Step-son (18)-Money...he's signed up to go into the Army in the Summer, so money is probably best. Ds (will be 12 a week before Christmas)-Accesories for his Guinea Pig habitat. Maybe some money or books too, depending on *our* $ situation. Ds (9)-Accesories for his Leopard Gecko habitat. Either money or books too (SAA). Dd (6)-Accesories for her Guinea Pig habitat. See above about money/books. Dd (will be 18 months at Christmas)-So far she has a chunky puzzle. I think I'm getting her a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse pretend cellphone. Probably a nice picture book or two and maybe a DVD. That's all I have for ideas for her.

Heartwarming...what a special boy!

My children don't spend the night at anyone's home that I don't personally know (and feel comfortable with) the parents. Period. Swimming at the hotel and the other stuff (putt-putt/go-carts), would be ok. Just not sleeping there and absolutely NO VAMPIRE movies...yes, I am a prude, thanks.

We're in the North and at night, I keep it at 61-63 degrees depending on how cold it is outside. Right now, it's at 68 degrees (daytime).

Yeah, my oldest ds would be fine with rigerous (as that's where we're at right now), but my youngest ds, no way. He has special needs and the more I push the more stressed and biligerent he becomes. Thank you! I totally get the special needs issues, as my youngest ds has them. He's actually the one who I'm looking towards a more relaxed schooling. My oldest ds does great with more rigerous work. Wow! Thank you, thank you for typing all that out! That's what I was looking for. I really understand what you're saying about the bolded. It's hard sometimes because outsiders might not get it, but I do!

What does that look like? How relaxed are you? What does their day look like? I'm having a hard time imagining it and it looks like we might be headed down that path with my youngest ds, so I'm trying to get a "feel" for it:001_smile:.

My youngest two prayed and prayed for about 18 months for a baby. Well, she's now 17 months old! I used to help in sunday school with the 2-3 yr. olds. One day, one of the little girls comes in and says, "My mommy is going to have a baby!" The SS teacher and I just looked at each-other. When the mother of said girl came to pick her up, the teacher mentioned what was said and the mom said, "I really doubt that!" Her dh had a vascectomy about a year beforehand. Well, lo and behold months after this episiode, this mother came up pregnant!

I didn't wait. I mailed in my ballot as there is no poll-place in our area.

Thanks ladies! You all made me smile. He ended up doing his work (and it was just math/LA...he unschools the rest). He was so upset that all of his screen-time was taken away EVEN THOUGH he did his work. But, hey, like my dh told me this morning, we have to be tough sometimes. He's in a much better mood now and happily playing legos downstairs with his older bro. I'm betting tomorrow, he'll do his work without me asking him ;).

Not a chance.

Isn't the bolded the TRUTH, though? Ack! He's currently still up there. I *think* he's doing his work b/c he came down for a pencil sharpener. I've tried reverse psychology with him and it normally doesn't work:001_huh:. He's such a tough dude! He hates school, he'd especially hate ps. I've thought about sending him, but it would be worse than a nightmare with him. Shoot, I wouldn't even be able to get him on the bus or in the van to *travel* to school, let alone making sure he got his homework done. I honestly don't think he'd even get up and get dressed in the mornings if he knew he was going to PS:glare:. It's just my sad truth right now...he's a huge challenge. A 95 lb, almost 5 foot challenge (I'm only 5' myself). Blah.

I think there's a lot of truth to what you're saying here.

Ds11 (almost 12) has been left alone for up to 3 hrs alone. He had my cell phone though. I've also left him recently for about 30 mins with his 9 yr. old brother. It went fine, they played video games ;). Daily? I'm not sure I'd do it for longer than 2 hrs. and he'd have to have a phone (we don't have a land-line). I used to work with a lady who left her 8 y/o dd home alone every day in the summer. That I *wouldn't* do!

YAY!! So happy for you!

Ds9 has been up in his room all morning. He's already lost his screen time for the day. The reason? He's refusing to do his school work. Flat out *refusing*. So, I told him that he will have NO screen time and he has to sit in his room with out any books to read. He can come down to eat and go to the bathroom, however. Head-to-head...and yes, it is my aspie.

What are the essentials for ownership? I know, cage, food and dishes, a hideout, bedding, water bottle... Is there something I am missing? Two of my kids are buying piggies with their Christmas money from grandparents and I'm getting them some things that they'll need. We are all very excited to be getting a couple of fun indoor pets! Are there any really GOOD websites out there? Thanks so much for ANY info!

Wow. *That* would be a true nightmare.

I hadn't thought about breaking it up. Thanks. I was just upstairs, trying to help him through it and it made more problems. He's behind in math, so I'm trying to do two lessons per day WITH crossing out the stuff that he already has a firm grasp on. We're using CLE and he's almost done with 306.

Yeah, I've read so many horrible things about that mesh. At this point it's not an option. Hmmm...thanks! I will check her out. I've set up an appt. with a urologist that specializes in pelvic floor repair. Personally, I'm thinking of getting a pessarary (sp?) for the time being and consider surgery in the future. I really need my toddler to be older and more independant before a huge surgery like that.

Don't feel badly about this, I sometimes require more of my oldest than he's capible of handling b/c he's on the mature side.

Yes, it's mostly math, but he has other problems with understanding what he's hearing or what someone is reading (or what HE'S reading). The reading comprehension is a problem ONLY when it's something he has no interest in. Yeah, I've heard that protein might help. I've also had the APD suggested to me. I just need to get on the ball NOW;). Like I said, I'm also trying to deal with my health problems and juggle his many issues as well. It's a challenge to say the least. Thank you. I will look into that!

I did just have his hearing tested and it's in the normal range. He started doing ok with the concentration soon after I originally posted this, now he's struggling again. I feel SO BADLY for him, but am struggling with health issues myself. Maybe I need to take the first step and get him re-evaluated. When I first got his PDD-NOS eval when he was four, they told me to bring him back in a few years to be evaluated again. Maybe now is the time. They'll probably have a waiting list, so what do I do in the meantime? How do I help the poor boy. I'm feeling helpless and so I end up getting frustrated (not fair to him...I know!!).

I haven't read any responses, but no way. Sixteen is too old to TorT. The last time I went as a kid, I was in 8th grade and I feel like that was borderline as far as age.

Thanks. Not menstrating would be a plus, but at the same time, I don't want MORE stuff falling out and MORE surgery, kwim? I've checked them out, but only get one or two replies to my questions...kinda frustrating:001_smile:. So glad things are working for you:001_smile:. I've been thinking of going in and maybe getting fitted for a pessariry, but I am unsure about that too...sigh.

Got it!