I recently pulled my daughter (kindergarten) from public school to start homeschooling. She struggled all year with reading so I think I should start at square one. I am looking for suggestions for a complete program for reading/phonics. Thank you Erin

Seven. He is in second grade.

In a nutshell my son's self esteem has taken a major nosedive this year and it is due to a group of boys in his new school. I have talked to the teacher numerous times without luck. It is to the point it makes me sick (I have been up since two this morning) thinking about sending him off to school today. I am considering homeschooling. This is something i have looked into every year since Kindergarten. I know the work involved and it has always terrfied me just because I run a home daycare 9 1/2 hours a day and I'm not sure how I could do both. Just wondering if there are others out there who juggle work and homeschooling and how they do it all. I am terrified that I will fail. But on the other hand, I am so extremely sad to see my once confident and outgoing seven year old tell me he never wants to leave the house again because he doesn't like himself, the way he looks, the way he dresses, etc... It's heartbreaking. Any advice would be great. Thank you, Erin

Thank you so much for the great advice! I have all three websites up and am researching. It's so nice to be able to come here for direction and guidance. This is a bit overwhelming, to say the very least! Erin

I went to their site and noticed that Heart of Dakota is Christ-centered. My son hasn't been raised with religion but was asking about church and what it is so I researched a few local churches and signed him up for religion class. He loves his church, reading the bible, and learning about God. I am doing everything I can to support that since that is what he is interested in. For someone like me, who is very unfamiliar with religion, will this type of curriculum work? Or do I need to have a base knowledge about the bible? Erin

Every year my husband gets me with this. EVERY year, and do you think I would remember? Put a rubber band around the sprayer next to your faucet. Make sure to point it directly where someone (who would be turning on the water) is standing. Every April 1st I start my day with a nice hose-down thanks to my hubby. This year I am marking my calendar. :o) Erin

I was going to homeschool this school year (kindergarten) and then my son was drawn for a local charter school (lottery to get in) which was supposed to be fabulous! Well, he hates school. Makes me sad, he's only in K. Anyway, I'm going to homeschool starting next year, 1st grade. Just thinking ahead for what I'll do. I would really like something that is all in one and doesn't require too much planning on my part since I work. Any suggestions? Thanks, Erin

I just read a fabulous review about STOW in a local homeschool newsletter. It sounds absolutely wonderful. Here is the problem-I keep searching online for an explanation of how the curriculum works and cannot find one. Is it a text I read from and then an accompanying workbook? I'm hoping someone can clarify this for me. Thanks! Erin

My son is five. We're just starting our homeschool program. I ordered Explode the Code but am not sure this is right for him. I was thinking phonics road. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! (tactile/kinesthetic learner) Erin

Thank you for giving me direction. I am completely lost with all this! Erin

Thank you for the advice! Perhaps I should wait a year and then try it. I really like what I see on the website, however I can see that waiting for him to be able to read/write would enhance the experience. Erin

I'd love to hear opinions from those who have used this curriculum. Also, I'm wondering if 5 years old is an ok age to start this. Thank you Erin

This I can see! :o) I have spent hours upon hours here in the past few days! And I think I've only hit a few pages. Thanks for the great responses! I'm off to Amazon to order the Well Trained Mind book. As for organizing, I did buy the workboxes (roll carts from JoAnn's) and have been putting in various items that I use in my preschool classroom. My kids (three year old daughter as well) are eating this up. They LOVE to have 'school' at home. They are such little sponges that I am ready to add something for my 5 year old son that's more educational. I was reading the thread on Phonics Road. Is that too advanced? I had originally planned on All About Spelling, until I read that thread. And I go back and forth between Math U See and Singapore (again, depending on which thread I'm reading). I have already ordered the Mudpies book and plan to incorporate that. I just wasn't sure how much each week is necessary? I live in the country in a fairly rural area, and I did find that there is a local homeschooling group (half an hour away-that is considered local here) that I intend to try to meet up with. Thank you for the advice!! I do need to relax and enjoy! Erin

Hello! I have just recently decided to homeschool my five year old son, rather than register for Kindergarten in the fall. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with curriculum and planning. I'm not sure where to start. I've read half a dozen books on homeschooling and cruise websites, such as this, daily for guidance. Unfortunately the more I read, the more confused I am. I'm hopeful that someone here could give advice on where to start and perhaps suggest a book or website that is a good starting point. Thank you! Erin

Great resource! Perfect for a newbie like me. Thank you! Erin