Sonya…Living Books Curriculum & Education is…

Kim,

I would lighten up as much as possible. You are in the home stretch for this pregnancy, and sounds like Karen’s advice is good! I second the “Laying Down the Rails” encouragement! It is a goldmine!

Years ago when I was in some overwhelmed times, character issues, etc. (okay, so that happens more than just years ago! 😉 ) I came across advice to take each child’s *one* area they needed to work on the most. For example, with dd that’s almost 14, she might be doing well on her own right now. Just address the main need–if you think it’s using Spelling Wisdom, then that is THE main focus for them (and harness the energy–have your older dd help the younger!) These of course are just examples! I don’t know what your dc’s needs are!

Going on…ds that’s 10. Maybe he really needs to work on his handwriting! So you would either have him work through his book (if you have one for him) or copywork. And dd that’s 7, perhaps she needs some reading comprehension help or just reading itself. Living books to the rescue! Narration!

If even that is daunting, then just pick one area for everyone to work on–math or language arts. Now, when I say just that area, there were times I did require some from other areas, but my focus, my one thing I made sure was done, was the one I picked.

This is not forever. If you have character issues, you must get that addressed first (I’m in the same boat with a few of my younger children–trying to shore up the boundaries a bit!).

I replied on your other post about TOG to go to “Making the Transition”–maybe Sonya has already pointed you in that direction.

I would start with what she puts there–the short lessons, narration and living books. I am making Bible time one of those priorities, then my plan is to implement picture study, music study, etc. 1 at a time each over a few weeks’ time (meaning taking 2-3 weeks to implement each one, not all in 3 weeks!). But at your stage with the pregnancy, I would just focus on the easiest for you and the most interesting way for them to do the basics, and just read. Read history books together, or have them read them and tell you what they’re about. All Through the Ages is a good resource for books for each time period in history. I’m sure there are others–perhaps even in the bookfinder here! I’ve not fully explored that part yet! Just read about history, look up places on the map/globe. You can add more in later after baby-dear has arrived! I have even assigned a project that they didn’t really need me as much and let them run with it–for example, one year I wanted them to get familiar with the road map, so I had them pick a state and write a “report” however they liked telling me the capital, how many state parks, average county size and city size all from what they learned just from the Rand McNally map. Then I asked them to create a “brochure” telling us a point of interest to visit, map the route to take from our house complete with where to stop on the way and 2-3 other points of interest to see along the way! Oh, and how long they thought it would take! They loved it and took off with it and learned so much! Just don’t make it be so polished they lose their love of learning over it! (Too much a temptation for me!)

I realize you may need to focus on a bit more due to your state’s laws, but try to be creative and at least for the next 6 weeks or so just do the minimal you can so you can focus on character and getting a few things in place. Also, as always, run it all by dh!!!!

I so understand crisis mode, and I am NOT a veteran CMer, so I am giving you advice that *I* would do in your shoes (and have been there for different seasons and reasons!). I am incorporating more into my life now as well and am excited about it!

Sorry to write a book here! Hope something is helpful!

Trisch