I work 2 jobs actually lol. I work 2-16 hour shifts every weekend on a rehab hall and work part time/seasonally as a contract nurse for the state. DH stays home, but does not participate in hs'ing. I've never gotten any flack from my local hs community about working outside the home, but have gotten a few funny looks when I ask "So what do you do?" lol!! I think either lifestyle is a personal/family decision and don't understand why we, as mothers don't support each other in that decision.

DS is 3 now and we are doing: Montessori-based math/reading activities Rod and Staff (and other) preK workbooks Abeka K math workbook (except the writing) Phonics review/K4 curriculum from confessionsofahomeschooler Kinderbach Lots and lots of reading with mommy He will start K4 in January and so far the plan is: Continue montessori activities Advance math/reading curriculum as appropriate/interested Kinderbach We MAY start Drawing with Children if he is interested, otherwise lots of arts/crafts Science (my own creation) Seeds family worship/worksheets for bible/memorization Even more reading! He is dying to play violin, we shall see......

I have found lots of printables from here: http://www.wikisori.org/index.php/Worksheets/Printouts

We do Montessori-inspired preschool. Most of our materials are either printed for free (most from the previously mentioned websites), made by me, or bought. Melissa and Doug and Guidecraft toys have many montessori manipulatives. Also, much of our practical life materials come from home ;). The classroom is set up in one half of the dining room. We have shelves containing "work" trays which I rotate weekly. Sometimes more often-just depends on what kind of week he has had. He is allowed to work anytime that he chooses, and for as long as he chooses. Some days he has no interest, others he will spend hours working on his trays, then beg for more.

No, no, never, never, never would I do so. I am a lefty. The teachers at the school where I went for K-1st tried everything, including punishment, to make me write with my right hand. It didn't work, and I changed schools. I think rather than trying to change nature, it would be better to assist her in the adjustments that we lefties must make to live in a right-handed world. She may need special scissors, etc. I learned how to adapt using the "normal" tools.

My 2 year old has known his numbers (0-10)since he was around 18 months. Some kids just pick it up sooner. Way to go for your little one!

How does this look in your home? We start the school year around the middle of January (after a long winter/Christmas break). I live in the south, so we take longer breaks in the cooler months, and do more school in the summer when we are avoiding the heat anyway. What to you do to avoid burnout? I break up all of the material into 4-6 week units. After each unit we take a 1-4 week break, then start back up. How do you transition from one grade leveled subject to another? Especially, with multiple kids? We begin new graded material in January. I only have one though.;) What does your planner look like? Hectic-but that's how I like it! When do you find the time to plan? I've found that planning in spurts works best for me. I will work out a yearly calendar first, then plan out the units one at a time. It prevents mommy burnout that way.

I am considering using Kinderbach for DS preschool music. Has anyone used this program? Is it effective and fun for the kids? Opinions please!:)

Read a stack of books for the summer reading program-it's too hot to go outside!

We have bookshelves in the dining room organized by subject, as well as computer files containing all of our materials (and intended use).