Would anyone here please share how your homeschool group is organized, any problems with the way it's running, the things that are working out, etc. Every year several of my friends and I find ourselves burned out and we tend to get our feathers ruffled thinking about how much work we've done (the same famillies all the time) to put on events and that it doesn't ever seem like things are balanced. Then we have those mom's who were in our position say 5 years ago and now they just don't come out of hiding because they just got tired of doing things. I know this sounds bad, and my friends and I all agree, we don't want to hold grudges or sit around with a chip on our shoulder about how things happen We do get help cleaning up at parties, it's just that initial idea, sign up list, and all of that planning that we always get stuck with (yet we're not really stuck...because we could choose not to do anything, but we just want activities for our kids). So, I'm considering doing a push in our homeschool group for mandatory participation for all who sign up. We currently have four main leaders who make the major decisions...and they also end up offering all of the events. It's like we have no real reason to join and pay our dues anymore...we're nice and we offer to include everyone in our meetings, field trips, parties (for a small fee), etc. So, other than possibly stepping on some toes, what would be wrong with making it totally clear that when you sign up with our group you have to organize something....plus you have to support those who also organized by cleaning up after a party, or what have you. Personally I wouldn't care if our homeschool support group had a small number of families, as long as those families all did something throughout the year to benefit us all. I don't want to be the bad guy,and I am Christian, so I want to "love my neighbor" while doing this. Is it okay to have your homeschool group organized this way (which would probably shock 4o or so families) and still not seem like the homeschool snobs or anything like that? Help? Thank you, Alison in KY

Thank you for the comments. I spoke with Carrie at HOD and decided to order their Beyond package and group all 3 of mine (9, 7, and 5) in it together. I'm going to give my 9 yr old some independent work with an Abeka 3rd grade history/geography program. I hope this will give me a bit of a boost in life:tongue_smilie: If you use their reading program,well, or not, can you explain the idea behind a literature study like she does. The only guidebook to homeschooling I've ever read is the WTM. I just can't wrap my brain around the need for a literature program (and I've thought about using something like progeny press...but again, I can't figure out how it fits?) unlike the need for grammar, spelling, and writing. Can someone enlighten me? Alison in KY

anyone else this morning?

Could I combine a 9,7, and 5 yr old in the same set? I was considering doing Beyond Little Hearts.... My 7 isn't reading well yet, and my 5 yr old isn't reading at all. Also, we have our own math, spelling, and language arts program...is this a waste of money for the history and science parts or is that the biggest part of the program. I am basically looking for a curricula that will help me get history and science done, as opposed to the occasionally completion we currently accomplish. I just can't tell as much about the program as I would like. Thanks Alison in KY

Another Ramsey fan here. I hate to say it sometimes, because those little bonus 10% off if you sign up, etc are so tempting, but my husband never wants us to have a credit card again. I'd say it is just to tempting to own one for alot of people, including myself...we are in an owe society and to actually own things is nearly unheard of. I never knew people borrowed on things other than houses and auto's until recently when a friend and ex-stockbroker was talking about people getting loans for furniture, vacations,etc. It was surprising. I must admit, one common thing I see with many local homeschoolers near me is frugality and the use of cash only. I guess it's some old time tried and true values. I'm not saying people who use credit cards are wrong...but it's just tempting. We have an emergency fund and debit cards. You can use the debit card just like a credit card, for online purchases and anything else, except it's directly taken from your account...so no 30 day wait for the bill. Good luck, hope you get your debt paid off soon. I remember the day we traded in my new 2000 Eddie Bauer Expedition (loved that car!) for a 1996 white with a red stripe down the middle Ford Windstar. It had been used to deliver donuts :). Anyway, I didnt' like that van, but that feeling of being debt free was incredible and put my soul at peace. A couple years ago I finally got to move up to a 2001 Windstar, oh how nice it was to have both doors to slide open. I felt like a queen when we got it. We don't do things perfectly, and I certainly get envious of others sometimes, but I wouldn't trade our debt free living for a bigger house or large car payment any day. Life's too short. Alison in KY

Hi Mommee, I've been doing my own bread for a couple years now. I've recently started milling wheat for cream of wheat and eating more beans, for my health. If you go to http://www.breadbeckers.com you can find several articles on milling your own wheat. They are a wonderful business, and I've personally talked to Sue Becker over a health problem. I couldn't believe this busy mom who homeschools and has her own business took time out of her schedule to try and help me. The articles here should help you with the why it's better for you. Basically it's all of the vitamins that are in the whole wheat when it's freshly milled. The fresh milled WW flour isn't like store bought whole wheat. It's not dry and gritty. I use a Nutrimill and you can really grind some fine flour with it. All of that being said, there are several sites that I've seen that believe you should soak your grains for a maximum health benefit...and even mill your wheat fresh and let it sit around for awhile. There are just different opinions. Breadbeckers have an article arguing their side and it sounds pretty reasonable. I've known friends who have experienced better health from eating freshly milled whole wheat bread (warts disappearing from the vitamin E and lowered cholesterol levels). Once you begin to do it, it's not that hard, especially with a good mixer and a good grinder. It will take a bit of time experimenting with diff. recipes. breadbeckers has a recipe book with a basic dough recipe that I use. I have a nutrimill with a kitchen aid to mix it, but once it dies I want a DLX. Oh, at breadbeckers they have a free cd you can order which goes into detail on why you should eat bread and other baked goods from fresh milled wheat. PM me if you have any specific questions you think I could help with. Alison in KY

I'm trying to talk hubby into buying one for Christmas this year, but so far he's not too enthused. Are you enjoying your Wii, or is it sitting around gathering dust? Where is the best place to buy one, and what bundle is better? Thank you, Alison

a quick add on question please? do you ask them to spell the words first, or do you ever show them the words, like the day before, then the next day ask them to spell it? I always thought it add that I was asking my son to spell a word he may have never seen. And when they miss a word, how do you handle that (I did see the one response above on that). Alison in KY

) What's for breakfast at your house? Cold cereal 2) What kind of car do you drive? "01 minivan 3) What's your weather today? sunny and cool (4o's and 50's) 4) Are your toenails painted? If so, what color? nope 5) Read any good books lately? What was it? Bible :) (but definitely not all of it) 6) Is your bed made? nope 7) What's for dinner? breakfast 8) Name something your dc have done today that made you smile. hmm, that's a tough one. kisses from 5 yr old, humor from 9 yr old, jumping jacks from 7 yr old 9) What color is your bathroom rug? white 10) Who's your favorite artist? ? 11) What's your favorite morning beverage? hot chocolate, or coke (but I usually never get either of these) 12) Do you have any toys from when you were a child? yep, Fisher Price safari people, animals, vehicles, boats 13) Do you collect anything? dust 14) Are you looking forward to the holidays? (whichever days you celebrate) yes but not the clean up 15) What are you wearing today? sweats, no bra (couldn't find a clean one) and dh's sweatshirt Alison in KY (thanks for this distraction, I needed it)

Hi Newbie, just wanted to add something here. You're not the only one who thought about thrift stores that way; somewhere in my mind I didn't think it was bad to go buy at thrifty stores, but only to a degree. I guess it's my own limits. I too mostly thought they were there to benefit those that are less well off, so you're not alone. I'll even admit that I've become angry when I have seen a nice van carrying a local consignment store logo on the side...shopping to re-sale items. That ticked me off. I know it's legal, but for some reason in my head it was just to much. Anyway, I may have learned a lesson here also, although I still can't get past the re-selling at a consignment store. I hope those people that are less well off have plenty of opportunities to have decent clothing. At this time I try to re-sell my nicer clothes to a consignment shop or a friend, then I'll either give clothes that aren't as nice to someone for play clothes, or to a thrift store. As far as the Duggar's....well, who knows how many more babies they might have, plus, have you considered if they all attend college the monumental task it would be to pay for that? Whew, it boggles the mind. Anyway, I hope you dont' regret asking :) Alison in KY

I just made homemade laundry detergent yesterday. I got the recipe from here http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/blanchard100.html I figured it up to cost around $1.90 for at least 64 loads (the 2 gallons), but that's using a half cup a load, and the recipe says I shouldn't have to do that on normal clothes. I also have been making my own cleaner for years with vinegar and using castille soap. I found a new recipe yesterday for a peppermint cleaner. I had to use my lavender soap, but I added peppermint oil to it. I also used Sun Oxygen laundry booster instead of the washing soda since it has hydrogen peroxide, a natural germ killer (although I don't know how well it will work). Lastly, everyone has given great advice. Challenge yourself a bit. Read Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey, start a grocery budget using cash only and take your calculater to the store...when you see you're going over budget then take out the "treat items". Good luck, let us know how you are doing. Alison in KY

I'm just curious because I don't have the "testing" pressure unless it's self imposed...but what does the school system do if a homeschooler doesn't do well on a test?

I like all of your responses so far. I would just ease up quite a bit on school. Sounds like you have an idea what is working for you and what you and your daughter don't like. It doesn't have to be so cut and dried. I didn't even begin "English" until late. I mean we did phonics and handwriting, but the other writing was too much because the handwriting had plenty for him, and I knew we weren't ready to start grammar or spelling, so I waited on all of that until he was 8, and honestly I didn't do it very much until he became 9. (Now, I don't mean to suggest that you treat them like they aren't ready for everything, I have gradually stepped up our pace, and i think my son gets a pretty solid amount of basics in since he's grown up a bit). You have had so many changes going on this year so arrange your schedule to school lightly, do extra exploring, reading, and as someone suggested do a bit of cooking from local foods. I mean you already will be getting more social studies then most kids :). Also, try http://www.homeschoolingreviews.com. And you can take a look at Sonlight if you need some decent books. We only use their reading program, and then we make it our own. There is a reading guide, and then you order the books from them. I know that my son has mostly read what seemed like more "girl" books around the 3rd/4th grade level. He wasn't ready to read this stuff at 8, but he's alot better reader at 9. I'm just now figuring out what he likes, so although I have him read some books that people think are just for girls (Like In Grandma's Attic - which he really enjoyed), I think I'll have to skip a big portion of the books because they are from Beverly Cleary and he just doesn't seem to enjoy those. But he devoured Marco Polo, so quickly I couldn't believe it. So some of this is just figuring out what will work for you and your own child, and it will happen but it might take some time. Also take a peak at Winterpromise, they might ship to other countries. Personally, I thought Horizon's math was tough and advanced, so your doing pretty good if your in their 3rd grade program :). Good luck, Alison

I think one of my biggest problems with spelling has been that I hate hate hate studying rules. I mean it's just plain blah to me. But then I'm not a kid anymore, and just because I can't retain the rules doesn't mean my kids can't, right? I just know how to spell things mostly because I was just able to memorize the actual word spelling pretty easy as a kid. So then I start to wonder why I have to do this stuff with my kid, why can't I just do the words only...this has somewhat changed my question, but I think this is why I skipped so much stuff in level 1. Any feelings on this? Please go ahead and tell me why I should go through all the steps with my kids, even though it's so blah to me! Thanks again, Alison in KY

Thank you ladies, that is a big help. Anyone else?

If you've found success with this program, and you have a bad speller, can you give me an idea of how you tackle each lesson? Also, I don't really understand why she put in the extra words...do you cover all of those and do ALL of the dictation sentences/phrases? This is my 3rd spelling program that I currently own. I tried to figure out Natural Speller, but I guess I'm not so good at doing something like that, I want an open and go program. Any suggestions or comments about AAS would be welcome. We're starting level 2, but I just realized when we did level 1 that I only went over the words and none of the rules, so I missed some basic info. Thank you, Alison in KY

UH, what's history? I've done about 45 days of school so far and somehow I'm just getting basics done, but most of my laundry mountain is down at the moment, and the shower was finally cleaned this morning :)

Thank you, anyone else??

I love the lists and the content, but I don't know how to organize everything so I am covering rules, prefixes, suffixes, etc into the main word lists. I usually like a pick up and go book. I know there is some great info here, but I don't want to spend alot of time working on lessons, and I have no idea how to even begin to make a lesson up. Any help would be appreciated. Alison in KY

oh my, all i can think of is the guy off of the dodgeball movie

I've always received positive comments....well except for that one middle school teacher at my 20 year reunion this year, whew she was a pill! Anyway, a friend once told me her kids respond with a "no, we don't go to school" answer. They are a funny family anyway, so I'd love to be by them when they responded that way. Alison in KY

I also thought it was more of an FLDS type thing than a homeschooling thing. I mean it wasn't normal sterotyping homeschoolers....more like wacky weird people. But I loved loved loved the fact that they added in dumb public schoolers...that made it totally okay for me. Alison in KY

I just wanted to mention that I have a 9 yr old boy and we haven't even started Gamma yet....so I'd be happy where you are at :) By finishing up Beta, you have still completed alot of problems that 4th and 5th graders are still doing. I use the math u see website for it's online drill, then I'll print math fact sheets from the math fact worksheet site. Pretty boring and I've never really done that before this year, but now he's old enough to handle a fact sheet daily without much whining. Alison in KY

Just a vote for how things can change throughout your own life. When I was a feisty 20 something I was quite a bit different in my opinions (before motherhood). Anyway, before I didn't really think about it (when life begins), so I used to think it was when a baby was quite older, like 6 months. Now, after having an early miscarriage and seeing a tiny actual formed baby less than 2 months old I think differently. It's something to witness and it has definitely changed my perspective forever. Just another way of growing up I guess (I hope). Alison in KY

none, no credit cards here for the past 8 years or so (yep, Dave Ramsey strikes again). And yes we're debt free, but we still don't have wealth since it's a one income home. Alison in KY