I thought about using ETC 1 and 2 for K as well...as it would fit the bill of where he is. That would leave me about 15 to spend on some other things...I would also like him to do some handwriting review...I can print that off for a couple bucks at the library or maybe I can get one of those complete K books as it would also have some math built in as well. I can easily do a calendar monthly, counting practice, grouping items or rolling dice for addition work. K is pretty simple...I just want to touch a lot of bases😁 I will check out the math workbooks you mentioned.... Thanks😁. Brenda

I was going to use Christian Light KII with my up and coming little Ker this year with Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons and some readers that I already have😉, but he just finished ETC primers and is almost done with the Rod and Staff preschool books...so after looking at CLE again (which I love and have used before😁) I felt that it looked a little too easy for him. His skills: He knows all letters and sounds and has began blending sounds and some 3 letter words...would be further, but I have taken it easy with him being my 5th he had major speech difficulties. He can rhyme. He counts to 20, but mentally can go further...his speech gave him trouble...kwim. I am adding the next 10 every week or so for the next few weeks as he is able. He knows shapes, colors, same and different, visual perceptions skills are strong. Loves puzzles. Is great with coloring...and loves coloring, cutting, and pasting activities. Phonics orally has been helping his speech in addition to speech therapy and now he talks much more clearly. I have a 30 dollar budget and wondered what you all would get him to do for K in addition to phonics and readers which I have.😁 Thank you ladies for the ideas early😄. Brenda

Sorry it took me so long to reply to this... Those are my 2 favorite years of MFW btw😁. If I didn't have a large family then I would have done it all the way through though😁. Kindergarten The Character/Bible point closely correlates with the science topics you will study and is so much fun😁. The Basics portion can be done first or second each day😁 and isn't necessarily tied to the science except that they choose S for sun week...M for moon week😁...ect. Adventures Bible and and science are integrated as you study light when you do Jesus is the light of the World ect. History and readalouds do correlate to time periods mostly and are not to miss books😁. There is State sheets and sheets to write summaries as you go through the program. The Basics again are separate...Reading through a Bible reader, Math-you can use whatever you want😉, PLL is suggested for LA. Art is done separately from the units...and totally worth it imho! I hope that you have a great year😁. Brenda

I would do CLE K II...it is so simple and sweet....and affordable. I would set at least half an hour to read to him. If he is your only I would add MFW manual K for the activities and would do them with the letter in CLE II😉...they are so much fun and I am not an activity mom. Brenda

My preschool-1st graders are being read aloud to right before quiettime using a lot Sonlight choices and some that aren't 😉. My 3 year old will just be read aloud to, worked with at home for speech growth, and allowed to play. If he wants to do some coloring, sorting activities, or puzzles from my homeschool shelf I will be all for it though 😉. My soon to be 5 year old will first finish ETC primer C-in about a week...then he will do BOB books beginning workbook and do Reading lessons with me in Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons and finish up Rod and Staff Preschool workbooks. He also does speech therapy and will be released this spring as he has made such drastic gains. Then we will move onto CLE KII with Alphaphonics and Easy Readers. I may add MFW K activities weekly as I just love the activities and Character point each week...if I do I will do it with 3 year old as well during our prek hour. My 2nd-6th graders will do a family Bible time daily with a group literature readaloud following. Phonics is Alphaphonics for those who need it. Handwriting is Pentime. Reading is Pathway with workbooks and 1 hour required reading during quiettime. Math is Rod and Staff English is PLL for 2nd and Rod and Staff 3rd and up. Spelling is Rod and Staff for rules and phonics review and Natural Speller once they finish workbooks to work on patterns. Primary grades will finish American History and Abeka Health read aloud...using MFW Adventures in our evening basket this semester. We hopefully will begin BF Around the World Geography and Usborne Science books in the fall. Intermediate grades do Rod and Staff for History/Geography/Science. My high schooler will finish MFW Ancients soon...then will do the following: Notgrass World History units in order instead of doing MFW World...mainly as it is way out of budget (even used) to do MFW HS this year for us, but I also think it will be simpler for me to follow with him as I wrote the schedule😉. He is going to add in Rod and Staffs 9th grade history text as it looks interesting to him....I know we are boring people😂. BJU Algebra 2 and Geometry this year. Finishing his Apologia Science followed by some sort of Chemistry...still undecided. He will be doing Rod and Staff 7 for grammar...and he does need this😉. Marie's Words for vocab drills with mom. He is the most widely read child that I know and I will allow him to read whatever that he wants in his last couple years of schooling. My son is doing a training program with a friend who is a computer programmer for the next few years and it will be such a blessing to him. This is the main portion of our schooling. Brenda

I just want to give you a hug🤗.

I did this one year and personally found that doing this with entire lesson daily was too much information at once for my kids orally...I fixed this issue by only reading as long as I truly had there attention. I just wanted to encourage to not get down if it seems like too much reading once you really get into it...this is normal...just be flexible😉. My kids did enjoy the book, loved the maps and activity books, and learned a lot. Enjoy your year😁

We need a WOW face...

When I was overdue with my 5th born...my husband's grandmother sees me in the middle of our last date before my baby is being born and goes as loud as she could."Oh My God Brenda you have just gotten so fat!" I think every woman in the room wanted to stab her with their knife as it was obvious that I was having contractions every 3 minutes ( I did that without dilating outwardly for the last 8 weeks of that pregnancy-to say exhausting would be an understatement) and was clearly due. I also was still in a normal weight even while expecting, but he was 10 pounds and I had excess amniotic fluid so my stomach was huge...but I wasn't anywhere else...so it was clear to everyone that I was having a baby. I bluntly told her that she was rude and that no I am not fat...I am 3 weeks overdue having your great grandson. The overdue part was my midwife fault...and another story😉. People can just be so rude. Just consider the source.

Yes...I am an Dec.83 baby. Ptsd is definitely what one deals with after our childhoods, but I feel watching my children is such a beautiful healing...that seeing what the Lord has done to heal the next generation is the most beautiful experience. I appreciate every little thing more than most people around me...and I believe it is one of the few benefits from my childhood...thankfulness. My heart just explodes seeing families love their children with all that is in them. Brenda P.S. My daughter jokes that we will have our last when she is having her first baby..😂.

Sweetheart this was exactly what I meant that I feel that we are very similar....I do not have a degree...nor do I believe that is my life purpose (although if I didn't have a houseful of children I would love to be a doctor😉-I just don't have the stamina to do both well)...I feel called to be home with my children and to guide them and motivate them to accomplish the goals the Lord has for them. You are underestimating what you overcame in your life to be able to encourage and help direct your daughter (I was definitely not lowering the amount of work your daughter did- I just wanted to encourage you). You are an inspiration to me and are such an encouragement to know that there are those who have had more difficult upbringings choosing to inspire the next generation😄. Hugs🤗 Brenda

I can't encourage enough to do MFW K with the 2 littles and Adventures with your 2nd grader. I would only add the phonics primer that you choose to Adventures as it is beneficial to continue into 2nd and I feel that is the only thing MFW should have added as an option.

If I were considering reentry to public school I would do a traditional math, a phonics primer, and English program then add in some Charlotte Mason additions. I personally love love love MFW Adventures and the Kindergarten. I love everything about those programs, but the K program is gentle so it can be done with an advanced preschooler or an advanced Let if you turn the phonics into spelling and begin using a phonics primer. Brenda I think MFW is full enough in its own...so while tempting to add other things that may be fun...I would wait as burn out happens quickly😉.

Wow, that is so so sad😢. I guess my personality has always been have hope, show kindness until it becomes destructive and then just close the door and move on as we cant help everyone...as not everyone wants help sadly. But on another note...I am proud that your daughter went to pharmacy school. Understanding that we have very similar backgrounds I understand how much you and her worked to get there...🤗. Brenda

I can definitely see this going either way...but it tends to be different between people who have just went through some struggles vs. those with entirely self-centered tendencies or major paranoid issues. My twin brother was directed to get help even though he thought it was the whole world against him, but he did get help and is now on meds that help him regulate reality. So...it is always worth a try. Brenda

Again Rosie is on it this year😂...I would explain in no uncertain terms that she knew she was clearly pecking at a blown-up balloon until it popped and that in the future I will put up boundaries and if she crosses them I will politely tell her the boundary and walk away.

It is because they are doing it intentionally...I began reiterating what manipulative people say...it appears that you feel this way...or the look on your face gives me this impression...I quit letting them bully us through the little things...and it drove them batty😉...let them deal with their words more than you do.

Or give her a very lengthy text...so she can't twist your words later (this is for those in dysfunctional homes with family that does this...and I don't know the family invobled...it is sad I know that this is my mental reaction😑). Brenda I replied not just for, but others that read this thread next year😉.

I agree he sounds like maybe the holidays are very lonely or stressful for gentleman, but I agree with you that he needs some sort of help....but sadly from those around me without someone pointing to them to get help...in their heads they think they are fine and everyone else is the problem. Maybe if dh does reconnect this time he could encourage the gentleman to get counseling...counseling helps just about everyone I know! Brenda

I know you are a moderator, but 2 times this week I have wanted to like your reply, but there is no button. So here is a high-five😂.

The weird face emoji was for the friend...I want to give you a hug. I totally understand dealing with persistently annoying and boundary crossing people😉....he may have just done you two a favor. Don't worry what others think as you all understand the truth....nd honestly even family shouldn't text more than once..maybe twice on Christmas...everyone knows people are getting with family...so unless you are asking for directions or saying Merry Christmas...give people one day with their families. Wow is all I can say. Your dh will have to decide if he wants to continue this relationship with his friend, but I see no reason for you to unblock him😉...let the two of them work out what needs worked out...this will keep him from getting you to answer for your dh. If the friend does want to reconnect with your dh than your 4th needs to set some simple boundaries with him in as loving way as possible. Brenda

This year was so special with the kiddos at home. My little 4 year old goes...I just can't handle this...it is just too much happiness for me as he opened his presents. Then before he went to bed he said mommy...this has been the best day of my life😁 and my 7 year old agreed🙂. It was my best Christmas ever...enjoying these babies and their joy. Brenda

That would be smart! I had never thought to do it that way!! You learn something new everyday😀. Thank you😎. Brenda

I have to say one of the benefits of living on a lower than average wage is that even if my mind thought about switching curriculum....my wallet won't allow it😂😎. Seriously though I still have wasted more money than I would like to admit😉 because I loved the lower levels of a curriculum for primary levels, but in the intermediate level I added more kiddos and couldn't do both levels well....and found when it comes to history and science in the intermediate levels to let them study more independently vs. doing a unit study. The way I limit curriculum hopping in our home now is I ask myself a few questions that I know are true for our family. 1. I believe in direct instruction/read alouds as the focus of the primary years with an occasional unit for fun, but in the intermediate level I cannot do a beautiful laid out unit study for the family as I only have so much time and I need to let them do what they can do for themselves...for themselves. So if it is beautiful and full of many moving pieces...no matter how much I love it...it won't work for me. 2. Does it cost more than I can afford to keep doing year after year? 3. Will the time requirement be a better use of my children's school hours or is this just a distraction from something simpler that works great for my kiddos-such as reading for our humanity subjects. 4. Does it have a place in our daily schedule without interrupting the peaceful transitions that we have built now? I would love to do latin, but I feel Rod and Staff English and writing to be the focus for our family, but we do have the kids simply study the root cards of English From the Roots Up. If they want to add it during their quiet period then I would, but so far my kids have chosen to more informally study spanish...if it were French I could actually help😉. 5. If it is an enrichment, can it be done as a 6-8 week course as longer ones probably won't get done as I like to do them in the summer when I lighten my load from direct teaching primary😉. 6. I have personally found that making simple Bible and group readalouds-in which I do a rotation of topics is a way to make sure that many of the little things that I want to do with my kids gets done. I usually do the preschoolers before that while kiddos clean their rooms and eat breakfast...so I get one kiddo down. Then I do my one on one teaching with each kiddo beginning with those learning to read...while the other do reading😉. Then I rotate English one day and Math the other with each of the kids and assign 2 days worth of work in whichever one I taught. Then is lunch...often all of my littles are totally done, but my olders often do independent work afterwards for an hour or so, but I am done until I teach my very oldest separately after all of the kids go to bed for a solid hour....it is more peaceful this way....and allows my afternoons to be focused on being a mother😙. I could obviously add more units in the afternoon, but then I wouldn't have my very needed quiettime nor have playtime with my littles which is very important to me....I had children to love on them and play with them and I found I was pushing them aside to teach subjects to my olders that they preferred studying alone as they could remember more reading vs. listening..kwim...and now I am enjoying them again. With my oldest I wish after MFW ETC that we had just went traditional without so many put stops as he would have been better off longterm. P.S. Beautiful Feet primary geography is calling me terribly...tell me I need to finish the free rotation my olders did that is in my bookshelf😂. If I get other stuff done...I may add it to my primary rotation😁. I just want to hug it and go where were you 7 years ago😁. Brenda Edited to add that I do my primary readaloud rotation for the last 45 minutes before lunch😄 (my oldest daughter always makes lunch-she helps me so much-oldest son always does lunch diahes-they spoil me🤗)...I love MFW Adventures and have many science, health, and CHOW as the focused rotation right now...but geography is my missing spot for them....making more excuses to buy curriculum..hehehe.

I also want to encourage you that with level 2 to only have her do the amount of seatwork you believe that she needs, as I feel that there is enough problems for 2 students😉. Brenda