I am considering this for my fourth grader. Can anyone give me their thoughts and opinions on this program? I just stumbled on it and it looks like a gentle approach for a beginning science student! Thank you!

No. Never! I'm not one for the whole guilt thing. In my heart, I would be so sad. I am still trying to adjust to summer camps. ;) But, that is my deal and I will work through the whole empty nest thing when the time comes. I think it's only natural for children to be adventurous and find their own way. I only want the best for them. Wherever that may be! :001_smile:

I didn't read the other replies so pls forgive me if this is redundant. I would absolutely not go back. The conversations with the children would be enough to make me walk. However, the teachers leaving the class and not 'teaching' would be a big problem too. Your dc are old enough to be engaged and learning something in their class. I would simply follow up with the church (if you want) and let them know about the situations that bothered you. Hopefully, they will investigate and try to offer some more supervision in the classrooms. You certainly can't change the conduct of children and what they are learning from home, but I do think that a LOT of that can be minimized if the children are fully engaged and not having too much social time on their own. :grouphug:

another neat option for floors, if you have concrete, acid treatments. They are realllly cool. You can do all kinds of really neat things on concrete now.

Very sorry!!:grouphug:

Maybe spoiled is an attitude of sorts? A child or adult that is given more than they need (over indulged) and still wanting more and more, unsatisfied with their belongings. It seems your mom was referring to the fact that you had more than you needed (possibly over indulged) b/c in her mind, you didn't seem appreciative. I think it was a common expression of that time. I doubt seriously your mom meant is as it probably sounded. Their can be some guilt for having 'more than' you might need.

:grouphug::grouphug: I hope all is well and you have no worries!

:grouphug:

:grouphug::grouphug: I've only found Xanax to be helpful. I'm really sorry. That is the worst feeling in the world.

four miscarriages recently? I mean, since your last baby? I'm sure there is nothing to worry about. :grouphug: How exciting! I hope this is good news!!!

Last week, my adorable two and a half yr old looked straight at me while playing on my bed and said, "Are you my conscience, mommy?" Of course, I said, 'what?!' and he repeated the question exactly as above. It took me about two seconds to realize that he was quoting NEMO! :lol::lol::lol: For a few seconds, I thought we might need some therapy!:D

:grouphug::grouphug: I really understand how you are feeling! I'm sorry. I know you want everything back in its place and some peace b/f the baby comes! No real advice...just a big :grouphug:

:grouphug::grouphug: I'm so sorry! I can only imagine how tragic this is for you and your family!

I had this with every pregnancy. It was very diff. with each one. My second one was lots of pain and discomfort and heavy bleeding. He was more than the others. I've had two miscarriages that started out just like all of my other pregnancies. What I noticed with the miscarriages is once the bleeding started it just got progressively worse. With each of my full term preg's, I would cramp and bleed but it would stop. Try not to worry excessively. I know that it really hard. :grouphug::grouphug: Best of wishes for your appt.

I find it interesting the lack of tolerance found in this thread! Have we gotten so sensitive that our children can't handle a few light hearted questions from an old lady? Really? Give me a break! How rude! That's all it is...simply rude! There is no excuse for his behavior, period. My children are asked questions all the time and i know it makes them uncomfortable at times, but they are always kind to ppl when they talk with them. It's a sad day when a child can be so obviously rude to an adult and the popular opinion is to say that the lady was at fault b/c she invaded his personal time and space. Wow! Just wow! As for the pushing of the child, I would have walked right over to him and looked him right in the eyeballs and told him he is NOT to lay hands on my child again. Then, I would have walked right over to his parents and told them that he just pushed my two yr old and they need to watch their child.

Yes! Me too! :blushing::blush:

Understood. Whatever you 'use' to obtain your substainable strength- God's speed! I should not assume you are gaining that from the Bible. That was my bad. As a Christian, I believe that the Bible *is* God's living word. When reading it, the breath of life is in action and the Spirit of God is with us. Cults do have the Bible. True. There are a lot of false prophets out there. The Bible warns us of this as well. That's why we are to study God's word. Not to lean on man's (or our own) understanding but our Father's. In other words, test our teachers, and not be sheep to the slaughter. This often happens when ppl stop reading the Bible for themselves and start following man's teachings. ************* My original point being that we have to access control over ourselves. There seems to be a discrepancy in what we can and cannot control. My original comment was with regards to addiction and our perception that those that live with them are doomed to a life of constant suffering. I would like to just offer up that conquering our addictions and taking control is quite liberating and edifying. You actually GROW spiritually.

Of course you manage yourself! You do it every. single. day when you decide on whether or not you will behave properly or poorly. If you are a Christian, you will use the Bible as a guide and for substainable strength. However, you have to exercise control over your mind- at some point!

:iagree: You were completely misquoted and understood. It was very obvious to me what you were saying. :grouphug:

:iagree: I can't imagine hating anyone for their sexual orientation.

I very much disagree with this. I think that ppl that overcome addictions are very happy and live normal lives. It is the overcoming part that is the most liberating and freeing aspect of managing an addiction/problem. It is the purest refinement of one's self. The discipline to 'manage' ourselves. Once accomplished, you have a joy that only comes from within. A true strength and ultimate happiness. So many ppl feel that b/c someone has an addiction or problem that they are always destined to failure and a life of problems. That is just not true.

:iagree: I'm not divorced, but I think this has always been a hard concept for me.

Well, I'm not sure I can help, but I will try. I have been to all three. I think all of them are great choices, but they are very different. I think if it were me, I would probably try to do DC by itself. It's a large destination to try to share with all of the other ideas on your list. But, if you are laid back and don't mind not seeing everything, you could do it all. I guess it depends on your desire. Gatlinburg will be very touristy with lots of fun things for the kids. I'm sure you could find Gem mining there, Dollywood, and tons of dinner theaters, etc. Grandfather mtn might not be a week long vacation spot but something you do with Gatlinburg?? You could do some hiking and sight seeing. DC is just a huge place. Lot's to do and see. I'm not sure I would want to rush a trip to DC with little preparation. But, I guess you could. You can stay in DC or just outside in Alexandria. The metro is awesome. You could look over some of the area attractions and just decide on the one's you want to make in THIS trip. DC is one of those places we go to every few yrs. If you can tell yourself that you don't have to do and see everything, you will be fine. It's a great family place and lots to do! Lots' of walking, history, walking, and more walking! IT's one of my favorite places...but, I think you need to know your kids and whether they will enjoy it. Mine love it. :001_smile: hth:tongue_smilie:

That would be fun to 'visit'... :D