So far, the only time 13yo can listen to music is when he's typing up a rough draft - with headphones. I figure data entry doesn't require that much brain power, and I know I'm going to proofread it with him later anyway. As far as dawdling, if he's taking too long with math (and why is it always math?), I get a cup of tea, pull up a chair beside him, and sit just slightly behind his line of vision. Sometimes he doesn't mind, other times he does. So far, though, it has always improved his ability to focus. It has not helped my ability to school the younger two, or get supper/laundry/chores done, but I am an impatient cuss and want him to be DONE already. At some point he's going to need to continue his journey towards independence, but so far he needs a physical presence.

We liked it. We read the overview. No one's attention wandered since it didn't take very long. We did the experiments. The lab sheets were excellent. We didn't do every topic, only those that were appealing. I'm satisfied with what they learned and the enjoyment we had. I can see how for a different family it might not be deep enough. For our family, I fully expect the kids will continue their habits of watching MSB and Discovery Channel et al, reading library books and exploring their world. (None of which cost extra.) They will see all this material again. It never occurred to me that I could buy curriculum for *any* subject - especially science - that would be so complete as to never add any information from another source. Use the program that appeals to you and your kids since that is the program that will get done.

I used some of R.E.A.L. Science Earth with my then-5th grader and he loved it. There are lists of additional resources in the front of the book for science encyclopedias, books, field guides, websites, and science journal activities, if you find you need to beef it up. Her lab sheets are absolutely top notch, IMHO.

As Mommy7 mentioned, the TT format changes between elementary and upper level math. They watch the lecture and practices on one CD, complete the questions in the workbook, then watch required solutions on another CD. The parent needs to mark every lesson and test. The benefit is that you know what they know - it's unlikely that any struggles will get missed. The downsides for us are that TT is no longer saving me as much time and ds is less independent of me than he would like. For elementary TT, here's how I reassured myself of what ds was learning in TT7 last year. * I checked his grade sheet at the end of each lesson. We watched the solution for any that were incorrect to be sure he understood. If an answer took more than one try to be correct I asked why. If it was typo, no problem. For anything else, I went over it or we watched the solution. (He hated all of this, BTW. insert evil grin) * I had him take the tests in the workbooks, rather than on the computer, for three reasons: 1. So I had physical evidence of learning. 2. So he would keep the habits of writing his work and of testing. 3. So I could be sure of what he knew. This was a good fit for us.

Great post. I can't think of a single homeschooling book I read that didn't point out that our ultimate goal with our kids was to work our way to the sidelines, becoming a coach and mentor, encouraging them to own their own education.

Hockey Caring for his dog - feeding, watering, walking, training, cleaning up after not as much :D Hockey Learning to play the harmonica Snowshoeing, snowmobiling, sledding, hiking, hunting, fishing Building jumps for his bike Making movies with our little digital camera and the Windows Moviemaker software that came with the computer Hockey Summer camp/canoeing Books and TV shows about war, both ancient and modern Chess, Lexulous and Farmville on Facebook :tongue_smilie: Refereeing And did I mention hockey?

SL Core 6 Rainbow Science Megawords IEW Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons

PE Art or Music Bible (though with BJU, maybe that's built in?)

I went through gr. 11 & 12 with a girl in a similar family situation. She was sent to private school in an effort to save her from following her sister's troubled example. Both of her parents were teachers. They knew the material. The problems in their family had nothing to do with whether or not the parents were excited about learning or whether they were plugging the kids into on-line courses (I guess it would have been correspondence back then) or teaching it personally. The problems (in this instance) stemmed at least in part from isolating the kids from everyone, right down to not letting them attend Sunday School or youth group and even keeping them from their cousins - theological differences, don't you know. The fact that both girls were adopted may also have come into play. Both girls had stellar educations. Their life paths are radically different. My friend does not express disappointment in her parents' academic goals, lol. She is a critical care nurse, and doing very well career-wise. Other, weightier, relationship issues were what mattered. And she is still plagued by those. I really think people need to reserve judgement more often, rather than calling others on the carpet for any perceived intellectual sluggishness. A family can still journey together even if it looks different from your family. ETA: Re-reading your experiences, they sound like the parenting in general was a disappointment. Those parents would tend to choose the option that required the least of them, but that doesn't discredit the schooling option.

How so? I deleted more than I posted, so perhaps I left out all sense? I'll try to flesh it out a bit. Not every individual or family has the same strengths and weaknesses. I find many on this board to be exceptional and inspiring. But I don't share their aspirations. I do find it strange when they are disappointed in others, though. Those same families they're so disappointed in might find other areas of life easy and be surprised more people don't value those areas. See... clunky writing, eh? Not expressing myself well. Does it at least make more sense?

It's this statement that gives me pause. It places what you value over the valid, if not exceptional or inspiring, choices of others.

Am I misunderstanding this? How would plugging a child into an on-line program equate to not educating them? Why would that be cringe-worthy?

If you don't like IEW, I'm sure you'll be able to find something else, but I just thought to mention that their theme-based writing lessons made way more sense to me than wading through the videos. They are less teacher-intensive and make the step-by-step nature of the program clearer. One of their history-based books that lines up with whatever time period you're currently studying might make IEW more doable for you. Or not. :-) Good luck finding something that works for *you*! (Just re-read your post and hope I'm not telling you something you weren't wanting to hear, lol.)

Interesting. So Graves disease and Graves Ophthalmopathy... not the same.

It's my understanding that eye issues go with Graves disease (HYPERthyroid), not Hashimoto's. Both my sister and I have Graves disease. She went undiagnosed for several years and has "pop eyes". AFAIK, vision is not affected, only appearance. I do remember reading something about sagging skin potentially causing problems in later life, requiring surgery. It can't hurt to get them checked out, though. Glad to know your meds are being adjusted. Hope you feel better soon. (((hugs)))

In no particular order: 1. Going for a walk in the snow with the dog. 2. Hanging clothes on the clothesline. 3. Balancing the bank account to the penny. 4. Watching my kids play hockey. 5. Getting sucked in to a really good book. 5. Being able to do simple favours for others - tying another kids' skates, for instance. 6. Lying in bed, holding dh's hand. 7. Cozy bathrobe, everyone else in bed, hot cup of tea. 8. Homemade bread, fresh out of the oven. 9. Seeing the younger two get excited about... schoolwork. 10. Listening to all three kids playing happily together... OUTSIDE. :D Feels so peaceful.

I'm considering using Canadian History for Dummies next year, for my less academic oldest. I'm struggling with how to make writing assignments, though. I much prefer IEW writing lessons which lays it all out for us.

I set out a bowl to sprinkle them on top of curry. Is that too weird? It tastes good, anyway.

SL Core 6 is working for us, as is Rainbow Science and Megawords. I cannot say enough good things about IEW Medieval History-Based Writing Lessons. Neither of us like TT Pre Algebra as much as TT7, so we might see if we can find something different for next year.

It's been a couple of years since I read it, too. I was pronouncing it and making assumptions based on the way it was typed in this thread. (bad girl) Huh. Ya, I'd have to go with Stripe on that one.

My dd was born a night-owl, too. She sleeps through, but doesn't go to bed til 10. I'd rather it was 9.

I pronounced it as it seemed to be spelt: Ni (long i)- ger (jer). Like a short form of Nigeria. I assumed it was spelled differently for a reason.

I'm curious as to what happens if they have a really late night? I'd be tempted to try keeping them up later (and not letting them sleep in) for awhile. It sure sounds difficult. Hugs to you.

I thought Little Britches *was* autobiographical. (Well, at least as factual as an elderly man writing about his youth is gonna be, lol.)

I don't know if you're going to get much milder language than that.