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I have loved HOD from the start, and had to stop using it along the way due to life. I got back to it for my youngest dd Tamara, who was happy with returning to HOD and homeschool, but getting back to it with her older sister Keri was a battle from the start. She had no desire to come back home for school, part of a long episode of rebellious behavior. I am happy to say that God has been faithful, and Keri, now age 14, is wholly thankful and happy to be homeschooling again. However, after over a year of giving HOD "an honest try", it just isn't fitting her So this year I am starting her in grade 9 with an eclectic mix of more "straightfoward" things, including the EE science and composer study from Rev to Rev. She is not and never has been a fan of reading, being a slow reader, and the number of books to switch back and forth from day to day in HOD overwhelms her. Going half speed makes her feel like she will never finish a guide. Having me read to her sometimes was ok, but she felt bad for needing that when her younger sister reads so quickly and finishes her daily work without much help. I guess I have to take the good news and rejoice that she is no longer being rebellious, but is rather cooperative and motivated. We have sat down together to make a high school plan, reviewing HOD and many other curricula, looking at samples, and have come up with a plan she is excited about. That is something to rejoice about
As for my youngest dd, it is my hope that we will be financially able to keep her in HOD, since doing so means I would never come to a point of being able to repeat her older sister's curriculum, but instead for every year I would be buying separate curricula for each girl. With our oldest dd Ariel still living with us (she graduated high school but is only 17, and wants to wait until age 18 before going away to college) and baby number 5 soon arriving, finances are a major consideration.
I hope to be part of the HOD family for many years to come, with Tamara, and with baby-God has always provided through the difficult times, and I don't expect Him to change now

Wow, sounds like you have a lot on your plate! I'm very happy for you having found a plan that your Keri is comfortable with, and hope it goes more smoothly for you! I can certainly understand your financial concerns with wanting to use HOD with your younger one still, but like you said, God has always provided, and we can trust Him to continue to do so! I'm going to add you to my prayer list today, and will pray that God will provide and bless your school year, and also continue to keep the heart of your Keri softened toward Him and you!

I don't have easy answers here, but just know I am praying for a good year for you and your dear family, Lourdes!
In Christ,
Julie

blessedmomof4 wrote:She is not and never has been a fan of reading, being a slow reader, and the number of books to switch back and forth from day to day in HOD overwhelms her. Going half speed makes her feel like she will never finish a guide. Having me read to her sometimes was ok, but she felt bad for needing that when her younger sister reads so quickly and finishes her daily work without much help.

Wait! Don't go! I think this statement is one worthy of attention from a lot of us HOD users. I think that there are a number of children who fit this description. I certainly have one. I would be interested in hearing more thoughts from people who have older children who are overwhelmed by the volume of reading and who are slower readers.

For starters, what I'm doing with my child who fits this description this year is eliminating the storytime. We do have a family read-aloud time. I've also eliminated the extensions. And I'm still discerning what to do with DITHOR.

Florence, I have tried many adjustments to no avail I am glad that she is on board to homeschool through high school, though, and that her sister is doing so well with HOD. It's just that I love HOD so much, I wanted all my kiddos using it-it's easier for me, you know?