Crystal - as always - a very great explanation of MFW. I didn't want to put it in a bad light, I truly have not experienced these great insights with it...not that they're not there...I just have missed it. Thank you for sharing. :)

I haven't used HOD yet, although I do have 3 guides w/ books in my possession awaiting use ;). From all my asking around, looking myself at the guides and materials, and my personal 4 years of experience with MFW...they both use the bible extensively...HOD uses it with more of an inward focus (time with the Lord, personal devotion, application) and MFW uses it more with an outward focus (missions, praying for others, being aware of others' need for Christ, etc). Both are great, just different.

That is funny. We watched it yesterday. :lol:

We've watched most of the ones already mentioned in this thread. They are all wonderful. But, afterwards I feel like I shouldn't eat anything in my fridge or cupboard. I want to change everything all at once - but in reality - that can't happen. It is so hard for me to do one thing at a time. I don't have that mentality. I have an all now or never mentality. :blushing: Has anyone ever really made changes? If you did, how and what did you do?

We live in a non-reporting state also. I usually start after Labor Day. We have short summers here, so we try to have official school off and enjoy the outdoors. :D

This has been such a great thread to read...to get good perspectives from both sides. I am on year 4 with MFW and have never really loved any of the years, but enough to keep on with it. This year I've struggled badly on and off with ECC. Some days the kiddos get it and others I wonder if they're getting anything from it at all. I like POE, but not for young elementary students. I have given up on that book. I "plan" to switch to HOD later this year, if the Lord doesn't change my mind first. I am still in prayer over the matter. I know I really don't have any help to offer, but I wanted you all to know I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences. :D

We have schooled in our living room at a table set up on one end and now we have moved into the dining room at the table. We actually have a built-in desk area with cabinets so that is where we are storing our books. When we were at the table in the living room, I just used one of those heavy duty plastic drawer towers from Walmart or Meijer. Each child had a drawer for their books. I haven't decided which area I like best yet.

Laura, I did think of that, I will have most of the HOD stuff this week but I want to finish what we started. I'm trying to do my best and through this thread, I've re-gained a little motivation. Amy, thank you! That is about what we're doing too. We actually do like looking at the Usborne Living World Encyclopedia. I am trying to draw activities or books from outside sources to make it more interesting! I agree, not a great big fan of the notebooking pages. However, I did find http://www.mamajenn.com/MamaJenn/MFW_ECC.html recently and she has some great pages for copying the memory verses and character traits. gratitude - I don't think I'm the same Melissa? Although I did just buy R&S 2 and start my 3rd grader on it. lol Sounds like we've had similar feelings about MFW. I love the company, what they stand for, and their curriculum is great---just not for me. I really have not enjoyed any of the years a whole lot. I am doing K right now for the 3rd time with my 3rd daughter. It is okay...just always feels like something isn't right for me. Hunter - thank you for the links!!! I will bookmark them and come back them to them later when I can sit longer!!! Colleen - Yes, I am a list-maker! I have made a list and we will be able to finish it...just wish it was more enjoyable...but sometimes it's what we make it. I'm glad I started this thread, because it has helped me to re-evaluate things and push forward. Kam - thank you for sharing your experiences! I am excited to try something new soon too!

Thank you. :)

I thought about switching now, but I think I'd rather wait. I am switching to HOD next. :D

No worries. :) No I haven't used it yet. We have used K, 1st, Adv, and now ECC. CTG was next for us, but after pouring over samples, books, etc, I just don't think we will use it. My dh and I are not interested in using many of the books they've selected at this time with our children. I really really wanted to do CTG to study the history and feasts, but I don't think we'd be able to stand the rest of it. We are switching this fall to HOD and will see how that goes for us. There's always the chance we'll return to MFW, but I'm trying to look at it year by year now. I've learned that lesson the hard way. :tongue_smilie:

Dorinda - Thank you for the suggestion! Off to check it out.

Thank you Julie. That idea had never crossed my mind but makes a lot of sense! I will figure out how to make that work for us. I knew this year I needed to switch, but still stuck with MFW in hopes the multi-level cycle would work out for us...but it isn't. I'm also realizing other things that about it that isn't going to work for our family. I have complete peace about my decision, and want to finish what I started this year.

How do you get through the rest of your "year"? We are starting week 16 of MFW ECC today. I know we're about half-through, but I am disliking it so much for our family. My kids and I are not enjoying much about it. I am doing my best to supplement books from the library, but we are just getting through each day, not enjoying it. This is year 4 for us with MFW and I really had planned to use it through 12th grade. I am so sad to have come to this place with it. I am trying to be enthusiastic about finishing this year and looking at blogs and such to find great ideas and be motivated, but it just isn't working well for me. If you have been in this kind of situation, what did you do to make it through the rest of your year without drudging through every day? I'm also open to any suggestions how to improve ECC for the rest of our year.

Yes, I had thought about that, but my oldest is the only one who has done Adventures, and she probably doesn't remember much from it :tongue_smilie:. I am thinking about combining them in Bigger and seeing how that goes. Just not sure what the future would look like for the 2nd daughter when she runs out of guides?

Ahh, I see. Thank you! I have heard of WTM before and actually had a copy of FLL but sold it. lol

abrightmom - I recognize your username from pming with me a little while back. Thank you again for your help. :) What is WTM/SWB and FLL? Thank you so much for all the replies so quickly!

Please tell me your story. I've looked at all the threads on here about the two over the past few months. I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO torn. I am praying about it. I am on year 4 with MFW. We have done K, 1st, Adv, and now ECC this year with my 7 and 8 year olds. My 3rd daughter, 5, is doing MFW K this year. I am just not sure we will be ready for CTG next year? I'm afraid it's going to be way too much for dd2. She will turn 8 Nov of this fall, and I've considered her 2nd this year...but I don't know if I've pushed her too early or not. I have been pouring over HOD's catalog, samples, and reviews for about a year now and am more confused now than I think I've ever been. I'm really curious what you experience has been if you've switched from one to the other. Why? Are you glad? Etc. If we switch to HOD, I'm thinking... LHFHG - still not sure if for K or 1 - for my youngest daughter (will turn 6 Oct) Beyond or Bigger ???? for my next (will turn 8 Nov) Bigger or Preparing??? for my oldest (will be 9 turning 10 during Feb that year) HELP ME :ack2: