I am looking for rec's for books to educate myself toward raising godly sons (I have five). Does anyone have any favorites? Thanks, Rebecca

Yes, you are right. It is NOT okay.:grouphug: We currently have influenza a and b that we picked up on a shopping trip. It has been wretched. Best wishes through this trying week or so! Rebecca

Hey there, I am using HOD this year- AND I am using LHFHG with my six year old. First: HOD is very flexible. I am free to customize best for my family. We use Spelling Wisdom and Writing With Ease without a problem in our home. This is with my older two. Little Hearts for His Glory has been so wonderful for our family- and my son and I... I wouldn't change anything. The activities are short, sweet, doable, meaningful and educational! They make an impact. They are right on his level-it is so easy to lose that in a large home schooling family. Also- I get it done- which is noteworthy enough considering all I have on my plate this year... I used MFW for Kindergarten and First Grade with my oldest son. I will say that HOD is very different. Things have changed a little from my signature- I moved my seven year old into Beyond (not doing the whole program)... For my large family, Heart of Dakota, with its wonderful Christian focus and heart for discipleship has been such a blessing. I hope this helps, Rebecca

No. No! No... :001_smile: It is hard to be tactful with this one. For our family- we know what happens when "one goes down." It isn't pretty. It is pretty much like dominos around here and STRESSFUL. One child has asthma, etc. Maybe when my kids are bigger??? I will say that this is my highest "level." I am very strict about germ protocol. In this area, I try to protect and take care of my family as much as I can- and when I am nursing/pregnant- I can handle so much less... AND I have a DH around who will do round the clock sick duty! I say, go with your gut! :001_smile: Rebecca

Well- I am sorry to say that I don't think it is a stereotype. We live an hour and a half South of Asheville. Asheville is lovely, by the way. I have been told than an hour east and an hour west of where we live is worse- and it is even more rural. Before I moved here- I don't think I would have believed the stereotypes... or would have thought people were just rude to feel that way. However, having been here- I have EXPERIENCED it. It has been difficult to say the least. But I think that every area has its "issues." I came from a major metro area in the north east and have found thru living here- that that area has its own angst. I have also been "shot down" here by medical people based on standards from where I came from. The standard here is NOT the same. People are not accepting of outsiders. There is a difference in education/ the value of education. There is an ignorance about some things. I was told to just keep on keeping on... not get offended- and eventually I will find my niche! However, it is as lovely, as beautiful, and as rustic as you see in any picture ever. Truly beautiful. Also- there is a wonderful culture of handi crafts here that is really special. So... that is my two cents from one who relocated.

Yes! :001_smile: We are "neighbors." Seems like similar things go on round these parts... :001_smile:

I didn't read all the responses- but I live in a little town called Franklin in NC.:001_smile: We have had definite issues with mail/ mail carriers/ and even the UPS here. When we moved here- the postman would drive up our road, drive into the driveway, honk, and then I would come out, he would get out and give me the package and the mail. Then we moved. We live a half mile off of the main road and the postman won't come up. We put in a large mailbox. They fit very small things in it. Otherwise- it is a constant trip to the post office with the mail card. So- we basically get every package a day later- as they deliver the card the day they would have delivered the package. They don't deliver our mail until late afternoon... and we can't pick it up until the next day. There have been three times that an alternate post carrier has brought mail up to our door (he was subbing) and all three times I felt that it was God! Once was a bread shipment, another a chocolate shipment, and another audio books on a really bad day! :D Honestly, the mail here and UPS has been a really big adjustment from the part of PA we came from. :grouphug: I don't know if you will be able to change your situation... But I am writing to say: hey! I know how you feel! Rebecca

I am going to jump in here on this one- you didn't really give enough info. for me to understand...but I thought I would share this little offering... Having a food issue/situation is really stressful. It could just be an emotional response for her that her life is different and she has to experience the consequences of that. No- it is not okay to dominate life/conversations about it. However- sometimes it is really, really hard for people who don't deal with this type of issue to understand how it can change your whole life. Who wants to have to go to a restaurant and analyze every single thing in order to ensure that you have a safe meal. No one I know! But people have to do it for their health. It stinks at times. Maybe if some of your family could offer a little compassion- she might tone down the "need for attention." Shopping for special food is really, really expensive. Having to deal with food substitutions is really, really frustrating at times. Sometimes food honestly doesn't taste good made the intolernace, allergy way. Sometimes you really, really do wish you could eat Aunty Betty's awesome chocolate cheesecake made with flour and cream cheese and not your own corn flour/soy substitution or whatever... One of our children has food allergies that TOTALLY changed our life. It was/is hard. It was scary. Allergies are not the same as intolerances- but never-the-less- you can't eat the food and sometimes that really stinks. It really does. As for the person who cooks food and doesn't tell people that it is not a butter sauce when it masquerades as one. In my opinion- that is not cool either. I also agree with the person who said that you should get some not food related activities/experiences going. Maybe that will help you connect again- and lower the level with this other stuff. Rebecca

Thank you so much ladies. I have so much to learn! Rebecca

Bump. :lurk5: Thanks

Thank you so much Ellie! It is a simple group right now. I will heed your words. Did you/do you serve hot drinks and snacks at your meetings? Have you had conflicts between families and how have you handled it? THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH! I realized I posted this on the curriculum board. Whoops! So Sorry! Rebecca

I am attempting to lead a very small group geared for primary grade families. Next month- our focus is "encouragement for the home school mom"... it is a brand new group with no membership dues or anything. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I could do to really support and encourage the moms that is FREE or very inexpensive? There are at max five other women who would probably come- so it is a very small group. Thank you kind ladies- you are my support! Rebecca

You have to replace toothbrushes. This is very important. It is also advisable to hot wash bedding, don't share cups, use the dishwasher, etc. Friends of ours went through this last year- and the final she-bang was when they passed it to us and my children got it - and we discovered it two days after we brought our son home from the hospital! All five of my children and my husband got it. We "killed it" with antibiotic, toothbrush purge, bedding wash blitz, etc. Hope this helps, Rebecca

Well... I will jump in here. I have six eight and under. This year I have found success with Heart of Dakota. For L.A.: 3rd grade Spelling Wisdom Rod and Staff Grammar 3 Copywork selections from favorite literature (such as Black Beauty, Misty, etc.) Drawn into the heart of reading (done in a relaxed manner) Writing with Ease (love it) For Math Singapore 2nd grade Rod and Staff 2 Copywork (poems from Beyond guide) Emerging readers Writing with Ease (love it) For Math Singapore For K Reading Lesson Rod and Staff Workbooks Singapore Math Earlybird Little Hearts for His Glory For my almost five year old Reading Lesson (on occassion) Rod and Staff workbooks Singapore Earlybird Literature and devotion with me We need more work on math facts. I am pondering.... Rebecca

Spelling Wisdom has really improved my son's spelling tremendously. Copywork is also vital toward developing proper spelling. My son also does copywork from literature every day(almost), besides his Spelling Wisdom work. When I first read your post- I thought you were using Spelling Wisdom and having trouble- but now I see that you are using SPELLING WORKOUT. I love Spelling Wisdom! Rebecca

Oh. My. Thank you for these answers. Karen in CO... The picture!!! Yes- my mouth did indeed water as I LOVE chocolate! Thank so much- I will "hunt." I have generally gotten Dove Dark and Sharffenberger- but was looking for something "fresh." :):) Rebecca

What is YOUR favorite? and where do you buy it? Rebecca

I have experienced this too. I don't have all the experience with the school system that you have... I am just a more academic, driven type of person- however, my ideals often FALL VERY SHORT of my reality- but I keep trying...! I have felt very alone in my home school journey. Rebecca

THANK YOU SO MUCH!! Rebecca

The first thing I thought of when I read your post was: Heart of Dakota. Your children are at the perfect age for it. It is complete, it is organized, it is open and go... you can combine. You can add anything you want in on top of it- but if you don't- you are still covered. Most of all- *I* and *my kids* think it is really, really enjoyable. They love their school- truly. It is not overwhelming in any way. Just a thought... Hope it helps! Rebecca

My son uses QVAR and it has worked great for him. I wouldn't be so sure to think that just because he got sick again = he is not controlled. If he was exposed to a cold virus- then he might have just picked up a new one. Also, I have found with my son- once he has that first cold that triggers his asthma- then all the rest I can usually expect a more serious aggravation. If he never really cleared up from that first cold- then I would be more concerned... My son has environmental and food allergies as well. We can't get him the flu shot- he is allergic to chicken and egg- also that would not stop asthma response from the cold viruses that float around this time of year... Hope this helps, Rebecca

bumping this one last time! Thank you! Rebecca

Thanks ladies. Krazzymommy, it is hard. Rebecca

I have used LBC. If you search Living Books Curriculum, you will find a variety of posts. It is very rigorous. The dual history periods were not a problem whatsoever for my children. We enjoyed learning about both. I have used first and second grade- both "unrevised." I have the unrevised third grade on my shelf. It is very "pure" CM in my opinion. Hope this helps, Rebecca

My son who will be three in Feb. is getting a crown and soft sword (to be the king to my princess daughter who is four)... A Hot wheels car set- the child LOVES cars and trucks. And Books... many useful books. There is a wooden car set at Magic Cabin that looks really interesting. It is expensive as a whole. It is a "car" version of trains/wooden tracks. Rebecca