I did so much tweaking of HOD that I did eventually leave. However, I flailed around for a while after that. It was a lot easier to adjust HOD, even a great deal, than it was to come up with my own plans. I finally got my footing, but it was so much work that I went back to HOD. At that point my kids were used to my own plans, and resisted the lesser with HOD. So we were done with it. Anyway, I "get" what you're experiencing! It may be worth the cost to have what you do use from it. It's a lot easier to tweak than create from scratch.

I think mine is actually reflux combined with anxiety. I know it's horrible!

That sounds really tricky. Would it work at all to tell her you've decided your kids aren't ready for sole childcare responsibility? That decision seems incredibly foolish/unwise. The rest just feels like she's a user--whether clueless or not.

What about IEW phonetic zoo for spelling? I think it's supposed to be very indendent, but might be a better challenge. I have only used CLE LA, not R&S, so can't compare for you.

:sad: I was going to mention finding a good audio book series. That has worked for my less enthused reader. Even if it doesn't motivate free reading at that level, listening to it will be good for her.

I did a quick google, and there are threads about this that might help. http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/76929-how-does-cle-compare-to-abeka-in-math/ http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/236043-abeka-vs-cle-math/ http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/348011-abeka-math-or-cle-math-for-3rd-grade/ http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/361350-should-i-switch-from-cle-to-abeka-math/

You got a lot of great, practical (and varied) ideas! I hope one of them helps this particular situation. But you did mention this may be a general personality thing. I've got one like that too. This book is good. http://www.amazon.com/What-When-You-Grumble-Much/dp/1591474507

This has been my experience as well. In fact, urgent care missed the fracture. Radiology found it, but ortho did new x-rays anyway. A friend had a wrist break that didn't show up for several days. If there is any numbness or similar issues indicating nerve or blood flow changes, I would take her in immediately. Otherwise, I would probably wait and go directly to ortho.

I do think anxiety can look like controlling behavior. Depression in my husband looked like quick anger, and over-all negative, poor me than anything I would have thought was depression. He finally agreed to trial medication, and it was such a good thing for him and for each of us in the family. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the best type of therapy for the kind of issues you described--anxiety related or not. You might look into mindfulness and similar type self help stuff. My gut in reading your posts is that medication might be needed. Stress is what set my husband off mentally, and he just couldn't get out of it without medication. It took years for him to agree to try though. :grouphug:

No way would I have my child in that office. Ick. I've seen the no parent rule, which I do avoid. I've never seen anything like that list though. You may be right. That thought makes me sick.

I put hard/concentration required subjects followed by easier things. I also build in physical activity. If the child knows he's going to run around the house two times and then come back for math, it seems to work here. But my kids know what subjects are going to be done before lunch. Then I pick up after lunch for the rest. Things like meals feel like natural breaks.

I like my kitchen floor easy to clean. I don't have an entry/exit door in my kitchen, so I have just one small rug at the sink. This is only because my feet really need it, and it's machine wash and dry. I would do without even that if I my feet could deal.

I don't have those books, but this is how it did turn out here with one child particularly. But when he asked about intercourse (in a way that felt so out of the blue), I wished I had a book to show him while we talked. I explained as naturally, and well, as I could. Then I purchased some books. My plan was to use them whether asked again or not, but I haven't found one that's enough information without being too much information for him. I liked a lot about the It's Perfectly Normal linked in this thread, but it was too much information (down to types of intercourse and birth control) for my pre-teen. Their younger book wasn't quite enough for him. I wish I could merge parts of each. The other books I found were also not enough or not quite as positive as I would like to be. I think some kids are more willing to ask questions. Others you'll need to take the initiative. And I agree with trying to be the first source of information, which means you'll need to hit it relatively young depending on her contacts and activities. I was surprised how much kids talk about this stuff at ages younger than I remembered growing up.

:grouphug: I'm so sorry.

I had a friend in college who did that. She's the only one I've ever known though.

I'm glad you asked OP! I would like to try some and haven't wanted to spend a lot. I'm going to check out those companies too.

I know this is mentioned already, but I do like Elderberry. I also up probiotics, prioritize sleep, and try to avoid sugars. I'm not good at the avoid sugars part!

Have you ever considered Intermittent Fasting? I can't manage to consistently count calories. I can do IF. The initial adjustment is hard though.

I had the Beginner's Bible ( older edition by Henley, probably only available used now) http://www.amazon.com/The-Beginners-Bible-Karyn-Henley/dp/0310926106and the Early Reader's Bible by Beers. I preferred the Henley one with my kids. I can't remember the reading level for sure though.

My husband and I pay for ourselves when dining out with family. However, I think parents paid when we were early marrieds, 22 years ago!