That is the rational, adult way of viewing the situation, especially when something is not particularly difficult for that adult. :-) Some kids need a boost to get started. Mine transitioned as they got older, as I suspect most do.

I've typed them up in the past, leaving as much space as wanted. It didn't take long once it was set up.

The kitchen photo does seem bright and open. I think for one person, working in that space would be roomy enough. Add another person trying to use the microwave, grab a cup or a mug... it could get crowded quickly.

So it sounds like BJU plus Khan for daily review might be the best combination for now. I'm not sure about most 10 year olds, but if she continues with SOTW maps, that seems like an appropriate level of geography for now. I can understand your testing worry. I would not put too much stock in whatever testing was done last year. It seems strange her results put her at a grade 6 level when they had not covered fractions yet. She received an A for material they did cover, and maybe could do that work as proficiently as an older child. I would deal with the child in front of me today and go from there.

I like what OneStepAtATime says, but if you want to keep working with the material you have, I would begin with a very streamlined version until you find success then add in slowly from there. I would pitch AG and EFTRU for now. Pick either BJU or Saxon and use Khan as needed. Mapping the World by Heart is also something that could be put aside for now. This would leave you with Writing and Rhetoric, Math, History, and Science, which is plenty. I think you do need to tackle the reading issue differently. If she can answer the SOTW questions, and enjoys reading non-fiction and mythology, I would leave it there. The method that worked for us was for me to sit next to my child and get them started on each task. Read the lesson with them, make sure it was making sense, then let them get started with me close at hand. I could be folding laundry or balancing the chequebook or whatever in the chair next to them, available if needed, but still moving forward.

Sometimes 'reverse engineering' can help you find your groove. If you could jot down a brief list each day of what you get done (no need to overthink this, blank piece of paper with the date will work), over time you might see what's working and what's not. It can also a) keep you accountable and b) keep you grounded when you feel that nothing is being accomplished. Finding your daily routine is always a work in progress. Try hinging the three most important things in your day to other activities. Hypothetical example: after breakfast, maybe read together, then she can do some silent reading while you get some schoolwork or housework done. Meet up again after a snack for math. After lunch, tackle writing. If your reading and writing are on a history or science topic, so much the better. Are there homeschool groups in your area? Maybe you could get science or art done in a group setting once a week?

Your short post fills me with questions. How old is your daughter? What were your plans? What inspired you to homeschool? Is the derailment short-term? Can you describe a typical school day? What would motivate you to continue? What is holding you back from enrolling her in school? These questions might be more important for you to answer for yourself than for this group, but if you are looking for a sounding board so that you can sort out your thoughts, we are here for you.

As your children get older, the bolded is going to happen more and more. The parent becomes more of a coach and less of the primary teacher, at least for most of us. If it were me, I would probably honor my kids' request to do history as a family. I can't answer about geography, but the time for family learning together is so short. Hopefully others can answer about your academic goals. I wonder if you could make your plans in 4-6 weeks blocks of "the curriculum", and schedule 1-2 weeks of other topics before resuming where you left off.

Hahaha, ya for one of my kids I would cross out like half the checklist, lol.

Another late response, but what is she doing for writing? Could you supplement Drive Thru History with IEW's Ancient-History Based Writing Lessons? Might be worth checking out.

My son finally started to make progress on reading, through intervention, at about age 9 too, but it took continued directed effort until he was about 11 to really take off. His younger sister passed him at both reading and spelling early on. We had family conversations as needed about his strengths and weaknesses and her strengths and weaknesses. We talked about how proud we were that he was working very hard to address something challenging. We explained how this would benefit him in later life as he already knew how to work hard to overcome hurdles. And we mentioned that there were areas in her life that she might need to address, too. We repeated these conversations as necessary. It sounds like you and he are on track and need to keep on keeping on.

I'm not sure how things are where you live, but here anyone over 19 can apply as a mature student to attend college. They need to pass entrance exams, maybe take some remedial-type courses to qualify for the program they want, but if the desire is there, a GED won't necessarily stop someone from "laddering in" to the field of study they are interested in. With computer programming in particular, if your dd could pull off good marks with TT, I would be looking at a basic college level math course to help her meet the prerequisites. I would speculate that digital artwork speaks for itself. With a 16yo, I would have no issue with physically sitting down, even doing the majority of the legwork to help a child get their portfolio together. My apologies if none of this applies. Just wanted to encourage you that you are not a failure and hopefully you can encourage your dc to find that back door to get where they want to go.

My oldest got a series of jobs, bought a vehicle. He built houses the first summer into fall, then got a job logging at which point he moved out of our house and in with friends. He went to the local university college for a six-week equipment operating program, then got another job logging. At that point he lived with friends in the city, near campus. Then he got a job doing landscape construction (installing irrigation, retaining walls, etc.). Did some snow plowing in the winter. Moved into a home with an older couple who's family have grown up, rents a room. (Living basically on campus with friends when you're trying to go to work every day was not working well.) He does all his own cooking and laundry. Now he's back to construction again. Goes fishing, hiking, camping, hunting. Helps lead youth group at his church. Watches netflix, attends local hockey games. He's got a pretty good life. He's not sure he wants to stay in construction forever. If he found a trade he was passionate about, he would probably pursue school for that. Right now he's in third-year school of real life and is learning. A lot. We're so proud of how he's matured and grown. ETA: During the first year and half or so, he made some pretty poor choices, too. It was so hard to watch him learn from the school of hard knocks, but he did.

I've tried rubbing alcohol after googling. It works.

Was it four pictures and then you had to type in one word that defined them all? If it is, try googling four pic one word game.

Scarlett, just to say I am right there with you with teens and texting. Technology can create a 24/7 peer culture. Kids say things over text they might not in person. I just re-read Hold On to Your Kids (why parents need to matter more than peers) (Neufeld, Mate). While nothing is a panacea, it was helpful.

When you talk about not dipping into savings, are you saying you have enough discretionary income each month to do Christmas each month? In my house, that's one of the purposes of a savings account, lol. And I feel financially prudent for doing so. Please don't burst my bubble! ;-)

You guys are helping me think this through, thanks! I'm tentatively thinking of a sequence such as Mark, Ruth, Acts, Proverbs for dd. The One Year Bible Online plan, at his own pace, might work well for ds. Thanks for all the ideas.

I enjoyed reading about how things work in your house! Thanks for the well wishes.

Both sound yummy. Recipes?

Well, I guess I'm just wondering where to start. Like having her read through Leviticus would not be very relevant to her day-to-day life, kwim? Bible-reading plans tend to skip around. I've thought James is short and on-point, but it is the most works-oriented book in the New Testament, which might be less than encouraging. Which book would you start with? One of the gospels? Proverbs? Or do you think having a devotional to go along would be most effective for short, independent study time?

That's what I have used in the past.

The book you are referring to is Mindset by Carol Dweck?

14yo and 16yo have listened to me read the Bible or done devotions with me for years. I'm thinking the next step would be to get them reading a little bit on their own in the morning before school. I still have reading plans from when their older brother was homeschooled, but since they are in PS there is limited time. I am more concerned for 14yo dd; in her case, it might be better if it were very concrete, on-topic, relevant, kwim? Does anyone have any resources to recommend?

Easy and savory? I vote for store-bought spinach dip and bread bowl. Shrimp ring and cocktail sauce is another quick and easy one.