I have two children, an 8yo in Bigger, and a 6yo in LHFHG. There are some ways to help with the cost of separate programs. I get some of our books from the library. But I also find some of the books for DITHOR and the Storytime boxes at garage sales and resale shops. I've even found some of the science and history biographies that way. I make a list of the books listed as options for each of the kids programs and keep it in the car during garage sale season, then towards the end of July, I order whatever I haven't found used or can't get at the library.Daisy wrote:I'm new to the HOD forum and seriously considering Ancients. Surprise! I really thought I was going to use something else or pull together my own resources. But HOD Ancients looks wonderful and contains several resources I already own.
1. Do you see benefits in keeping your children in completely separate programs?
2. What is the time commitment like for you, as the parent?
3. Do your children miss the interaction with each other? Group projects, in-depth discussions, etc.
4. Have any of you gone from a successful combined program to using separate programs with HOD?
5. How do you afford it?
Am I crazy? LOL.
Daisy
I don't think I could combine my kids easily. My kids are 2 years apart but very different. My daughter listens to some of the history readings from Bigger, but they don't hold her attention the way LHFHG does. If I had them both in Bigger, she'd just be along for the ride and kind of lost. I think she could easily do Beyond at this point, but I plan to finish LHFHG with her first, she loves her program and she'll be ready to move on when it's done.
I do most of our readings at one time and then they do their seat work at the same time. Even though they are in different programs, they are together all day. Sometimes my younger runs off to play for a while while my older is working. But mostly, they are together, even though they have different programs.
), but I would love to hear more insight from people on both sides of this question.
You have been given some really great responses so far, but I just wanted to jump in and give you a little encouragement. "Knowing" you a little bit already, and how gifted of a teacher you are, combined with your amazing creativity and extensive home library, I truly believe that you really could be successful in combining your dc in the Ancients guide. Just admit it, lol, you know you are the queen of tweaking. 
I have full confidence that you would be able to make it work if anyone could.