6yo in LHTH for K?? Planning questions...

[Mom2Monkeys]

Do you think I will grow tired with the way I will be doing beyong or bigger every year? Im going to be alternating the two every year for several years in a row with the plan above. I love them both but over and over without break?

I have to say that HOD is so very economical b/c we'll get to buy each program and use them each with 4 kids with the only subsequent expense being consumable workbooks.

[threegreatkids]

Tamara,
I haven't read all these responses thoroughly, but I did see mention of half-combining, which is what we are doing. If you are at all interested in combining for left-side and separating for right side I'd be glad to share more details about what we are doing.

This year my girls (8 and 9) are both doing Bigger left with separate right sides. It is perfect for us! I'm sure it wouldn't be perfect for everybody, so it's great that with HOD there are many options.

One thing I really like about "half-combining" is getting to do separate bible with each child, in addition to the 3 r's. On the other hand I really like doing history together, and even youngest (ds 6) joins in for lots of the history.

I hope this is relevant, and if it isn't please disregard it. Keep praying and the Lord will guide your steps!!!

[Mommamo]

I'm not sure that I read your concerns correctly, but anyway, I just wanted to throw in that I'm doing Beyond with a 6 yo who has a Sept b-day and "should" be in K if we were in public school, and now that I'm being consistent she is doing great! I don't think she'll have any problem doing Bigger for 1st/2nd, depending on what you consider her to be. So don't throw out the one idea just because it will have your dc doing the guide a little "early." C will probably start Bigger in July or August, before she turns 7. I don't think she'll have any problem with it because she's been doing HOD all the way through and the guides do build skills as they go. Just thought it might give you something else to think about, not like you don't already have enough to think about!

[my3sons]

I got your PM - sorry it took me a bit, I forget to check that sometimes! WHEW - my head is spinning here! You have gotten some awesome ideas here, Tamara, and I know it is a lot to consider. The plan I laid out is just one of many good options, so feel free to ditch it if it doesn't fit your overall goals. What I originally really wanted your ds to do (personally in my own little ideal world ) was for your 6 yo ds to start LHFHG now, which is actually what you just came around to, I think. The other long-term plan I laid out was taking into consideration that you were unable to purchase LHFHG now, that you wanted to combine the 2 boys so you weren't doing too many programs, and that you JUST had a baby hon' and had understandably been through some pretty major stressors with that! However, what a difference a determined Christian woman on a mission with a plan can make, as I must say you are bouncing back so well now and on fire! So, my thought is - if you can swing it financially, physically, and emotionally, do the programs that each of your dc place in according to the placement chart now. Then, at the end of those programs, we can talk about the next year and make a good plan from there on out. I say this because a few specific verses in Proverbs have become near and dear to my heart - mainly because I need constant reminders of their truth since I am a born planner -
Proverbs 19:21:
Many are the plans in a man's heart,
but the Lord's purpose prevails.

Prov. 16:9:
In his heart a man plans his course,
but the Lord determines his steps.

Who knows what the future holds but our Lord? You could have another baby. You could move. Your dh could get a job with unforeseen demands. Sooooooo, I say all this so you understand why if I were you, I'd pick what is best to do right now, with the thought that moving forward steadily through HOD's programs in always the overreaching goal. I think if I were you I'd continue doing Bigger Hearts with your dd (and probably do half-speed R & S 3 right now finishing it half-speed during PHFHG), do LHFHG with 6 yo ds, and half-speed LHTH with 3 yo ds. You can choose either half-speed or not for the 6 yo, based on what you want your day to day to look like right now. I will continue to pray for you, but please do take great joy in the fact that what you are doing now with your dc is leaps and bounds ahead of what you were able to do just a month ago - a praise-worthy fact deserving of being celebrated in its own right!!! And of course, feel free to throw this advice out the window and do something else if it better fits your goals. Praying!

Love in Christ,
Julie

[Mom2Monkeys]

Thanks for the encouragement Julie! I hadn't even thought about how much change has been made in these few weeks!
Fortunately, I own all of LHFHG, except the manual itself. Just a month ago, I felt that I could barely get teh 3R's in for 1 child, much less do 2 full programs, PLUS LHTH with ds3. Baby is going on 3 months old now, and he's sleeping a little over 4hrs at night, which is helping! And he's getting a tad easier in the day time. So, now we are getting into our groove with Bigger (done by 9:50am yesterday! Except math ) I'm having a hard time working lessons in with DS6, but I feel like if I had a plan I was following (LHFHG) I would be more likely to get it done each day.

I have to admit, I liked your plan very much seeing it lead to combining my two middles. I just don't see DS3 being able to handle Bigger so young and then all that tweaking and such would feel like a waste when I had to split them off. I like having a single guide for each child, IF I can work in the time right. I also like our together time, but no one says they can't sit in on each other's readings! Not to mention our own family Bible and catechism time.

I am a born planner...it gives me comfort. LOL. I can see how I just need to plan for the now and find my comfort in knowing God has my future already planned, right down to our homeschooling details! I know HOD is part of it, but we can determine the details in His time. I wish you'd be at the Arkansas convention so I could hug your neck for keeping me in line! hahaha!

So, as soon as I get my hands on a well priced used LHFHG manual, I'm getting started! Half pace first, until we get our groove, then full speed ahead! And DS3 is LOVING LHTH so I think we'll just keep going with that as is. He is actually learning to sit and listen to the stories and can tell me about them! And he even asks to sit in my lap and read outside of "school" time...in fact, he asks to do school now! Gotta love that!

[my3sons]

Thanks Tamara! Sometimes as moms we're just on to the next thing so quickly, and we miss the chance to celebrate the wonderful things we've already done. I just wanted to remind you of the strides you have made after having your baby in such a short span of time - no keeping in line at all - I'm just a bystander that noticed you're doing a good job and deserved to hear that before we hop on to the next thing. I do think you have a great plan ahead of you and am glad all of this thread put together helped you reach your decision with peace. This board is just full of awesome moms like yourself - it's one of my favorite places to "be". So, I'm excited for your plan and happy to have been a part of seeing it in the making!

In Christ,
Julie