Uncombining Proved a Wise Decision!

[mothermayi?]

When we began HOD last year, I combined my two children in CTC. Things were working well at first but by the time we were around unit 15, I noticed things weren't as smooth as they were in the beginning. My younger, academically advanced student was having trouble with physically writing all that was required in the guide. My older student wanted to separate to minimize competition and to have his own guide/level. He was maturing and growing up and there were just some things his little brother didn't understand. Both children had valid concerns about remaining combined. I was nervous about putting my younger in RTR this year because the writing really ramps up. I didn't feel comfortable making changes to the writing in order to accommodate his physical ability (there are no disorders...he was simply young for the guide). So instead of altering the writing or having him type many of his responses, I decided to stop CTC at week 19 and reevaluate each child's needs. My older child was doing very well and found CTC a little easy at this point. He placed squarely into RTR. My younger student could technically continue CTC but slow down to half speed, allowing him to mature to be able to handle the writing in RTR.

Well, I took a slightly less popular route...I put the younger student in the last half of Preparing with Extensions. This was risky but it turned out to be the perfect thing to do. I selected the 2nd half of Preparing because that was were we were in the history in CTC and there was no need in us repeating the material again so soon. The extensions were added and we follow the suggestions in the appendix so there are days when he writes 2 paragraphs or 1 paragraph and draw a picture or orally narrate. Since the writing in Preparing is markedly less than in CTC, it turned out to be just the write amount for his little hands. After he finishes Preparing, we will jump back into CTC where he left off. This plan has given him an opportunity to have a full year of growth and development before going into RTR. It is working better than I planned!

My older student has adjusted to the workload of RTR and is doing very well. It is the perfect amount of challenge for him. The boy devotions are *PERFECT!!* for his age! He is 12 1/2 and turning into a young man before my eyes. I am very pleased with my decision to place him in the guide that fit his needs, rather than continue with CTC just to have a middle ground to keep them combined. My younger student isn't quite ready for the boy devotions right now, as he is only a month shy of 11. However, I expect it to be a perfect fit for him next school year.

Separating my boys has been a wise decision! I wished I had taken Mike Austin's advice last year when he told me they fit into Preparing and RTR . What did I do? I bought CTC and put them together, only to separate them after a semester and place them where it was recommended . What can I say? Sometimes we as parents expect things from our children in order to meet our own needs. For me, I expected them to do well in CTC simply because I was afraid of teaching multiple guides, and I didn't want to spend the money on two guides. So unfair and I didn't even realize I was putting them together to serve my desires . Well, lesson learned and money well spent .

[LovingJesus]

Thank you so much for sharing mothermayi. It was helpful to read, and I am so glad to see it work out so well for you!

[Gwenny]

Thanks for sharing! I'm sure this post will be read many times over time. This is a big decision for so many and it will help people to see another way and learn from your experience.

[Nealewill]

So glad it worked out for you and thanks for sharing. I am personally amazed at how easy it is to run 3 guides myself. And it seems to be a great fit here at my house as well.

[Rice]

Glad to hear what you did. I've got 2 in CTC this year as well. My oldest placed squarely there, as did my younger one but in different ways. I see what you mean about the writing. I'll have to see how he grows into it before deciding if Preparing with Extensions might be a good extension for him (or RTR with Extensions 1/2 speed). I'm already doing 3 guides with 4 kids and a 5th kid to add in LHTH next year. I'm thinking 5 guides might be physically impossible, especially since we basically do school in the morning. . .

So good to hear another option, though, as I consider and re-consider all the ways we can make HOD fit our family!

Blessings,