[basil]

All I can say is that I am closing in on 70 years on this earth, and I haven't a clue what integral calculus or valence shell electron pair repulsion theorty is.

So what! I am very satisfied with my life, and have accomplished some things of which I am very proud. I would guess that if her kids have the "math gene", they will be interested in learning the stuff you mention. If they don't--then they will hone in on things in which they have interest, and develop learning in those things.

[CindyDawg]

I hear you. Sometimes my son would ask why he had to learn certain things. We teach basics (as they do in high school) Kids will build on their interest. I learned but wasn't interested in adding to my grammar/spelling (shows sometimes too:') but science fascinated me and I wanted to learn more.

[MeanWestTexan]

"All I can say is that I am closing in on 70 years on this earth, and I haven't a clue what integral calculus or valence shell electron pair repulsion theorty is."

VSEPR is easy to grasp (in general):

http://www.chem.purdue.edu/gchelp/vsepr/whatis2.html