Guilt about using HOD and not planning my own

[lmercon]

I think we need to remember that we don't need to all be little "Charlotte Masons" by reinventing the "wheel" in our homeschools. Charlotte's teachers and parents used her curriculum. They didn't all go out and design their own curricula. We should never feel like we are somehow "selling out" because we use a boxed curriculum. In fact, it's very Charlotte Mason of us! Carrie has done so much of the leg work and has masterfully woven the materials into a balanced curriculum. Why not make use of her marvelous talent and enjoy the time that is freed up to do other things with our children? Now, I've been an educator in the ps system as well as at home for a long time, and I completely understand the love of research and pulling things together. I meet that need by adding a few extras here and there, but I love that I don't need to do so.
Laura

[Motherjoy]

I'm still having trouble with juggling everyone's needs. I do not want school to take all day, and that seems to be the only way to run three guides (Actually, I need to run 4 guides if you count Little Hands). I don't want to teach history twice to two different groups. That seems silly to me, when we could be combining everyone (except the oldest.)

[MelInKansas]

Hmmm....

I guess I am coming to a place where it takes what it takes. I know if we were all more disciplined and got up at 7 (or even 8:00) every morning, quick breakfast and ready to go, we could be done with school by lunch, or shortly after. My oldest is only 9 though. I guess I have difficulty seeing how there is any curriculum out there (or even build-your-own with as much combining as is possible and wise to do) that would allow you to school 5 kids (6 if you count the preschooler) and not take most of the day. To do it thoroughly and well, making sure you are challenging each child in multiple areas and helping them grow.

It looks like you have the oldest on their own, and if that child is self-motivated and diligent and is also helping you with the other kids, that's probably where they should be. Having the next 3 together in a guide obviously saves you some time doing the history and science and activities together. I think you will find as those 3 move into Preparing that you will move more into management of their time (helping them manage their time) and will not have to teach them quite as much. My DD sometimes, when I need her to, will do more than just the I boxes on her own (and for a while now she has been doing math mostly on her own and her dad goes over it with her in the evenings). But Bigger and Preparing are supposed to be the most teacher-intensive. So in a couple of years that bunch will be much more independent than they are now. That will hopefully help you have the time to focus on the younger ones. Now if your oldest or those next 3 don't take off in independence as they should be, then obviously you spend a lot more time and it will become much more of a chore. Getting them trained well now will pay off greatly in the years to come.

I obviously haven't used HOD all the way through and with as many kids as you are. I totally hear you on the frustration that school takes all day. It frustrates me too. It doesn't take all day for me, but it takes a larger portion of the day than I would like, eating into my toddler's naptime or time that's needed for household chores, cooking, or just some down time for me. I pray about it and ask God for the wisdom to know how to help make it better. But I love HOD and I think it helps me get through my days in a timely manner more than it hurts. Lack of disipline or attention from me or from the kids is what slows us down, not the having to get through 3 guides. But in some ways, having chosen this life of schooling my kids at home, in order to achieve balance and not constant clock-slavery, I let it take as long as it takes and try not to be anxious or upset over it. Of course if I or the kids are just done (me more often than them right now because I am pregnant) then I call it and say "we'll try to finish that up tomorrow."