Our first couple of weeks

[StacyinOhio]

We have finished our first couple of weeks as first-time HOD users. I was a bit anxious to see how it would work out doing both Bigger and Preparing and also with the fact that I decided to combine my 7 and 8 year old together.

I am so pleased with how well we are all doing. I have not found Preparing and Bigger to be too much for us. All the boys seem to be well-placed skill wise and i'm also doing my own kindergarten with my 5 year old daughter. It has helped that my 10 year old works very well with his independent work. The only thing thing that I am not doing all the time is DITHOR. I think I just needed to be prepared for it ahead of time since it is new to me. I think I may wait awhile to start it with my 8 year old and just work at getting it with my 10 year old for now. I had planned on doing Bigger at half-pace but my boys would want to keep working. I've opted to just do it 4 days a week at full-speed instead. That will make my 7 year old almost 9 when starting Preparing.

I'm so happy that I combined my boys in Bigger. It is flowing so well, and I appreciate tips that I read here like how to handle the narrations with two children. I also almost put my 10 year old into Bigger with extensions but he is flourishing in Preparing. All the boys are being stimulated and I have found them later on in the evenings researching topics we studied that morning. I am enjoying the character studies in Bigger, and Dad is very impressed with everything he sees and hears from the kids.

I am thankful we found HOD. I am not one who can piece curriculum together so the guide is a huge help to me. Being able to check off a box and move to the next one fits my personality perfectly!

[Carrie]

Stacy,

I am so glad to read your thoughts about your first couple of weeks. I'm so happy for you that things are going better than expected and that you are feeling that your placement is right on for your kiddos. Placement is so important!

We pray the Lord may richly bless your time in Bigger and Preparing.

Thanks for taking time to share!

Blessings,
Carrie

[homefire]

Stacey, so glad to hear that things are going well for you. You'll see over and over again how important placement is and it so true! Praying that things continue to go well.

[my3sons]

I'm so glad you shared this! I do think when dc are placed well, and families take time to consider which combining scenarios work well for all involved, the result is a great year! I know you put some real thought ahead of time into this, and it has paid off. I'm so glad your 10 yo is soaring with PHFHG, and also that your other 2 dc are enjoying BHFHG. We also did BHFHG 4 days a week, taking longer to finish it, and enjoyed that very much. Thanks for encouraging me today! This was a dose of strength for me as I get ready to go through some challenging weeks ahead (not due to HOD, but due to other concerns in life). Thanks so much, and may God continue to bless your choosing to find joy in homeschooling as you find His hand at work in your days!

In Christ,
Julie