The lesson was picking which of two pronunciations was the correct one for a word. He is stubborn and pronounced mechanic both wasy even though I reminded him that pronunciations were phonetically. Anyway, the timer went off so it was time to move on to the next subject. He was stuck on finishing English. I had told him beforehand that we were going to use the timer and if he worked diligently even if we weren't finished we'd be done for the day and if he dawdled then he'd have it for homework. I was so mad, I printed out the registration for our public school which starts Wed. We're thinking of putting him in ps for 5th or 6th grade anyway, this would just be early. He's a very smart boy and I think he would do fine.
But why does he challenge me and push my buttons when he wouldn't do it for anyone else?
I also said in the beginning of the morning that there would be nothing with a screen until school was finished. We're only doing half days this week too!
I'm asking God to show me what he wants me to do. I truely felt called to hs in the beginning. I still think I do but not if everyday is a battle. He hates math and English, he's pretty good about all the rest. He liked the drawing today and the shield making. English and math are not negotiable! I feel like if we can get past this seeing how far he can push me and not do his work we will be fine.
You all gave me some great advice this summer when I asked about this. I really thought the timer would be good. We didn't do math today though, we'll do it tomorrow and I will use a timer for that and see how it goes.
However, I would really think about what ps is about, how it's different from homeschooling, and whether those are differences you want to deal with. He may LOVE ps and do great...lots of people make that decision and things go well. Just pray as a pp recommended and don't try to rush into it just so he can start the first day. I would say give Preparing...a good chance. Many times our dc do like to test us. Our days have gone really long before due to the same kinds of issues....we keep waiting here for our child to 'get' that if the work is done diligently, with the best effort from the beginning, then the day goes much more smoothly and quickly. As frustrating as it is (and believe me I've considered that 'Big Yellow Bus' quite a few times), I know for our situation ps, or private school for that matter, would not make things better....we would have to deal with the same issues, just after school and we would have less time to work on them. I will pray for you too, and you keep praying as well. Maybe you can give it a month and see where you all stand then? He is probably trying to see what you'll do...don't give up just yet. If God called you to this then He will get you through...I am standing on that promise myself. Sending supportive hugs your way.... 
but I have to go make dinner now.
Sometimes order of the day can change how things go. Maybe starting things a little slower might help as well. And this is a huge one for me. If you felt God called you to hs believe that. I would take ps off the table and just commit to take things a little slower knowing that it may take a little while to find your groove. We all hit walls and have days of frustration. I know if I had ps as an option I would have used it already. I am happy though that I took it off the table and that makes me focus on finding solution and believing with God's help there is a solution. I have to say besides my dd with learning issues my son was the hardest in the beginning to get to buy into hsing and how things were going to work. He is now the first to get going and I would say the most motivated to get things done. He still will hit a wall in math sometimes but he has learned to let me help him break it down instead of going to frustration. I think sometimes that takes time. Hang in there and pray. 
)
