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A little more information. They are fairly religious family and they
homeschooled mainly to keep their kids away from other kids they thought
would be a bad influence. In the beginning they tried to find places for
their kids to get together with others but as time went on, their family
grew (7 kids) and they ended up living in a rural location. It just got
harder an harder for the mom to get all the kids to all the places they
wanted to go and manage with the little babies too.

The oldest girl is just now old enough to drive, but I don't know if they
have just the one vehicle that the dad uses for work or two or what.
(should have asked)

I've know the mom since we were nine.(30 years!) She's worried now about
how they've homeschooled and her older kids are feeling stifled. Her
husband is fairly demanding/controlling and they've been through some
financial difficulties lately.
All in all a stressful family situation.

I was hoping to find some good clear ideas for her to calm her oldest
down and herself and from there maybe she can gain perspective on what to
do with the rest of the time she has with her kids.

I really appreciate all the thoughts on this subject. I just have one
child, and he's not at all thinking in terms of college right now at ten.
(whew!)

Thanks Heidi and everyone,

Deb L

Karin

ddzimlew@... wrote:

>
> I've know the mom since we were nine.(30 years!) She's worried now about
> how they've homeschooled and her older kids are feeling stifled. Her
> husband is fairly demanding/controlling and they've been through some
> financial difficulties lately.
> All in all a stressful family situation.

Though I wasn't homeschooled, my father was very demanding and controlling
when I was growing up. I'm also an introverted person, but I don't know if
it was a result of my upbringing. I do know that I couldn't wait to move out
of my parents house and did as soon as I was financially able to do so. I
felt really frustrated while I was living at home and couldn't wait to move
out and have more control of my life.


> I was hoping to find some good clear ideas for her to calm her oldest
> down and herself and from there maybe she can gain perspective on what to
> do with the rest of the time she has with her kids.
>
> I really appreciate all the thoughts on this subject. I just have one
> child, and he's not at all thinking in terms of college right now at ten.
> (whew!)

I know this isn't a calming idea you can pass on to your friend, but the
only idea that comes to my mind is to recommend lightening up on the kids
and letting them have some control of their lives while they still live at
home. It's hard growing up with controlling parents.

Karin