We're doing a geocache party for my son's birthday. Planning to fill a few containers and get them placed prior to the day. (filling the containers with party favors for all of the kids)

I have always homeschooled all 3 of my kids because I wanted them to retain their creativity and grow into the people they were meant to be. I wanted them to think for themselves, speak their minds, and also have time to sit and marvel at the world around them.

I make gifts for my niece and nephew. This year I made a princess and the pea play set with a bag for my niece. I am making a magician's cape and hat for my nephew. (I bought some magic tricks to go with it). I made my husband a valet tray for his dresser... I've made dolls, clothes, super hero cape, doll sling etc...

:lol: Oh my goodness... this made me laugh. I have never screamed at my husband in public... well, really anywhere for that matter.

I would be interested to know what you think of her after your visit. We have seen Lou Anne Teague in the same practice (although at a different site)-- saw her for quite awhile. My daughter didn't make a whole lot of progress with her unfortunately. (although we liked her a lot) Good luck!

I have had similar troubles finding a good speech therapist. We are in the same general area as you (going by your 'location'), and have tried numerous speech therapists that were not helpful at all. I do know of one who was recommended: Diane Felton who is in Durham. (NC Eye Ear Nose and Throat). We are thinking of trying her.

Have visited both of these. Wake Forest struck us as being very odd-- we saw no racial diversity at all, and honestly every guy on campus was wearing a polo shirt and every girl was wearing a sundress and heels. It didn't feel 'right' to us. Loved William and Mary... had a good vibe, town is walkable... from what we observed there were all kinds of students. Liked the historic feel.

I grew up moving too. I was a fairly easy-going kid, but I can remember how difficult it was for my brother. Before moving to this house and area, I had never lived in the same house for more than 3 years. The move here was so difficult for our oldest child (he was 10) that we have decided to do our best to stay put. A few years ago I would have loved to move house-- but we felt it was in the kids' best (emotional) interest not to. We want them to have stability, and besides which... they see nothing wrong with the fact that the kitchen is too small and we could really use just one more room. These are 'adult' issues that are really not that important in the grand scheme of our lives. So.. we stay. So, yes.. I think it *can* hurt children to be uprooted frequently-- but I doubt it hurts every child.

Nearly there... my oldest has never gone to school, and he is a junior this year. I have 2 others who have also always been homeschooled.

Best response... right here. I could not agree more with all that you have said. We have to trust other parents. Letting them know this kind of thing would be difficult, and most people would probably like to avoid confrontation (I know I would!), but I feel it does no good to just let these kinds of things go.

Just wanted to say I agree with this. I am not entirely sure why some kids are sheltered in this way. I probably tend towards being overprotective in some ways, but I do believe in making sure my kids are exposed to a lot of different ideas and people. I will say that parents intervening when not necessary is not purely a homeschool issue. I hear a lot of stories about parents intervening unnecessarily from my mom who is a teacher. I think it keeps kids from learning to trust themselves and/or learn coping skills when parents protect them to the point of isolation (or only being around like-minded people). (or jump in when they don't need to)

I knew what you meant :) I was sort of being tongue in cheek about it. It didn't come over that well. Sorry about that! Yes.. I saw that others had good experiences to share. I really wasn't that interested in the info. about Landry Academy when it came in the mail--- and then Sue's post caught my eye because I had just received something about them. I meant that I wouldn't be looking further into them as an option... but not just because of Sue's post.

I don't expect perfection either. But, if it's something I have to spend a lot of money on (online class), I'm going to want the teacher to be organized, and the class to be worth my child's time. I understand what you're saying... I'm just getting more picky about online classes of late. I can't risk wasting money and time on something that doesn't sound that great.

For what it's worth, I disagree. If I go to a restaurant, and the food is bad or the service is bad... it doesn't really make the food or the service *better* just because the manager is nice and deals with the issue. I doubt I'd recommend the place to friends and family. (regardless of how friendly the manager was) I understand what you're getting at though.

Glad I could help... Honestly, I like to hear reviews: good and bad. I've been lurking on this forum since before it was actually the forum as we all know it today. I get a lot of good information, and occasionally ask questions for more. I don't see anything wrong with Sue posting about her frustrations, and I don't see how she owes the owner of this company anything. I think it's more than a little odd that someone contacted him. If he's offering a service and charging money for it... people are going to expect something good.

Hmm.. I *just* got something in the mail from them today. I had never heard of Landry Academy before. Guess I won't be looking further into what they have to offer! :tongue_smilie:

I'm in NC as well.. and I always think of Asheville as sort of hippie/alternative. I bet there's a less conservative homeschool group out there. Maybe a secular group? (not sure which kind you're looking for)

Thanks for posting this. It looks really good!

We bought a bunch of white cloth napkins at Ikea, and love them!

Thanks! I am adding these to my list.

I wasn't interested in giving a negative review, just interested to know what other online AP classes are out there (similar to what PA Homeschoolers offers). He's taking AP US History. Because he's never taken anything through PA Homeschoolers, we weren't sure if what he's experiencing is the norm. Comparing the history class to the other one he's taking (not through PA Homeschoolers, but with a local teacher/homeschool mom), we are just surprised at how infrequently the teacher gets involved. The AP Lit. class he's taking is going very well, with great discussion between the kids and active teacher involvement. It is good to know that other people have had good experiences through PA Homeschoolers. It was a lot of money to spend, and the experience so far (class has been going on for a few weeks) leaves something to be desired.

Right. My son is not currently taking the AP Gov't class through PA Homeschoolers. I was asking for alternatives to PA Homeschoolers' classes (for when he needs to take AP Gov't *next year*). He is, however, taking a class through PA Homeschoolers *right now* that has had minimal teacher involvement (which is the main reason we are unhappy). So, I am starting to look for alternatives for next year-- 2012/2013. Hope that clears up your confusion. :)

for next year. Which one are you talking about? K12 or Keystone.. Thanks! Laura ETA: Wait.. I just realized you are probably talking about the AP Gov't class at PA Homeschoolers... If so, and you can give a good review of this teacher, please let me know. It may be that it's just my son's current teacher through PA Homeschoolers who doesn't offer much in the way of feedback. Thanks...

I have found that with my oldest, he did loads better with his instrument after we stopped paying for lessons. He has basically taught himself how to play. When he was taking lessons, he only played when I got after him to practice. He now picks the guitar up every day, multiple times a day. He just wanted to basically do his own thing. And we are fine with that. Maybe your son would rather just mess around on his own... teaching himself? He could always come back to lessons when he feels he would benefit from them. My youngest plays 2 instruments. He is 10.5, and honestly... he just has a schedule that he sticks to for practicing. Yes, I sit there with him. :) We talk through some of the songs.. I ask him to do it again... etc.. He doesn't mind the formality of lessons and practicing. It may be that your son truly loves the drums. If he's good... and sees himself playing at your church, and you feel lessons are the only way for him to achieve this, then you'll probably have to just keep after him to practice. Although, plenty of people have taught themselves to play an instrument and are very good musicians! I know how you feel about not wanting to spend the money. Maybe give him a time frame... telling him that you will pay for lessons for the next year, but if he doesn't practice each day (or however often he needs to) then you'll feel like he's just not taking enough advantage of having a teacher. He's got to put in the time in order to get better (with or without a teacher). But you don't want to go broke paying for something he's not really 'using' (his teacher's knowledge and support).

Thanks! I'll look at K12 and Keystone. also, as to the question about why I'm not keen to use PA Homeschoolers after this year... One of the main reasons is that we were expecting a little more teacher support/interaction than my son is getting.