My 10 year old really wants this. I told him I would look and see if anything existed like this and so far I haven't found anything. I told him that maybe we could try to start a homeschooler chat board. He is doing an online Socratic discussion group and it precipitated this desire of his because he would like to talk to the other kids a little more outside of the academic discussion time.

This is my biggest challenge, especially as my boys are getting older. We live in a very rural area and there aren't a lot of activities. My oldest ended up going to high school because of this issue. My 10, soon to be 11 year old, is looking for more interaction right now. The 8 and 6 year olds are not quite as antsy, but they are always asking me to arrange "play dates", which I rarely do because aside from the fact that I work and am busy, the idea of sitting around my house for hours on end supervising play dates doesn't really sound like my idea of a good time. We drive to a coop that is 45 minutes away, but it is not holding together very well.

I cannot even imagine trying to teach this to a second grader. An older student would be able to learn this in two to three lessons. This is too abstract for an eight year old.

I didn't lose my son in the courts, but I wanted to tell you I understand what you are saying about hiking off into the sunset when you found out you were pregnant with your first. I should have done that too.

I agree. I posted a regret about using an unschooling "methodology" (if you can call it that, lol), but I do not regret homeschooling at all.

I regret buying into the idea of unschooling. I am now following a curriculum for my kids. I am also learning from my past mistakes (in many different areas of my life) in adopting extremes. So, I am not going from unschooling to a rigid approach to our curriculum, but trying to be moderate and flexible. This transition away from unschooling has been going on for many years.

I am using Time4Learning and Kindle apps for days like that.

I think it is cultural. They are all over the place in NM. They make me very sad. I actually found it kind of creepy when I first moved here because I wasn't used to it (I'm from the northeast).

My fifth grader had been fairly independent since third grade when his reading took off. I go over his assignments with him and then he sits and does them independently. I am available for questions or to help him through a hard assignment (usually math). I have to sit with my current third grader for everything other than handwriting. I don't see that changing any time soon. My 1st grader, of course, needs me for all of his assignments, but I suspect that based on his personality, he will be independent once his reading skills are good.

If you have committed mortal sin, you may not take communion. That doesn't sound like the case, though. Partaking of communion may help you to attain the grace you need for the situation. "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof..."

It is helpful and you are very on point for what I am looking for! Thank you for the thoughtful response.

Is there a good website or book with book report guidelines and/ or ideas? I am looking specifically for my fifth grader, but ideas that span different grades would be great.

Love the Tudors! Might have to watch that series again.

That seems like a bad business move. I thought they were moving into more streaming, though? We live in a rural area and can't really stream because it causes us to exceed our bandwidth limitations on satellite Internet. I've been bummed because there are things that I want from Netflix that are only streaming.

Yes, I sent my oldest to school, due to conflicting personalities. I homeschooled him through 4th grade and for one year of high school (his request). My relationship with him and the whole household is much more peaceful when he is in school.

Caribbean Queen, I think you are misunderstanding what we are saying about our boys. Boys are not girls. They tend to need a lot of physical outlets. You have to channel their energy properly. I personally receive a lot of complements about my boys' behavior. I think is because they are disciplined appropriately... meaning they are disciplined for truly inappropriate behavior, NOT for being who God made them to be. I think the pendulum has swung too far to compensate for the sexism that has existed in our society. Boys are now scorned for normal boy behavior. It is very sad.

Hehe. Me too. Five boys here, no girls. What is this "quiet" that people speak of? When I simply can't take it any more, I send them outside. We live in the mountains and I am very thankful because they have room to roam. There is always a tree to climb, a puddle to splash in, a field to toss the ball in, or a foot of snow to build a snow fort with. When all else fails, I send them outside to chop wood.

PACE- this is Catholic, but I think there is a version that is not Catholic. I think this could probably be used for all Christians, regardless of denomination. http://www.emmanuelbooks.com/product_detail.cfm/ID/1367/P-A-C-E-NEW-Edition-Program-for-Achieving-Character-Education/

Where will your convention be?

City Mouse, that is our homeschool group! Where do you live? We are a very small group- only three families. And actually, none of us live in Taos. We all travel 40 mins or further to meet in Taos, which is the most central spot for us.

No rough housing? Holy cow. I have five boys. I wouldn't even begin to know how to enforce that rule.

Actually, I think lprstn makes a good point. It was at least a helpful reminder for me. Sometimes I think that working would be easier if I just put the kids in school. I am often times tempted, but then I think about the homework, conferences, etc. and wonder if it would really be any easier. At least I have some flexibility. So, I think it is hard to work and care for a family, period. But maybe some of us lamenting the work/homeschooling situation do need to be reminded that it might not be any easier if they were in school.

Well, "use a crockpot" is pretty important advice, lol! I am curious as to why you feel like you have to let the strict schedule go? I have to keep a strict schedule- schooling in the morning or it has a way of not getting done. We usually start school at 9 and right now I am thinking about trying to start at 8 so that we can be done earlier in the afternoon. I think that 1 hour will make a huge difference for me.

You implied this in one of your replies, but I think you, mama, are the one that needs a friend that schools similarly to you! It sounds like the kids are happy with their group and their friends, generally. You just have to let them know they can't do everything with the group, end of discussion. No whining, bickering, arguing. It is what it is. But, it very much sounds like you need a friendship with another mom who has a similar outlook to yours.

I think it gets easier as it gets older. My kids are 3, 6, 8, 10 and 16. Sure, work in the primary grades doesn't take as long, but I have to directly teach them almost everything. When they are older, they can do so much more independently. And they become competent with household chores. As far as activities, once they are teens they can drive themselves! And on a side note, regarding car time... I use that time to listen to good quality audio books or to do things like practice multiplication tables. Using your time wisely is key to combining homeschooling and working.