Here goes nothing! Guide #5!

[Rice]

Well, my almost-5yo is showing signs of readiness for a bit more than nothing, lol. He's picking up stuff to color/draw/paint and learning some bad habits in his printing (basically just his own name so far, but ready to learn if I had the time). Basically I think it's time to start LHTH, as I think he'll be too ready for it (as in, almost ready for LHFHG) by September, but not have the skills and attention span for it, either. AND my 9yo in CTC is finishing up before lunch each day and is really good with the 5yo (and 3yo) so I decided to take advantage of his extra time to benefit all involved!

My 9yo is going to start LHTH with the 5yo (and 3yo, whenever he wants to join in), doing as many boxes each day as they have time for and gradually working their way through the beginning of the guide.

I'm actually kind of excited, instead of stressed (as thinking of starting him starting our 5th guide "officially" in September was making me) and think this will be a great, relaxed way to introduce him to doing a bit of formal work (which he's practically been assigning himself without any guidance) and giving him (and the 3yo) a bit of individual attention during the mornings when I'm always so busy doing the other 4 guides. This also gives them all a staggered start: 9yo will start new guides in Sept, 11 and 13yo's in late November/early December (and I expect those two will split a bit as one is in Bigger with 5-day weeks and the other in Preparing with 4-day weeks but they do school the same number of days each year), and the 5yo in February (or in reality, probably later, as it will likely take a bit more than a year to complete, fitting in boxes whenever we have time).

My concept of how school "should" and will look for us is still evolving after 8 years of officially homeschooling (starting K with our oldest) and fluid start dates and now older kids helping school the youngers is just one more step. After a really rough start to our HOD journey last fall, I think we're finally starting to enjoy it and make it our own. Thanks Carrie and Julie for all your help these past months! Looking forward to the rest of the year!

Blessings,

[Mumkins]

Praying it goes smoothly!

[Nealewill]

I think that sounds like a great plan!

[Carrie]

Rice,

My older sister did this with her 4 turning 5 year old all the way through LHTH. Her oldest daughter was in middle school at the time and did LHTH all year with the 5 year old as part of their 30 min. of together time each day. It went very well, and they both loved it. Plus, my older sister felt so good about the two daughters' time together being so "academic"! The girls shared the rhymes from LHTH with everyone in their family on their weekly sharing night.

Blessings,
Carrie