This is helpful. Thank you. I was thinking that I would have a student planner of some sort and write out the weekly assignments for him. It's on him to complete the work, and he comes to me with help, or we at least have a time to work together for a bit everyday. I was looking at some Seton materials for basic grammar and spelling, with Memoria as a reading program. I was thinking those would be better for more independent work.

My son will be entering 4th grade, and has spent the last 2 years in a brick-and-mortar school. It has not gone well. We homeschooled for K and 1st, and he attended school for 2nd and 3rd after the birth of my daughter who was born with medical problems and a disability. We knew when we put the kids in school, that it would be temporary until we got our bearings back as a family. We aren't quite there yet, and will have a K'er and 1st grader in public school this year, but we actually have had a good experience with them in the early grades thus far. My 4th grader has Aspergers. He is very bright in math and a good reader, although he doesn't enjoy reading. He is also argumentative and demanding. If I want homeschool to be successful, it has to have me as a minimum player, as we will surely butt heads if I am constantly at his side telling him to do the next thing. Because he is bright and naturally curious, and also because I am extremely busy, I'm wondering if I can take a very laid back approach? Specifically, I want to buy curriculum for Math and Language Arts, and for those to be our "anchors." Everything else he'd supplement with books, documentaries, special classes, etc. Does that sound reasonable? For math I want to do Teaching Textbooks. For LA I want to either do MCT or Memoria Press. I'd say his weaknesses are writing and not having a love for reading. He reads about sports, and that's about it. I am overwhelmed by the idea of several different programs for LA (grammar, spelling, vocab, comp, etc.), and really want an all in one program that works collaboratively with all the LA subjects. I am open to any and all advice! Especially on a thorough and strong LA program that will yield a great writer and reader!

Thank you! I'll check it out.

I'm looking at a computer-directed program because I was formerly a homeschool failure :( I have a special needs child, and health problems. When I was homeschooling previously, everything I did was very teacher-intensive. I burned out and was unhappy, exhausted, and stressed. To public school they went! It's been almost three years in school, and I'm ready to consider bringing them home again. But, the whole we "do school" needs to be overhauled if I want to keep the family running smoothly. I'd have a 1st grader who I'd need to do sit-down work with, so for my 4th I'm thinking a computer based program.

I should have clarified. I am considering pulling him out of school. I want to reignite his math confidence. He was homeschooled at one point, and was FLYING through math material. He's a mechanically-minded kid, and I want to cultivate, not stifle, his natural gifts.

Can I get a recommendation for a computer-instructed math curriculum? I know of K12 and Teaching Textbooks. Math comes easily for DS, but he rushes and is careless in is work. Any program we did online, I'd definitely want a hand-to-paper component. What are some great options? He loves math, but is currently in public school, which has made him hate math :( . Ideas?

Thank you for taking the time to share this with me. I will look into some of the online programs. I know many who have use Teaching Textbooks. It does sound like Kumon could be a great fit for my oldest. Sadly, we live in a very rural area, and those resources aren't available to use, unless we were to connect remotely. Please, feel free to share anything else!

Also, with K12, are you typically able to just pick the courses you want and not enroll full time?

It seem that you are doing what I am asking is possible, then? Pretty much math and LA, mixed in with whatever else? What is ETL?

I will look into this. Thank you for the suggestion!!

Thank you! Yes, my daughter is 3, and while her health is improving, it is still a great deal to manage. Having the kids in school has been ok in some ways, but now it is beginning to eat my alive. I have looked into CLE, and it looks fun! I have also been looking at R&S. We are Catholic, but I don't see any conflict with using a Christian program for LA. When I dove into homeschooling, I was very much under the mindset that we'd be the most well-educated HS family that every homeschooled. And, that method burned me out and made me ultimately extremely unhappy. We know how bad things are getting at the school, so my standards are quite low at this point. I also need to look at the situation honestly, meaning, homeschooling is not going to work unless I have time to do the laundry, buy groceries, cook dinner, keep the house reasonably clean and functioning. That definitely wasn't happening when I was pouring hours into each subject before. I

Hello, everyone. I've posted from time to time, and want to get some feedback on our situation. My 4 children are enrolled in public school in some capacity (3rd, k, preK, and special ed preK). I homeschooled my oldest for K and 1st, and then put him in school when when my daughter's health became too much to manage, along with teaching him. My own health is not the greatest, and because of it, I need to make sure I have adequate rest and help at home. The situation at the school is not a good one. I won't elaborate, but I hope and pray that I might have what it takes to bring the two oldest home for 4th and 1st grade. When I previously homeschooled, I was doing rigorous, intense curricula--for first grade! (IEW, Right Start Math, Story of the World, Nancy Larson). I know my limits enough at this point to know that if we wanted to SUCCEED, that everything would need to change with my expectations. My plan then would be to make sure that the 4th and 1st grader had a comprehensive language arts program, along with math. The other subjects we'd leave unstructured, and pick a topic, read some books, do a project, etc. There is a co-op we could join that would help with that, too. My question is, what's a great program for a 4th and 1st grader? They are both smart, but very different. The 4th grader is quite intelligent, but he rushes and doesn't put in any effort, making his grades poor despite his very high testing. School is distracting and boring for him, even though everyone can see his potential and natural gift to pick up on everything with little effort. My to-be 1st grader works slowly and meticulously. He is reading and sounding out words, has beautiful handwriting, and seems to take school more seriously, although he's not as naturally bright as my older one. Neither of them are ones to sit down and read. They prefer to work their hands, and play. Is this even a possibility to do school this way? To learn reading, writing, math, and leave the rest up to our whims? TIA!

Thank you all in advance for all the help you've given me over the years. I'm not on here often; usually only to ask questions and get feedback. I have homeschooled, and I currently have my kids in public school(PS). My oldest son is 9, and going into 3rd grade in the fall. He's an extremely challenging child, although bright. I put him in school because I *could not* homeschool him. Last spring he was diagnosed with Aspergers, which made my dh and I breathe a sigh of relief over his sometimes odd and difficult behaviors. PS has been ok for him, but not great. There have been some big issues, mostly having to do with my son's fixation on certain things (right now it's morals, and people using language that is inappropriate in our home, and he not able to let it go). When he is at home, he can't really play with my younger two sons, who play very well together. He causes problems, fighting, constant demands things, etc. However, my younger sons will go to kindergarten, and preschool this year, respectively. I PLAN on having my son start 3rd grade, but I am extremely worried about how it will go. I also worry about having him home, too, because to get him to do one simple thing could take all day. Does anyone have experience with this? Is your environment extremely structured, or more loose? Do you run things like a drill sargent? I kinda feel like I'm in a lose-lose with my son's education. If he's home, I'm afraid I'll be fighting with him all the time. In PS, and he getting in trouble or driving the teachers crazy. Thoughts??

Thank you all for your very wonderful feedback. I have a lot of thinking and researching to do. This is a lot to weigh! My 6 year old will likely go to Kindergarten at the PS this fall. My 4-year old will go 2 full days a week. If it weren't for this, I wouldn't even consider HSing for 3rd grade. My oldest causes a lot of problems with the little boys...nothing would get done, it would be a war zone. I will have some in-home help with my daughter, which is incredible. Could I find the time to sit down with my oldest? Probably. The funny thing is though, that even though I am not homeschooling at the moment, I have found ways to fill my days to the brink. I suppose that's how it goes, though. You have to readjust, shuffle priorities, etc. And yes, as awful as it sounds, a poster above mentioned chores. Keeping my son busy and motivated would require him to have A LOT of work to do. He'd need to do vacuuming, laundry, cook, etc. He wears on my sanity and patience, and needs SO MUCH TO DO. I am a very self-driven person, and don't really require a lot of structure, if that makes sense. I wake up early, and I get to work. It's hard for me to do things like map out our days, because to me it just comes naturally. But yeah, I'd have to do some soul-searching to see if I could provide structure and consistency, because right now I don't know if I could. Thank you!! A LOT!

Thank you, and I appreciate your responses. Also, my siggy is outdated. Not that that matters a huge amount...but my kids' ages in the fall will be 9, 6, 4, and 2.5. I like the public school for K, and 1. We've had more issues in 2nd, primarily with other students and their behavior, plus we've actually battled a little bit with faith-based things. We're not out to start a revolution, but we have been offended and thought that teachers have acted incorrectly in their dealing with faith-based issues. The 2nd grade teacher in particular. It's so tricky. The time thing...I know in my heart that HSing requires that time. But, I feel stretched right now without homeschooling. I know either decision will be a sacrifice. I'm thankful I have the spring and summer months to really question if I have what it takes. I'll update my siggy now...

Hello everyone. I've posted here for years, but it's been a long time since I've been on the site. Thanks for letting me back! I have a second grade son in public school. He was homeschooled for K, but a string of very difficult health events for both myself and one of my other children lead me to put him in school. It's not been a terrible experience, but more and more, I do want him to come home. He would definitely do well at home from a "heart" perspective. He's a kind soul, and I'm tired of the harshness in the public school. My hesitation is that I need him to be super-stimulated. We can't unschool, he MUST have structure, otherwise his behavior is a disaster. Because of my health needs, and having a disabled toddler at home, the ONLY way we can homeschool is basically if it is other-directed (i.e., not me...). What's the EASIEST curriculum to do this with? We're Catholic, but at this point I'm open to doing secular or protestant materials. Switched on Schoolhouse? K12? I really have no interest with "battling" my son everyday, which is what I'm afraid of with a mom-intensive program. He is very intelligent, but he is also extremely busy and exhausting for me. I love him to pieces, but I was thankful thank the school could provide him the structure and stimulation he requires. Thoughts? Suggestions?

Yes! I think once she is getting her therapy and preschool at the school that I'll have more time. Also, she is often very sick. I've been told that once she is school-aged that she won't get sick nearly as often. All of these things give me hope. I've thought about the more unstructured approach, and I know I *COULD* do it, that it would be an option, but I don't think it would fly for my oldest. He has always been the BUSY type, and gets himself into trouble if he is left unstructured. He'll spend 2 hours cleaning his room or working on a project, but the second he has a free moment, it disrupts the whole house. He is the type that needs constant "work," in whatever form I can give it. But, at 7, that takes more time and planning than I have to give. Someday it'll be great... Thank you all again. I'm trying to be content and put my aspirations on hold for a bit longer.

Thank you all SO MUCH for all of the support and encouragement. So much of what I've read is what I've "needed" to hear. Yes, in many ways I am mourning the educational "dreams" I had for my children (at this time, anyway). Yes, trying to homeschool right now would put a huge strain on me and the rest of the family, simply because I would be spread too thin. It would be stressful, and I would be unhappy from the pressure. When we put him in school, I felt like I wasn't even living. My life was a blur of running my daughter to therapy, appointments, hospitalizations, and when home all I wanted to do was check things off the list, which as many of us can relate to, makes the kids stressed out. I thought of my two little boys and their early childhood, and how I was consumed with the baby, homeschooling and chores, with no time left just to watch them play or read them stories. My heart was broken, and I couldn't keep the pace. I appreciate the affirmation that a few years in public school won't be terrible. It has already taught valuable lessons that we couldn't teach in homeschool (some of the children live in poverty and aren't well taken care of...this has lead to great conversations and opportunity to work on character). I do have faith that once my daughter is school-aged that her care will become much more manageable. We were told it would take about 4-5 years for her health to improve and stabilize, plus she'll receive much of her therapy and education through the school at that time, which will free up a tremendous amount of my time. If that is the case, I'd be able to pull the boys out at that time right when I think those more "important" grades are coming up (I really want to educated the humanities, and there is no time in public for that). Thank you all again so much

Thank you for your honesty and input. Truly. I appreciate the affirmation to keep him in school knowing our difficult situation. The school is a public school. There are things I like about it, there are plenty of things I don't, but he IS learning. His handwriting and reading flourished this year, as I would have hoped in the 1st grade. He is quite gifted in math, but sadly he is doing very basic 1st grade math this year. I don't appreciate the backgrounds and behaviors of some of the other students, but try to stay calm when I hear about it at the end of the day. Again, it's not ideal, but necessary. My heart just aches sometimes looking over the beautiful books from last year, all the Jim Weiss CD's we'd listen to in the car, etc. He comes home and is too tired and wants to play. I grieve that part of homeschooling. Brick and mortar schools are like full time jobs for these kiddos, and I wanted leisure and time to learn about the richness of culture for my young children. These are my romantic ideas about homeschooling which are not a part of our (stressful) reality at this time, but again, perhaps something I can return to before the public school does too much damage ;-) .

First a quick backstory! We homeschooled last year for K, and then began HSing for 1st, but I had a baby who required serious medical treatment, and now has a disability. We had to put my son in the 1st grade in order to care for my daughter and two other young sons at home. Having DS in school is not the ideal for so many reasons, but the way we had our homeschool before, with very rigorous, teacher-centered curriculum, is not be an option for several years. DH and I have talked about an online school for 2nd grade, but the websites I've looked at say that parent involvement takes 3 hours a day. I don't have 3 hours a day to devote to homeschooling. If I did, we'd be homeschooling! Will someone level with me about the involvement and hand-holding for an online school? Also, please don't comment with "get him out of school now.." etc. Our situation is very complex, and we're trying to do the best we can for each of the kids, keep our daughter healthy, and keep me, at a minimum, a decent mother. Our hope and desire is to return to homeschooling when/if it is feasible and the best thing for the whole family. Thanks!

I am particularly fascinated by Nashville, or just outside of Nashville. I have a feeling it's super suburbia, which is so NOT what we are used to living in a small town with acreage, lots of room for my kiddos to play shirtless, where I don't have to worry about what I water the flowers in. I brought this conversation up with my facebook friends recently, who live all around the US, and several of them are discontent with their location. I sometimes wonder if it is because we are all in a stage with young or school-aged kids, we're probably all too lonely, and feel ever the more isolated for staying at home, or homeschooling--both. Perhaps location is what you make of it. But, as Fried Clams posted, I love what she wrote about the state school thing in the Northern states. Spot on. There is such a big thing here with private colleges. Yuck. And, to think of the money we'd save in the south is so tempting. We are a pretty middle class family, and we pay A LOT in taxes. If we left for a state without those taxes, we'd easily save over $25,000 within five years. I mean...that's a state college in the south ;-) .

I couldn't do the humid parts of Florida. I actually have a handful of friends in TX, and it sounds appealing, but so large and expansive. I like the idea of being able to see and do a lot without needing to drive through Chicago to do it. I like that aspect of the deep south--the east is all right there.

Super interesting. Thank you, everyone, for your input. I think the "We'll have you over for dinner," isn't just a southern hospitality thing. There is an expression in MN, too, "Minnesota Nice," and it's basically super demonstrative. While always a liberal state, we're nothing like the east coast with their bluntness, abrasiveness. Minnesotans tend to be super friendly and warm, and I like that aspect of the south. It would be a hard habit to break now to always speak to the cashier at the gas station, or small talk with whoever you run into. I like that a lot. I'm also very happy to hear that the services are available for children, special needs, etc., if they are needed. We live in a very rural area (most areas outside of the Twin Cities are rural), and while my daughter qualifies for many services, the actual implementation of them is very challenging. We had thought about moving to the Twin Cities, but we really don't want to...which is why we thought if we had to move, we'd at least try to move somewhere we could hand pick. I totally get the small town thing, too. Been there, doing that now. It's cute, but it gets old for me...I'd like our family to stand on its own without everyone knowing our family of origin. I enjoy hearing the differing opinions. Thank you!

Yes. I think you really understand what life is like in MN. It *IS* expensive with taxes (income and property). We also have the added crunch of having to have a 4-wheel drive vehicle, and the very real expense of all the different coats and outdoor wear. We live on a lake in MN, and the summers are get humid but very enjoyable when the weather cooperates, but the winter is so long, and I often wonder if our family would be happier if we could be in a warmer climate where we could be outdoors more, and have more money in our pocket.

So this just isn't a stereotype? I think often of racism, poverty, and poor education when I think of the south. But I also think of kindness, great food, beautiful weather, and a more open mind to certain things that the Northerners need to be defensive about. My most relevant example of this is that I stay home with my kids instead of using my education in the workforce, but it took me several years not to feel like every person around me thought I was a failure. For some reason I have the impression that the South is more respectful about those decisions. As a female, I also have this impression of a "Southern Belle" or an acceptance of females being female without apology. I will say in MN that being feminine can almost be a sign of weakness. But, perhaps these are just my own stereotypes.