I have panic disorder. I actually think homeschooling helps me because my kids are home with me and that is a comfort. No racing to catch the bus or worrying about school stuff/schedules, etc. The biggest help to me in this journey was therapy. I didn't do well on medication, but I felt better after 2 therapy sessions. I saw a "behavioral therapist" who helped me to retrain my thinking...HUGE difference for me. Also, I find that getting outside helps. Even during the winter, when seasonal affect kicks in, getting outside recharges me. You are not alone. It's good that you are getting help. It always helps to talk to someone else who has been in the same boat, too. All of the ladies here are very supportive, so reach out whenever you need a hand.

we are using ES Earth Science and Astronomy for 7th grade. I like it. My ds is not very interested in any science and he hates experiments. This actually works for us because he can do it independently and just knock it out and be done. The experiments have been hit or miss...he hates all of them, but we usually get a laugh out of trying to get it done. Basically, you do an experiment on day one and complete the experiment sheet. From there, you read the assigned encyclopedia pages (outline or make a list of facts), record important dates on a timeline, color and label a sketch, and finally do extra reading and write a report. There is assigned memory work and tests are optional. I honestly think it's boring, but I thought the same thing about NOEO and yet, he liked it...again, because he can just read and do it. What I like about it over NOEO is that I feel like it has more specific instructions as to what to include in your "output." NOEO had blank notebook pages that you used as you wish. Since my ds just wants to be told what to do and get it done, I needed to do more work to specify for him *what* to sketch or write about. ES lays that all out for me. I keep wondering what to use next year, though...I can't seem to find anything that we both like, but for now, this is working. I don't have any experience with RSO. Sorry.

Can you just use SOTW? The activity guide tells you which encyclopedia pages to use. It will also give you literature suggestions.

My son started when he was 8 with a colored canvas pattern (not counting, just following the colors on the canvas). He did ok. It just took him a really long time, but in general, he is not a crafty kid. A child who likes crafts should be fine and would likely have more patience.

wow...that definitely sounds more doable! I would say we do that much writing as our "across the curriculum" writing, but then my 7th grader also has a writing curriculum to teach him better writing skills. We did WWS1 last year and I often counted his writing assignments towards science and history to keep him from becoming overwhelmed and more reluctant to write. I don't have the 4th edition yet, but I am interested to see what others have to say and how they are implementing the changes.

I don't have advice for reading since I started homeschooling after my kids were already reading fluently, but you may get a better response on the K-8 board. Logic stage is generally 5th-8th grades, but you may have some moms that can help you here.

Our county school system subscribes, so I use their login info. Will your county allow that?

We are using Earth Science (Logic), so sorry, no experience with the others...but I'll bump it for you! I know that BYL uses Chemistry in year 7, so maybe try their facebook page if you don't get any help here.

Yep! This... I also let ds out of some school when he had his eyes dilated. But really, I read to him and he narrated...he still didn't get out of much!

Thank you! This is great to know...both formats are the same price, so I may just order the print version and cut the spine off, so I can have it spiral bound. He likes that much better than the workbook with the spine in the way.

I've struggled with my ds (12yo) finishing early. Honestly, he used to be in ps and always finished early there, too. I was a substitute teacher and the teacher literally left me extra work for him b/c he was always the first one done...huge reason we're homeschooling now! But, I could see that at home, he'd finish early and run off to play video games. And that is NOT why we were homeschooling, so we did play trial and error on some of rules and I think I've found something that works for us...and doesn't have him done at 11am and his brother still working at 4pm! I set a fixed schedule: 8:30-9:15 morning time (devotional, memory work, read aloud) 9:15-10:15 handwriting and math 10:15-10:45 is designated GO OUTSIDE time. They get a quick snack and then go shoot baskets or go for a walk. 10:45-11:30 Spanish and language arts 11:30-12:15 Latin 12:15-1:00 Lunch and GO OUTSIDE time again. 1:00-2:00 specials rotation and history/science rotation 2:00-2:30 quiet time, in your room reading, so mommy doesn't loose her mind 2:30-3:00 afternoon rotation (we rotate through "extras" like Shakespeare, poetry, etc.) After 3:00, they can take a one hour tech break, but after that, nothing. They need to be bored to find stuff to entertain themselves. After 6 weeks of this schedule, the 12yo has finally found a hobby...modifying nerf guns...not my first choice, but he's not on the video games! Anyway, what worked for us was setting a time schedule and telling him that *if* he finishes any of those things early, he can entertain himself quietly until the next "class" begins. I also write in for him to practice flashcards in Latin or Spanish if he finishes those early. This keeps me from losing track of what he's done and hasn't done each day, while still be able to give attention to my younger kiddo as needed. I also think that I've finally found a threshold where he is pretty well-challenged--more writing, outlining, etc. across subjects. Now...if I can just get them to stop fighting, I'd be golden. :)

I am not even close to an expert on CM...or TWTM or any other "style" of homeschooling. I read Consider This and didn't get the impression that she was "hands-off" at all. Yes, she trusted children to make the connections and to get what they need out of the material, but the teacher is responsible for planning/presenting the feast. I loosely use parts of AO, so not a full CM curriculum in our house at all, but I don't find what I use to be teacher intensive. I think the most intensive part is for me to stay on top of the reading, so I can be prepared to hear the narration and know if the child got anything out of the reading. Does that make sense?

This site is wonderful. Thanks.

This book comes in an ebook and a print version. Has anyone here used the ebook? I would like to print out the sheets for my son to use since he hates writing in a workbook (doesn't lay flat). I'm just wondering how easy the ebook file is to use. Thanks.

I heard back from EIW first thing this morning and they are sending me new discs. I didn't actually ask for that...I just asked them what to do, so I would say that their service was A+.

Do they have a "user's group" on Facebook? Or is it only the company page? I can't find a general support group for them like I've seen for other curriculum.

I tried to help last night, but noticed that Sonlight's website changed...so I had to put on my thinking cap and remember what we did last year! I had a 3rd and 6th grader, so a little older than yours. Forbidden Gates Bard of Avon The Whipping Boy Tales of Sir Lancelot King Arthur Beowulf, A New Telling (younger son did Tales of Beowulf) Son of Charlemagne Raiders of the Sea The Viking Adventure Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Adam of the Road Good Queen Bess Leif the Lucky The Minstrel in the Tower Robin Hood Trumpeter of Krakow Canterbury Tales Crispin Ink of His Fingers Morning Star of the Reformation ??I can think of any others...

It's not so much that I think it's bad customer service yet. I'm just impatient and want it taken care of, so I have one less thing on my plate. And I always hate to complain, so I can easily being taken advantage of, so I was wondering what others would expect as a resolution.

I decided to add some EIW lessons to our homeschool. I ordered Level 4 and Level 7 for my kids and the DVDs arrived yesterday. The box was slightly bent as if it had been crushed in one area and the two sets "just" fit with a thin layer of bubble wrap around them. Upon pulling them out of the box, I could hear rattling and I knew that the discs were just floating around in the cases. They were. I emailed the company immediately to see what to do. Not only are the discs damaged (although I have not tested them all to see if they all work yet), but the cases are damaged, so I have nothing to store them in. I told them I'm disappointed because I ordered "new" stuff and it's damaged before I even get to use it. I have not heard anything from the company yet. It has only been 24 hours, but when I initially emailed them with questions about the program, they replied on a Friday late night within a few hours of my email. They don't have Friday hours, so I remember being surprised and impressed with their response. So, I know they have a quicker response time...or at least they can...I guess I'm just wondering if I'm overreacting and I should suck it up. What would you expect in this situation? Is it fair for me to ask for new discs (unscratched)? I would, of course, return these.

We also use R&S, but at a slower pace. We do the book work and the worksheets, but not all in the same day. I also do assign odds/evens if I think it's a lesson they need less practice with. My kids are both a grade "behind" with the books, but that's ok.

Love: SOTW, volume 3--my 4th grader is loving history this year! Finally! We've used SOTW in the past, but this is the first year that he's said it's his favorite subject! Poetry Tea Time--started this once each week with special cookies and juice ("tea") and we use my best china. Two boys and they love it! (They love anything with cookies) Teaching From Rest--so, this isn't a curriculum, but rather a mindset for our year. I've started loop scheduling and putting a time limit on how long my youngest works on each subject. He works slow and could sometimes be doing school until dinner. He puts in full effort, and outside of a lot of potty breaks during math time, he stays focused. We added an afternoon quiet time for the first time this year and then they come out of their rooms for "afternoon symposium" as Sarah McKenzie would call it. Then, they are done for the day and we are all happy! :) I'm pretty happy with most of what we're using, but I am only looking at 6 weeks at a time. I set up a schedule and rotation and we will reevaluate every six weeks. I honestly feel so much more relaxed this year...but it's only October!

We did IEW and then WWS. W&R was just not a good fit for that child and I didn't think it would be good for my younger one, though I heavily considered it because I did like myself.

I used it a few years ago, but only did one book. I believe it is intended to be 2 books/year. I did one lesson each week following the sample schedule that was in the book. I can't remember if it was in the teacher guide or student book, but I remember a "sample" of how a week would look. Of course, you can do whatever works for you! :)

My son is in CTY. We have not taken any classes as of yet. A while back, I met a woman who worked for them. I told her we hadn't done the classes and her words were, "You know we offer financial aid? You can get help even if you make as much as $40k!" Well, hubby makes more than that, so I never investigated it more. That's all I know, but she did give me the impression that could help significantly if the need was there. It can't hurt to try, right?

I started last year with Chemistry and Physics. I did NOT use the notebooking journals, but rather tried to schedule it on my own. I did find it time consuming that way, too. It is a lot to read at any one time. I would divide the chapters the best I could and spread out the experiments, but there were just so many experiments that it took us way too long. But, then I felt guilty skipping experiments! I know everyone loves Apologia, but it did not work out for us. We finished the chemistry portion and then moved on... Maybe someone who has had success can chime in and help you figure out a plan!