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I'm going to try using 4 guides. Has anyone else done this?
My line up will be...
9 yo: Bigger
7 yo: Beyond
5 yo: Little Hearts
3 in Sept: Little Hands

Here's why:
My 2 yo DD was begging for school so I started LHTH and she LOVES it. There is no way I can drop it without a lot of disappointment and I am cherishing this special time with her. I've been trying to include my almost 5 yo boy, but he is clearly beyond LHTH. I am adding phonics and the LHTHG fine motor/handwriting, but LHTH Is not enough. He wants more.
I did one week of Beyond with my 7 and 9 yo's, and Beyond to my 9 yo is what LHTH is to my 5 yo. It is not enough. He has done Pioneers and Patriots w/ MFW ADV the year before last and he remembers it well. He really doesn't have to think about anything I am asking him, just too easy. Then, there is the constant competition between these two boys. I really think they would do better to not be together for school, and I am excited about having the individual time with them.
All my kids place best on the chart in the programs listed earlier in this post. I was afraid to do 4 guides, but I keep feeling nudged to do it anyway. I do not want to tweak. I want to pick up and go. I also do not want to treat my children like a herd but meet each where s/he is at. I may not do all of the storytimes for Beyond and Bigger, but alternate between the two instead. That should save me a bit of time.

So, am I crazy? I don't know. What I do know is that we school year-round, taking off days as we need them, and the only program I absolutely really want to be through by next fall is Bigger. So I can do Beyond and LHFHG at half-pace for the most part. I think I'm also only going to do a 4-day week this year, except maybe in the dead of winter when there is nothing else to do. (We even do school on weekends in the winter sometimes.)

I don't think you are crazy at all! I think your plan is very doable and you should go for it. Half speed is always a great option and is nice for mom too!

Blessings to you today,
Jess

We are currently doing LHTH (2yo daughter) and LHFHG (6yo son.) I also have an older son in 5th grade. My younger 2 have been listening and participating in both HOD programs and they are loving it! LHTH takes me 30 minutes and LHFHG has been taking about 90 minutes. It is such a small part of the day if you think about it that way. It is 9:30 and I have done Unit1- Day4 with both programs and finished for the day.

I don't think that is crazy!

I am going to be doing 3 guides this year. And I will eventually be doing 4. I just don't see a good way to combine any of my children in these guides. Furthermore, my two children who are closest in age - happen to be the furthest apart intellectually and cognitively. (go figure) So, I will be in that same boat with you!
I think it is very doable. I just have the mind set that school is just going to be a most of the day event for us. I look forward to having individual time with each of them too!

I don't think you're crazy. I might be in the same boat someday. Currently I'm trying out my 4.5 and 6.5 yos in LHFHG together, but if it doesn't work we'll be splitting them up. Then the younger two, we'll have to see what happens with them. I figure at some point I'll be doing anywhere between 2 and 4 guides. GL!

Edit: As of this morning it looks as if combining may not work for us after all. So it's very possible we'll be doing 4 someday as well.

Not crazy in the least! You just described my kind of sanity. In fact, I just posted something in regard to this on another thread:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6934

I never realized how many times I've heard " you have to combine to be able to homeschool" or "combining makes things easier". I can't even remember who told me or why I believed it without giving it more thought. But, I can tell you that the things I've tried to combine have not been easier for me - instead they've been harder - on both me and the dc. I know not everyone finds this to be true, but I have no idea how I (early on) began thinking it was best for everyone. I do think combining works well for some dc in some families in some situations. I also think not combining works well for some dc in some families in some situations. Anyway, this pondering of whether combining is best for each of us in each of our own unique situations is one worth considering! Based on what you've shared about your situation, I think your plan sounds great!

In Christ,
Julie

Thanks, everyone! I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

I am not one for combining but some are. My kids and i will get more out of it if we do it on the level where they fit best and me not having to tweak.
I will say we are doing Beyond, and LHFHG this year and we can do most of it in the moring.
I am not to Bigger yet, but i know the guides are supposed to get more independent.
LHTH doesn't take long and can easily be squeezed in with effort so the little one isn't left out.
Next year i will be doing LHTH, BEyond, and Bigger. so i will be in 3 guides.
Half-speed sound like a good idea since you are new to HOD and you can jump to full-speed when ready and get the flow of things.
This week i have adjusting to doing the both Beyond and LHFHG. Finally getting the flow of things. My eldest is used to the flow a little more than the middle child because of doing LHFHG last year. My middle child has to get used to b/c LHTH was not as much as LHFHG.
Don't know if that helps, but i do think it is possible.
I will be in 4 guides at some point because we are having #4 in March, but the 3rd and 4th child will be 3 yrs a part with. By the time #4 gets to LHTH my eldest would be i 5th grade which would be the RTR guide for us.
Sorry i am thinking ahead.

Jenn D.