thanks swampgirl...
I am in NM. Very friendly. Support groups? Not very close. I would be warmly accepted in the few groups (CHESS, etc.) and be very comfortable if I were Christian. Though I was a Baptist missionary kid myself, I shy away from indoctrinating my children. We seem to be doing just fine...the most important things this has done so far are relieving his social stressors and showing him that he really doesn't know everything. Call me crazy, but I think I have gained some respect from a 12 y/o.
I'll try not to be a stranger...

Hey! Wish I caught this when you first posted Are you new to homeschooling?

Laura, have you joined a support group? Do so. Its good resource for you and friends for your son.

I hope you don't live in Ca. Have you read the news about that? Depending on what state you're in, cover yourself legally. If you live an unfriendly homeschool state, I would recommend joining The Homeschool Legal Defense Association. They will provide legal help for free if you are ever harassed by school officials or social workers.

The other guys in the thread have great points. Learning at your child's own pace, whether it's slow or child prodigy ...something, is the best thing about this.

One thing you have to accept during the first year: You will come up with a plan of action... great! Now be prepared to scrap it about every month or so and make a new one until you find your way that works.

You're going to be able to fashion his curriculum to fit your child's needs. There are SO many different ways to homeschool too.

Good luck, enjoy and don't be a stranger now!

Thanks for the vote!
http://www.videosift.com/video/Mulholland-Drive-Support-Group

Alas, I don't think there are enough die hard fans of the movie to get this sifted.

Jeeez mom, they have support groups for gals like you.....

The only problem is i think his support group is based in Florida since he said his money bomb was out of Miami. This video is in Tampa so of course there is overwhelming support present.

It is valuable to question our beliefs. That usually comes about for most people when life throws stuff at them which renders certain beliefs outmoded.

It's an evolving process and everyone's at different stages. The tooth fairy may suit a 6 year old, but probably not a 10 year old. "The world is an ugly shithole" may be a belief that suits the person full of self-hate and fear, but not the person who's feeling the joy of being alive.

He makes the point that people never ask him "Is it a trick?" Aside from the very paranoid, most people take others at face value and accept that they're telling the truth and it's not like, say the medical profession, where you would need to ask to see one's qualifications, before you'd let them practise on you.

People need to feel connected, either with each other or something greater. The girl obviously wanted to connect with her family members somehow. I doubt from her conversion experience she's going to turn around and join any of her family member's religions, but it was comforting for her to admit that she could relate to the 'warm hug' of her grandmother.

He was very pushy when he questioned the group "Do you believe in God?". In group settings, where there's someone leading
others in such a persuasive way, it is common for them to be highly suggestible. Everyone has issues that affect their lives in a negative way. The promise of being able to heal these issues, by connecting with others, being a part of a community or support group can be very attractive, especially for the vulnerable.

There's nothing astounding about what he achieves with these people and I would suggest that aside from his initial endorsement, which admittedly came pretty easily,(again, we're not talking about the AMA 'tho, are we?) he would not be able to maintain his standing within those communities for too long, by faking it.

Just look at all the ministers who've come undone somehow or other, within mainstream and alternative religious communities.

The ministers aren't the enemy either. Everyone wants to feel needed, important, special. They wouldn't be the first to abuse positions of power to get these needs met.

Oh, seeing the title...I thought you were starting a support group for sift addicts. Interesting idea personally I wouldn't be interested in that since I can stop anytime I want. I can...really.

Maybe we should start an Internet support group.