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I've been researching HOD since February and have only gotten positive feedback. We haven't placed our order yet but will this weekend. Suddenly I'm nervous though! I'm not afraid that HOD isn't for us. It's just that the approach is new to me and I'm afraid I won't understand how to do it. On top of that we are starting with CTC so there aren't as many messages on here about it. On top of that we are going out of town Wed and will be gone for two weeks. Soon after that we are planning to start school. I don't have anything in my hands yet (I think it should be here when we get back) so I'm NERVOUS!!! My girls (almost 10 and almost 12) like it when I have my "ducks in a row" but right now I feel like my ducks are all over the place!

Anyway, I'm excited and scared all at the same time. I don't like this feeling!
Any thoughts?
Anne

Hi and welcome!

I have been using LHFHG for a few months, and just started Preparing with my oldest last week. Here's my advice. Just jump in. You will see that it's not as complicated as it looks. Just take it one step at a time, and if you have questions the first few weeks, Carrie or Julie or the others who are starting with you will be able to answer it. I spent a few weeks looking at my manuel, trying to become familiar with it, and thought it was going to be confusing until we started school. Once you start, it will all make complete sense. Obviously, I'm not doing CTC, but I'm sure it will be just as "open and go" as the other programs.

The only preparation I did was to read the intro section (which is probably online already??), and I purchased all the notebooks/composition books/binders that I thought I might need (plus a few extras!). And don't be discouraged after your first day if it takes awhile. You and your child will have a learning curve getting used to any new program. Day 1 took us all day, and dd was in shock from the amount of work compared to last year! But by day 4, we were finishing by 2:30 or so (this is with teaching youngers, also), and it was more like what we were used to.

Thanks for the encouragement!!! OK, feeling better! I have heard so many wonderful things about HOD. All the reviews say that it's super "do-able" I am glad that Carrie and Julie are doing it alongside of all of us! And this message board is great!

As of today, the only thing I am still unsure of is what Math to use for my almost 10 year old girl. She's a Math struggler and I need something that will unlock her! We did Saxon 5/4 last year but it always took FOREVER and there were many tears. I'm not convinced about Singapore for her though. Today I asked the Lord to make it super clear for us! I'm trusting Him to show us the way!

Thanks again!
Anne

Hi Anne!

Welcome, nice to have you here!


Candice

Anne,

I'll be doing CTC right along with you this upcoming year, so I'll be glad to chime in to answer any questions you may have as we go along. We are really looking forward to CTC at our house, as we piloted much of it with our oldest son last year and will now get a chance to do it all with my next son in line this upcoming year.

If you have questions, ask away! Otherwise, be encouraged that it will be a wonderful Christ-centered year. In my opinion, there is no more important time period to cover with Christ at its center than the period from Creation to Christ!

Blessings,
Carrie

Thanks so much Carrie for the encouragement! I posted quite a while ago and then left on a road trip with the family for 2 1/2 weeks. While we were gone our stuff arrived!!! It was so fun to come home last night to Box Day! (my hubby still cracks up that there is an actual term called "Box Day" amongst homeschoolers )

So now I'm digging in...getting ready to curl up on my bed right now and read away! It looks amazing!!!!

One quick question... I didn't get DITHR for my 12 year old since I am doing the extension package with her. Was that a mistake?

By the way, the notebooking pages are AMAZING!!!!!!! I think I should get a set for myself and fill it in...just bcs it looks fun!!!
Thanks again for everything!
Anne

Anne,

Enjoy your "curl up time", I admit that I am a bit envious!
Have fun digging in to your HOD goodies!

Candice

Anne,

I'm so excited that you have your CTC guide in hand and the Notebook pages too! Enjoy your trip reading through them.

As far as your 12 year old goes, the Extension Pack will do a wonderful job of extending the history material. However, it serves a different purpose from DITHR in that DITHR is focused on literature study and the Extension Package is focused on history.

So, once you settle in to CTC, it would be a good idea to consider adding DITHR as you'll need to cover reading/literature study in some way for your daughter.

Blessings,
Carrie