I have been thinking about this the last few weeks. I have chosen some rather expensive ( to us) curriculum and it will continue to be expensive for then next 4-5 years until I have everything I need for all the levels we have. I was thinking of selling what I have bought and using the money to buy less expensive items until Dh and I get into a better financial situation.

I was the baby of 5 and had only babysit an older child a few times so I was really inexperienced. After my DD was born the nurse asked it I wanted to hold her and I said NO! DH got to hold her first and I was a wreck when they handed her to me. I had no clue how to do anything and am thankful I had a nice older woman who lived next door to us. She was a great mentor. I didn't really have a good relationship with my mom and she "left" when my DD was 18 months old and my DS was 3 months. Long story LOL, but I have worked very hard to be a good mom in part because of that. It has made me stronger.

I wonder what was going through his little mind LOL. We had a child cut a plugged in cord when he was younger and I thought that was bad enough.

There are a few boys who work with my 18 yo that do drugs. It bothers me a lot, but we keep the communication open and we are very vigilant with him. I am relieved my 16 yo will be working there now too in order for more accountibility, kwim?

Not entertaining, just for us. The kids would love it with tortilla chips. Good idea, thanks!

My kids have all worked some type of job starting @ 13. Right now my 16 and 18 year olds are cart pushers and my 19 yo is a vet nurse. They have worked as farm laborers, stock boys, cashiers, deli counter, mother's helpers, baby sitting, garden help, pet sitting, and lawn care.

I just made this for tonight but I have no idea what to serve with it? Help :D

Thank you for sharing and good luck to them! My 16 yo is at his first day of orientation today for his new job. Very exiciting time for them :)

Thanks, I am going to talk to them and see what they think of him switching to the one day a week.

I was sititng here checking my email and behind me I heard a loud cracking noise. I figured one of the kids dropped something, but my 13 yo yelled that she say a big flash. I look and my darling 3 yo had stuck a thin metal wire into a plug outlet. :ack2: The outlet and the plug that was plugged in are both black. This kid is going to be the death of me.

:iagree: We are very open with our children and have talked about this often. I think open communication is key.

One of my extended family members was molested by a bus driver and no one knew until years later. The bus driver was the nicest person blah blah. I would check out the story and be very carfeul.

Beautiful!

This is what we hope to do too. I usually only take 1 or 2 kids with me to the Dr or my son's theraphies, so it makes no sense to drive my 15 passanger van. I am praying we can buy something in Januaury.

I understand! Right now my van is parked until next payday which is Thursday. I simply can't afford to fill it 1-2 times a week.

We have 2 bathrooms, one in my room that is for Dh and I( Unless someone needs to use it and the other is full) and the 10 kids share the other. Each person gets the bathroom until they are done grooming. When the kids have to be someone early in the morning we just plan it so everyone gets adequate time.

I am curious how oftern your child goes to each of these. Right now my son goes to ST and OT twice a week for one hour each session and I am wondering if one hour a week of each would still be as effective.

:party:

Thanks ladies. I will probably email her and tell her we aren't coming. I feel like a slug, but you do what you gotta do :(

This is what I'd like to do and we will probably buy a small junker for me to drive with our tax return next year.

We drive a Ford 15 passanger and while I love the room, I am freaking about gas LOL. I do love my van though and we have had it almost 7 years with no trouble.

I think the directer would be disapointed. Most of the people have multiple kids performing mutiple songs. The last competition level it cost $40 a song for solos and some kids did 5-6 songs. I think it's $75 a song for this show in addition to the $35 each pays to sing this group song. Most of these people are homeschoolers with more than one child. I am seriously wondering how people afford any extra curriculular stuff and what in the world DH and I are doing wrong. But, yes, she will probably be disapointed. I guess I should have thought this out better before hand.

Bible: Rod & Staff 5 together with the family Math: BJU 7th Science: BJU 7th Life Science English: BJU 7th Writing: IEW Spelling: Rod & Staff History/lit/geography/TOG year 1 Latin: LFC ( or LiCT) Logic: The Fallacy Detective Art: Atelier Music: Not sure. I have music ace but I don't know if its too young?

My DS would care less, my 13 yo DD will be upset though. She would be able to still be part of the group and they still do local shows.

Our gas is $150 in the winter and @ $45-$60 in the summer. Of course my electric bill is $200 in the winter and $350-$400 in the summer. Ouch. Then there is the water bill....:tongue_smilie: