CLE - they don't HAVE to do the WHOLE lesson EVERY DAY. Cross out what you know they already know. Have them do just odd or even numbers, or just the sections you know they need work on. Set a timer for 30 minutes and when it rings, they're done with math for the day, and just pick up where they left off the following day. Or, have them do math at two separate times during the day, such as two 20 minute increments.

Is there a full math curriculum which is based solely on business math? I'm especially asking about elementary, but also secondary. The ones I know about, but which are not full curricula are: Grocery Cart Math Pet Shop Math (on Simply Charlotte Mason) - I'd LOVE something like this for all grades. www.moneyinstructor.com (This one I just found online tonight.) And, there are a few specific business math courses for high school, such as A Beka's Business Math. And MUS Stewardship Math. I'm just wondering if there is something which gives one all the math you need, but from a business perspective. TIA

There was a thread in the last several months which mentioned some favorite pillows, but no matter how I search for it, I just can't find it. Please tell me what is your favorite pillow brand? I've tried a few different kinds from chiropractors, but have not liked them, and they haven't helped relieve any of my chronic neck pain. I tend to be a side sleeper, but try to sleep on my back as much as possible.

My dc just watched several episodes on the History channel of Forged in Fire - they love it! Lots of History channel things, like IceRoad Truckers, PawnStars, Storm Chasers (not sure that was on the History Channel), etc.....

YES! This one! We have one too, and we love it! I did a lot of research before buying, and had actually spent more money on a different brand from a big box store, but it was not good, and was immediately returned, then I ordered this one from Amazon, end of story. :thumbup:

Me too. Michigan

We're going through a very similar situation! I keep changing my mind every other day! But, we're also moving to a different state before school starts. Seeing as your 11 yo wants to go to school, would you be able to keep the 9 yo at home for one more year, and then have her go into school next year? Just this past Feb. I put my 11 yo back into public school because she so desperately wanted to (and I had acute bronchitis for two months, so no school work was getting done), and it made life at home much easier for everyone else. She loved it! We loved it! There's a great private school where we are moving, and she really liked it when we visited it because of the uniforms! LOL! But, they don't offer any scholarships yet because they are so new, so we made sure to buy a house in one of the better school systems in the area. My 10 yo now also wants desperately to go back to a school, and she and my 11 yo would be in the same 5th/6th school, so I think that's what we're going to do. IF the public school doesn't work out, then I know that the private school is still there, and/or I can always homeschool again. I'm trying to remind myself to keep the options open. I agree with above poster that it's easier to get in during 6th grade, that's when a lot of social groups form and remain through high school. It's also the year that a lot of new children come in to a school from other schools. Do you have any idea how the public school, that your 11 yo would be going into, is rated? Have you taken a tour of it with her? Asked others in the community what they think of it?

No! Thank goodness! We've had many notes written, and mailed to us and other various places! The doctor doesn't usually do it though. It's one of the staff who stamps it with the doctors signature.

There are about 17 lessons per light unit, and 10 light units per level, so 17 x 10 = 170 lessons give or take. But, don't think that you have to do all of them! You can skip some, in fact, I skipped whole light units with my ds. For that level, I think I had him skip three, maybe four, light units. And, you can always cross out things that you know your student knows, so that they don't have to do the whole lesson every time! Also, FYI, the first light unit in the levels is a review, so if you use level 200, you won't necessarily need the light unit 201, as it's all review of level 100.

Another thing came to mind - double check with your doctor that the prescription was filled correctly. I.e. are the mg/ mL of the solution correct, and is the dosing correct. Also, are you managing symptoms with ibuprofen and/or acetaminophen too. I've always found ibuprofen to be better because it is anti-inflammatory, and helps to calm down all tissues. The antibiotic Zithromax or Azithromycin is also anti-inflammatory and is the five day regiment. I usually ask for that for myself and my kids first. If you don't feel good after 5 days, then you know you need a heavier hitter such as cefdinir or Omnicef.

Did the doctor get a culture/swab test? It would be helpful to know what bug she's dealing with, as the current antibiotic may not be the one she needs. The antibiotic may not be strong enough, or it may not even be a good one to use based on whatever she may have. The other thing is, she may not have a bacterial infection, it may be viral, in which case the antibiotic won't help; HOWEVER, with my dc, they often get a secondary bacterial infection with a viral infection, so it's best to have your bases covered.

Wow! This thread makes me feel so much better! I have always hated to cook! I actually don't mind the grocery shopping, as long as I only have to have one child with me! But, when I've got all three with me, I just usually end up upset at everyone, and they're upset at me for taking so long, etc.... My dh is definitely a better cook than me, but after a day at work the last thing he wants to do is come home and cook. I have always been a picky eater, and I ended up with three picky eaters (dh will eat almost anything). My oldest sister was one who, if the kid didn't eat their meal, it would go back in the fridge and come out again for the next meal (and I don't think it even got warmed up, and it kept going back in the fridge and coming back out for the next meal until the kid would eat it!). None of her children are picky eaters. Well, I just couldn't do that to my kids, being a picky eater myself. I do gag on food, and I have a very heightened gag reflex. One of my dc had a tracheostomy for 8 years, and had been in hospitals a lot, with doctors and nurses always coming at her with this medicine or this swallow test, etc.... That child ALMOST went to the hospital several times due to dehydration because of refusing to drink unless it was from a bottle (finally stopped drinking from a bottle at age 5). That child had oral aversions that took several years to work through, but that's very common for a child with a trach. She also has a tongue that slips back farther in her throat than normal which causes dysphagia. She still often has to chew with her mouth slightly open and makes a bit of a smacking noise, but it can't be helped due to the dysphagia, as she has to over-compensate. My ds likely has the same issues as they both have a very rare condition. Ok, all that to say, I do cater to them quite often, because there's no way I'm going to force them to eat something, only to have to clean up the mess from someone upchucking because they don't like it or want it, or the texture just is not for them. For goodness sakes, I still can't stand a mouthful of peas, but put the peas in a chicken pot pie and I'm fine. Cottage cheese is even worse!

I'm off to investigate My Pillow and Snugglepedic. I've tried three or four different pillows recommended by chiropractors, but have not been happy with any of them. Lots of neck issues, probably from spending too much time in front of the computer reading threads on the welltrainedmind!

Yes, I would start conversations with the board (elders, deacons, trustees, or however they are structured). I'd find out who the chairman or co-chairman of the board is. Usually they will be the ones in charge of finding a new pastor and should be well versed in church membership, doctrine, legalities, etc. While in many churches the pastor is also on the board, the pastor still answers to the board, and if you would have any future issues that would need to be discussed about the pastor, they would be who you would go to. That's great that you want to be fully involved in service as well as worship! You may want to ask if it's necessary for you to be members first before you can participate in the things that you're interested in. Many churches nowadays do not require that you be a member. I'd also be curious as to why the church has an interim pastor right now.

So sorry to hear this. My father passed away last year at the age of 85. He had prostate cancer for at least five years, likely longer, but he never wanted to go to a doctor for anything. He did have surgery several times to have the cancer removed, and then went for the 3 month checkups, then 6 months, then was able to wait 1 year, but then....the cancer metastasized and went into his bladder (and he had those cancers removed several times too) and eventual his bones. He did not have chemo. or radiation, he had decided that he had lived a good long life. It was really the bone cancer that took him - very painful. He was in hospice the last three weeks of his life. The worst part for him was loosing the ability to walk, and having to be in a wheelchair, and then at the end, bound to bed. What was difficult for me was watching him get so thin. It wasn't the cancer process that shook me, it was the dying process.

How important is church membership to you? If it's very important, then start your discussions now with board members. If church membership is not that important, then maybe it would be fine to just attend the church, but not become members, then there would be no issue with re-baptism.

Bluegoat, I've appreciated all your comments! Thanks for responding to M-- for me! :hurray: When my 11 yo told me she had no interest in going to college, I simply said that that was fine. I'm not discouraging her from going, but I'm also not heaping upon her young shoulders a huge expectation that going to college is my goal for her, or that it should be her goal for herself. There's simply way too much emphasis put on getting college degrees. Here's an article I'd like to share with everyone following this. http://zakslayback.com/2015/12/02/its-time-we-admit-the-degree-is-speculation-not-investment/

First I must say that I've enjoyed reading the posts! They've made me realize that the stance that my dh and I have come to is not at all uncommon. In my family, my brothers and sisters and I were all born and bred to go to college, but my dh has no one in his family who has a four year college degree. We've decided that if any of our children want to go to college, they may, but they're going to have to work hard to pay those debts! So, because of the debt we are not pushing college. We will highly encourage a vocational or technical road in high school, so that when they graduate from high school they will have a skill with which to get a job, work a couple or several years, and maybe then go to college. We're quite a few years away from this now, but our oldest has already said she has no desire to go to college, and I've told her that that's fine.

Just this past week we read The Hundred Dresses and Sarah Whitcher's Story. Before that we finished D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths. We're in the middle of CHOW. I really want to get D'Aulaire's Norse Myths, but are waiting on a trilogy from the library Youngest Templar Book 1-3: Keeper of the Grail, Trail of Fate, Orphan of Destiny. This past year we loved, loved, loved The Terrestria Chronicles (7 books) and Kingdom Tales from Terrestria (5 books) all by Ed Dunlop. I highly recommend those series if you like Christian allegory.

If you don't already have a copy, you might want to buy All Through the Ages: History Through Literature Guide by Christine Miller, Nothing New Press. http://www.nothingnewpress.com/books/all-through-the-ages-2/ It is a "compilation of over 5600 of the best living books and great literature, arranged by chronological era, geographical region, and reading level." It also includes short lists of the History of Science and Mathematics, History of the Arts, Great Books of Western Civilization and the Christian Tradition. This book includes timelines and is interspersed with short written histories. I'm just hoping that there is a secret, un-Google-able site with a list of classic children's books and then the science/history/geography that is incorporated in the book. I'd LOVE to see something like this too! It'd be great to have math included too! Oh, I just thought of another one, apparently similar to FIAR, it's called Layers of Learning by Michelle Copher and Karen Loutzenhiser. You can buy individual units, not complete years, so you could try it out and see if you like it or not.

Here are other resources to read: http://da1.redshift.com/~bonajo/timeline.htm or http://www.homeschoolinthewoods.com/timelinehelps.html

These are the things I wish I had known/known about when I started: 1. Well trained mind forums and classifieds! 2. homeschoolclassifieds.com 3. rainbowresource.com or timberdoodle.com or christianbook.com 4. Do Not buy all the levels of a curriculum that you think you and your children will like! Only buy one level and see if you like it! 5. If you are going to resell your curricula, it's best to buy the curricula that is popular right now because those are the ones that have the best resale value! So, then, one needs to know what that curricula is! 6. cathyduffyreviews.com 7. homeschoolreviews.com 8. homeschoolbuyersco-op.org 9. All non-core classes can still be taken at a public school, and services such as special education speech therapy can still be utilized through the public school, at no cost! 10. Unless money is not an issue, use the library as much as possible for readers! Don't fall into the trap of buying all your books new with a curriculum! If I think of more, I'll edit this post.

Additionally, it looks like you have identified some areas where she might need some gentle help - perfectionism? anxiety? It might be worth discussing with a professional whether these are things she will likely outgrow, or if there are coping strategies she can learn. SusanC hit on some good topics to consider! Having realized several years ago that I'm a high anxiety person and a recovering perfectionist, I can now understand that it was very good for me to be in public school growing up. Although I had a wonderful group of friends in school, and wouldn't say I ever had panic attacks, I was always scared to try and answer questions because I didn't want to be wrong. Did I cry in school and about school? You bet. Did I need thicker skin? Yes! I still do! My mother, however, would never have thought of keeping me home because I knew the next day was going to be difficult, she would have made me go. In fact, I'm now seriously considering sending my ds to school next year because I see in him some similar behaviour and he does need to be in an environment where he will be stretched more. Depending on what kind of mom you are and how you homeschool, I do think some people can be too easy and accommodating with their children, instead of pushing their children out of their comfort zones, because, let's face it, most of life is going to be hard. You did say that most of the time when you pick her up she is fine and happy. My dd's attended school before I took them out, and this is how our weeks would go too. Some days they'd be fine, other days not - part of it is the age, but can you ever go to observe her classes? There may be other things going on. I'd personally ask the school to intervene more, especially if they have several aides in the classroom! Surely one of those aides would be able to work with your daughter on French and spelling. I did put my oldest dd back in school this past February, and she loved it! So, all of my dc may be in ps next year! The good thing is, I know that I can always take them back out again and homeschool again if need be.

Ahhh, yes, I would have my children go to private school. And, I would still hire a maid, butler, chef, gardener, and several ranch hands (we would live on a ranch with lots of horses so that we could call down to the stable to saddle up a horse whenever we wanted). We'd buy a motorhome and travel the contiguous USA, and/or buy our own airplane. We'd travel outside the USA too. We'd buy several dogs, a bearded dragon, a leopard gecko, etc...... We'd have an indoor pool and whirlpool! Oh, and a indoor ice-skating rink! And indoor trampolines with pits. Art lessons, music lessons, self-defense lessons, archery lessons, shooting range lessons, etc.....

Would love to know if any of you purposefully teach your children undesirable words, so that when they do hear these words someday, they will know what they mean? Update 6/15/2016 Thank you for all your responses! I went ahead and started preemptively teaching my children some swear words. They were, of course, allowed to ask questions the entire time. After about 1/2 hour of discussing several words, they said to me, "Mom, that's enough, we don't want to hear anymore." Why, one might ask did I decide to preemptively do this? Because, I grew up quite sheltered (even in a public high school), and when I went to college I would pretend to know what people were talking about, but would then have to go back to my dorm room and look up the words in a dictionary (the internet hadn't really started yet!). I don't want my children to be as naive as I was, and I don't want them to be so shocked that they never learned these things while at home. They did tell me, during our talk, that they were glad that I was telling them these things because they felt comfortable talking about these things with me, instead of being embarrassed in front of a group of friends. My dh and I do our best not to swear, and very rarely do, but there's the occasional sh__ or d__n that comes out, but that's the extent of it. We certainly have taught our children not to take the name of the Lord our God in vain - this includes euphemisms such as "gee", "golly", and "gosh." Maybe my next question will be concerning how much do you tell your children about drugs? My dear mother couldn't believe I knew what a bong was, and that was when I was 44 or 45 years old! (Actually, I couldn't believe SHE knew what it was!)