How hard is it to use 2 guides?

[anniam]

I am very ADD. Even with medication I have a hard time with written instructions. How would I organize our day? Oh, I would be using CtC with my 12 yo ds and I'm thinking about PHFHG with my 8.5 yo dd. She may be able to do CtC, but I think I need to separate my dc this year. They are in constant competition with each other and always bickering, so having their own programs might help ...... maybe. I'm not going to count on ds being very independent for at least the first few months of CtC, I'm sure I'll have to walk him through everything for a while.

I just picture myself saying "hey, what book are we supposed to be reading again? Where did I put it? Oh, I'll be right there, I have to help your brother. I know you've been waiting an hour for me to show you what to do."

Any advice or should I not even attempt it?

[daybreaking]

Before I had my son, I was both a math teacher and a special education teacher and thus I had many students with ADD. From that experience, it is my opinion that the way HOD is written is perfect for those with ADD for several reasons. First, because everything you need for the day is on a two-page spread, there's no flipping back and forth, trying to find this or that. I remember looking at MFW and though it is a great program, loved by many, my head was spinning trying to keep track of everything - and I don't have ADD. HOD on the other hand, is so clearly organized that it is very easy to follow. One thing that has helped me with organization is having a shelf for the HOD manual and all the books that go with that manual. When it's time to work, we pull out the books. When it's time to finish, we put them right back on the shelf and then they're ready for us the next day. I have two children, so I simply have separate shelf spaces for each of their manuals and books. Another thing I've liked about HOD is that is follows the same pattern week after week, so everyone knows exactly what to do. Each day, we simply go box by box and then put a little check in each box as each is done. Lastly, for working with more than one child, I have found having a specific schedule to follow invaluable in helping me be organized and meet everyone's needs. With a schedule, when I am working with one child, the other child is occupied and thus I am able to give undivided attention to the first. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how well HOD will work for you.

[anniam]

Before I had my son, I was both a math teacher and a special education teacher and thus I had many students with ADD. From that experience, it is my opinion that the way HOD is written is perfect for those with ADD for several reasons. First, because everything you need for the day is on a two-page spread, there's no flipping back and forth, trying to find this or that. I remember looking at MFW and though it is a great program, loved by many, my head was spinning trying to keep track of everything - and I don't have ADD. HOD on the other hand, is so clearly organized that it is very easy to follow. One thing that has helped me with organization is having a shelf for the HOD manual and all the books that go with that manual. When it's time to work, we pull out the books. When it's time to finish, we put them right back on the shelf and then they're ready for us the next day. I have two children, so I simply have separate shelf spaces for each of their manuals and books. Another thing I've liked about HOD is that is follows the same pattern week after week, so everyone knows exactly what to do. Each day, we simply go box by box and then put a little check in each box as each is done. Lastly, for working with more than one child, I have found having a specific schedule to follow invaluable in helping me be organized and meet everyone's needs. With a schedule, when I am working with one child, the other child is occupied and thus I am able to give undivided attention to the first. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how well HOD will work for you.

That's good to know about HOD's Guides! Thank you. The MFW guide is confusing to me, too.

[kewkew34]

Reading this thread has really helped me make a decision. I like the fact that it will be so easy to follow. Hubby is great with me wanting to get a curriculum so I have less frustration. I will be starting with LHFHG for my 5 year old and continuing with the letter of the week stuff I have been doing with my 2 and 3 1/2 year old. But eventually I will have to use 2 guides.

[my3sons]

Not hard! I am using 3 HOD guides, and I am very thankful for the open and go, boxed format of the plans. It visually organizes our day for us. My oldest ds can use the guide as easily as I can, which I think is a real testimony to the way it is written. It is reassuring to know what I have to accomplish each day, and to be able to see at a glance, while it is laying open on our table or counter, is such a blessing.

Two things that help me use multiple guides easily are me sitting by my dc the first few weeks to really train them to do each box properly (as the plans follow a similar rotation throughout the year from unit to unit), and following a routine order for doing the boxes. There is a wonderful schedule's link that I'll share here. I shared my schedule last year for using 3 guides on the last page of this thread, but there are many styles of setting up a homeschooling day represented in this thread, and somewhere within them, I think you'll find what fits you best...
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2093

I've found teaching multiple HOD guides easier than combining my dc, as they are very far apart in abilities and age levels, not to mention our heartfelt Biblical personal discussions can be tailored to each of their needs. It's so much easier to pick up a different guide, than to try to essentially rewrite one guide to fit an age or skill level it wasn't meant to fit. If my dc are placed correctly, they thrive in HOD, and we clip right along with our homeschooling in a purposeful, cheerful way. I think you'll enjoy PHFHG and CTC very much! HTH!

In Christ,
Julie