handling frustrating days and some dinner ideas

We are going to attempt to start school next week.

Next.Week.

I have a lot of organizing and planning to do before then!

But one thing that keeps running through

my mind is,

how can I better handle those

days that will come...

when I will be frazzled, irritated and

downright frustrated.

I'd like to know from you all,

especially you veterans at this homeschooling

thing...

how you handle those kinds of days?

Please don't say you go hide in the closet....that's my thing! Please
tell me there are other options.

Also....

because no matter what kind of day it is, our families

need to eat (they're funny that way)....I would love to know

if you have any default dinners that you always

have on hand to throw together when you

just don't feel up to something

wonderfully creative.

Math

After asking you all for information about
you and your homeschooling family,
and what curriculum you use....
I quickly found that there is a wide range
of variety.

I should have expected that since
I myself, after wasting a lot of money on
things that just didn't work for us,
use a vast variety of resources and curriculum.

Today I'd like to chat about Math.
Since that's an important core subject,
and there are lots of options out there,
I would like to hear your
thoughts on what you really like...
and don't like so much.

I have always used Saxon Math,
which I have always liked...
until Nick hit pre-algebra and I really struggled
teaching it to him. I found that I was
just getting by and that wasn't really
teaching at all.

I sought the advice of homeschool mom
extraordinaire, and my real-life good friend,
Martha.

She quickly and excitedly told me about
Teaching Textbooks.

If you aren't familiar with it, it is
so great, especially for higher level
math. It comes with a text book
and program for your computer where the
guy teaches each lesson
(not a video, just his voice while he
demonstrates on a graphic-type "chalk board").
But best of all,
for EACH and EVERY math problem,
you can pop in a separate "solutions" CD,
click on the problem in question
and the guy explains and walks you through
how to work the problem.

It is amazing!
Pricey, but amazing!

I would love to know if any of you are
familiar with this...if you like it...or not.

Other Math programs that you all liked
(based on your comments on my personal blog)
were, Sonlight, and Math U See.

So, your thoughts on Math....??

Welcome!!

I can't believe I'm starting another blog
but I'm pretty excited about having a gathering
place for homeschool moms!

Since time is short...all the time,
I probably won't post more than once a week.

However, what I'd love to see is,
for those of you needing encouragement,
answers to questions, suggestions, etc., etc....
anything homeschool-related,
to leave a comment.
Then, it would be great for other HS moms
(ok, dads too), to check in and leave
a comment answering questions or giving suggestions.

Make sense?

So, PLEASE check back frequently
to read and leave comments.

We'll see how that works for a while!

I plan to continue gathering info regarding
all of you out there who would like to
contribute.


Let's start with this topic:

Socialization.

The most frequently asked question that I get
is..."but what about socializing for your kids?"

I.hate.this.question.

Why is it that in public schools, people constantly
complain about large class sizes,
yet a class size of about 4,5,6...10,
(Mom and kids),
is so anti-social???

Give me a break!!

Don't get me wrong...kids need friends.
They need activities (limited).
But day by day I can't think of anything more
important than the one person on earth
who loves these precious kiddos more
than anyone (ok, dad too),
teaching them and pouring into them
God's goodness.

How do you answer the question of
socialization??