My son just finished FLL4, and I need something he can do independently. Ready, GO!

I've felt this way most of the school year, but it's gotten worse since Christmas. I guess I'm like this about everything lately.

It's 1:00 and I still haven't started school. I feel like this every day now. Ugh. :banghead:

Quite all right. I'm considering all my options, and I don't mind people chiming in with their BTDT stories. Maybe two years ago, before my dh lost his job, I would've considered private school more seriously. But with his new job, and now another baby on the way (for whom we have NO space in the house), private school's more of a pipe dream.

The Latin is definitely challenging her, and the science class is challenging, but manageable. The issue is that the outside classwork is getting done, but the mom work is not.

The one closest to me isn't one that interests me. The cottage school we use now is about 30 minutes away. There are lots of options about 25-30 minutes north of me. The ps nearest us is my alma mater. My neighbor (also an alumnus) homeschools his kids, and he teaches there. When it was time to send their oldest to school, they sent her to a private school where his mom is the principal (big tuition discount). I'd like to avoid that if possible.

She just likes to putter. And I've been really unmotivated and puttery myself this year, so she just follows my lead. She takes forever to do e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g.

I started her off a year early, because that's what my parents did with me, LOL. This would be my last chance to hold her back, and I'm concerned it might discourage her more. IDK... I just can't keep on top of her anymore, and she needs grades and accountability that I just can't give her. I could try continuing at the cottage school for some classes, but it's 30-35 minutes each way and they're not the most rigorous.

There's a great classical school about 30 minutes away, but it's $11K/yr. Not happening. Most of the private schools here run $7-$8K, often more.

She's advanced in language arts. This is my first go-round with "acts like a 12-year-old," though.

I've thought about it, but it doesn't change the fundamental dynamics I'm dealing with. I need to outsource her education.

I've been gone for a while, but now that I need to begin making decisions about next year, I'm popping in to say, "Hi!" and "Help!" DD12 is in 8th grade. I have her in VPSA's online Latin, and at a cottage school one day a week for science and art. The outside classes sort of swallow up all of her time, and I think she needs someone imposing deadlines on her -- I just don't do it well at all. She's very poky; always has been. Self-paced would be a disaster for her. She'd take two years to do one year's worth of work. I'm considering 100% online high school, with possibly some cc dual enrollment later on. VPSA? Keystone? Liberty? Torrey? A combo of two or three places? My dd likes the online Latin class, although she'd do better if she worked on her vocab more. I haven't talked to her yet about doing more classes online. She's in class for 90 minutes, twice a week. Please help. I'm trying not to panic, but I'm getting worried that we're really starting to fail, and that she won't be prepared for the rigors of high school this fall.

I've been gone for a while, but now that I need to begin making decisions about next year, I'm popping in to say, "Hi!" and "Help!" DD12 is in 8th grade. I have her in VPSA's online Latin, and at a cottage school one day a week for science and art. The outside classes sort of swallow up all of her time, and I think she needs someone imposing deadlines on her -- I just don't do it well at all. She's very poky; always has been. Self-paced would be a disaster for her. She'd take two years to do one year's worth of work. I'm considering 100% online high school, with possibly some cc dual enrollment later on. VPSA? Keystone? Liberty? Torrey? A combo of two or three places? My dd likes the online Latin class, although she'd do better if she worked on her vocab more. I haven't talked to her yet about doing more classes online. She's in class for 90 minutes, twice a week. Please help. I'm trying not to panic, but I'm getting worried that we're really starting to fail, and that she won't be prepared for the rigors of high school this fall.

You don't really need a degree. You just have to be really good at it. The girl who does our portraits already has a thriving business, and she just started college this fall (with a non-photo major). You'll be shocked -- shocked! -- to find out she's a homeschooler. ETA: My avatar is one of her creations.

Our family friends sent their son to Cedarville for an engineering degree. He did very well and has a job in the industry of his choice, I believe.

Years ago my godparents' son went to SLO. We went there for some sort of campus fair, and they had all kinds of student projects -- my favorite was the ice skating rink! So yeah, I think they're pretty hands-on there. SLO has a great rep for its engineering program.

Dude, hooker <> se*y.

He seems to like it just fine. I think he's nearly done, but I haven't asked him lately. Even when he tells me, I forget.

I might need to have the kids look them over. I think they'll prefer the narrative style, but it's hard to say.

LOL, you should hear her in action. None of my kids have been as quick to think on their feet as she is. Me, grabbing her foot: Give me your piggies! Mama wants a tasty snack! Her: NO! (points) Snacks in the kitchen! Me: But I want them! I'm hungry, and they look tasty! Her: No, that won't do. I would have blood, and that would be bad! :lol:

Yes, I was considering an encyclopedia too. Does it read well, or is it choppy with lots of page splatter?

Wouldn't you know it, I have a copy of CSOA, but it's first edition (1989). I'll look at the second edition.

I'm using Biblioplan for Year 4. It says for "Grades 4/5+" to use Hakim's The History of US. It's an appropriate level for my 8th grader, but it's way over the heads of my 3rd and 4th graders. Wayyyyy too many long sections to read, and at this rate we'll never make it out of week 1. (We're starting our 4th week of school.) I need an alternative, fast. I looked at The Complete Book of U.S. History, but the reviews tell me it won't be a good fit. I downloaded First Lessons in American History from Google Books, but it doesn't cover much 20th century history. I think it might be OK to get us through for a little while. I really want a spine, so that I'm not dependent on the supplemental readings. So what are your favorites for 3rd-4th grades?

Agree about the French restaurant in Epcot, but we really enjoyed Marrakesh (Moroccan) too.

I first read this as, "I saw a jar bigger than Belgium once." That would indeed be a gigantic jar of nasty. :ack2: Haven't visited the site yet, but I have a feeling the "visioning" and the painful design are closely related. Can you imagine what they'd charge for visioning that looked cool?