Does anybody else have a hard time finding/making time for the "fun stuff"? I do. We're pretty focused on academics here, and I like reading and discussing and learning things. And providing what I consider to be a full and complete education to a 6th grader and a 2nd grader pretty much fills up the whole day. And it's good. But I feel something - wistful? regretful? something . . . . like by providing this solid education that I feel good about, we're missing out. We don't have a lot of time to get outdoors, to play games, to garden, to teach the kids to cook, or to do messy fun projects that don't have an academic focus. Lord knows we aren't getting enough excercise. And I only see this getting worse with a child entering jr high/high school. I get it that I'm making a choice, and that there isn't time for everything. But I wonder if I'm making the right choice? How do you balance all the things you find important? How do you fit it all in? If you don't, what do you let go of? February musings . . . ;)

Has anyone here had to help a sibling cope with the intense needs/behavior of another sibling? I am in profound need of advice, so please help if you have any ideas! DS has always been very wiggly/difficult to manage, but I always figured a tincture of time/maturity was all we needed. However he just hit 7 years, and things have been getting worse, not better. We now have some vague physical aggression starting (waving objects right in your face, grabbing your body, etc, but no outright hitting/kicking yet) in addition to the uqbiquitous yelling when frustrated and general impulsivity, and I think it's time to take him in for evaluation. I think the most likely diagnosis is ADHD/gifted. We have an appointment with a developmental pediatrician, but not until August, and an appointment with a psychiatrist that specializes in ADHD next month. We even have an appointment with the educational psychologist at the elementary school coming up, as we have toyed with the idea of putting him in the Behavioral Management Center there. The more I reflect on it though, the less I think the public school route could help him, though. Most likely, continuing with homeschool (as we have all along) will be best for him academically, emotionally, and socially. HOWEVER, it is not just DS that I have to worry about. DD is approaching 5 and has only recently (with the help of a psychologist) become fully potty trained. It turns out that the potty training difficulties were just a symptom of general anxiety she is feeling, and the two things the psychologist recommended to help were more one-on-one parent/DD time (which is part of why we toyed with the idea of public school for DS), and more space from DS. His impulsive behavior, and the tension it frequently yields in the home, although DH and I do our best to keep things calm, is stressing her out. I have thought of several ideas to help DD, but am not sure which route to pursue. She is introverted, sensitive (obviously), and keeps things that bother her bottled up inside. So far I have mostly just had the philosophy that she can tag along with what DS is doing, but now I think she could really use more age-appropriate activities (singing songs, painting, learning the alphabet & days of the week, playing in the sand, etc) and social experiences. It's true that there are plenty of events for preschoolers/homeschoolers in my area, but when DS comes along (as he has to), I end up mostly focused on managing his behavior. She comes to DS's homeschool co-op and park days, but most of the kids there are a little older, and she becomes so much more animated when she is with girls her age. Of her two closest friends, one is in Kindergarten and the other lives 45 minutes away, so it's hard to arrange playdates. She did enjoy her ballet class (which was recently canceled, but we're looking for something to take it's place), but I feel like she would benefit from something more frequent than once a week. Here are some other ideas I'm considering: Wait until next fall and let her go to Kindergarten to get a little space from DS, even though I would really love to homeschool her Look for some kind of MDO/preschool I could enroll her in right away (although it's doubtful I'll find anything as most places around here are already starting waiting lists for next fall) Commit to doing a more structured (because structure will make me more likely to keep it up) Kindergarten program here at home with her next year (I used Joy School with DS, but the Wee Folk Art curriculum with lots of crafts, stories, field trips, etc appeals to me, too), either just her and me or with a group of other Pre-K/K kids, and let DS play the iPad (or whatever else will keep him busy) during that time so I can focus on DD If anyone has any other ideas, I would love to hear them! I'm just feeling like I'm between a rock and a hard place right now, like I can't really give both DS and DD what they need. :crying: TIA!

We are new to HSing, we have a DS, 10 and DD, 4. We just pulled out DS this year, gifted but also ADHD inattentive (ADD). Daughter is in 1/2 day PK b/c of vision impairment. I was wondering, for those who have been doing this a while...how do you get to a state of balance? I really, REALLY, think I need to know. We have a full curric for DS and also have been supplementing to enrich. He is methodical and takes a little longer, but really loves to learn and will put in the time. We put most time in when DD is at PK 5 afternoons a week (just 3 hours, plus bus), but he also works on his own on assignments, projects, and reading. We have done 2 co-ops all year. We wanted to do this to continue giving him classroom experience. One I've just been helping in the PK group, the other I teach 1-2 classes each session for the olders. We also have a 3rd co-op which is a morning preschool playgroup. This is our 3rd year with the group and it is a very laid-back group. Son comes and works on his own during this time. I think I'm a little stressed, we are also leading Cub Scout den and dad is coaching travel soccer. We also take care of a lot for my mom who is in her 80s, financial and medical. I've felt a little tight on energy all year, but have really felt pinched the last couple of months. I'm also getting a little impatient with some of the other kids at the co-ops who run a bit wild. My last class last week it almost seemed like the kids didn't have a strong curiosity, they just wanted to get through. I don't want to give up co-ops, I think they are wonderful in many ways -- but should I scale back to basics a bit? I really don't care for having to keep other kids in line in a class (running, messing around) -- time is so precious I feel if they don't want to learn they shouldn't be there, or their parents should be there to monitor them in class. I also feel like this limits how much our DS can learn in these groups--this isn't what I want at all. So, how do you ever manage to find out what works for you, and cover al the bases? Please, any suggestions would be much welcomed. Oh, and my house looks a bit like a tornado has come through it. Actually, we did have a flood last fall which caused significant damage as we were just starting HS year. And my mom and DD have had some health issues to address. Again, any suggestions or magic wands to make things smoother would be much appreciated! Amy

I have a Moth schedule. Stuff isn't getting done. Some of this is character issues. I am working on that. My dh and I are having marriage issues do to long term unemployment. Our kids are 14, 11, 8, 2, and 8 months. My oldest is a high functioning Aspie. He is smart and cocky. I need more time to teach him how to work like a HS. My 11 yo is getting lost because he isn't asking for help. My 8 yo has speech/learning difficulties. He isn't in therapy currently, although he should be doing online ST soon. He has ETC online and TT that he does alone. I help him for another hour a day on his other work. My 2yo is the only girl and she draws on everything. The baby has had some feeding problems. he is doing better. Any suggestions? I cannot let school go. We are finally caught up from when we let go in the past when I thought US was a good fit. I am tired. I do have a lot to deal with. HOW do I do it? We school 6 days a week. I have to keep on the kids all day long. Help me get my big girl panties on and get my home in order. I need to be a better leader. I need to be stronger.