We were blessed with Bigger this morning! (little long)

[momofone]

I've been out of sync lately with sickness and frustrations (no major issues). I decided that I was going "nowhere" with homeschooling and almost put ds in school. There are lots of pressure in our little community to get on that big bus. You know--- It's the "right" thing to do! My son was even starting to think about the idea of going to public school.
However, God has not led me in that direction! I decided to question my ds about his wants/desires about our homeschool. He said, "I want you to read to me and I want to do more science experiments." He also has expressed that he likes the library books better than any readers that we were using. Well, after prayer about our homeschooling, I got out our Bigger manual (which we never really put away) and got busy! He was one happy boy! I was one relieved Momma!

I've decided that since I'm absolutely wore down with trying to figure everything out, that I'll just do it Carrie and Julie's way and be done with it! I'm going to do every inch of Bigger and not worry anymore. I find myself constantly questioning what I'm doing and that's not what God would have me do! He keeps leading me back to HOD and that's where I'm gonna stay. I have found sooo much help on this board (more than any other) and I truly believe that much prayer is put into this curriculum. We're also going to use the DITHOR. It looks wonderful, to say the least!

Now, off to organize all those books and get my act together.
Thanks for reading about my blessing!
Tina

[Kathleen]

Tina,

I'm so glad that you were blessed today! I love the way God gives us just the encouragement we need, when we need it! We had an absolutely wonderful year with Bigger last year, and I can absolutely say that it will continue to be a blessing to you and your son as you use it every day. We learned SO much and I especially love the talks we had during our Bible time and the way I could see Grant maturing and growing spiritually. That was all I needed to see to KNOW we were on the right track!

So, dive in and be blessed!
Kathleen

[mamayi]

So glad to hear that things are getting back on track for your family.
I could have written your post about a year ago! Last year I was feeling the pressure to put my kids in ps (no one else in my neighborhood homeschools) and I was feeling very inadequate in teaching them myself. I always felt like I should be doing more. We were using HOD but I was not using everything in the guide and I was putting in this and that to try and "fill in." (I also must note that I was pregnant then so that had a lot to do with being weary and emotional! )
We made it through the year and I was "recharged" at our state's homeschool convention in June. After looking at some other curriculums while at the convention I just didn't find anything that fit our family's needs like HOD.
This year we are doing just like you said and " I'll just do it Carrie and Julie's way and be done with it! I'm going to do every inch of Bigger and not worry anymore." (except we did Beyond)
This year has been amazing! Even with adding a new little blessing in Sept. this has been our best school year ever. Following the guide and finding encouragement and answers on this message board have made our homeschool flourish!
Not once this year have I even considered not homeschooling. I am convinced that keeping Christ at the center of learning is key to success. And the guides are so well thought out that there really isn't much needed to add!

Hooray for HOD!
Andrea

[psreit]

I know exactly where you've been, only I gave in and put my dd in school (not ps). I just felt like I wasn't getting anywhere. That was before I found HOD. I've said this before, but even though we haven't officially started HOD, I am confident that, when I bring dd home after kindergarten, homeschooling will take on new meaning. It wasn't by accident that I just happened to come across HOD on the internet one day. It was like 'THIS IS IT!' Our curriculum fair is in May, but I will have all my HOD books before that gets here. So, that will be my test. I want to attend the workshops, but as far as shopping, I am committed to keeping it to extra 'fun' activities and games if I purchase anything. Since dd doesn't have any young siblings, I need to keep her stocked up on hand-on activities that she can enjoy to keep her from television during her free time.

Even though we have LOTS of homeschoolers in our area, I don't get the support from some in my extended family. In fact, some thought it was great when I put dd in school. So, when I say I'm homeschooling again, I know it won't go over to well with some. But, I, too, feel this is my calling. When my older ones were in ps before i began homeschooling them, it drove me crazy. I began substituting as an aide, just so I could be involved in some way.

Thanks for the post. God bless your family!

[my3sons]

Tina,
I am so glad that you shared this, as others surely feel this way at times. It is not easy to homeschool, though I think HOD makes it the easiest possible. It definitely is something to continue to be in prayer about, and it is wonderful that God led you back to HOD. I think you will find great relief in doing HOD in its entirety. I sure do. I used to add in this or that early on, and I found I was tiring of teaching, as well as not probably giving my all to my core teaching of HOD. Ever since I have stopped the extras, I have thoroughly enjoyed my homeschooling. Carrie and I have both been there, believe me - we used to be the queens of extras . I am looking forward to a more even keel, refreshing year for you now, just as I did for myself when I made the switch to doing HOD only. Thanks for sharing, and I'm glad you are here!

In Christ,
Julie

[momofone]

Thanks so much for all the encouragement! I do have some support off the board, but I tend to let many others that don't support homeschooling get to me. I have a friend (well, not much of one now) that put her son in school last year and she goes on and on about how "wonderful" it is. This is a long story that I'm not going to get into, but an encounter with her earlier this year has not helped my feelings much. Some of the other homeschool moms (local) have helped me with the situation.
I'm getting over all that and looking forward to happier days! I know that I've got to keep praying about what is best for "our" family.
Thanks a million!
Tina

[Carrie]

Tina,

From one queen of "adding on" to what sounds like another, I will say that there is tremendous freedom in just doing a program as written. Especially as we move into the upper guides, we find they are very full on their own! Without adding on, our days are just the right amount of full and there's a bit of everything in them.

We pray the HOD guides may be a blessing to you as you bring your little sweetie back home to school. We look forward to encouraging you and walking the homeschooling road with you in the future.

Blessings,
Carrie