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or maybe just confirmation- We got started a little late using Beyond Little Hearts school year- we got started on it about mid September with my then 7 year old son- he is the only child I home school. We worked through it and took a break in December and then the day after Christmas, my MIL broke her hip and has had a lot of problems- my precious grandmother died on Valentine's Day and 2.5 weeks later my husband was in a near fatal motorcycle wreck. With all of that going on, I tried to do some school but it was mostly hit and miss- we also use Time4learning and used that to supplement some days and I had planned on doing school through the summer. But sometime in May my husband was put back in the hospital and I just gave up school. I have said all that to see if any of you think it is a good idea just to start again in Beyond Little Hearts? We use another science and math program. He will be 9 by the time we finish and then next fall we can go on to Bigger Hearts-
Some days I feel like a failure because we didn't do as much as we could have. This will be our 3rd year home schooling and I still feel like we made the right choice- i just don't feel very organized or consistent. I guess I just don't feel like I have hit my stride yet.
Looking forward to hearing your ideas.
thanks, Laura

Oh, Laura- what a year you have had. *hugs* Is your husband doing better now?

Do you feel like your son is still on target for his age academically? I don't think your plan is a bad one. Do you think he has forgotten most of what you have done so you'd redo from the beginning or do you think you would just pick up from where you stopped and continue forward from there?

I'm so sorry all of this has happened, Laura. I think it is a good idea to look at the placement chart and see where your ds falls now. Unless his placement has really changed, I'd lean toward starting Beyond again now, wherever you left off, and finishing it. I would stop any supplements you may have added to it, and just set aside 2 hours a day to consistently do Beyond until it is done. I used to add supplements and have happily stopped, that has really helped me finish school each day on time. I am praying that God will lift you up and give you a renewed sense of strength! You have been through a lot, but that can make you strong with God by your side. Doing school each day now will give you such a nice new focus and give you something to look forward to doing each day with your ds. Praying for you!

In Christ,
Julie

when I have a stress filled life.. I set aside all the bling.. the extra stuff I do, and stick to the basics.
My hubby teaches piano and his advice to parents is to make the kids practice for 5 min a day. Where as 15 min. is optimal 5 is better than trying to cram 2 hours of practice in 2 days before the lesson.
take wee chunks as you can do it but do try to do it every day. even if its only a wee bit. that way he won't forget what has gone before.
Huggles,
Tansy

Our family has been thru many trials including births, deaths and even caring for father with cancer until he passed on. We had 2 years where our school day consisted of a family read aloud, everybody writing a paragraph or two a day, and a little math. One of mine was 9th grade. They read on their own. They are fine and excel academically and both have scholarships to college. Family is first, then school. Just read to them and do little chunks as suggested and you will succeed. When your time is freer you can do more.
In His,
Sharyn
Hope this encourages!!

Laura,

You are not a failure!! You may have stopped doing sit down school, which is important (don't get me wrong).
But you are teaching each and every day. Teaching what is important, family, faith, everyday living, and how to trust and lean on Jesus through it all. You are not a failure you are still teaching, communicating, answering questions, loving, correcting, disciplining where neccessary,training.......
Don't forget to cut yourself some slack. Mom is never perfect we are just human. It is in our weakness that He is made strong. If you do your best (somedays are better than others and that goes for all of us) God will help you redeem the time. Seek the Lord and He will show you what to do. Do not feel like you have wasted a year, or held your dc back because of doing Beyond again this year (if you choose). Their heart will be more prepared for it and it will mean more, the fun stuff that was previously skipped will be able to be done and will build an excitement for Bigger next year.
If you have a chance do some reading let dc pick some books that are educational in nature but are desired reads, then the info you feel is missing will be getting in, and you can check the level of comprehension through narration.

Praying for you.
Joyanna

thank you all who replied- Life got busy again and I wasn't able to come back and reply- I am in a Dallas hospital right now with my husband who just had 2 surgeries over the past week but we are hoping these will help him get back on the road to healing.
We are just going to start where we left off. Thank you all for the encouragement. I really do appreciate it!

((((hugs))))
and praying for you!

So sorry your family has been through all this. It sounds like you did a great job for what was going on in life. I think family being together in times like this teaches more than the three R's do anyway. I also would just give yourself a clean slate and if Beyond still fits go for it or if the placement chart tells you something else then I would head in that direction. But either way clean slate and do not worry about last year. Praying this year is blessed for you!