Planning for "Preparing" and a new baby

Motherjoy · Post by **Motherjoy** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:21 am

I have a silly-ish question. I haven't used HOD before, but I'm pretty certain that next year we'll be using "Preparing" for my oldest and "Little Hands" for my littles.

With a new baby coming in Sept, I was planning on starting the school year early, perhaps June. But since Preparing won't come out until August, I'll just have to start whenever I get the book. I'm really excited, but I'm worried about having a baby so soon after starting a new program. I'm worried that we'll get "off track".

In the past we've taken about six weeks off after a new baby, and it was always so hard to get back in routine. But I think that it will be easier with HOD. At least, I'm really hoping so. Anyone have experience with this?

By the way, I found HOD last year, but I'd already purchased a used Sonlight Core 3. I really liked HOD, but couldn't justify spending more money. I wish I had! Our year would have gone so much better. I'm kicking myself!!

6timeboymom · Post by **6timeboymom** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:31 am

Hi!! So, do you know if your new one's a boy or a girl?? I'm partial to boys, myself, having 6 of them!

Ok, back to topic...lol!
I think HOD is incredibly easy to jump right in OR take time off. It's literally pick up and go! I'm also a former Sonlight user, and while they are similar, HOD is much, much easier to come back to after a break. Plus with Sonlight I always felt like we were either behind, because we weren't doing day one on day one OR I felt like we were not doing enough because there was so much enrichment options included. With HOD there's plenty of "meat" to the program but the enrichment is truly optional, so I never feel like the boys are missing out when we chose not to do something extra; They still get an incredible learning experience.
Plus it's much, much easier on the pocketbook when compared to sonlight!

Welcome to the boards, and to HOD!! I'm sure you'll become a HOD junkie like the rest of us soon!!

inHistiming · Post by **inHistiming** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:32 am

I've spent this year kicking myself too, so you're not alone. I switched to something else for this year because I thought my son needed something more exciting-he wasn't using Beyond, just my daughter. In the process, I did not really think about the fact that I could stay with HOD with both of them!

What we're using is great as far as content goes; the kids really enjoy the literature selections, projects, etc. But it's not practical because it takes too long, and I knew my daughter would not be ready for the writing required next year b/c it's written for 4-8 and she'll only be 3rd. And, adding my third child for K with a third program would be too much. So, we have ordered and received Bigger, DITHOR, and the Bigger extension pack; all of which is sitting on my shelf, calling out to me to begin.

Alas, we must wait until I finish what we have. However, we ordered Little Hearts at the same time for "little one" and we started this week. We're having a great time with it.

I'm sorry, I have no advice for you about the new baby, as we have not had any new ones since beginning HS'ing. I am sure there will be plenty of ladies to give advie about that, though. Everyone here loves to help out. So, good luck. I look forward to getting to "know" you.

6timeboymom · Post by **6timeboymom** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:39 am

oh, I should add that when we started homeschooling we had just three boys, so yes I've added new babies as we've done school!

amysconfections · Post by **amysconfections** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 11:54 am

I'm not much help either, but we will have a new baby in September too.

Of course I'm really excited but I'm not sure how long to take off for the baby. I only have one and we will be doing Beyond little hearts. I don't think he's ready to start it as soon as we finish Little hearts in May, but I wish we could. I'm hoping that maybe just a 2-4 week break after the baby comes. I hope someone else can help you.

Post by **Carrie** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:38 pm

MJ,

I just wanted to pop in and welcome you to the boards! We're glad to have you here!

We usually took about 3 weeks off with a new baby and then did half days to ease back into our schedule. Sometimes we even did half days sooner just to get the kiddos "doing something" which at times was easier than just playing all day!

I am completely biased, but we did find it easy to pick up the guides and open and go without much lag time after having the baby. I actually often needed time off or a slower schedule a little later on with crabby babies or refluxers (preemies etc.) as they got older and slept less!

But, mine were all 4-5 weeks early so your experience may vary considerably!

I'm sure some other moms will chime in with their "new baby plan".

Blessings,
Carrie