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I had another post on here (Trying to make Beyond work and going crazy), that basically showed how many extras I was trying to add in, and how it wasn't working. Part of the reason was/is insecurity, but I think I've also figured out another reason. Both of my dc have had a natural interest in animals & geography, so we've read lots of books on the subjects, done lapbooks, you name it. And, we do a lot of art projects. So, a lot of the science, geography and art in Beyond gets skipped by us. And we do other things. Sort of the same thing with the LA, because my dd has been doing Queen's Lang Lessons for the Very Young, and WWE.

Anyway, I was looking through my copy of Bigger for next year, and was really excited about everything. Here's what I'm wondering. What if I do the left side of Bigger, as well as the science with both dc, and the right of Bigger with dd (8) and right side of Beyond with ds (6)? I know I could do the 2 separate programs, but I really think they would both benefit from Bigger.

Thoughts?

And I'm sorry if this is another boring combining topic, but it's new & exciting for me!

Blessings,
Tammi

I am doing Bigger Hearts with my almost 7 yo half-speed, and it's a stretch for him. He's done all of the previous HOD programs in their entirety, which prepared him very well for Bigger Hearts, but since I've read your other posts, and you've shared you've added in a bunch of extras but also been kind of hit and miss with some of the things in Beyond, I think it would be very tough to do Bigger Hearts with anybody younger than 7 yo. It sounds like you enjoy planning extras, but then have that feeling of "going a little crazy" over it - which I get BTW. I wonder if it would be beneficial to do Beyond 4 days right now, and then have the fifth day for extras that you can go crazy with - but not go crazy with during the rest of the week? This was great fun for me back when I had 2 dc. I liked to do some CM extra type things on the fifth day, and still enjoyed doing HOD as my constant during the other 4 days. This did 2 things for me - it gave me a creative outlet on the fifth day for doing my own thing, but it also made my other 4 days balanced, constant, and covered all my bases so my dc had no gaps. However, those are just some thoughts I had - others will chime in with ideas too.

In Christ,
Julie

I'd vote for the 4 day a week thing with the extras on the extra day. This is what we are doing with Beyond. In fact I am doing it with a 5 and just turned 8 year old. We did Bigger last year and now we are doing the two programs after it. I am actually purposefully slowing down Beyond because I know how full Bigger is and I want to make sure my youngest is ready. I am not worried about my 8 year old because I did Bigger with older children and it was plenty. I am also at the same time seeing that Beyond is plenty. I am not by nature a CMer but I am seeing the fruits of it. So on our fifth day we have fun and explore what we want. It's really a blessing. I think that would definitely be worth a try.

happyWImom wrote:... I know I could do the 2 separate programs... Thoughts?

I don't think that's a bad idea at all. It's an option worth considering.