I am using it. We started it at the end of last school year and will finish it this year. We don't have anger issues here, but attitudes have improved. The way this program is written seems to connect with my kids better than anything else I've tried, including explaining many of these same concepts. It has made them more aware of their feelings and reactions to their environment. They are also more prone to realize they can choose how to think about an event vs. just reacting to it. They still have their moments when they are not thinking things through and only reacting to something. The program takes time and practice to make it an automatic habit. MindUp is written for the b&m school setting, but it has not been difficult to adapt it for the home. Like most school programs, the group activities have to be adapted or substituted. I will be very interested in hearing how this program works for you. I haven't heard of anyone else using MindUp. HTH Denise

I just want to say or sing, rather: "The sage in bloom, is like perfume (clap,clap,clap,clap) deep in the heart of Texas!" Yes, I learned this and several other patriotic songs when I went to elementary school in Texas. Beans can be used in chili, though it is not technically correct, but only if they are pintos. Any other type of bean is...no. Chili con carne con frijole (pintos). I have insomnia tonight, so if this doesn't make sense, that's my excuse. Denise

From your list, your children are having a nice variety of experiences. I love that you watch and discuss Doctor Who. My list is long because my oldest wanted to try most everything as a young child and he was an only child for his first 10 years. We also lived in an area where a lot of activities were free or very low cost. Where we live now, only a few things are free (engineering club, swimming) and a few are low cost (scouts, AHG, lego league). My youngers don't get to do as much as ds #1 did at the same age. They certainly don't get to travel like ds #1. Also, my children are all several years apart, so that makes it more affordable. We do/did things one or two at a time. I do look for free and low cost. Dd's dance is $55 per month, our most expensive activity. Some of what I listed is done at home, like choosing a recipe from another country and learning to cook it. We stay away from expensive recipes. We probably do this activity once every 3-4 months. Ds #2 just started a culinary class through a free co-op. Since there is a cost of $10-$15 for that particular class, they allow us to come only once per month. He and I will also teach a few of these classes. Dd participates by default. I think it's more important to follow dc interests and give them what you can than running them from activity to activity. From what you wrote, you're doing a great job of meeting your children's interests. Denise

I think these experiences are just as important as basic academics. Here's our list: Travel - domestic and international, when we can Museums, Botanical Gardens, Aquariums Cultural Festivals (especially where we used to live) Hiking, camping Scouts & American Heritage Girls Engineering club, First Lego League, Science clubs Chess club and tournaments Swimming, running 5Ks, martial arts music concerts - all types of music, plus we listen to everything from opera to blue grass in the house Volunteer work at a community thrift store, a bird sanctuary Ballet and tap dancing drawing, sculpting and textile lessons cooking-teaching and learning to cook from around the world fencing theater-backstage help church, church youth group, altar serving auto mechanics class That's all I can think of right now. No wonder I'm tired! Denise

Chocolate - now that may be the answer! Oh, and maybe some ice cream, too. Thanks for making me laugh!

Jean, I just wanted to add that Ds's Calc. class w/DO was also taught w/out a textbook. We still bought the book the class was based on so that ds could read and see example problems. Mr. Owens is not opposed to this as it does help many students. I'm not sure if The Potter's School or one of the other online schools offer physics classes w/lectures. Our class through PA Homeschoolers had no lectures, which surprised me. I think it is teacher dependent with them. Also, you said your son does not follow through with details very well. We have that problem here, too. My oldest had to have constant reminders to put an answer into the correct unit, not just write the number down and things like that. The outside classes did seem to help him improve - maybe because it's one thing to be docked a point or two by your mom, it's another when it's someone else. Or maybe it just made a bigger impression on him, idk. I do know it was not purposeful on his part. He still does it and it negatively affects his scores. He works very hard to check and double check before turning things in for a grade. I hope you find a good class for your son. He sounds really smart and interesting. Denise

What about Derek Owens physics class? He has recorded lectures that your son can watch as many times as he wants so he can catch it all. Then your son can go over the sections in the reading and the lectures where he lost focus. Mr. Owens is also very responsive to e-mail questions if the student doesn't understand something. That might work better than textbook and lab at home. My oldest took Pre-calc. and Calc. from DO. We did not take physics from DO, so no direct experience with that class. However, it is my impression that all of the classes have a similar structure. They are all go at your own pace with textbook, lectures and labs for science. A friend of mine has a ds currently in the class and describes it in a similar fashion. From what you posted about your son, I do think Conceptual Physics would be too easy and he would be bored. It seems like your son would enjoy a more math based program. I don't know about the other programs you listed. HTH Denise

Thank you all for responding and being so supportive. It helps to know that I am not alone and that it is normal. I have seen other parents over the years and they seem to handle it all so well. Maybe their hiding it? Anyway, I feel more normal and that it is just temporary. LoriD.- your post reminded me to be thankful for what I have. Hugs to you sending your youngest off to college. That must be really, really hard. Consider yourself hugged and given a mug of hot chocolate or whatever it is that brings you comfort. I will do some of your suggestions. We don't have a dog or cat, just a lizard and I won't cuddle him! But, I will hug my younger kids. They have been doing extra chores without being asked, so they deserve extra attention. We will all get through this! Hugs and mugs of hot chocolate to everyone. Denise

Big hugs to you. We only went through this once, it's painful. My heart goes out to you. More hugs. Denise

I've only read a few of the replies, but I did read Faith's post. I am so sorry that horrible accident happened to you and your son, Faith. Maybe some people's brains react to pain by divorcing awareness from the nervous system. Does that make sense? Faith describes not being able to tell that she is not able to sleep because she is not aware she is in pain. Yet, her brain won't let her sleep. When I was young, I had a lot of hip surgeries. I was put on a medication schedule because I would not ask for pain meds. until the pain was so bad the meds. wouldn't work. My mom scolded me for it and said I had to ask sooner. But, I didn't feel it until it was really bad. My mom also talks about the time I got my ears pierced. I was terrified that it would hurt and apparently put myself in some sort of trance. She said both her and the guy piercing my ears waved a hand in front of my face with no response. All I remember is that I found a painting to look at and stared at it. Similar things happened during other moments of pain and/or fear. Oldest ds is the opposite. He feels things intensely. Over the years, I have worked with him on putting his mind somewhere else to divorce from the pain. He also went through a lot of sensory integration therapy as young child. The intensity of pain has subsided somewhat for him, but he still feels it more readily and deeply than the average person. I guess it's a difference in how the brain works. I do think when people seem to overreact, their pain is real and intense. I don't think it should be dismissed as overreacting. Due to the experience with oldest's sensory issues, I find this a fascinating subject. Denise

Ds #1 took the test cold in 8th grade. We prepped him mentally by explaining that we just wanted a baseline to guide us in what areas to concentrate our studies. He's a perfectionist and getting anything less than an A upsets him. So, yes, we prepped him mentally that he might get very low scores, but it was ok. He handled the lower scores well. Like other posters, he was homeschooled and not the best test taker anyway, so he needed the practice. If you think your son will handle it well with a little mental prep. from you, I would let him take the test. It lets him become familiar with it and shows areas where he needs more study and areas where he just needs to keep up the review. With so much riding on the test in 11th grade, it could cause anxiety to be seeing it for the first time when it really counts. If he's seen it before, it may relax him more later. If he will get upset no matter what or doesn't handle the stress of testing, then I would wait. Whatever you decide, I hope he does well and stays relaxed. Denise

Ok, so we sent ds #1 off to college. I still have 2 younger dc to homeschool. Our starting day was this past Monday and I can find no motivation to do school work with them. None, zip, nada. I don't have a schedule or even a loose plan. I have books and materials, but not much of a plan to use to them. The only things we've done this week are math, reading and any outside activities/classes that I can't get out of attending. The house is a mess from when we were so busy running around getting ds ready to go up to school. I've only done 2 loads of laundry and we've been back almost a full week. We've been swimming most mornings, but it is not helping me increase my energy or my motivation. I just want to sleep or eat or both. What is wrong with me? Is anyone else having this difficulty? Please tell me it will pass very soon. Denise

If it helps her sleep, that alone will reduce her anxiety. If she can get through the next week or so, she may begin to feel more relaxed. I agree with advice to begin practicing coping/calming/mindfulness strategies. Fwiw, I went through something similar when I went off to college and I had been a very independent high schooler. Eating by myself, getting to classes and so forth really built my confidence that I could be on my own and be fine. It did take a little while. I wish I had known about the calming and mindfulness strategies back then. They work wonders for retraining the brain to stay calm and let the thinking part take control. Hugs and best wishes for your friends daughter. Denise

Emerald Waves Homeschool Academy because we live on the Emerald Coast. We just named it last year when I was writing oldest ds's transcript. No logo as I'm not that creative. I'll have to have my oldest sketch something, he's the artist in the family. Denise

My aunt did this to my cousin but, only after he flunked out of the university due to partying. A couple of yrs. later, when he decided to go back to college, she refused to pay for it. She felt he would accomplish more if he wanted it bad enough to spend his own money on it. She was right. In that situation, I agree that the student should take on some or all of the cost of attending school. I would not start off w/that attitude, though. Each person is different. Some kids feel a heavy burden knowing they will graduate w/debt, which can negatively affect their education. Others will study and do well no matter what. It really depends on the student's personality and attitude. In the end, the attitude of the parent you describe bothers me the most. Maybe they feel this way b/c they know their children and know they might take college for granted. In that case, they are correct to make the kids share some of the financial burden. Otherwise, no, I would not convey that kind of thinking to my children. It shows a mistrust of the student, in my opinion. Good topic. Thanks for bringing it up. Denise

We will say prayers for your ds, dil and grandson. My heart goes out to them. It sounds like they are staying calm, which will help. Ave Maria, Denise

I am so sorry, Regentrude. Your dd is very accomplished and would be a great asset to U Chicago. Hugs to you and your dd. Denise

Florida State accepted ds. There is one more school he applied to but, after visiting, decided it's not a good fit. Now, we are waiting on aid decisions and applying for outside scholarships. He also needs to begin a detailed pro/con list to narrow things down. It will be interesting to see where he finally decides to go. I want to thank all of you for helping ds get this far. The info. and advice you all provided on these boards helped guide us through his schooling. From using graph paper to line up long division, where to find AP classes, methods to use for dyslexic students and all the tips on how to teach and what to avoid. I have learned a ton! We would not be here if it weren't for TWTM book and all of you. So, thank you! Denise

I finally have a chance to add ds's acceptances to the list. He has been accepted to Univ. of Alabama, Univ. of Indiana, Univ. of Central Florida and Purdue. He received some nice merit aid from the first 3. We are waiting to hear about aid from Purdue. Then, there are 2 more that we are waiting to hear from regarding admissions. Honestly, I'm relieved. Yes, I'm excited about all of his acceptances and merit scholarships but, what I'm most happy about is knowing that this experiment called homeschooling actually worked. Whew! Denise

You are very fortunate. Your dc and hers together must be a dynamic combination. How wonderful for all of you! Denise

Regentrude Ds really likes your definition of a scientific theory. He says it makes an important distinction. I interrupted his studying to watch the video and read this thread. Now, it back to work for both of us. Denise

Not a CD but there is a book called, "Spinning Inward," by Maureen Murdock that has simple, guided meditations specifically for children. We are using some of them and they seem to help my kids feel calmer and more focused. Denise

Thank you for sharing this info. I will bookmark it for my younger ds. It may be just the thing for him! Thanks again! Denise

I hope everyone did well. Ds isn't home yet. He was nervous this morning. I hope he's more relaxed now that it's over. Denise

I sent you a pm. Denise