combining vs. separate guides

[learning_is_fun]

I'm wondering if there are any previous discussions on combining vs. individual guides. I'm really struggling with this decision. Finances are a huge factor, which would make it much better to combine, but I'm also struggling emotionally with separating them. (isn't that crazy--maybe I'm just realizing how quickly they are growing up, and having a hard time letting that go!) We've always done history and science all together, and I guess I've just assumed we would always do at least history together. I do want to grow independence in them, though. I think in a lot of ways they would excel in their own program, and I could put them each in the level that fit them best. I think this is the direction I'm leaning most towards if I can come up with a way financially to do it. Ideally in my mind, though, I still envision them studying the same topic, but going off and doing their own reading, projects, research, etc. and then coming together for wonderful discussions on what they've learned. I was hoping to get some pros and cons of both to help in my decision (or just confuse me that much more. ).

I greatly appreciate any thoughts or direction to previous discussion!
Stephannie

[countrymom]

Here are some threads that might help you:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9343&p=68107&hilit= ... ine#p68107
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8935&p=65301&hilit= ... ine#p65301
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8792&p=64527&hilit= ... ine#p64527 (has some additional links in this thread)
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8386&p=61094&hilit= ... ine#p61094 (additional links)
Hopefully these will get you started. It is a tough subject to search because there are so many specific threads.

[learning_is_fun]

Thank you so much Countrymom! That is exactly what I was looking for, and has totally reinforced my conviction to place my boys in separate guides!
LOL--That's what happens when I decide to go and post a question.-- I had a very solid plan in my head. I was planning on combining them both in RTR. I knew that wasn't recommended for the 10yo (he fits best into CTC or Preparing), but I was planning on letting my 12yo be more independent, and I was going to work alongside the 10yo until I was able to wean him (if we got to that point). Then for the next year I would move him up with his brother if he was ready, or move him down into CTC independently if he was not. (I was sure financially I wouldn't be able to do a separate program--I was already going quite a bit over my alloted hs budget for this next year, wondering how I was even going to get away with that. And I hadn't really even thought about separating them at this point. ) I was looking at Preparing, sad that we had missed it, but looking at all the wonderful literature and wondering how I could squeeze some of it into RTR or DITHOR. So, I posted asking for recommendations for favorites, and got such great reviews on the whole program that I started looking at it more and wondering if it would be better to place my 10yo in that program. I've been praying about it, and really feeling it would be best. I think they may both thrive in ways I hadn't thought of before--and I've definately been noticing that they are needing their independence from each other in different areas. I was still pretty sure it wouldn't work out money-wise, though, and also still unsure that I really wanted to separate them. (I have these "ideal" pictures in my head of what it's supposed to be like. ) I talked with my husband about it last night, sure that he would go for the cheaper route, or even lead me to doing something different that would be cheaper, but he very much agreed that this would be best and that they each need their own program, and gave me the go ahead to purchase! Woo-hoo! I'm still a little nervous about doing 2 guides (that was my husband's main concern, too--he knows me too well. I'm not the best at organization and time management, but I'm planning on reading over all the schedules that people have posted and I'm sure I'll be able to come up with a workable plan.) I still have a lot of fears, but found some of the other posts very encouraging in this, too. I just need to be thankful, have faith, and look ahead to the wonderful places God is leading us! I'm so excited! Just wanted to share!
I do have another question-- I'm pretty sure we are going with RTR for my 12yo and Preparing for my 10yo. I was a little sad about separating them for history, so was trying to think of the things we could still do together. As I read through these posts, I found a lot of wonderful ways to make that happen. I was already thinking about trying to do the art from RTR together with them, and possibly some of the poetry from either program. I was wondering if that would work, or if I'd need to have 2 packs of the student pages from RTR to do the art.

Stephannie

[gotpeace91]

1st, if there was one guide I would not want to miss that would be Preparing! 2nd, separating my kids in the guides was the BEST thing that I could do for them. Now, this is what was best for my family, so I'm not saying combining isn't good.

My dd is no longer riding on the coattails of her brother. She really wasn't learning much because combining was encouraging her tendency to slip under the radar as far as accountability goes.

My kids and I are all still in the same general area of the house working together. We do Storytime together with the books from her guide. My son reads the extension books from his guide independently. We read a chapter from Proverbs everyday together, and study a catechism together.

My daughter isn't a very strong reader and before I separated them I was constantly trying to help her along in a guide that was too hard for her, and this wasn't going to get ANY easier as the years went on.

As far as money goes, eventually you will be able to use the guides that your older child has used with your younger child so that will help...

Hope that helps a little, and remember whatever you decide is best for you family we will all be here to support you.

BTW Time Management is my weakest area and we have gotten along just fine with two guides, so you should be fine.

[learning_is_fun]

Leah, thank you so much for that encouragement. I truly do believe, after reading many of these posts, that separating them would be best. And thank you for the encouragement that I can do this even with my poor time management skills!
I think I am ready (again--I keep changing my mind) to place my order. I believe we will be doing Preparing and RTR.

Thanks again,
Stephannie