Excuse me? I think you're being a little rough...please go back and read all of my posts regarding this topic. You will see that I have been impartial and have come to understand and agree with many thoughts on this topic. It's been wonderful. Again...the dangers of writing our thoughts, opinions, ideas and conversing in snippets!

True, as well. I guess I'm agreeing with the fact that we need to teach our kids how to behave at a party. And I do agree that unwrapping and then actually opening the gifts to play with, can be disastrous. We can't always predict how others will act at our parties and it is something to consider. I did have one child pretty much interfere and spoil much of what was planned for one of my kids' birthdays. That's when we decided to keep our parties to just very close friends.

How many of you tried out the Duckface/side-peace sign in the mirror last night before going to bed??!! LOL I did!!!:D

For all of you who think that I am upset for me, you are not understanding that I see the desire of my kids to GIVE and I am feeling for them! Who here would set out their Christmas gifts to their children and have them open them without you being present? Isn't there a joy in giving those gifts and seeing your child receive them? Now, I totally agree, that the reaction isn't always what we want or like and sometimes our kids are burnt out on opening gifts but again, as Stacia has said, these are the graces to be learned. Perhaps teaching these as they grow older is better. These HUGE bday parties are too much for the little ones to handle. I just know that the same friend who didn't open my son's gift and card while at the party, was ecstatic about giving his gift and handmade card to my son at his birthday party. Yes, they wanted to play and do party games but he would have been totally disappointed if we had not taken the time to acknowledge his gift/card. And my son (age 9) spent a lovely time reading each of his 5 friends' cards, commenting on them and spending time looking at their drawings. He opened each gift with great enthusiasm, and thanked each buddy with a hug and we took a photo of that friend and him to send to them with a thank you card.

Awww, that is what I'm talking about. That gift represented your child giving a part of himself.

No and there were only 5 or 6 other children present, besides the siblings.

:lol: This is the best, yet!!! Truly hysterical! I have been really enjoying these posts! I can tell this is going to go on all night! I better get to sleep.

I couldn't agree with you more! These are excellent things to develop in our children and make both giving and receiving truly respectful. Can we all agree that these things that Stacia has pointed out, are wonderful and important qualities that really need to be trained in our children? You may choose a different method for teaching them (ideas?), but I have to say that I definately want my kids to learn all of these.

Hey everyone...thanks so much for enlightening me on some other perspectives. I don't feel as annoyed at this way when I consider some of your very valid reasons for not opening gifts at the parties. I never let on to my child that he or she should be upset if they don't get to "give" their gifts to their friend. Now because of your comments, I do have some explanations for why, perhaps they didn't see their friend open their card/gift. I just feel that something special happens when a child has given a gift and sees it being received. A child feels the intrinsic blessing of giving...it's not about them receiving praises. Most of the time, my kids pick out gifts that THEY would have loved to receive. And Lesley, you've got me all wrong...I am truly far from being a "me-centered" person. I'm sorry if I conveyed that (that's what I hate about writing...some things can be taken so differently). I agree that giving should be without expecting anything in return and not seeking praise or approval. I do teach my kids that.

I was so perturbed when my son came home from a birthday party to tell me that the Mom just collected the gifts and said they wouldn't be opening them because there wasn't enough time! My reaction, "What? Why not?" This was not the first time I've heard this and I'm just here to voice my opinion that I think it is extremely inconsiderate to not include opening gifts as part of a birthday party. My son/daughter and I spend personal time choosing just the right gifts for their friends. My kids spend time working hard to make a very special card for their friend. I spend my personal time wrapping the gift so it looks attractive. My kids are not only excited to go to a birthday party to do party things but they are excited to give their gift and sometimes more excited to give their card because it is so personalized. These are the things that say, "This is especially for you." This shows their love and care for their friend. Not only that, they would just love to see all of the other gifts given, as well. Why has this very special part of a birthday party been so thoughtlessly excluded?

How do you like SSRW or HOP (dvd edition)? How much teacher involvement/prep is needed? How much time to carry out lessons? I think SSRW has more subjects (spelling, grammar, writing), though. Need something fun, effective, quick but not too hard for teacher (Grandma) to figure out how to teach several students. Thank you!

I'm so sorry to hear about your sis' situation. Just out of curiosity (because I know someone similar to this), does your sister's husband seem or is able to appear totally normal to people outside the family...at least for the short-term? Is it his behaviour that is so odd and quirky but he is able to have some seemingly normal conversations (in between his obsessive-compulsiveness)?

For those of you whose kids have been tested by a Dr. for developmental problems, please tell me: 1.) What kind of Dr. did you see? 2.) What kind of tests were given?, 3.) Was the child left with any kind of negative feeling because of the testing (i.e., did the child question why they were seeing this kind of Dr. or were they left with a new feeling that they were different...one that they never had). Any other info. you would like to give, would also be welcomed...perhaps this will be helpful to many people who wonder if their child has a developmental problem that should be professional diagnosed. Thank you!

Look into the Mystery of History books. I've heard from lots of people that they and their kids love learning chronological history from these books. ;)

I haven't been to this forum for over a year and I'm on here now trying to get some input regarding my son's apparent ADD issues and what curriculum may work with him, as well! What a coincidence that you just posted the same the other day. Anyway, it sounds like your grandson is a good student and learns well which is good for you, being first-time homeschoolers? Abeka is a traditional schooling method. If you wanted to order the DVD program for him, it would be exactly like he was in a classroom, listening to the teacher speak to the class, write on the blackboard, asking students questions, students asking questions and answering questions, right there on DVD, etc.! Your wife, would take the role as 2nd teacher and maybe you can be the principal, being available to help out in any areas that he may need help on and overseeing him, making sure he's doing the work. He would do assignments in his workbooks. You can even have him graded by the Abeka company and thus have official transcripts for him. I only criticize this program because it is just like the boring school I remember...BUT, you are in a very difficult position right now of having to learn how to homeschool for the first time...and a 7th grader! You are going to be in a parental role and a teacher role and that is a lot of weight on grandparents (who would probably prefer just to have the grandparent role -- and I understand that because my parents right now are in that very position with my brother and his children). It's been very hard. I would highly recommend buying the entire Abeka DVD program (actually it is rented for each grade...you can look into it at www.abeka.com). It will relieve you of a tremendous amount of work regarding the teaching part. The really ideal thing is that he's already used to Abeka, so there will be no real surprises for him (that consistency and structure is good for the ADHD in him). He will probably be delighted to find out that he can work at his own pace and even finish his day much sooner than being in a school, which will allow time for his active side to be satisfied...and more time for his love of music. So instead of looking for new curriculum, I believe that you should research how to make learning at home a good fit for his ADHD while using the Abeka program. I highly recommend that you go to www.headsupnow.com and read up on Melinda Boring's techniques and tips on teaching ADD and ADHD challenged kids (you can even just set up an appt. to call and talk with her...she's amazing to talk with). She will tell you ways to help keep your child focused, how to keep them active while still doing their work, helping with fidgetyness and making school more at their interest level. Her website probably has links to other helpful websites, resources, as well. I just want to add that Abeka is a very thorough and excellent education. He will be college ready when he finishes. Please feel free to cut down on the amount of work Abeka makes the student do...especially if you sense your grandson is showing signs of being overwhelmed. My son does Abeka math and I just do not make him do all of the many problems that they require. I also give him what he calls a "free Friday" where he only has to do one side of the page of math. You have to remember that these books are designed for a classroom. The classroom always gives more to kill time--keep 'em busy and homework, as well! If he's doing great, then give a Friday off or circle only every other problem everyday, or have him just do a page and don't have him do the homework problems...too much! You are very loving to not only adopt him but to also care enough to homeschool him because of his needs. If the Abeka program doesn't work for him this year (as you will be able to see as time goes on), then use that time to start researching other methods but for now you need to take the easiest way, so that you can concentrate on all the other things that you will be doing. Take it easy, :chillpill: trust the Lord...let this be a year that you get to understand your grandson and relate to him in ways he needs in order to develop a full person, confident and with the support of loving grandparents...who are on his side. The academics are really so secondary when it comes to the big picture <><

Thank you all for your helpful input. Still, a bit on the fence but leaning toward trying Rod & Staff. I asked my daughter if she feels she is really learning something from the Easy Grammar. She said that it is fine to do("easy" as they say) but doesn't feel that anything she's learning is going to stick. She says that she sees no real purpose in life for learning all of this grammar stuff -- LOL!!:lol: Ummm, I better reread my WTM and find out that answer, again.

Thanks for your input. Was wondering how long do the kids spend each day on grammar?

Hi! Thank you! I got my post up...thank you, thank you! Blessings!

Seeking Long-time Users of Easy Grammar or Rod & Staff? If you are familiar with Easy Grammar or R&S, please share how long you have used it and your thoughts regarding its effectiveness in grammar education. Used Eng. for Thoughtful Child in 1st gr, Simply Grammar in 2nd/3rd, and was about to use R&S but was encouraged to try Easy Grammar for 4th gr. EG seems a wonderful way to learn but am concerned about how solid dd will be in English in the long run. She certainly has LOVED using it this school year. Looking forward to a response that will help us feel secure in making a decision for next school year.

Hi, I have a grammar question that I would love to post. I typed it out (I think in my profile :confused: and hoped that it would miraculously appear with everyone else's...but it is just hanging there in my "visitor messages". What can I do to join in the chat? I am so happy that somehow this Forum came to me. Thanks for your help!!