Because the constellations you see in Australia are not the same as the constellations you see in the USA. Do they know about the southern cross?

Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell. I don't remember it being unsuitable for youngsters but pre-read I guess. The Tillerman series by Cynthia Voigt. I always remember the part when the teacher tells them to plan meals for a family, and the girl who actually has had to feed her entire family on a few dollars is marked down for not being nutritious enough. While it's not 'historical' so much, it was written in the 80s which is quite a while ago now!

We've got the Tiny Polka Dot math cards, the Dash & Dot robots, the Grandmother Fish book and the Rebel Girls book. I'd buy heaps more if I was in the USA - the postage tends to put me off. What kickstarters have you funded?

I think series are useful when you don't have much brain power, because no need to invest in a new setting or characters. I'm powering through a sci-fi/fantasy series which thankfully has a lot of books in the series. Start with The Warrior's Apprentice (Lois McMaster Bujold) and go from there. Not too sciencey, more space fantasy. I've enjoyed all her books bar The Spirit Knife series, which was too cliched. Nora Roberts also useful for that - The Key trilogy was a good one, or if you prefer mystery, Chesapeake Bay series. Very light, always a happy ending. I find her series under J D Robb and some of her stand-alones too violent for me though.

Thinking about this. Sometimes it feels like we expect kids to join 'our world' (chores etc that we've chosen) and yet never enter 'their world' (the things they've chosen and created). Standing outside and admiring it is one thing (great sweeping, mum!) but participating in it is something else. I think participating in their world is more powerful than just admiring. I always remember Dad talking about an aunt of his family, who was very gifted. She lived in an little old house and was always happy to have visitors. She loved you to join her world, her art etc. But she never visited others or participated or showed much interest in any one else's world. I always thought that was an interesting comment.

Evening meal, synonymous with tea-time. When we were kids, it was always 'tea'. Nowadays it's more likely to be 'dinner'. But either works - Australia.

That's so exciting! Congratulations.

Yes, but I have only 2 kids. Rough-housing, board games, lots of imaginary 'conversations' ('pretend that you think that I'm a monster, Mum'. 'Oh my goodness, it's a monster!" "It's only me, Mum!) I'll also build blocks with them and do craft. I have no memories of my mother ever playing with us, either inside or outside, or even reading books to us. She reads to my kids every visit though. I remember my Dad doing rough-and-tumble play with us; they are fond memories for me.

My daughter is at her local school, and my answer is this: there are pros and cons to everything. There really is not a perfect solution; just like parenting, you need to accept good-enough. When you focus too much on the 'cons' of schooling, you're ignoring the 'cons' of homeschooling. Since my daughter has been at school, I've noticed a lot of the good and the bad - both of school and of homeschool. And there have been a lot of unexpected 'good' as well. I do still annoy my friends occasionally when I complain about there being no real science or whatever, but I try not to do it too much.

Looked it up - they are potato gems over here. I have seen them in the frozen food section, and have had them on a few occasions, but they wouldn't be a regular food. Maybe less popular over here?

Thanks everyone, so interesting. I'd never heard of mac and cheese being a side for bbq. Not 100% sure what tater tots are (shall google). I'm thinking I'll go with the oven roasted potatoes and green salad - sounds yum!

They had some American bbq sauce at Aldis this week (Australia) - sweet baby ray's. I thought I could use it with meatballs . . . but what to serve it with?

https://qz.com/1001590/whats-the-best-kind-of-preschool-for-children-play-based-montessori-or-academic/ I thought this was very interesting. Previous research has stated preschool is important for low SES families but not others, but this is suggesting it has benefits across all groups. I liked the suggestion that just 20 minutes of fun play-based academics could have real value (not worksheets!) but thought the comment about dressing up as a firefighter being pointless was rather sad. My son goes to preschool and it is definitely neither montessori or academic. The only benefit is social and physical - they seem to spend the entire day running around either inside or outside. Fine by me, as I can do all the rest at home. But I certainly wouldn't be relying on the preschool to supply all his educational needs.

Hmm . . . I think most people are finding it was so much more than the usual superhero movie. I am no superhero movie expert though. I did just see Dr Strange, and found that very mediocre. So compared with that, WW was fantastic.

Jenny, when you made that comment about a movie where a woman excels without having to use violence, I thought of real life - there are so many real life stories like that. But will they make a movie about them? One day. Wonder Woman isn't the perfect movie. But it feels like, maybe, someone is listening. Maybe those great movies are yet to come.

Thanks everyone for sharing their views - so interesting! I go with the multiverse theory too, when necessary! But overall I guess I watch these kinds of things as extended metaphors. The final terrible weapon was completely appropriate considering recent world events, as well as fitting in with the historical context. There were little things that I was like "come on!" (surely you can't both sleep and sail a boat at the same time) but as long as the story keeps going - and the bigger ideas keep flowing - I'm ok with them. Re: resorting to violence, killing; I have very low expectations in a superhero movie. They always seem to dispatch grey faceless baddies. In this case, at least she was trying to get to Ares as quickly as possible to keep the body count low.

In Australia, we say Vegemite cures everything when you're sick. Full of salt (and vitamin B).

Thinking of your family, and everyone else in a similar situation. You're not alone.

Oh sorry - I'm from Australia and midwife is default here. Maybe you'll get a supportive nurse, then? If you want definitive info, can you call a lawyer from your area and ask? I guess that'd be expensive though.

Oh sorry - I'm from Australia and midwife is default here. Maybe you'll get a supportive nurse, then? If you want definitive info, can you call a lawyer from your area and ask? I guess that'd be expensive though.

Do you have a lawyer friend who can be your birth support person? Because legally, no, they can't do anything. But they might not 'remember' that unless reminded. On the other hand, you might end up with a great midwife on the day who is supportive. I hope it all goes well. I ended up transferring to hospital after a homebirth for my last child, ended up with a great midwife and the OB who I'd never met before was great too.

Dug up an old Australian classic - Barnaby and the Rocket (about bonfire night). Any Australians recognise it? I loved it as a kid, and both my two are loving it too. They are also enjoying the picture book versions of the Tashi books (Anna Feinberg, also Australian). I read the Gaiman version of Norse Tales and really enjoyed it. I'm not a massive fan of Gaiman, but these stories were wonderful and enormously thought-provoking. I also read a book I've been waiting for, for a long time - the most recent book in Megan Whalen Turner's "Thief" series, "Thick as Thieves". It was wonderful, and full of stories loosely based on the Epic of Gilgamesh. I recommend it, but only after reading the previous four first. You'd miss important stuff otherwise. Oh - and it's more fun if you know the Epic of Gilgamesh, I think.

It's just come out over here, watched it today. I loved it. I had tears in my eyes for so much of it! I think there was something so validating about seeing a woman constantly being told to go away, that they can't do it, they're not welcome . . . and then she shows them all. And her personal character development was one which so many young people go through, from hopeful naivety to sad wisdom . . . I thought it was fantastic. It felt like finally a movie was written and directed by grown-ups.

Regarding the homeschooling blogs - after following so many over the last few years, it is amazing the number that have ended with - "we've sent them to school because of social isolation". It's a common issue.

It's been years for FIL, but last time we suggested visiting, he said he didn't want to see us. So I think that's it. In your situation, I'd plan a vacation at a nice place and invite MIL along. That way your focus is on the vacation and not providing meals etc. And while expensive, it could be a great memorable family experience.