Okay, crazy question I know. I can't wait to read the responses. I am new to the whole HSing idea. I am going to start soon (have already been testing the waters), for my second and first grader for the first time. Here is what I won't miss: 1) no more crazy running around in the morning to quick get ready to get out the door, 2)my kids already don't take the bus since my oldest was threatened to death by some older kids when she was a kindergartener (yes, we live in a nice upper/middle class suburb - it happens everywhere!) So, now I have to pack up everyone to drive to school - even in the winter. 3) I totally disagree with the values, or lack there of in the ps. 4) Tired of the snotty PTO and non PTO women that think they need to dress up to "show off". Me, I am lucky if I don't have snot on me from my 2 year old. 5) Knowing the my oldest is bored and my middle one goes to school crying every day (and every night before school) I could go on, but I think you get the hint. So, with all that, am I crazy thinking HS might actually be less stressful? Will I find myself more calm and not yelling as much (ie. let's get going!)

Yes, I am now really planning on homeschooling her. She is my more "social child" and I think she is afraid she will miss out on some of that. There is also a lot of "social" things at school I know she would love to miss though too (bullying, girls being cliquey (sp) ) Thanks all!

No decision yet. Boy, this is scary to just switch to pure HS. I have always "afterschooled". People come into our house and ask if we HS because of how it is set up, but to switch totally over is scary but exciting.

OP thank you so much! I am new to this and love the pictures, very visual!

Hi all, Okay, I know with my 6 y/o who claims she "hates" school, I need to be sneaky in how we get started and do things. But my 7 y/o, who has always been ahead, has been kind of a grouch this summer when I try to get her going with "school work". She has done some of her spelling tests on the ipad, reads (not as much as normal), math on the ipad, etc, but that's about all. How would I start a HS day? Do you just say, do it or else? (Clearly, that wouldn't work either) I just need some ideas on how you all start your day off to get going. Thanks.

Hi all, I have been thinking about HS for 2 years now. My 6 y/o I really think I will do for sure, kinesthetic learner, cried last 3 months of kindergarten and "hates" school. My 7 y/o though has really taken off with her learning. She is a few grades ahead with reading and spelling, catches onto anything new very fast. She is very intense in all that she does. She loves to be a leader. She started a book club in first grade by herself. I think you get it. Problem is, if she gets bored, she is impossible to live with. We tried a private school for first grade last year, for one semester she lasted. She was so bored that she was going crazy and so were we. So we put her back in public school. Now, what to do with her this year. Do I HS her, or if she gets one of the best teachers in second grade at her ps should I send her there? I know third grade stinks at our ps, so I have to HS that year for sure. Also, should I test her to see where she is at? I just feel that this summer she is starting to really drive me crazy because she getting bored again. Thanks, Suzanne

You all are so wonderful. I still am so relieved I found you all. Yes, my older dd, 7, is reading about a fourth grade level - have to watch out for context issues with her. The public school thought she was along that "gifted" route, but weren't going to test her until this school year. With her, she loves just about anything, is a sponge, LOVES to read, and loves to learn. It is my 6 y/o dd that is the one who cried for the last 3 months of kindergarten. She has had a lot of health issues (almost lost her 2x when she was a toddler - on a vent with RSV, then liver failure 6 weeks later). She is healthy now, except on her third set of tubes. I think her phonics and lack of love of reading might be from her hearing issues? I am looking into all the wonderful ideas you are giving me. The Family Math is a must now that I looked into it - even as a supplement I don't think you could go wrong. The Focus on Math does look better for my kids than the primary singapore math too. Any other advice, I am all ears? Thanks, Suzanne

Thank you all so much! I am so glad I found this board. I am getting more excited and confident that I can do this. I am still leaning towards fiar, although since my 6 year old doesn't "love" reading, I am a little nervous - although, if I do it right, maybe it will get her more excited about reading. I am looking more at math in focus now instead of primary math through singapore. The lapbooks also look neat though too. I was up with my 2 year old 4x last night - but instead of being grouchy, I laid there and found myself thinking about the fun learning we could be doing. I had my 6 y/o play "school" with her dolls yesterday. She had reading time, math time, spelling time, etc. I pretended I was the mom coming to visit. I think she accomplished more in those 2 hours then a whole day of school - and with no tears!

Hi all, I am new here and new to homeschooling. I have been "looking into it" for 2 years now, but realize I need to do it. My 7 y/o dd is "ahead" of her class in reading and spelling by about 2 grades, everything else is also ahead, but not as much. We tried private school, too bored, she is in public school, but I don't like the values, etc. My 6 y/o dd is a child who hates school. She cried every day for the last 3 months of kindergarten. I am realizing she is a kinesthetic learner (tricky in a traditional classroom). I can get her to do school when she doesn't realize she is doing it. Ie. playing school with her dolls, shopping and working with numbers, etc. I am interested in some of the unit studies curriculum. What do you all think of my choices so far? Singapore math, Five in a row, hands of a child. I know singapore math is not a unit study, but I have heard great things about it. Do you think five in a row would get boring for a child who get bored easily?