Dd and I loved Preparing :001_wub: but neither of us were as thrilled with CTC. DD found Preparing pretty easy but struggled with CTC so we shelved for 6 months and picked it up again when she turned 11. Ultimately it came down to the book choices in CTC. They are all worthwhile books but drier than I was expecting after doing Preparing. I thought they were challenging for the recommended ages and a big step up from Preparing. DD didn't really relate to the story time books... from memory there seemed to be a lot of books with male characters. We got through it but I think she would have got more out of it if she had been older. FWIW, Preparing is the only "packaged" curriculum I have really loved. And it's not that I didn't like CTC; I just didn't love it.

Oh no! I thought vinegar was a good alternative to the commercial disinfectants :(

Not the OP, but this sounds just what we need too!

:grouphug: I can see myself in your situation in a few years ....

That's really hard. I think you probably should continue to respect your DH and SIL's wishes but I feel a bit sorry for your MIL if she is really asking out of care and concern. And sorry for you because you are the one dodging all her questions :(

My dc enjoyed The Boxcar Children at that age

Love the FIAR books!! Thanks!