New Here – Where to start?

I just recently came across your website and this forum, although I am familiar with Charlotte Mason’s methods. This seems like a great resource and I have already learned a lot just checking everything out. I have four children – three boys ages 12 (almost 13), 11 and 5 and one girl age 2 1/2 and we have always homeschooled. I feel like Charlotte’s philosophy really backs up what I always thought homeschooling should be. I am just now reading “A Charlotte Mason Companion” and it is fascinating! I feel like our homeschool needs a boost, so that’s why I’m looking at doing something new. We have used some Heart of Dakota in the past, when my two oldest were younger and I combined them in one guide. Last year we found out ds11 is dyslexic so we have been working on reading and spelling skills a lot. But now he is complaining that he is not really “learning” anything, just doing the same things everyday. (Because he is working on skills.) I have always just pulled together different resources, but need help organizing and fitting everything in. I feel like I did a lot of the CM stuff with my older two, but now with the younger two it is so much harder to do anything with anyone. I worry about teaching my ds12 (7th grade) as he gets closer to high school. My ds5 started school this year at K level, but he already knew all his letter sounds, could read small words and knew a lot of math. I want to nurture his curiosity too but I feel like he gets lost in the shuffle a lot. I want to bring some of the joy back into our homeschool that I felt in the beginning – it’s just a lot busier now with four kids.

Anyway, I am really rambling (and it’s late) but I’m needing a little encouragement and wondering where to start. It seems hard because my kids are spread out in ages. I see that “Planning Your CM Education” is recommended so I was thinking of getting that. I was also interested in getting “Your Business Math” for ds11, which is how I found this site in the first place after reading Cathy Duffy’s review. I was looking at the history module 2, just because we have not done much world history but have done some creation stuff. We haven’t done much history this year at all because I have been spinning my wheels looking at soooo many different programs. I’ve read (and printed) a lot of info. like the “how to make the transition” article, some scheduling info. etc. Any and all tips are appreciated.

Thanks so much!

Kristen