Hi, Michele, I love all the great advice I've gotten on this board, and one piece of advice that seems to be consistent is: Don't push too hard when they're young. Enjoy them. Cuddle them. Read to them. If the time of day you are focusing on extra educational things is rough, then they're going to associate 'aftershooling' with that emotional state. You want it to be a good thing, so keep it positive and enjoyable. They'll be able to handle more work-type activities as they get older. But their emotional approach to learning will inevitably hinge on your attitudes and how they feel when they're with you. So . . . everybody, have fun! Read fairy tales, read bible stories, read simple science picture books. Plant beans, blow bubbles, see what floats & what sinks, sing folk songs, sing skip counting songs, dance Skip To My Lou. HTH

Therefore it's not re-written as a book. Really, it's best for browsing, so snippets of time are perfect. Just dive in and make a note of ideas you want to consider -- maybe paperclip a piece of paper to the front with your notes. I used Amy's ideas to: - cloth diaper my baby, and how to launder the diapers - label my children's hand-me-down clothes to see who will inherit what next - make a price book - I make her Create-A-Muffin recipe at least once a week - freeze vegetable scraps for broth - make pizza - disguise vegetables - focus on the low-cost option for everything from breakfasts to new tires - talk to the children about money And lots more. Does that help at all?

Good for you! I decide what to keep of my books based upon several criteria: - classics in good condition that I will want to use later - reference works in good condition to be consulted later - paperbacks I'm currently reading or on my To Read list - recently read books that were important to my understanding of the world - parenting books that I want to be able to loan out or quote from in writing or posting For the children: - classics in good condition - historical eras we haven't gotten to yet - historical eras we will return to, if the book isn't too easy for the age the kids will be - science books that are interesting to read - age-appropriate experiment books (current age and up) I get rid of easy readers once my children are in chapter books. I move out twaddle as fast as possible (e.g., Spider-man picture books). I get rid of historical books that are not going to be re-used once my boys have finished them.

Hi, I'm a regular, though these boards have me a bit intimidated. [blush] I've been using TWTM as inspiration ever since my oldest was a toddler, and he's 11 now, in 5th grade. My younger son is 8 and in 3rd grade. Married for 22 years, have my MIL living in an attached apartment next to us. We spend about two years doing a SOTW book, and we're on the third volume now. I have about a thousand books of children's historical literature and science that we supplement with! Some other programs we use: Latina Christiana I & II RightStart math Andrew Pudewa's poetry memorization course First Langauge Lessons 3 & Spectrum Word Study for grammar Kimber's Classical Reading and Writing Copybook for cursive handwriting & copywork for the elder DS, Memoria Press' Copybook III for the younger Natural Speller for spelling Younger son takes piano lessons and ballet; older son is involved in every sport known to the park district. It's wonderful to have this resource for support and my own enlightenment. As so many people have said, I've learned more about homeschooling here than anywhere else.

My 11 yo son is reading The Witch of Blackbird Pond, he's reading avidly, but is too proud to admit he likes an assigned book. He's a fairly strong reader, but my 8yo son isn't, so he's enjoying The American Girls series, the first ones about colonial life. Can you tell we're studying colonial America at the moment? I'm reading this thread carefully. I always take notes to see what literature other WTM moms suggest. Thanks for starting the discussion. BTW, I'm going to enjoy this new, private format. Thank you so much.

Just my two boys, 8 and 11.