Oh, well, you're no help! :) Hey, I'm on Seacoast NH too! I have a 6yo (in half-day K this year, starting homeschool next year) and 3yo. Have you looked into the different hs groups in the area? I'm on a couple of yahoo email lists to start to put some feelers out there. Jessica

Hi everyone, I am planning dd's first grade year and my first year homeschooling. I am intrigued by all these programs: WWE, FLL, AAS, and Handwriting Without Tears. We have already started afterschooling with Phonics Pathways and we do a ton of read alouds, both chapter books and picture books. So....this seems like a lot, no, as this is just language arts? What two or three things would you drop (or exchange) if it was you? DD is a bright kid, a little above her current K grade level, and reading CVC patterns and some sight words. Thanks in advance! Jessica

I would wait. It sounds like this isn't working for her right now, and there is no need to push it at such a young age. She sounds like the kind of kid who will learn to read on her own without a lot of phonics instruction. At the very least, I would put the lesson book away for another six months and then give it another go. Jessica mom of 5yo and 3yo, preparing to homeschool

I plan to do this with dd next year, maybe in the second part of the year since she is only 6. I will suggest she write a story, something that happened to her, a person she loves, or whatever else she feels like. I think it's a great way to build writing fluency. I would not correct grammar or spelling. I believe in the "writing process" approach--if there is something in her journal she wanted to develop into a more elaborate writing assignment, she could write another draft and then I would go over spelling and grammar with her. Jessica mom of 6yo and 3yo, preparing to homeschool

My youngest was like this until he stopped napping, and if I could, I took the time to hold him and rock him with a cup of milk after he woke up. That seemed to comfort him. Jessica

DD developed type 1 as a toddler, and we do not restrict her diet in any way (within reason). We count all carbs and give her insulin based on carbs she eats. I don't know much about type 2, but I don't think bread must be eliminated as long as it is all part of a healthy diet. HTH, Jessica mom of 5yo and 3yo, preparing to homeschool

This is one good site for finding at-home jobs. Good luck! genuinejobs.com Jessica mom of 5yo and 3yo, preparing to homeschool

Hi, I teach some online courses as an adjunct faculty--could be worth looking into since you have a master's! Jessica mom of 5yo and 3yo, preparing to homeschool

We only have two, and our family is complete. I do have "what if" moments of yearning, but DH is definitely done, and I know deep down that our quality of life will be better with two. I am looking forward to moving on to the next stage of parenting as the kids get older! Jessica mom of 5yo and 3yo

I much prefer the two-story. I like having bedrooms upstairs, away from the main living area, and I feel that they have more character than ranch houses. Jessica mom of 5yo and 3yo, preparing to homeschool

Not a book, but have you tried flylady.net? Jessica mom of 5yo and 3yo, preparing to homeschool

I think I've been most influenced by: "How to Talk So Your Kids Will Listen..(and Listen So Your Kids Will Talk)" and Children: The Challenge.

I would argue it's too MUCH phonics instruction! :) For example, I know a Zachary whose name is spelled Zakaree. Jessica

Oh goodness, I don't know, but it sounds familiar. My 5yo dd and 3yo ds are constantly fighting about who has the best color plate, the most grapes, and so on. I think 5yo thinks that she deserves the most and best of everything because she is older so can often manipulate a situation to her benefit. FWIW, we just read "Mrs. Piggle Wiggle" and the last chapter deals with this issue. We read the chapter last night, and I noticed that 5yo was trying harder to be agreeable today. The couple of times that she pointed out that 3yo had more of whatever, I said "You sound like Joan and Anne" (from the book) and she backed down. One time she said she thought we should read it one or two more times to really get it right. :) Jessica

I suggest "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell and the Gordon Korman "Everest" series. Jessica

Hi Jess! I just wanted to say I am in a very similar situation. My 5yo daughter is in half-day K and doing well there, but I am preparing to homeschool next year. This is partly a medical issue (she has diabetes), partly because I know I can challenge her more than in ps, and partly because I'm excited about all the time we will have to explore together. I am slowly reading about and putting together a curriculum with the help of this board, and it looks a lot like yours. SOTW and MM are on my list, but I will probably do OPGTR or Phonics Pathways and lots of plain old books of course, word sorts, maybe AAS, daily journal writing, nature walks /tracking /gardening /researching animals for science, as well as outside activities including theater and dance, swim, and soccer. I have a 3yo at home too, so I'm debating how to incorporate him--I may enroll him in part-time preschool to give him some basics of letters and numbers and allow us some time to do academics. I would love to be updated on your decisions and share my experiences with you. I will probably start a phonics program in January to do in the afternoons. I'm nervous about this move but excited too. I figure it it flops, I can always put her back in school for second grade! Jessica mom of 5yo dd and 3yo ds

Wow, this is great! So with OPGTR, the book contains the lesson plans with no student pages, and then Reading Made Easy, for example, is more of a student workbook? Am I getting this right? You guys are awesome! Jessica

Thank you, everyone--this is really helpful!

I totally agree with this. I worked in schools for years and would never be an administrator. It is a hard, hard job with ridiculous hours--they deserve to be compensated for sure! Jessica

Hi, I've posted once before. I'm not currently homeschooling but am 75% sure I will be next year. My daughter is now in half-day K and is reading and writing some basic words on her own. I would like to try out a reading program now to do after school so I can be sure I like it before committing to one for first grade. So my question is, what do you recommend I try out first? I've read about some different phonics programs here but don't know the differences. Thanks so much! Jessica

Seacoast NH here! Not homeschooling yet, but getting ready to take the plunge. Jessica Mom of 5yo girl and 3yo boy

Thanks, everyone, for the inspiration! Jessica

Thank you, everyone. I really appreciate your encouragement and helpful advice. I like the idea of starting a chart to write down ideas, and I can imagine what it feels like when the "weight" comes off. I will continue to research. Thanks again! Jessica

Hi everyone, This is my first post! I have a daughter in public K (half day) and I am thinking about homeschooling her for first grade and beyond. One reason is that she has a medical condition, and another is that I think I could challenge her much more at home than she will be challenged in school and offer so many more opportunities. I work at home as a freelance educational consultant and online teacher, and I have three-year-old at home too. I have a few questions--for one, how hard will it be with a younger child around? (I can maybe get him in a part-time preschool program if necessary.) Secondly, where do I even start when thinking about curriculum? I have ordered the WTM book and will read it--but reading about all the different materials people on this board are using is making my head spin! How do you ever decide? Finally, how did you make the decision to homeschool, and would you make the same decision if you could do it all over again? Thanks for your help and any advice you can give me! Jessica