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I just told my husband today that while I may not be getting everything done, everyday (we're doing 3 programs), that we are getting alot more done than we ever did before because it is all laid out so well! Some days I don't get to Science or Poetry and other days I don't get to Bible Study however we never hit those things consistently before so whatever we are doing in those areas is a bonus! And I find with a little re-arranging I can play catch up on some days when we have more time and cut back on the days when we have other things happening. I also get to spend one-on-one time with each of my children in one or more subjects. We are still somewhat on the learning curve but it has been a great start for us. Also, the kids are learning from each other's curriculum by joining in on science experiments or listening in on history reading! I have to admit I've struggled a bit with DITHOR but it's mostly my fault as I haven't had the time to really scour the Teacher's manual and be on top of what we should be doing each day but I'm sure if I put in the effort it will worthwhile.

Shannon

I'm celebrating with you here, Shannon! That is so great to hear, and I too am very thankful for the ease of teaching HOD. I am a person that would not get science experiments or art projects done without the way they are written in HOD. HOD has lifted that burden off my shoulders, and I feel so good knowing I am getting science experiments and art projects done every week. I am glad that HOD has lifted some burdens you were carrying off your shoulders too! Thanks so much for sharing this, as others are sure to benefit from it and still others be nodding their heads in agreement.

In Christ,
Julie

Agreeing wholeheartedly!
I just had a conversation with a friend about creating curriculum oneself (which she does very well). I consider this once a year or so. But I told her that my concern is that I would spend all summer planning (being a compulsive planner) and then all year procrastinating (which is another one of my struggles.)
It is amazing to have discovered HOD, where Carrie has planned a wonderful curriculum (allowing for summers free of planning) that keeps us from dropping the important-but-easy-to-drop-subjects and balances everything so beautifully.
Feeling thankful- thanks for the reminder, Shannon

sted wrote:I find with a little re-arranging I can play catch up on some days when we have more time and cut back on the days when we have other things happening.

I SO agree with you Shannon! Because I am using 1 Guide for 3 ages I am finding that my older 2 can accomplish the work on the given time-table whereas my 8 yo struggles, but it's working out that we are able to keep him right with us for the Bible, Storytime & History and then on certain days I work right with him to catch him up on the things he falls behind on - Independent History & Science. I too find that DITHR is wonderful, but because I am not right on it we're just not using it as it was planned. We ARE, however, very much enjoying the DITHR book selections! What a blessing to just choose a book that has already been given the HOD seal of approval!

Shannon,

I am also am a person who who would struggle to get science experiments and projects done if they were not all laid out for me. I do love to plan too, and prior to having our HOD guides written I would wear myself out planning all summer. Then, when the school year started, I would struggle to get the actual plans taught during the year.

Now that we have multiple ages being schooled within our home, and my older kiddos are on the brink of high school and middle school, there is no way I would be able to continue writing customized plans for each child in the summer! It's all I can do to get the next guide written as that alone takes me ALL YEAR! So, I am thankful to have my three youngest kiddos' curriculum in place within the HOD guides and only my oldest child's curriculum plans to change, test, and adapt every year.

Thanks for sharing! It brightened my day!

Blessings,
Carrie

I completely agree. I love science but for some reason I could not get it together to do experiments regularly until HOD. I need to go into my guides and write Spanish in there as if it comes from Carrie that is the one thing we seem to not hit so regularly. There is something about having it so well organized for you that makes it pretty painless. So glad you are having such a great year! Victory is wonderful!