I sure hope you have a fun trip. We are in NW Florida, close to Alabama. It takes us about 6-7 hours to get to the Tampa/Orlando area. Epcot certainly has wonderful educational opportunities...we love the new "ride" and theme of The Living Seas area. I think they are renovating Spaceship Earth, but I'm not sure if they are keeping the ride open or not. Anyway, have safe travel and loads of fun. Julie

I think we all go through these rough patches at one time or another. I pray you'll have wisdom and patience to get you through it.

Blessings!
Sharity

Take the time to enjoy your trip. Don't worry about school. Your children learn even when you don't think they are. While you are on your trip, ask lots of questions to see if what they are seeing and doing is being taken in. Point out all the stuff you are doing. Turn ordering your dinner into a math project. Sneak in stuff as you go. That is what unschoolers do. You can be an unschooler for 3 weeks. When you get back. Maybe all you need to do this school year is concentrate on Math and Language Arts! If someone one showes an interest in something else jump on it. But don't sweat the small stuff. They will learn even when you don't think they will.

My son, Biggun, was very hard to work w/ when he had to actually do, write, anything. If he could listen to me read he was fine. We started using www.time4learning.com this year. I highly recommend you look into it. It is great for boys who are active and like computer/video games.

(if you decide that it will work for you and sign up please let them know strouse academy, bstrouse, sent you. they have a great referral program.)

I will be praying for peace in your life, that you may be able to enjoy your vacation. :o) (((HUGS)))
B.

I too have many boys, five to be precise. There were definitely days that I just wanted to throw in the towel. Ask my kids and they will tell you that there still are some of those days!

I have been using History pockets lately, and the kids love them! I would just take history, science, literature, etc. and do them all together as a group. Maybe even do a unit study that incorporates them. Something that makes them not even realize that they are "learning."

I hope this helps you. Chin up, and remember that they will model you. Don't let them yell at you or disobey. That is the first thing you need to cure. Focus on that first, then work on academics.

Oh, and can you possibly take the kids that are not playing computer into a different room or put headphones on and turn the monitor so they can't see it, so your other son can still have his time?

It will get better, as long as you are consistent. Don't let them get the better of you.

Grace