Having DS11 empty the dishwasher every night after his younger brothers go upstairs for bed. (He is allowed to stay downstairs to read longer if he does this.) It makes my mornings SO MUCH LESS STRESSFUL to wake up to an empty dishwasher...and *I* don't have to do it!

I have shaved my head multiple times in my life. In high school, it was to be rebellious (looked great with my navy uniform skirt!) and in my 20s and 30s it was usually done during a period of stress or frustration (I don't smoke, drink, etc). I haven't done it in over a decade because DH likes me with longer hair. However, I got a short haircut in March and it's grown out a terrible mess. I have been thinking about buzzing it all off again! Sadly, my face is so much more... round...than it used to be. 😆

DS11, finishing 5th grade, worked *almost* every problem in the book, chapters 1-9. (When he was obviously having growth-spurt brain fog and things were going slowly, we would skip the last few challenge problems, but we've made note of which ones he's skipped and he goes back every once in a while to work on them, as review.) He is now doing AoPS online pre-algebra 2 (so someone else can argue with him about written solutions for a while), and he is still working the all the problem sets in the book, and will work on challenge problems as time allows. He will finish all the challenge problems before moving on to algebra, probably in October; so, he'll spend +/-14 months total for the book.

Oh. This is my favorite! Yum!

Right now, we have in the house sliced: american, provolone, muenster wedges: parmesan, romano shredded: cheddar, mozzarella/provolone mix (for pizza), mexican blend (for burritos) powdered: parmesan/romano shaker sticks: mild cheddar, sharp cheddar, provolone misc: cream cheese, ricotta

Oh. I like this. They each have a knit crown from their birthdays last year. The Kid of the Day can wear his crown!

Good idea!

This is what I have to do.

DS11 has a couple of chores as part of his allowance agreement: he is in charge of the household trash and recycling (emptying cans as needed, bringing to/from the curb, etc) and empties the dishwasher every night before bed. He also takes care of his own laundry (wash, try, fold, put away) every week. He does help out around the house/in the yard with projects that his dad is working on, as needed, but I'm looking for things that he can regularly do *on his own*.

He would love to learn to cook. The problem, as with all things, is that as soon as I let him start working in the kitchen I have three other boys demanding that they also be allowed to work/help/supervise/whatever, and then there will be tears. I have not yet found a way to deal with the hurt feelings when someone gets to do something that the others want to do. We were going to look into joining scouting this fall for the 11, 8, and 6 year olds, mostly for the social aspect. I will look into what is online, thanks. Teaching them not to argue is something that sounds wonderful ... but I don't know if I can pull that off. We can try.

I will check it out, thanks!

I have some cross stitch supplies put away for next school year. I will take those out and see if the all four of them would like to start this summer. (I've always wanted to learn to embroider, myself!) I do have plans for garden expansion and would love to have him to the dirty work! Plus, a garden fence/gate idea. I'm hoping that the Habitat for Humanity ReStore will open up again soon, so that I can start looking for supplies... I will look into the links. Thanks!

Thank you for reminding me that he learned how to jump rope a few weeks ago. Adding that and a heavy bag to the list!

I just looked into the abyss of a summer with no library, no museums, no swimming at the lake, no going to the beach, and no organized sports for DS11 and I'm at a loss. My other kids can all amuse themselves for hours at a time but DS11 is not as able to do this on his own. He either ends up starting conflict with his brothers or following me around and making me *bonkers*. Please hit me with ideas that a bright eleven-year old boy can do to keep himself busy (and out of trouble) this summer. FWIW, he is taking an online math class through AoPS that lasts all summer, and will likely do 90 minutes of math on weekdays. He either swings on the tree swing or works on insanely hard dot-to-dot books while listening to audiobooks during quiet time each day. He likes chess puzzles, so I may set him up on chesskid.com or chess.com. He reads for pleasure every morning and again before bed; thankfully, the local library is opening back up for pick-ups only starting tomorrow, so at least we can keep him in books! He and DH have been going to the track to run early each weekday morning, and DS has a weight routine he can do out in the garage. We picked up a stationary bike off the side of the road the other day, and he's enjoying that. (He loves to ride his bicycle, but DS8 had a terrible bike accident this past April, so no one wants to go ride bikes anymore this summer.) Even with all that, there are several hours each day where he won't have anything to do and, when that happens, he ends up getting himself in trouble by antagonizing his little bothers, stomping around the house like a bored rhinoceros, eating everything in sight, completely unraveling a wicker basket, or some other such nonsense. Help!

I often have complete strangers remark about how I have "two separate families". It takes everything I have to not respond with ALL THE PROFANITIES. 🤬🤬🤬

I have five boys, and I refer to them (here) by their ages: DS24, DS11, DS8, DS6, and DS3. In other places, they are the Manchild and the Noisemakers. 😆

I am going to spend next year focusing on copywork/narration/dictation/outlining/writing skills. We've been very math-, science-, and reading- focused here so far, and I would like to spend some time really working on those writing skills.

He's not concerned about grades, as far as I can tell. I think, mainly, he was frustrated because other people were quicker than he was and he's got a perfectionist streak in him. I certainly don't care about whatever grade he gets! I was just hoping that this class would shake things up a bit, while also having someone else give him direction and feedback about how he writes out solutions to his work.

Thank you for sharing your daughter's experience. We agreed that he would try the first two sessions, and then we would decide if he should stay or drop.

Well, he's survived the first meeting. He was nervous, but it started out well enough. He knew the material (he's already worked that chapter in the book), and wasn't too slow in getting answers in at the beginning However, at about the 50 minute mark (out of 75), he started to unravel. He felt like he wasn't able to think fast enough or type fast enough and that the class was moving too fast. His frustration started to snowball from there. This is my kid who I am struggling with to get him to write his calculations down, which will help speed up his work. I was in the room with him making dinner, but wasn't sitting with him. I answered his questions and spent the last 15 minutes trying to talk him through his frustration and calm him down. (I was making dinner - poor planning on my part.) For next week, I will make sure that he has a break at around the 45 minute mark. Walking to get a drink of water and stretching might help him regroup. I can also help him with the typing if he gets frustrated. He will work on typing skills during the week. He's actually looking forward to his homework, so that's a positive.

Patient, wise, and strong. Currently failing at all three. 😔

You could find any monologue by the character Mrs. Landingham from the West Wing. She was spot on NH! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccCfflUZeQI (older Mrs. L) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s47t_o1R-ss (older Mrs. L) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwaQExqyGUk (younger Mrs. L)

Emily McCullough is the instructor. It's an early class - meets @ 4pm. Fingers crossed.

So, he's signed up for the class, but he's wary. I'll sit with him through the first two to see how it goes. I've told him that there is no problem if we decide to drop in the first two weeks, that this is just to try something new. The class starts with chapter 8, and he's already working in chapter 9 this week in the book, so that will give him the first few weeks to focus more on the class format and less worry on the material. Thanks for all your input.

My paper came yesterday - under 24 hours!