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I am going to combine my 7yo with my 12yo in bigger.
I know, I know...
Red flags are waiving everywhere for you placement people.
But, I actually feel pretty confident this is what we need to do for our sanity.
First let me begin by saying that I know that my daughter fits.
Age, reading and writing wise she fits perfectly.
Shes halfway through beyond in math now and we will just continue wherever we are at then. Same with spelling, etc. Honestly, I can't see her having any hangups at all. Shes already in love with history has somehow formed some kind of bond w Abe Lincoln. Lol!

I am going to be sad about skipping beyond. And I am going to be a lil bummed that ot wont be just her and I working on her school alone. But, for the overall dynamics of our home...its going to be worth it.

So, my oldest is a major reason why I am doing this change. I have done preparing for a total of 17 weeks and ctc for only a total of 5 since we first began hod in February. We have been moving slowly, but more than that - I dont feel peace. His method of learning is talking through his thoughts. He is a smart kiddo and very deep spiritually and over all just tender hearted. He struggles working independently, because he is so social and such a thinker.

How I wish I would have started HOD w him from the beginning!!

He just needs extra time devoted to his training and I am having trouble being faithful to do that having sperate programs. My daughter was more competitive with him, but I think she has matured a lot since going through lhfhg w me, and feeling very content with who she is and where she is at. With my son, I have a tendency to be all or nothing, because it is like pulling teeth doing school w him. So, I either have to set out for the whole day to be devoted to him, or I say forget it. I have been continuing with math and english with him though because he is still behind in those. Which is another reason why I decided this is the best option - it gives us time to catch up on basics.

So besides adding the extensions and basics like dictation, I was thinking of adding a creative writing...what about ignighting your writing, since I have no idea where we will be after this year. (Finish preparing, or ctc etc.) I was also thinking of adding the boy devotional from rtr possibly too. Anything else I am missing?

I have talked to my husband and my kids and they all agree it is probably a better plan. I am just tired of nagging my son. I want to SHOW him faithfulness, instead of requiring something he is not able to do yet.

I do like Igniting Your Writing. I would hold off on adding anything more than that. I would just concentrate on the Bible in Bigger. You can always have him read the same chapter in the Bible that you do each day, and just discuss it casually. If he reads a chapter in the Bible and prays daily, that would be a great Bible addition for Bigger (He may already be doing this.)

Mercy - you will know best here as you are the teacher of your dc. I would just try it, and see how it goes! I agree with 8arrows that "Igniting Your Writing" is a good writing program and will be easy to add for ds. I also would not add more but instead focus on partnering with your ds especially to help him learn the skills he needs to right now. I liked 8arrows Bible suggestions as well. I'll be the one to wave the placement red flag you mentioned I would not suggest skipping Beyond, and I'm not sure about moving ds down to BHFHG - but that being said, I am not the mama, and often times mama knows best! I think if you make this switch and things are going well, you'll know it was a good fit. If they are not going well, then you can always have dd finish out Beyond, and have ds do PHFHG. Maybe ds just needs some extra time spent on those wonderful foundational skills taught so well in BHFHG, and this would give him that. Maybe dd has really soared and is ready for the big challenge BHFHG will be for her. You're about to find out. I have prayed for you, and I hope whatever the best placement is makes itself known!

In Christ,
Julie

8arrows,
Thank u so much for the advice! Great ideas.

Julie,
I am so greatful for your prayer and for saying go for it. Im thankful for the reminder that its ok to just try it and see how it goes. I really do think it is going to work well, since they balance ea other out. My daughter is dilligent and just might challenge my son in that area. My son has amazing verbal skills that will provide my daughter a great example. I just feel like my son wasnt quite ready to be out of the cocoon, but I think once he grabs a hold of a few basic skills he is going to soar!