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Just wanted to share my excitement. Just started LHFHG with my DD5 today and what a great time we had! We snuggled on the couch and had some great discussions about God and enjoyed stories together. I had done HOD with my two oldest and even LHFHG with DS8 when he was younger and I forgot how gentle and Christ-centered it really is. I've been piecing together my own things and feeling like the little ones were not getting the same time with me as my olders did. But today was so nice! And I know my daughter enjoyed it too. She kept putting my arm around her as we sat together.
I'll be starting HOD again with DS8 soon and look forward to some good quality time with him as well. Today everyone worked on independent stuff while I had specific one-on-one time with each child. What a blessing!
Kristen

I am using LHFHG with my 5 year old son, and it is so gentle and sweet. I'm glad you had a wonderful first day. That is so sweet, that she kept putting your arm around her!

How precious! Your words about spending special time with the little one hits home with me too. It is so easy to put the focus on the older one(s), as they are reaching new stages WE haven't parented through yet. I feel like I'm always doing some 'heavy thinking' these days looking ahead to the future for our oldest. I am thankful for using HOD with my little one, as it makes me take time just for him to do things that fit just his age. My little guy loves my arm around him on the couch too. The other day I hopped up and did jumping jacks with him for his Bible Study, and he looked at me like I was nuts. I used to do that with my oldest back in BHFHG all the time. Another reminder to try to give my middle and youngest sons the same 'me' I gave my oldest back when (albeit a bit heavier ). I love thinking of your little gal loving that mom time with you so much. These years won't come back. Our little ones need us too, and once and awhile, they have to take precedence over the seemingly pressing needs of the olders. I can't wait for you to start HOD with your 8 yo! It will be deja vu - a repeat of special times with your dd only with your ds - so, deja vu in a really good, happy way.

In Christ,
Julie

Yes, Julie, it's so true about the "heavy thinking" with our older children. Having two older and two younger, it seems hard sometimes to meet everyone's unique needs. And the youngers sometimes fall through the cracks. I have such wonderful memories of doing HOD with my two oldest. And now when I pulled out LHFHG to do with DD5, my DS8 piped up, "oh, I remember doing those stories! You're going to love those." My daughter says she loves school and always asks me each morning if we're going to do it. I just ordered Beyond last night for my DS8 and I know it will be a great choice for him too. He's already done an art project with us and he wanted to do the dramatic play today with her too. I knew when he started saying he didn't like school and it was boring that I had to change something. I had forgotten how wonderful HOD is! I think I was so in the "school at home" mode with the olders that I did it with my youngers too. I'm looking forward to making some of those same fun memories with my two littles.
I'll have to post an update once we start Beyond.
Thanks again!
Kristen

It is so wonderful when those first days go well. I just finished LHFHG for the 3rd time and it was so wonderful! Fits like a comfortable old glove, and yet is so fun and unique to do with each of the kids, to see how they catch on to the concepts and what they think of the stories. Enjoy!

Kristen wrote:Yes, Julie, it's so true about the "heavy thinking" with our older children. Having two older and two younger, it seems hard sometimes to meet everyone's unique needs. And the youngers sometimes fall through the cracks. I have such wonderful memories of doing HOD with my two oldest. And now when I pulled out LHFHG to do with DD5, my DS8 piped up, "oh, I remember doing those stories! You're going to love those." My daughter says she loves school and always asks me each morning if we're going to do it. I just ordered Beyond last night for my DS8 and I know it will be a great choice for him too. He's already done an art project with us and he wanted to do the dramatic play today with her too. I knew when he started saying he didn't like school and it was boring that I had to change something. I had forgotten how wonderful HOD is! I think I was so in the "school at home" mode with the olders that I did it with my youngers too. I'm looking forward to making some of those same fun memories with my two littles.
I'll have to post an update once we start Beyond.
Thanks again!
Kristen

So true! I hope you have a super start to Beyond with your 8 yo ds! He sounds ready and raring to go! Enjoy!

In Christ,
Julie

MelInKansas wrote:It is so wonderful when those first days go well. I just finished LHFHG for the 3rd time and it was so wonderful! Fits like a comfortable old glove, and yet is so fun and unique to do with each of the kids, to see how they catch on to the concepts and what they think of the stories. Enjoy!

Thanks for sharing this, MelInKansas! Repeat teaching guides is kind of something I have started to look forward to - you are right; fits like a comfortable old glove, yet fun and unique with each child. What a lovely description! Thanks for encouraging other moms who will be repeat teaching guides too!

In Christ,
Julie