Nah. The OP said: "Not only do they state their opinions but they find the need to name call and berate in the process." I don't name call or berate anyone for making choices different than mine. My answer to the OP was that people who DO berate and name call have coughcough ISSUES coughcough. In my experience, it's often guilt. I think so many people doubt that their kids are getting a decent education in the PS system, but they don't want to make the lifestyle change that homeschooling would require. So they're jealous or guilty or whatever of people who do. Carrie

I wasn't referring to people who disagree. I was referring to people who criticize and attack homeschoolers. BIG difference. People who attack usually have some major issue with their own choice - guilt, usually. Hence the defensiveness. Isn't that what the OP was talking about? I don't have the desire to jump on anyone for their choices. Because I'm secure that my choices are the right ones for me. It's none of my business whether someone homeschools (or other lifestyle choice) - unless they ask me for help or advice, then I offer it. I'm neither insecure nor egotistical. Carrie

You guys totally misunderstood my statement. I rarely, if ever, share what I do with others because it seems to release some sort of panic and anxiety in them. I have had men practically tell me off about how their wives couldn't homebirth etc etc... when I really don't CARE what choices others outside my home make. Each person has to do what's right for them. My point was that many people feel that homeschooling IS "best" (that's why I used quotes when using the word "better") - but that they don't have the energy/patience/desire to be around their kids full time etc... hence THEY feel guilt. Which has nothing to do with me. I don't think homebirth is best for EVERYone.... that was not my point. But you guys know how often we hear "Oh I couldn't do that (homeschool) because.... (insert laundry list of excuses). They're speaking from their own issues. Their own guilt, their own discomfort from not being in alignment with their own values. Understand?

Seen this too. In one case it was a nervous breakdown. In another, an affair.

I think it is a wonderful idea!

The same reason people get their panties in a bunch when they find out you homebirth or breastfeed or eat healthy or whatever. They know that it's "better" and they feel insecure when they couldn't or wouldn't do it.

There are abusive parents. Should parenting be regulated? *shudder*

I am not Catholic, so pardon if this is ignorant...are you allowed to please each other in ways that won't lead to conception? I hate going without when I'm fertile too...it's much more fun then

Deleted mine a long time ago, never looked back.

Yeah! It's a plan then. And I'll be all set for the younger sibs too. I've heard it's easy to use a separate notebook for these so they don't write in workbooks, correct? Relieved. Carrie

Oh so it might be best if I do Hake 6 and then Hake 8? Trying to make sense of all this. So it would be two years of Hake 6 and then two years of 8 - they would be done with grammar in 4 years. Does that seem like a better plan?

Thanks for the link to that other thread! I'm so new here, and new to so many of these curricula, that I don't even know what to search for half the time. ;) So. I'm thinking that I'll go with Hake 7/8 because ds12 and dd10 are quite good at grammar. I'll go slowly to spread it out over 2 years, and since it's not teacher intensive it's a definite win. (And it looks like I can snag it on eBay pretty cheap.) Thanks everyone.... Carrie

No, I don't... and as I dig around I see what you mean. I don't want them to have to do the same things each year, grammar wise. So should I wait until 8th grade and just skip grammar until then? Carrie

Ok just one more question. FLL4 was pretty easy for these two. I chose it because they had not done a lot of formal grammar work, but they breezed through it fast. I'm thinking Hake level 6 would be next, as 5 might be too easy. Ditto for AG - level 6. Thoughts? I looked at some samples online but I could be wrong. Also, looking at MCT... but it looks like a complete language arts curriculum. I'm happy with Writing With Ease for writing... so that would be overkill, right? Carrie

Thanks SO much. Looking into all of these sources (except Rod & Staff, my kids would laugh too much!).