CM or My Father's World? I need to decide

I am a CM’er in Canada. For the last 5 years I have mainly been using SCM tools to put together my own homeschool plans each year. Last year I knew our year would be challenging as I was starting a new job from home. I heard David Hazell speak at a homeschool conference and loved his family’s ministry-heart. We went with MFW for my gr2 and gr3 girls, I also bought the preschool activities for my little boys. The Christian worldview was clear and my children enjoyed learning the American Songs (and I really enjoyed the geography and history!). I had to add some Canada Studies but it was so wonderful to have the comfort of a teacher guide for my family that year. This year I used the Kindergarten package for my oldest boy. Again, it was great to have it all mapped out – especially the reading program. Very hands on -and short lessons – for my wiggly little guy! Each year I look at the homeschool year ahead and evaluate how much brain space I will have for planning and keeping it all up. If I know there are big challenges ahead, I opt for the box!

I have never done MFW, although I have considered it.  SCM curriculum just resonates with me.  When I first found SCM, my oldest child was about to be a 2nd grader.  I was back and forth between Tapestry of Grace and My Fathers World.   I was looking into a homeschool convention in my area and I decided to look into some of the speakers to decide on the classes I would attend in advance.  I saw Sonya Shafer on the website and clicked on the link to learn more about who she was.  I read, watched all the videos and felt sure this was the method I wanted to use to educate my children.  I didn’t know who this Charlotte Mason person was, but I sure wanted to find out.   Well, we are just completing our 2nd year using mostly SCM curriculum and recommended living books.  We are thriving and enjoy learning!  I use a few things that aren’t from SCM, but I don’t use them the way they are written.  I must say, the history, geography and bible are just delightful!  We started with Ancient Egypt and are working our way through but you could certainly start with American History!  Maybe someone can chime in who started there with younger students!  I really like the 6 year cycle, but I have heard some mentioned that they prefer a 4 year cycle!  We are combining 2 years of ancients (Ancient Greece & Rome) into this current school year.  We didn’t start SCM until 2nd grade and I wanted time to go all the way through the 6 year cycle again with my oldest.  We doubled up on Bible reading and that really made it possible.  In other words, we read one lessons Bible reading during the school day and read and discussed another one at night!  I would prefer to go through one time period at a time though and look forward to doing so next year!