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I just have to say that, although we are just into the second unit in Preparing, I am so relaxed and content being back here. When we had used HOD in the past, I felt like I needed to rush to get the guide done in one school year. That took some of the joy out of it, and didn't give Angie time to really internalize all she was being taught. She balked a little when I told her we were going to be using HOD again. She just remembers our previous HOD years as times of frustration, because of her math and reading issues. I told her that the frustrations were not because of HOD. So, we are 'back in the saddle' and I believe Preparing is going to prove to be an exciting guide. We are taking our time by doing 3 HOD days a week. Angie is loving the Ice Age book and the Noah's Ark book. She begs to read more, and persists. But, she does need to develop patience, so I do not give in. And, she is doing the writing assignments without TOO much hesitation. Overall, our days are going quite well, and I really believe this is going to be a huge growing time for Angie, cognitively and spiritually. I am so glad we didn't wait until August to begin.

So happy that things are going so well for you and Angie! Isn't that what makes all the difference. . . .contentment? I know when I'm content with things, they kids do much, much better in their studies, and learning is fun again!

Enjoy your trip through Preparing, Pam! We're enjoying it with our 10 year old this year, too!

Love it!!!

Congrats and I am so happy with you that you are at peace. I too had to come to peace with perhaps not always finishing the guide in a year (and I do not even have learning difficulties to deal with in that, just life!) And I think peace is often an indicator of God's will and His favor on what you are doing. He guides, and then He gives His perfect peace over where you land.

Thanks for sharing! I too feel that Preparing is going to be a wonderful year for my DD.

That is good to hear! Homeschooling should be a blessing and source of joy in our families. I am so glad to hear you are finding that!

I'm glad that it's going well for you guys! We are now on our 4th week I think and still loving it as well. Our days are so much smoother and more peaceful. I love it so much and am so glad that we found our way back to HOD!

I started this thread before our school day started. Angie enjoyed the readings today. But, she had a harder time with the basics, because we got a couple inches of snow this morning. I had a difficult time keeping her focused. We were working on some vocabulary words and then I was going to let her go out. Her attitude was not good, so when we finished, I told her she needed to sit in the chair for 10 minutes, just to let her know that I will not tolerate a bad attitude. When the timer went off, I said she could get dressed to go outside. She said she liked it where she was (she was just sitting and looking out the sliding door). I said "Suit yourself". She was soon up and going outside. I was waiting for the snow to stop to go outside, because I needed to clean the driveway. I should have just let her go out while it was snowing. I would have saved myself some grief. I'll know better next time. We spent over an hour outdoors. So refreshing! I really want Preparing to be a stretching time for her. I know she can do more than she lets on. I just need to keep her focused, which is so hard sometimes. Having HOD will definitely help her learn to work hard. A definite plan and routine.

Samuel'sMommy wrote:I know she can do more than she lets on. I just need to keep her focused, which is so hard sometimes.

I think this applies to all children. Your comment was very applicable to our home as well today! I also think you made some great, calm discipline decisions today.