[So, do you ever feel you would be a nicer mom if you didn't homeschool?]

When I first started homeschooling (7 years ago or so) my dss was in the local public school and struggling socially and academically. He was reacting terribly to it and homework battles were absolutely terrible. It would take hours upon hours even though in reality it should have taken about 15 minutes at most. I was terribly stressed and was frequently disappointed when I'd find myself taking it out on the kids. I could feel my stress level rise about 2 hours before the bus would drop the kids off and by the time they would come in the house I was ready to explode (not that I ever did). As a result I looked into homeschooling.

 

After I convinced the parents (biomom and my dh) that homeschooling was worth the effort and dss was now home from school we became very close and we were all much happier.

 

Time progressed, life happened and homeschooling started to become very stressful to me and dss. Dss and I started becoming distanced and I could feel resentment toward me. As a result we looked into public school and again after he started, we all became much happier and closer because the resentment is gone.

 

In my circumstances the stresses that I was feeling whether kids were at home or in school was a sign that something wasn't working. Being able to switch from one to another allowed us to reduce the stress and change the relationship to something that is working better.

 

Currently, my dss is in a private school and doing wonderfully well. He's not living with us currently (life happened again) but our relationship is still very good.

[Help! My dd10 lost a molar and the "hole" is really sore.]

Sounds like dry socket...... I've never had it, but I was warned about it when I had my wisdom teeth out and others also. The dentist will help.

>>>>

 

I had dry socket when I had my wisdom teeth out many years ago and I wasn't warned about it. It was terrible!!! I still cringe just thinking the words.

[Explode The Code question]

I picked up Explode The Code book 7 recently. Never used any of the series before.

 

Book 7 fits my ds6 just fine.

 

But I was wondering how do you know the book match for your child?

 

And what do others goto after Explode The Code?

>>>>>

 

If your child knows the rules and demonstrates them in his/her decoding from all of the previous books than you are fine. If he is struggling in decoding skills than it is best to move back a few books to make sure he knows the material.

 

We moved straight to spelling after ETC.

[How many of you are only homeschooling some of your children?]

I homeschooled my oldest stepson and my youngest stepson stayed in public school the whole time. It was the best fit for each one. I homeschooled my now 2nd grade dd for K and my younger dd hasn't been homeschooled. If I homeschool again it will likely be for my younger daughter but we'll see what happens.

[Cat lovers - We're going out of town for four days. I have]

I wouldn't worry about temps either but usually when we go on trips I try to get my outside cats in. Doesn't always work though.

[Roll Call--who is afterschooling, and why?]

I am an afterschooler after homeschooling for 5 years. My eldest stepson was homeschooled from 4th grade through 8th grade and we put him into 8th grade public school (dss was in full control of the decision and 2 years later it was the best decision we could have made). This year he is doing wonderfully well in private school although living with his mom for the first time in 6 years. His brother was always in public school.

 

My oldest daughter, 7, was homeschooled for K and is now in public school 2nd grade. She does wonderfully well.

 

My youngest daughter is 5 and she is the one I'm afterschooling. She started reading at 3 years old so I want to make sure that we do at least some work at home on her level. She loves K and she is getting to work with the Challenge instructor once per week. We're mostly working on reading comprehension and increasing her writing. If I were to homeschool again, she would be the one most likely homeschool. We've done some work in FLL.

 

My ds almost2 spends most of his time destroying the house by taking things apart. Ugh!! I can't wait until we get through this stage -- if we ever do -- because dh hasn't.