I had one of those weeks. Not just one of those days but the whole long week. I realized that part of the problem is my own mounting frustration, that sinking feeling that the rock on my back will keep rolling back down the hill no matter how hard we trudge--maybe not all the way down the hill but at least part way. I am totally aware that what my kids are doing isn't intentional, isn't aimed at me, isn't because they aren't trying, but what do you do when you are in one of those periods of extra-mega-super-frustrating schooling? I realized on Monday that I needed to take a giant step backwards with both of the kids, so we did lots of review and games, but even this didn't help much. I made shorter lessons, and shorter days and am now resigned to just giving Friday off. Sigh. Maybe this isn't the best thing to do since this just seems to give the rock more inertia...but at this point in the week I have decided that this, along with massive doses of chocolate, are my only recourse. Okay, I think I just needed a rant. If you have any good advice on what you do when all of the hard work feels pointless, I'm all ears.

We used badger and it made my dd's face sting. I do think the variety we had was scented. Maybe the unscented would have been fine.

We use Think Sport (or maybe it's Thinksport). I have tried everything and this is the sunscreen that everyone in the family can agree on. It is mostly zinc and titanium oxide and doesn't have some of the other things that make one or more of us have problems.

My daughter gets terrible heartburn and gas whenever she eats most wheat products. The whole family had to give up wheat because otherwise my dd would get sucked back into the darkside with us. The only thing that makes me feel less hungry is lots and lots of fat. I eat way more eggs, oil, butter, nuts, avocadoes than ever before. I feel pretty good and my bread and pasta cravings have completely disappeared. I used to LOVE bread and wasn't sure how I was ever going to give it up. It was hard for the first month and now I don't miss it at all. I am not convinced that it is gluten making everyone so sick. I would not be at all surprised if it was the pesticides and/or genetic modification that is used in most American grown wheat. In any case, I hope you feel better soon.

I am listening in. I have a nine year old who is introverted and awkward with people. I would love to help her develop some interpersonal skills.

I tried (and failed) teaching my five and a half year old how to count past ten. I tried curricula (Right Start didn't work for us either), cuisenaire rods, abacus, grouping items...I finally gave up and just stuck with playing with numbers to ten. When he was sixish, we hit the teens again. I am teaching him ten and one, ten and two, as geodob suggested, staying away from the confusing teen words. It is going much better this time. I do use lots of manipulatives with him, sticking to one type of manipulative at a time. So for example, we made teens with cuisenaire rods for a few weeks. Then we switched to making teen numbers on the abacus for a few weeks. Then we made groups of ten and leftovers with shells (I think this is when things really started to click). We are just now showing the written number that goes with the concept. I still use the language ten and four rather than fourteen. I write the number 14 and he lines up a group of ten and then a group of four of whatever manipulative we are using. He does not understand that this number is equal to the word fourteen. Meanwhile, we spend a little time everyday just counting (while we march!) as high as we can go. I don't tie the counting to the math lesson yet. I have no idea if this is a good idea or not, but he can count to thirty (and sometimes higher) now without my intervention. I just want to wait a little longer before tie the concept to the number. I know you said your son doesn't like manipulatives, but still wanted to share my experience with you since my son sounds so similar to your own. In our case I think that maturity and daily games with manipulatives is what is helping. Best of luck!

I was the youngest child in my school because of an October birthday. While I was able to keep up academically, I was a very small child and a late bloomer. When you see me in class photos, I always look three or four years younger than everyone else. It wasn't a big deal when I was little and oblivious, but was very embarrassing when puberty hit. I honestly look like I am an eight year old in a class full of thirteen year olds. This could be true in the opposite direction also. You could look thirteen in a class full of eight year olds; however, that was my experience and it was awkward for a long time. With my own kids I just teach to their level and don't worry about grade.

Wait, if you can. It is an expensive program, certainly isn't for everyone, but depending on your child can be very useful. If someone had showed me IEW when my daughter was in Kindergarten I would have poo pooed it for the same reasons you have an aversion to it. I have since discovered that my dd is dyslexic and dysgraphic and needs a very systematic approach to writing (and just about everything). It sort of makes me cringe when I watch it, but has been just the thing that my dd needs to get her thoughts on paper.

So many amazing things about my dh. Today I just feel so grateful that he ALWAYS comes home from work excited to see us and energized for whatever we have in store for the evening. I remember how my own father used to come home, get in his chair with a beer and a book and put his forcefield up. He was never available to me emotionally or with his time. I am so glad I picked a husband whose greatest joy is to be around his family and lets us know it every single day in action and in words. *swoon*

:iagree: Everything that PEN said

We don't use Descubre, but we do use Santanilla's third grade Yabisi spanish. It is a very solid program. I had contemplated descubre, but I felt that Yabisi was better for us since I really just wanted a Spanish Language Arts program. A word of caution though, Santanilla has the absolute WORST customer service I have ever used. This is not an exaggeration. It took me months of frustration to sort out my order with them. I never actually got it completely sorted out. We will probably buy their fourth grade Yabisi curriculum next year, but I will have to learn to meditate to get through the process. If you do decide to use Descubre, I would love to hear a review.

Hi Janice You might want to X-post this onto the Learning Challenges board. It's a very kind and knowledgeable bunch. I am listening in because I have a kiddo who isn't the best communicator.

We are four (sometimes five) in a 900 square foot house with a big outdoor space. The space is well laid out and the most functional house I have ever lived in. I love living in a small space and like keeping our stuff to a minimum. My kids share a bedroom, and this is fine for now, but might become an issue we have to work around in a year or two.

I take my job as a mother and a homeschooler seriously, and I find the forum to be a place where I can discuss my job with other people who share the same vocation. My husband gets to go to work every day and talk with other grown up professionals, and when I found this forum I realized this was missing from my life. I am especially grateful for the LD forum which is way more emotionally supportive (as well as informed) than any real life place I know of to talk about our kids who need extra support. I am, without a doubt, a better educator because of the WTM forums. I don't post much on the Chat board but generally find it entertaining. I especially appreciate all of the strong voices who make their points with clarity and gusto. We are a community of educators and lively discussion should be encouraged.

I bought MBtP for my dd9 last year. I really wanted to love it, but it didn't work for us. I think it is a fine program, but one of the things that was hard for my dyslexic dd is that there is a lot of writing and very little writing instruction. I have since realized that her writing instruction has to be really systematic. If you have any specific questions about the program, let me know. Buying one unit is a good idea. I bought my curriculum used on their yahoo group.

I have had more LOL moments in this thread than any in a long time. I realize this is very mean of me since my oldest is nine and my comeuppance is coming, but I am sure that all of you will get through the teen years unscathed if wield your sharp humor on your kidlings in times of desperate schooling.

My dh and I fast for 36 hours on the first day every month. We do a complete fast, only drinking water. We do it as a monthly recommitment to eating healthy. This started one year when we decided to do a fast on New Years day and then follow up the entire month with a completely non processed, sugar free month. We realized that after fasting for 36 hours the last thing we wanted to do was muck up our systems with junk. I think it is harder for me than my dh because I generally cook most of the meals in the house, and it is so hard to make food for the kids when I am not eating. I am better now about precooking some meals on the day before our fast so I don't drive myself mad.

This is totally revolutionary to me. Thank you! I am off to read the other thread.

Bump

There is no way my nine year old math loving dd could do Saxon without my continued help. For me the math concepts and the math enjoyment are priority. I am happy to scribe for her and let her answer orally until she matures enough to do it on her own. Maybe try revamping your teaching system with him before dumping it, or if you think the sight of one more day of Saxon will insight riot, check out some of the other fantastic programs out there (Singapore, CLE, Mammoth Math, Math in Focus...). Good luck!

The BFG and Matilda are our favorites.

Thank you so much for posting these questions, and thank you to for all of the thoughtful responses. So encouraging.

I have no experience with this, but I am really bothered by the fact that your orthodontist won't give you your x-rays. Maybe this is standard procedure, but presumably you have paid for them, so they should belong to you. Am I way off base on this? I hate x-rays and would do what I could to get them to hand them over. Sorry for the mini rant, but sheesh!

Hugs. Money stress is the pitts.

My dh did the night weaning too. It is a really good solution if possible. Baby feels loved, papa gets to help, mama gets some rest. Win! Win! Win! Good luck. It is a difficult process but will be over soon.