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I have 4 kiddos and will eventually be doing 4 different guides. My oldest will be starting Preparing in the fall and my second will begin Beyond and then the third is doing LHTH. All 4 children are 2 years apart (currently 8, 6, 4, and 2) So very soon we will be doing 4 different guides, all 2 years apart from each other. My question is would you ever take one of the older children and have them repeat a previous guide so they could be combined with a younger child? I hate to make the older ones repeat something since each guide builds on the other, but I was wondering if anyone else has done this and how it went. I guess I am a little concerned about juggling 4 guides and making sure everyone gets what they need.

Thanks!
Mary

I would repeat a guide if I needed to, if it made life flow more smoothly. I would switch out the read-alouds, and possibly switch out or add to the science with the Apologia elementary books. That would make the year different enough.

I think running 4 guides is doable. i am running 3 as well as DITHOR on 2 levels, and our day is over by 2pm. That is having Breakfast at 8:00 and breaking for lunch and snack too.

I can't see that I would repeat a Guide with the same child.

I had my oldest repeat Beyond with his little brother. In my opinion it's much easier to add to a guide than take away from it. Some people juggle multiple guides really well. Your other option is to slow down your 6 yr old and place him with the 4 year old eventually. If my oldest was going in to Preparing at age 8 I personally would not do that with others coming closely behind him.

I think you could if you need to, but if you don't, I wouldn't. Is that as clear as mud?!? Let me try to explain. #1 Goal in our home - to keep homeschooling, and with joy as much as possible! I realize homeschooling is a God-given purpose, and no matter how much we love, love, love most of our days with HOD, homeschooling will still feel like work some days. So, if you are moving along, and things are going quite well, I'd just keep moving along. But, if at any point, you begin to think you cannot do this, that you might be tempted to throw in the towel, repeating a guide in order to combine and teach fewer guides is certainly a possibility to ponder and pursue. Placement is important. Being able to keep homeschooling and being able to be your dc's teacher year after year - priceless. As 8arrow's wisely said - you can change out the read alouds, add the extensions, etc. If it's going well though, I'd keep on going! Sometimes 1 less guide doesn't necessarily mean a lot of less work. Teaching 4 children is still teaching 4 children. I guess what I'm saying is I'd not want to repeat a guide with a child unless it showed itself as a good decision overall, and as the mama, you will know if that is the case!

In Christ,
Julie

Thank you, ladies! Julie, you were definitely clearer than mud! I am on board to homeschool for the long haul and I hear what you are saying that if I am tempted to give up, then adjustments may be necessary. I start to feel a little overwhelmed each time we face a new year and new guides. I am REALLY looking forward to Preparing but I am concerned about the extra time it will take, even though my dd can work very independently when needed, and still being able to love on the very little ones as much as possible.

Thank you for the encouragement!
Mary

The only guide I'd ever repeat would be LHTH (and I have repeated it once with my oldest DD). I will eventually be running 3 guides and it seems very daunting, but I've tried every which way to figure out how to combine some of my children and it just won't work without holding someone back/dragging someone along. The good thing is, there are a ton of really helpful moms here to aid when it seems like everything is going to be crazy when you have multiple guides going!