Dear Heloise: I worry that pineapple is too acidic for me. It’s not that I’ve had any problems as of yet, but I know that it’s a tropical fruit. So many tropical fruits have a lot of acid in their edible parts. So, is it actually unhealthy to eat pineapples? — Eunice H., Anaheim, California

Eunice, while pineapples are an exotic fruit, and the juice is certainly acidic, it may help reduce or prevent inflammation and aid in healthy bowel movements. It also contains manganese, which is used in our bodies to build bone and tissue. It has fiber and is high in vitamin C, but low in calories.

I like to add pineapple into my morning smoothies or chop it up and spread it over vanilla ice cream. So, go ahead and treat yourself to some pineapple. — Heloise

HOMESCHOOLING

Dear Heloise: My husband and I have discussed homeschooling our three children. I’m willing to quit my job to accomplish this goal, but I’m seriously concerned whether this is a good idea. My brother and his wife homeschool their children, but his wife is suffering from burnout after three years. So, what’s the verdict on homeschooling? — Rhonda R., Rochester, Michigan

Rhonda, according to the National Home Education Research Institute, the average homeschooled child typically scores 15% to 25% higher on test scores than children of the same age in public schools. They also achieve much higher scores on SAT and ACT tests, and are often recruited by colleges and universities.

The Urban Institute supports the claim that the number of homeschooled children is on the rise, as more parents decide to to play an active part in supervising their child’s education. There very well may be good reasons to homeschool children if they have severe anxiety, are bullied by other students or don’t do well in their studies.

There are, however, students who fail in homeschooling for a number of reasons, and there are some drawbacks to homeschooling. Some people feel that the lack of socialization among a variety of other students from different backgrounds, beliefs, religions and cultures may stunt a child’s acceptance of people who are different from them.

Then there is time management and a decrease in income, as one parent will usually need to stay home rather than work full-time. Keeping a child engaged in their studies and selecting the right curriculum for them was also cited as a cause to worry about by parents.

Your sister-in-law’s burnout is another serious problem. Some people simply are not cut out to teach. I advise you to talk to your school district and others who homeschool their children to decide whether this is the right decision for your family. — Heloise