So...here's what we ended up doing......

[SMiles]

Hi Ladies,
I had asked for advice about separating my dc into their own guides recently. I was able to borrow Preparing from a friend and we were already doing CTC. My dd 10 and ds 12 were doing great in CTC, but as I looked at using future guides I wanted them to be more independent as the guides are written. So my dd stopped on unit 21 of CTC and is now doing Preparing. She is loving it and while I think we may have to add the extensions before we finish the guide (Has anyone else done that?) she is doing great. Her reading, which was not her favorite subject, has become stronger and more fluent. She is enjoying the one on one although she does mention missing doing things with her brother.

My ds has also blossomed. He was just on the verge of getting really good at the written narrations in CTC and now he is doing them on his own with ease and the narrations are interesting and fun. He is learning how to use the guide himself and in thinking of future guides I am excited about that.

One other thing I have noticed is that we get done faster, more in line with the time frames mentioned by Carrie for each guide.

Anyway, I just wanted to give an update and say Thanks for all the advice. My plan is to have both dc finish out their current guide and then go into the next. My dd will pick up CTC where we left off although we might do some review first.

Have a blessed weekend!
Sherry

[mamas4bugs]

Glad you found a good fit and that your children are blossoming! Isn't that a wonderful feeling?

My oldest son did Preparing with extensions and loved it. It was his favorite year.

[pjdobro]

That is really nice to hear. I know so many struggle with the separating/combining quandary and I think your post will be so helpful to many. Thanks for sharing!

[my3sons]

Thanks for the update, Sherry! I'm so glad your dc are blossoming and doing so well. I do think that it is a big bonus when dc have learned to have the reading skills to read their own subjects as they mature. This really does help them bloom! Likewise, your dd's reading in PHFHG fitting her just right has been a good fit for her too. I think you have a good plan that fits the needs of each of your dc, and your family as a whole, very well for now and for the years to come. Thanks for sharing the journey with us!

In Christ,
Julie

[Carrie]

Sherry,

Thanks so much for sharing an update! I appreciate it so much. I am so glad to hear of the switch and of the changes you are already seeing in your children. Whether to combine or separate kiddos is such a challenging decision and is definitely not a "one-size" fits all solution with HOD. The great news is that we don't have to have it all figured out as we journey, as often needed changes are revealed to us and are able to made as we travel the HOD path.

Blessings,
Carrie