Hi ladies,
I see lots of new names on the board. Tell us about yourselves. We'd like to get to know you!
Blessings
Christine

Hi Everyone,
My family and I have just moved to Naperville, IL. We have one son, age 13, whom I have been homeschooling since the 4th Grade.
I am very interested in hearing from any homeschoolers in my area regarding co-ops, etc.
We are also looking for a church home with an active youth group.
Any info. you can provide me would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks and Enjoy Your Summer!!!

Kim!
I live down the road from you in Wheaton! We've got to chat. There are sooooooo many resources in this area.
Would you drop me a note through my website and we'll have ourselves a nice chat?
Welcome!
Christine

www.HomeFieldAdvantage.org

Hi everyone. My name is Janet. I've been married for 9 years and have a 3 yr old son & 2 yr old daughter....they are 14 mos apart! I taught elementary school for 6 years before staying home with my kids. We just moved in Aug to a country home in a new county and know no one. We realized we were supposed to be here when we first walked into the church.

Currently my eldest attends church 3K twice a week and both learn at home every day Next year we have two options and are undecided....#1 is to have my son in 4K and daughter in 3K at the church then take them out to homeschool OR #2 after THIS school year keep both kids home and not attend church preK at all next year.

I met someone at Lifeway Books today that gave me a wealth of information on local homeschool clubs....One question...she said there was a co-op also available that does things as a group. What exactly is a co-op?

I know I was rambling...I'm good at that.

ooops. I introduced myself in the wrong area!
My name is Christine. I chose the username snmom because my family has so many special needs. I have tons of allergies, my dh has a blood disorder, and my kids have:
8 (almost 9 yo) - Asperger's
7 yo - adhd combined and asthma.

We live in the northeast - the 4 of us and 2 cats.
My dh is the only man in the house - even the cats are female. He doesn't seem to mind it though and loves his girls like crazy, including the cats.

I can't believe I haven't found this blog before!

My name is Angela. I have been married for 12 years. We have 2 children, son is 6(kindergarten) and daughter 8 (3rd grade).

I have been homeschooling since my dd was in K5.
I was homeschooling and working full time at a local hsp. But was able to quit and stay home. I now just work on an occasional Friday night for extra money.

To Janetfeet: A co-op is suppose to be a group of homeschoolers that get together and share teaching opportunities. For instance, if you are strong in science but not in math, you could get help from another mom with math and you teach her science. I haven't had need of a co-op yet. They one I was familiar with seemed to be very disorganized. I may check into one later as my kids get older. For now, I just meet with my best friend that homeschools and we do field trips together and share ideas.

Hi MT599,
Welcome to the board! Great to hear from you.
Are you, perchance, an MT? I was taking a course to do that work, but had trouble keeping up.
Hope to hear from you often!
Blessings,
Christine

No, actually I am a trauma nurse.

Hi! I am Sherri, I live in the California Mojave Desert. I mostly grew up here in this desert. My husband and I just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary last month. We have 3 children. Our oldest is 23 and married her first love last February. Our 20 year old son still lives at home with us. He just received his locksmith license in the mail last Friday and started a long awaited employment opportunity @ Arizona Pipeline, the same day. We are thankful to the Lord for our children. Those 2 oldest were home-schooled most of their schooling life.
We also have a young daughter who is 12 going on 16 and I have tried many times to teach her at home. I know God wants to have her home-schooled also. She is a real challenge for me and her teachers at school. She is smart and wants to go to the Public High School for many reasons. It isn't going to happen. I need prayer and guidance. I know there is wisdom in a multitude of councilors. My daughter is hardheaded and says she will refuse to do any schoolwork at home. I brought up the idea of sending her to a Christian Boot Camp, But honestly I can't afford it. I am not sure that would be good anyway. We just need help. Does anyone have any ideas to help me change her mind? She seems to think camp would be fun. It probably would for a little while. We can barely afford to get the school work that she says she will refuse to do. Oh well, only God knows what needs to happen. I continue to pray. Any other ideas?

Hi and Welcome!

I got some questions for ya. Has your daughter been diagnosed with anything - ADHD, autism, anything?

In our home, if the kids refuse to do homeschool, they aren't allowed computers and/or any other fun privileges and that includes any activities planned (library, etc.). Many times that "wakes them up" unless it turns out (from trial and error on my part) that the real problem is they're sick or getting sick. I've made that mistake a few times. And my youngest, with ADHD, can be hard to figure out sometimes when she's really sick.

Your post raised a red flag in my mind that something else is going on that either you don't know about or that wasn't said? I'm not judging you as a mom or anything. Parenting is hard work and sometimes can be difficult to decide what's best.

Other questions - can she read okay? Has she complained about her vision? Does she wear glasses - maybe that could be a problem too.

I'm just trying to help, honestly! ((hugs))

quote:

Originally posted by snmom:
Hi and Welcome!

I got some questions for ya. Has your daughter been diagnosed with anything - ADHD, autism, anything?

In our home, if the kids refuse to do homeschool, they aren't allowed computers and/or any other fun privileges and that includes any activities planned (library, etc.). Many times that "wakes them up" unless it turns out (from trial and error on my part) that the real problem is they're sick or getting sick. I've made that mistake a few times. And my youngest, with ADHD, can be hard to figure out sometimes when she's really sick.

Your post raised a red flag in my mind that something else is going on that either you don't know about or that wasn't said? I'm not judging you as a mom or anything. Parenting is hard work and sometimes can be difficult to decide what's best.

Other questions - can she read okay? Has she complained about her vision? Does she wear glasses - maybe that could be a problem too.

I'm just trying to help, honestly! ((hugs))

Hi! This is Sherri. Thanks for the ideas and warm welcome.
To answer your questions... My daughter has never been diagnosed with ADHD by a Dr. But, I am not one to run to doctors, because of the drugs they prescribe scare the heck out of me. Her personality could be defined as someone that has an "Attention Deficient" problem. She has always been a little high strung. We just love her as she is, and discipline as necessary.
I have been through "Parenting with Love and Logic Classes" and continue to meet with a group of mothers a couple of times a month called "Smart Mothers Actively Cultivating Kids," S.M.A.C.K. meetings. They Help me deal with myself, my actions, and reactions, in turn it also helps my daughter and I.
I have tried natural ways to help her attention problem, but she resists taking any herbs, or eating less sugar. She will have to learn the facts about herself and why she is like she is when she is ready to except it. Most importantly, when God wakes her up.
I like the idea of just holding back the fun outings, if the schoolwork isn't completed. That could help. Thanks for that idea, I have used that before with my other 2 kids. My son thought I was so mean to hold him back form (quote) "having a life", but now that he is 20, he thanks me, for being so firm on him about running with the crowd. That makes all those hard times worth it. The other day, when we was discussing the issue of older boys trying to pick up on the young girls, My son and Son-in-law told me that this has been an issue out here in our little town, since they were her age. They had not-so-close friends that bragged about it, and made it a game. My son admitted that if he had been running with the crown, he may have been involved with that. He was taught Christian values ever since he was old enough to hear. I am just so thankful to the Lord for helping me with my kids.
Anyway, my young daughter does read very well, that is one of her strong points. She reads things that interest her a lot. Math is not a strong point. She needs help there.
I love the suggestions and am not offended by any help. The things I have learned best in my life, always came with some shock, and even some pain to look at. I think we remember best when our emotions are challenged. We can either disreguard, dismiss, question, or except other peoples ideas and suggestions. I have done all those things. With God's help will hopefully make right decisions about the road ahead. Something I read on the mission statement for this church's website... (something like this)...many times God uses people to be His portal to help others. I know that to be true.
Thanks to those being used of the Lord today!!!
May God bless you all!!!
I am still listening. (hugs back!)

Hi Sherri,

I'm with you 100% about the meds. I was against it, and reluctantly tried them with Piglet (my daughter with ADHD) last summer. We suspect she may have suffered some kinda heart problem from it, but the dr refused to see her. (the dr that prescribed the meds) She told us to take her to the pediatrician. The pediatrician questioned why we didn't take her to the dr that prescribed, then proceeded to put me down for homeschooling Piglet. Mind you, it was in the middle of the summer and school was out anyway.

We tried coffee for a while as well. And it did help for a while. All they need is about 1/4 cup, with either sugar or stevia (a healthy sugar substitute you can find in health food stores) and milk or a good sub - like soymilk, rice milk..

I would advise, if you want to try this (if she's so willing) then do it on a day when she's not doing anything like a Saturday or something just in case it makes her more hyper. Generally caffeine will give a reverse effect on kids with ADHD. In other words, calm them down but not with the side effects that drugs can give.

I will definitely pray for you. If God wants you to homeschool her, there must be a very good reason. Are there any good hs support groups in your area? I can tell you there's a yahoo group for parents of kids with special needs, and the owner lives in S. California area I think.. somewhere out there. I'll go check on that one and send you the link. Or you can yahoo Christian homeschool special needs group.

Also, Christine Field's Homeschooling the Challenging Child is a great resource with some very good websites as well.

Math is a challenge in my home too. My 7 year old uses an abacus for now. I am struggling to teach my older one math (she's 3rd grade now, going into 4th and I'm the one struggling).

I hope I'm being helpful! Or encouraging. Or both?

Hi I am Tee. Mother of 4. We have 2 out of the home (with 3 grandbabies)2 are at home, ages 14 and 9. My 14 year old has asperger's syndrome, which is why I started homeschooling. I added my 9 year old when he started kindergarten. I taught public school part time while I was raising my older kids, which helps me a lot, but I was not prepared to teach a child with special needs. It is a continual learning process. Tee

Hi I'm Cheryl.
We have two wonderful children who are 12 and 13 with special needs...they are awesome kids! We are in our eighth year of schooling...our son and daughter are opposites in that she loves reading; he hates it. She's a writer-less strength in math, he's stronger in that area and much less in writing...but over all we are plugging along. It's not always easy...sometimes it's downright rough...our son tried to refuse to work with me, but his Dad helped this out...well, some well guided motivation helped...they are both computer geeks loving to create and play games and such...sometimes it's not taking away...but GIVING that helps motivate...think this way, if I want something, I am usually willing to work for it, right? Well, the idea is if a kid wants something, a parent has something to negotiate with...it's not bribery, it's peace talks! PEACE in the home...everyone wins...like the employee giving the employer what he wants for the much needed and wanted money the employee wants in return..."I work with prizes!" Always have...but sometimes punishment or take aways just make a kid dig in harder...I don't know for sure, but if the hard way isn't working...softer more love can help...what's the kid's love language...sometimes THIS can be the deficit and makes all the difference in the world.
all the best
from above
cheryl

Hello,

My name is Heather. I have a 14 year old son in public school, a 9 year old daughter I am homeschooling and a 1 year old daughter I am trying to keep up with. Thank you for the encouragement on this website. It's nice to read everyone's story.

Welcome Heather!
Wow! a lovely family...post often and read on...I look forward to hearing how you are doing.
blessings
cheryl

Cheryl,

I noticed one of your later posts said you reside in KY. I live around Glasgow are you close? I thought maybe you would have some knowledge about schooling a teenager. My son might come home soon.

Heather

quote:

Originally posted by queenamia:
Welcome Heather!
Wow! a lovely family...post often and read on...I look forward to hearing how you are doing.
blessings
cheryl

Actually we moved just this summer but spent five years in western KY...

I have two middle schoolers...and will face the ninth grade next year...but let me say that I am already preparing for it NOW! Go to the KY ed website to see what classes are needed by state to issue a diploma...I know some folks think that GED is the only way a home schooled child can get a diploma, but my friend graduated her daughter by keeping up with her transcripts of her high school courses and grades, and along with her ACT score was accepted into college. I am hoping to do the same for mine. We are doing 7th gr math, PreAlgebra for the other...we are doing a history of the world overview...What curriculum are you using with your daughter? If you like it, and you think it will work for him, you might be able to do High School with him through that system. I used a hodge podge...mind you, well thought out...but not one boxed type. This is something that I moved away from several years ago...but began that way...still use some of the resources of it, but not exclusively. We use lots of resources for history and science. I don't know if his helped...
blessings!

Cheryl,

Thanks for the reply I have two friends, who home-schooled for high-school. One through graduation and one through her 2 sons Senior and Sophmore year. You have your hands full with 7th and 8th.

I found it challanging to be in 7th grade mode one minute and 2nd grade mode the next. Are your children boys, girls or 1 of each?

Talk to you soon.

Heather

quote:

Originally posted by queenamia:
Actually we moved just this summer but spent five years in western KY...

I have two middle schoolers...and will face the ninth grade next year...but let me say that I am already preparing for it NOW! Go to the KY ed website to see what classes are needed by state to issue a diploma...I know some folks think that GED is the only way a home schooled child can get a diploma, but my friend graduated her daughter by keeping up with her transcripts of her high school courses and grades, and along with her ACT score was accepted into college. I am hoping to do the same for mine. We are doing 7th gr math, PreAlgebra for the other...we are doing a history of the world overview...What curriculum are you using with your daughter? If you like it, and you think it will work for him, you might be able to do High School with him through that system. I used a hodge podge...mind you, well thought out...but not one boxed type. This is something that I moved away from several years ago...but began that way...still use some of the resources of it, but not exclusively. We use lots of resources for history and science. I don't know if his helped...
blessings!