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Just taking a quick break on this sunny Monday to say, "Yay!" I'm enjoying the journey with HOD each and every day. My little girl is on finishing unit 14 of Little Hearts, my soon to be 10 yo is on unit 22 of Bigger, my 12 yo is on unit 27 of Preparing, and my oldest in on unit 28 of CTC. We'll be pausing for a summer break in a few weeks and I'm really rejoicing in how far they've each come. I'm planning for my oldest to finish his guide before he takes a break, but everyone else will simply stop where they are. I believe this will be a benefit when we resume in August and I can devote more time to getting the oldest learning a new guide, while I simply continue on with the others. The think I'm most mindful of today is how much you can get out of one guide. You really can span a lot of ages in skills in each guide and still challenge each child on their level -a real blessing for mother and child.

Agreed! My friends are on the verge of teasing me because I gush about it all the time. And watch out if you're a newbie HSer, you're gonna hear about HOD from me!

deltagal wrote:...I'm enjoying the journey with HOD each and every day. My little girl is on finishing unit 14 of Little Hearts, my soon to be 10 yo is on unit 22 of Bigger, my 12 yo is on unit 27 of Preparing, and my oldest in on unit 28 of CTC. We'll be pausing for a summer break in a few weeks and I'm really rejoicing in how far they've each come.

HOORAY, deltagal! I am so glad to hear this. Your dc are moving along so well in their school, and you are doing such a good job of making time for each of them! The results speak for themselves. We too are now pausing for a summer break. Wyatt finished his RTR guide, Riley has about 5 weeks left of Bigger Hearts, and Emmett is 2/3 of the way through LHTH. Being able to pace my dc's learning individually has been an incredible blessing. They can each move at a pace befitting their needs and growth, and I'm not forced to choose one pacing for all of them. This brings such peace and contentment to our days. I'm so glad you are taking advantage of those benefits and finding a great balance in your day for your dc as well!

deltagal wrote:I'm planning for my oldest to finish his guide before he takes a break, but everyone else will simply stop where they are. I believe this will be a benefit when we resume in August and I can devote more time to getting the oldest learning a new guide, while I simply continue on with the others.

We had this happen last year. My oldest started RTR in August, and my middle ds was half-speed in Unit 6 or so of Bigger Hearts. It was a wonderful to start to the year! I had the thrill of beginning a new guide, and the familiarity of returning to a guide I already new and loved well. Then I had the thrill of beginning a new guide (LHTH) a bit later. I love the variety in teaching I get with HOD. Doing multiple guides keeps my days fresh and new. I bet you'll enjoy beginning the year this way too!

deltagal wrote:The think I'm most mindful of today is how much you can get out of one guide. You really can span a lot of ages in skills in each guide and still challenge each child on their level -a real blessing for mother and child.

So true! There is so much to be gleaned from each guide, and the flexibility of placement helps ensure each child can progress and learn at their potential each year, moving along down the path of HOD further down the road in skills year after year. What a peaceful way to school! Thanks for sharing this here, as many moms (like I used to be) are still under the impression the only way to homeschool is to combine everyone all together! The truth is sometimes that works beautifully, and sometimes it just doesn't. Blessedly, HOD offers both options. Yes, HOD rocks!

In Christ,
Julie

deltagal,

I just had to pop-in and say I'm so glad to read your post! We need moments like this to take joy in the journey.

Blessings,
Carrie

Yep, HOD does indeed rock.