morning. Goal is 150 :)

I have several beachbody programs and love them. I only wish I had TurboJam (and if you don't take advantage of the one offered above, I'm interested!). I have made calls to order BB products and have taken calls as an operator. Nothing is hidden, but many people are a bit in a hurry or emotional when they call and can get into something they don't understand. Well and parts of the script are wordy.... Anyway, the agent HAS to read the script. You are welcome to say yes or no as you need to. If you don't understand something, it's the agent's job to go back over it for you or to answer questions. As for membership things with BB. There are two levels. One is one you pay for and I didn't get this at first but then signed up for it a few weeks later. The other is free and just allows you to log your workouts (and possibly win money working out!), play in the forums, etc. Oh, and I will say as a customer that I have known a few people to wait longer for their orders. This includes myself. I do NOT know if this is normal or not. However, I have never had, as an agent, a call complaining they just never got it. HTHs a little.

Here is a link to tons of links: http://www.gracellewellyn.com/links.htm For books, I'd try Grace Llewellyn's Teenage Liberation Handbook and her Real Lives: Eleven Teenagers who Don't Go to School. I think there are some great things about unschooling. There can be some real drawbacks. It depends on the teen :)

my daughter was 9 also. She started her period just before her 10th bday though.

Here is a small list of companies one might consider: http://www.babytobee.net/angel/index.html is for warm market telemarketing (the people know you'll be calling). It pays $10/hour. You can work 10 to 105 hours per week. http://www.acddirect.com (the one with the PBS pledges) http://www.VIPdesk.com http://www.arise.com (there is money out of pocket on this one. most say it's worth it. I personally don't know, but it was featured on Good Morning America several times) http://www.liveops.com If you have an insurance license, please email or IM me. http://www.alpineaccess.com has MANY projects and shifts within each to choose. Hourly rate. (not as flexible....set shifts though you can pick what you want). http://www.westathome.com http://www.workingsol.com

if you can walk, you can work, IMO Actually, even ones littler than that can help pick up a little!