Okay, okay. It's time for confession.

[striving2Bprov31]

I need to change part of my signature at the bottom because my ds9, Reece, is no longer in Bigger! I went ahead 1 week ago and moved him down into Beyond. BTW, he just turned 9.

The reason for this change was handwriting. He has something pretty major going on with handwriting problems. We are beginning the process soon to seek professional help. We don't care about labeling him or anything, I just want to know how to teach to his challenges--whatever they may be. We have a feeling it is a visual/motor type issue. We could use the prayers that God would lead us to the right doctors/therapists!

So....I moved him down into Beyond to help eliminate as much handwriting as possible without changing the instructions in his HOD guide. Does that make sense? In other words, I didn't want to keep him in Bigger, tweak the thing to death while we figure out his writing issues, and then, him not be ready for Preparing upon finishing the tweaked version of Bigger. Make sense? Plus, I have been advised to COMPLETELY eliminate all writing from his schoolwork for the time being, and it just works great with Beyond! I am keeping him in Rod and Staff 2-we do all of it orally. He is also doing DITHOR, and let me tell you this kid LOVES DITHOR!! It is one of his favorite parts of the schoolday! I've been thrilled by that! He is in level 2/3. When it is time to write something in the workbook, he dictates his answer to me, and I do the writing.

Bonus.....He loves loves loves the books in Beyond. Everytime I pull one of them out he says, "Oh, good!! I love that one!" So this change has been nothing but a win/win all around!

There. You know my little secret for the last week! Hee,hee.

[water2wine]

Sounds like you made a great decision. Praying you find some good diagnosis and help. Having a "label" does not change what is there but it can really help you know how to teach him. My dd had some OT therapy to help her learn to write. She is left handed but I suspect she is only left handed because the right side of her body is affected by CP. It took a long time to teach her to write. She is 13 and she prints fairly well now and is learning cursive. Writing delays can take you back a bit. Sounds like stepping back a bit and getting a handle on what is going on was a great step. Beyond is really a full program. I loved Beyond. The books are so great and it's just a lot of fun.

Praying you find the help you need. Sounds like you are a great mommy.

[moedertje]

So glad that your son is loving school and that you made the step in moving him to Beyond while you figure out his handwriting. That is the beauty of homeschooling! Success in finding out what is causing the handwriting glitch and how to help him overcome!
May the Lord give you wisdom and may His peace dwell with you as you figure it all out!

[countrymom]

Sounds like a win-win plan! I'll be praying you can find the help you need for the handwriting.

[KristinBeth]

That's not a confession! It's a proclamation of a wise choice made thoughtfully in the best interest of your ds.
Sounds like he's going to love it!
All the best,
Kristin

[anointedhsmom]

I couldn't agree more! Way to go Mom for doing what was best for your son!

That's not a confession! It's a proclamation of a wise choice made thoughtfully in the best interest of your ds.
Sounds like he's going to love it!
All the best,
Kristin

[Carrie]

Liz,

I find that when we start taking a look at where each child places as an individual in HOD, it often takes some time to get the correct fit. So, you're not alone, and I applaude your efforts to find the best fit for your little sweetie. It sounds like you are well on the road now to customizing a fit for your son and that will really help as you journey. Plus it will allow you the extra time needed to devote to training your daughter in CTC, which will really pay off when she moves on to RTR, as she'll be more sure of what she's doing about the time you head back into Bigger Hearts with your son (and he needs more of you).

Blessings,
Carrie

[striving2Bprov31]

Thanks for your words, ladies!

Carrie-you are so right that this will allow me to focus more time on my daughter, and getting her more independent with CtC. By the way, ever since I have had her going half speed with CtC, she has absolutely soared with written narrations!! On the written narration day (day 4 of the plans) I spend the bulk of my schooltime with her really working on those narrations. She is excelling beyond what I would have ever guessed at this point!

My son really loved Bigger, but I am so glad that he is just as happy with Beyond. Since Beyond is a less teacher intensive guide than Bigger, I have felt the benefit of this change as well. With getting my daughter acclimated(sp?) to CtC, I think I needed the lighter load that Beyond has given me as the teacher.

Again, a win-win all around!

[my3sons]

I'm just reading this, but what a good idea to move him to Beyond! Being flexible and being able to make needed changes like this is the beauty of HOD, but we as moms have to step back and reflect to realize sometimes a different level of HOD is needed. This makes TOTAL sense to me...

...So....I moved him down into Beyond to help eliminate as much handwriting as possible without changing the instructions in his HOD guide. Does that make sense? In other words, I didn't want to keep him in Bigger, tweak the thing to death while we figure out his writing issues, and then, him not be ready for Preparing upon finishing the tweaked version of Bigger. Make sense?

Smart move, Mom! I hope you find some answers about your ds's handwriting, but in the meantime, you will not feel pressured to "fix it fast". AND, your dd has more of you to help her learn the routine of CTC!

In Christ,
Julie

[Tree House Academy]

It sounds like you made a wonderful decision.

Have you considered dysgraphia for the writing issues? I have a good friend whose son has similar issues - smart as can be, but really struggles with handwriting and just being able to put things down on paper. It is so hard to see him struggle the way he does. They are seeking help too! I pray that your doctors will know exactly how to help your son!