It's been a tough decision for me. I'm leaning towards putting her in public school for the year, just so I can let go of the pressure I'm feeling. 1st isn't a big accademic year anyway. but I do feel a bit disappointed that the year I envisioned won't happen this year. I have been depressed and can't get out of the mood swings I've been going through. I thought that I could just "get over" the feeling I've had, but I just can't. I've talked to my doctor and hopefully I'll find something to help me through this time. I'm just so disappointed with myself. I thought I was tougher than I am. My husband will be starting back in graduate school on the 25th and won't be home at all for most of the next school year. I just have to come to terms with letting go of my expectations and just taking care of myself and my family the best I can. It's going to be a hard year going at the parenting thing along. I'm just so disappointed!

Its a lot to think about. I think mostly I'm just really shaken up over my baby and don't know how to handle it.

My baby has down syndrome. He was in the hospital for a month and only got to go home because he got a feeding tube. He's also on oxygen, ago I have to drag cords around. And a a crazy sensor that goes off all the time. I'm hoping as time goes on, his Dr appointments will get less and less. Therapy however will be a way of life. *sigh*

I love your idea about the field trips

I guess I've just been so nervous having my little boy with special needs its just been a shock, and I am having a hard time coming to terms with it. I just can't get back to my old self.its so hard.

I guess I'm a worrier. I always wonder am i doing enough, if I made the right decision about homeschooling, and will my kids appreciate it when you're older, or will they resent having stayed home and not gone to school with her friends. I just need to stop worrying.

maybe I'm looking at her school and little bit differently than I should be. I don't know why but I'm always afraid that she will be behind. right now she's way far ahead of her grade school peers.

I knew having a baby and doing school this year was gonna be a bit more difficult, but my baby has some health problems and have to go to lots of doctors appointments. part of me to think that it would be easier if I sent her the public school. But I know that I would really miss having her around if i sent her to public school.

maybe by the end of summer things will be better. I just wish I felt as a enthusiastic now about homeschooling as I did last school year.

I do agree that academically that she wouldn't really be missing much in 1st grade. I just worry about giving her a fun year. I'm the kind of person who is always worrying that you're doing enough. right now everything feels overwhelming. I use to feel excited about home schooling and making lessons. And had fun making activities but right now I'm just not feeling it

how do you decide when it's time to take a break from homeschooling? I had decided I was going to home school next year. but when I had a baby this mat that turned out to have special needs, I have been questioning whether or not homeschooling is the best option at this time. I can't decide if I'm just scared now that I have a special needs child and that maybe I'm just a lil bit overwhelmed or I feel inadequate to do it all. sometimes I wonder if they would just be easier to send my daughter to public school. thinking about both options of homeschooling or public school I have my doubts about both and I just feel a little worried that I'm gonna make the wrong decision and regret it. how do you make that decision?

Has anyone tried Math For All Learners put out by the same company as the I see sam readers for all learners? We have loved using the readers. They've been great for my daughter's reading skills. I just came accross the math book today and I can't find much information on it. What is it like? Did you like it?

So is audible where you purchase the audios or more borrowing like Overdrive?

I'm feeling like being done. I think I need to give up in my obsession of finishing everything we start. If we keep going we'll finish. But life is life. And you have to go with the flow. She's not going to learn anything if her attitude isn't allowing it.

I'm not sure what's going on with my little K'r. We've had on awesome year. And she's the one leading the way. Very ambitious. But the last 3 school days have been....., well awful. This is just not like her. after the first awful day turned into the second and now third, we took a step back and just did 3 r's . Lucky our school year is ending in three weeks with the arrival of a new baby. I'm tired and bummed and she's uncooperative. What do to do when you have a week like this?

We used Zaner-bloser K. It's simple to use. And a nice looking writing.

Where do you find the audio's for the books? Amazon?

My 6 year old has really been enjoying audio books lately. We do our regulary read aloud time in the morning for about 1-1 1/2 hours. But I have to admit, that is my limit to reading a loud. I love our reading time, but I get tired of reading sometimes. My daughters could go forever listenign to books. So to remedy this we have been checking out our limit of audio picture book combos for them to listen to during the afternoons when the more reading time. I hope to soon introduce my oldest (6 years old) to longer stories. I'm not sure how to transition to the longer books though. How did you go about it? Did you get the book for your child to read along with the audio or just listen? Where do you find your best books? (buy or find free online). Any good resources to buy audio books? I should add that my daughter will sit for over an hour listening to audio picture books. What would be some good books to help transition to longer no/less picture books?

Nm

I tried to keep up with those fancy blogs, but I found it quickly I was going to burn out. And what started out as a fun list of activities, was soon a checklist I pushed the kids through without giving adequate time to enjoy.I wasn't enjoying it and my kids turned into what's next mom?. I was exhausted trying to make all the impressive crafts and products to show on my blog. We are more at 3'rs plus an once a week easy (usually paints and paper) art activity and one science experiment (@ daughters request). We read a lot and go to the library once a week to satisfy my daughters reading desire. But that's it. I could tell quickly that the way I was doing thing wasn't going to make for a happy homeschool experience. Glad I figured it out before I burned it on the idea of homeschool. Everything is much more pleasant.

We'll probably start writing letters to family and maybe some dictation. Not sure what yet. It depends on how her writing is coming along. she's still struggle with writing skills, so we'll take it slow till she's ready for it.

ETC is explode the code. It's mainly a phonics program that works through reading. I'm going ot wait of grammar till 2nd grade and use Rod & Staff English.

By 1st we will have finished OPGTR. We will be using: Reading: I See Sam readers (set 5) Free reading for 30 minutes a day to mom Phonics: Explode the code 4-6 Spelling: Spelling Workout A & B Writing: Pentime 1 Am I missing anything? What planning on you using?

We love games at our house. The more educational the better. Any good suggestions for reading board or card games that would be good for a reader that is almost finished with OPGTR? So more of an advanced reading game. (more than just CVC).

so with a little bit of patience, it might be worth it. I have 3 large boxes of books I can trade.