combining and old 7 and a young 5?

[creekmama]

Well, I found the answer to one of my questions from yesterday in another thread. I found Carrie's own schedule for doing Bigger half speed, and that looks like a great way to start the new guide with Pete, my reluctant writer.

But I'm still stuck on how to combine him and his sister for the "inspirational subjects"--History, Bible, Music, etc. She is already participating with us in those subjects--listening in and doing what she can or what she has a mind to. I would hate to lose that "together" time. I had always assumed that because of their age difference and because I started Pete on the young end of LHFHG that they would always be in completely separate guides, but we're falling into a natural rhythm of half separate, half together. I'd really like to keep it that way! Reading and talking and praying and singing with one kid snuggled upon each side of me--that's the best part of my day!

[creekmama]

Feeling much better about separate guides now! Thanks to the ladies who responded to my previous post!

[MelInKansas]

I'm probably no help to you because I have two DDs, one just turning 7 and one just turning 5 and I am not going to combine them at this time. Their skill levels in comprehension and narration are just too vastly different. My 5YO gets some of the Beyond reading. She certainly loves the storytime books and I suppose I will probably let them both still listen to me read aloud for those, even after I start LHFHG with my 5YO. But I can see the gaps in her learning (the 5YO) because she went through LHFHG with her sister when she wasn't quite ready for it and is now "tagging along" in Beyond. She really needs to grow in her own right in phonics, writing, math, fine motor, and listening comprehension/narration and LHFHG will cover that perfectly for her. Even though it will take more time, I am looking forward to her going through LHFHG on her level and seeing how she will learn and grow through it.

I see no reason though why you can't still have that couch time with both of your DC if you want to. We do worship, prayer time, and Bible time all together and even though they may have different stuff I anticipate that continuing (while the 2YO either sits and listens too or runs around). They love the run around/exercise activities during Bible Verse review (LHFHG doesn't do this quite the same way as Beyond, but I think I'll just have them both review their own verse). I hope you can still figure out how to work this in even if you do separate guides.

[creekmama]

Thanks for your response, Melissa. I think something important that I need to remember is that the three of us are together just about all day every day! We are getting plenty of together time! I'm feeling much better about it now. I just need to stick with doing the guides as written. It's worked so well for us so far. If it ain't broke...