Jump to content

Menu
Giving You and Your Child a Road Map to the Best Possible Education
The Well-Trained Mind Community

Catwoman

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    37,637

  • Joined

  • Days Won

    135

 Content Type 

Everything posted by Catwoman

  1. Catwoman
    That's exactly what I would do. This is supposed to be "fun" reading, and if you start making it into "work," you could put a serious damper on your ds's interest in reading. If he has too much trouble with the vocabulary in a certain book, you'll know soon enough, because he'll probably lose interest in it. Cat
  2. Catwoman
    I hope you'll post what worked for your family, Lisa, as I have a friend who is dealing with this with her ds, and she is hoping to find a natural solution. Thanks! Cat
  3. Catwoman
    That's definitely not a small triumph -- it's HUGE!!! I'm so happy for you -- and for your ds, too! But soldiers and killing? Where are the mutant alien robots? Excuse me, I meant to say -- where are the killer mutant alien robots? (or is that just at my house?) ;) Cat
  4. Catwoman
    Maybe you could come to my house and do the cleaning, while I go to yours and organize your stuff? It sounds like we both need some help -- but with different things! ;) Cat
  5. Catwoman
    Thanks, Pam! My dad used that brand years ago, so I'll know what to look for! Cat
  6. Catwoman
    My complaint about the price of the online option was that it wasn't enough of a bargain when compared with the current DVD option, because the online option includes fewer items. If I were getting exactly the same package, with the only difference being whether we watched lessons on DVD or online, I would still expect to save some money, because BJU wouldn't have to send us any DVDs, but as it is, I pay a bit less, but I lose the complete set of printed teacher's manuals. I don't agree that BJU is the price equivalent of a private school -- at least not where I live. I would have to pay a bare minimum of $10,000 per year for tuition alone, plus add extra for books, uniforms, activities, and other expenses -- and that's not for the school I would actually choose if we were to send ds to school. The one I would choose would cost considerably more than that, and I would not hesitate to spend the money if we didn't want to hs any more. Obviously, BJU is in business to make money. We all need to make money, and BJU is a good-sized company with many employees to support, and I'm sure their expenses are high. Realistically, anyone selling homeschool curriculum needs to make money, even when their "warehouse" is in the garage and their "corporate offices" are on their kitchen table, because if they don't show a profit, they'll go out of business. If they don't make a profit on sales, their business will not be able to grow. The same is true for BJU, just on a much larger scale. Just because a company sells Christian material, doesn't mean they have to be a charity, and I don't think BJU's prices are particularly high. Sorry if it sounds like I'm defending BJU, but we've used them for the past few years, and have had nothing but positive experiences. This year, we've had a few problems with DVDs that didn't work properly, but BJU replaced them immediately and without question, at their expense. I don't like the new cardboard DVD holders they're using this year, but when I told them about it, they said they have had many complaints and were planning a change for the 2009-10 school year. Overall, my complaint is that the "new" online program turned out to be a snooze, when I was hoping to be excited about it. Cat
  7. Catwoman
    We've had success using white vinegar or apple cider vinegar diluted in some water. (If the smell is truly awful, use straight vinegar.) Soak the area well, let it set for a few minutes, and then blot it up with paper towels (or old cloth towels.) If the carpet is a light color, use the white vinegar, because the cider vinegar can stain. The vinegar has a strong odor, too, but if you air out the house, it disappears pretty quickly once it's dry. We've also been lucky with a spray called "OUT" that you can buy in the pet department at Walmart. (We tried the Nature's Miracle stuff and it didn't work for us.) The very best thing is good, old-fashioned bleach and water, but unless it's a white carpet, you're out of luck with that one! Good luck -- I'd try several "home remedies" before calling a carpet cleaner. I'm sure others have had luck with other products, too.
  8. Catwoman
    :lol: I LOVE THIS THREAD!!! :lol: :lurk5: Cat
  9. Catwoman
    I hope your dd enjoys using Rosetta Stone -- are you going to do it along with her? We decided to make learning Spanish into a family thing. Cat
  10. Catwoman
    :lurk5: Cat
  11. Catwoman
    Personally, I would keep sharing the info with your MIL. If she's sharing it with your SIL, it's probably because she's proud of your kids. She's probably also telling her hairdresser, her best friend, the next door neighbors, and anyone else who will listen. If the problem is your SIL, let it be her problem, not yours. If she has issues, there's nothing you can do about it, but keeping good news about your kids from your MIL isn't really fair to your MIL, is it? I would think that you could improve your relationship with your MIL by keeping her updated on your kids, but keeping her out of the loop is only going to cause confusion and hurt feelings. It doesn't sound like she has done anything but pass some info along to your SIL; your SIL is going to have to learn to deal with it. Honestly, if my SIL made such unpleasant comments to me, I wouldn't have been nearly as polite as you were, especially if it wasn't the first time she'd acted like that. Cat
  12. Catwoman
    Add me to the Disappointed Camp. We've been using the DVDs for the past few years, and I was interested in the online option, but... the "bargain" price (apparently for a limited time only!) is only $150 less than the DVD package, and it doesn't include printed TMs, so where's the bargain? Also, you are only permitted to watch each class three times, which seems like an unnecessary restriction. The DVDs are more convenient for many reasons, and for the small difference in price, I can't see the benefit of the online program. (Ok, no DVDs to keep track of, and no stupid cardboard DVD holders, but that's about all!) I was hoping the online option would be cheaper and more flexible, because ideally, we'd like to use BJU for some classes and not others, and that's not an option at the 4th/5th grade level. Oh well. Cat PS. We like the puppets!!!
  13. Catwoman
    Wow, Scarlett!! I can't believe I'm admitting this, but I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes after reading your post! You know, maybe your last email really had an impact on your dh. I thought it was beautifully written and very heartfelt. If nothing else, it sounds like your dh is willing to consider your feelings, and that's probably the most important thing of all. Now that dh is at least somewhat on board, it might be a good time to find out about "boy" activities you can sign your ds up for. Once you've found a few things, tell your dh you've been thinking about everything he said, and since he's agreed to another year of homeschooling, you'd really like to make it a good experience for the whole family. Let him know you don't want to leave him out of the things you and your ds do together, and invite him to look over your curriculum choices to see if he likes it. (He might not want to do that, but if you offer, you're including him in the process, and maybe he really needs that affirmation that his thoughts are important.) I really hope this is the beginning of a better time for you, Scarlett, and also that you're able to address your dh's concerns with some concrete solutions, so he won't think you're gloating about your "victory" and that you're serious about making sure your ds has the influences your dh believes are important. Maybe then, homeschooling will be a way to unite your family, rather than divide it. I'm so happy for you right now, and am so glad we won't be losing you here at the forums. I'm still pretty new here, and I feel like I "know" you better than I know most people here -- and I'd feel sad if you were gone. You're such a nice person and are obviously a great hs teacher and mom, too! Here's some happy hugs this time! :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Cat
  14. Catwoman
    :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Scarlett, I'm so sorry you're so upset and that you're feeling ill. Whenever I get really worried, I get sick to my stomach and it's miserable. I wish we could trade bodies for a few hours so I could come over there and set your dh straight for you! ;) I hope you're able to gather up a last burst of courage and tell your dh you're hsing and that's that. Otherwise, you may feel sick with worry for a lot longer than just this morning, and your ds may be in the same shape. It's a long time until school starts in the fall. I can't imagine that the April 1 deadline is set in stone, anyway. If you haven't come to a decision, I'm sure you could enroll your ds at any time. If it were a private school, things might be different, but even private schools are usually pretty flexible about accepting new students. Public schools don't have a lot of choice about when they can accept new students if they live in the district. Wish I could help you today. I can send you some hugs and prayers, though. Cat
  15. Catwoman
    I'm glad you posted this, Mamabegood, because I wanted to be sure none of my comments have been hurtful to anyone, either, and you've given me a good chance to say I'm sorry if anything I've said has upset anyone. Like you, I have been only talking about Scarlett's situation. Personally, though, I can't imagine that this would be a "hill to die on," in terms of breaking up a 25 year marriage like Scarlett's. I think it could be a major conflict, but if it's enough to send anyone running to a divorce attorney, this is not about homeschooling. I guess any dispute over an important issue could be the "straw that broke the camel's back," but there would have to be a lot of other underlying dysfunction for one thing to lead to a divorce. That said, I am absolutely in favor of getting out of a bad marriage, and have a lot of admiration for women who are able to muster the courage to get themselves and their children out of a toxic or abusive situation. (Not talking about you here, Scarlett!) Of course, you do your best to make your marriage work, but sometimes, no matter what you do, it's not going to happen. Cat
  16. Catwoman
    I agree with everyone who has said that Scarlett's dh should take on all of the ps responsibilities, but given her description of him and his personality, does anyone really think that's going to happen? My guess is that if Scarlett's dh gets his way about sending their ds to school, he's going to revel in his victory and then wash his hands of the whole thing. He will assume it's Scarlett's responsibility to do all of the school-related stuff, just as it was entirely her responsibility to do all of the homeschooling. She will be left to deal with all of the stress and with any problems that arise, and if past performance is any indication of future behavior, her dh won't want to deal with any of it. She will be back to sending emails that he doesn't bother to read. Scarlett, I really hope I'm wrong about this -- you know your dh and I don't; I'm just making assumptions based upon your past posts, and I hope I'm mistaken. Let's face it -- I'm still really hoping you'll stick to your guns and continue hsing; I don't think anyone is dying on this hill, no matter what you do, because I can't imagine that a dispute over homeschooling is enough to destroy a 25 year marriage, unless the relationship is already so dysfunctional that homeschooling isn't the reason, but is just an excuse for someone to walk out the door. (And it doesn't sound like you're in that situation at all!) Cat (getting started on my meddling early today! :D)
  17. Catwoman
    In our very limited experience as Rosetta Stone newbies, we're finding that you can complete a lesson in under 15 minutes. I'm a bit embarrassed to admit it, but I never checked to see how many total lessons there are in Level 1, so I don't know how long it would take you to complete the program. (Are you doing Level 1 on its own, or do you want to complete levels 2 and 3 as well?) My best advice would be to call Rosetta Stone and ask them. I have found them to be very helpful when I've called for info. (And let us know what you find out!) Good luck! Cat
  18. Catwoman
    :D LOL, Valerie!!! Cat
  19. Catwoman
    I agree. Public school simply would not be an option under any circumstances, even though our school system is highly regarded. Cat
  20. Catwoman
    You're absolutely right about that! I guess the biggest problem I see is that you seem to have done everything right, so there doesn't seem to be an adequate reason for your dh to stop deferring to you on the issue of how to educate your ds. If he were being rational instead of emotional, with a laundry list of valid complaints about how you weren't doing a good job as a homeschool mom, I would definitely be able to see his side of the argument. As it is, though, it seems like he wants your ds in school because he wants your ds in school, with no real explanation as to why he wants it. I wish he would at least discuss the idea of continuing to homeschool while adding some more "masculine" activities and group activities to help alleviate your dh's concerns about ds spending too much time with you. Cat
  21. Catwoman
    :lol: I have to laugh at that, because sometimes I swear my dh does the same thing, and when I ask him the same question again later, he looks at me like I'm getting senile, because he's sure he answered me! Cat
  22. Catwoman
    It makes me sad to hear that you are thinking of backing down on this, as it is obviously so important to you. School won't kill your son, but will it be better for him than homeschooling? Will it make him happy? Will it make you happy? Will it give him a better education? Are you honestly sure that your dh won't make your ds stay in school if he is miserable? The thought of school is making both you and your ds miserable right now, and your dh doesn't seem to care a bit about that. I would feel awful if I thought my dh wasn't considering my feelings and those of my ds, and it's pretty clear by your dh's lack of response to your emails, his refusal to have a civilized discussion, and his refusal to read a few pages of a book, that he has very little respect for your feelings, and he doesn't really care if you are terribly upset, as long as he gets his way. I hope you stay strong, and that you don't give up and you don't give in to sending your ds to ps. A good marriage isn't achieved by always "honoring his wish" in order to help your marriage. When will it be your dh's turn to honor YOUR wishes and those of your ds? Cat
  23. Catwoman
    That's what usually happens in our house, too. We never really get "loud," though, which I think helps a lot. We're both calm when it comes to the important stuff, and I was raised in a "non-yelling" household, so I am not one to tolerate someone raising their voice to me. I just don't think it's necessary, and I won't try to hold a discussion with someone who can't control their emotions. Cat
  24. Catwoman
    LOL!!! I know that feeling, Alison! :D Cat
  25. Catwoman
    Wow, I'm just catching up on all of the posts, and I'm happy to see that I have even more places to add to our "list of possibilities!" This is great!!! Thank you so much for all of your replies, and I'll keep watching for more!!! :lurk5: Cat
×
×
  • Create New...