Just remembered…I read my daughter “Great Expectations” as a bedtime story, just for the fun of it. Made her life much easier when 9th grade english came along. And, she learned about “anonymous benefactors.” Now, as an adult, when she wants to help someone (donate a coat, leave a bag of groceries on a porch), she includes a note that says “You are receiving this because God loves you and wants you, as his special child, to have what you need. From your anonymous benefactor.”

I’m so proud of her!

Heather, I believe homeschooling for you and yours is about creating fabulous memories.

You might teach digital photography as a way to tell a story…it helps children express themselves and lets us grown ups see from their amazing point of view.

Just my thoughts…peace and blessings…

Annamaria

I’m a reader through bloglines, but don’t comment often. But I just had to click and read what every one else wrote in answer to your questions. They were all sooo inspiring.

What do I wish I had done differently? Waiting until the internet was invented. Gosh that would have made my life simpler! But I don’t think I ever would have started, I’d be too busy reading all the great advice.

What do I regret?
That I didn’t write the book, And Then I had Kids. It all seemed so easy when homeschooling was just a concept in my head. And then I had kids and started homeschooling and reality set in. On a serious note, I don’t think I would have compared myself as much to what others were doing.

My fondest memory of homeschooling?
My son had visited the Michigan capital. He wrote a letter of thanks to your state senator for the tour. In the letter he said, “now that I’ve come to see your house, will you come visit mine?” A few weeks later, I got a call from the Senator’s secretary accepting the invitation! We schedule for a few weeks down the road. But do to a strange and terrible twist of events, our other son landed in the hospital for a week and we had a kitchen remodeling disaster to add to the mix. The house looked awful, but it was too late to cancel. I thought about renting a house and pretending we were the “perfect” homeschool family, but I’m too honest. So he came. We had a great time. All the children loved it.

Great questions.

I’m praying for you all as you begin your new year.

Spunkys last blog post..What are living books?

I have to reiterate what Kim from MI (the 2nd post) said – ask yourself why you homeschool and form your priorities around that (although she put it better than I can). One year, my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer and my neice was diagnosed with small cell carcinoma of the cervix (she had a 1 month old baby at the time). That was so tough, and we didn’t get much “school work” done that year. My neice was miraculously healed and is still doing great. My dad received complete healing by going home to heaven.

We were able to get to the academics later – but that year my girls learned a lot more important things.

I’ll be seeing you at convention next May, right??

Fiddledeedees last blog post..Used Curriculum Sites

Because of Jesus, Bobbie

Bobbies last blog post..Show and Tell with Canadagirl and Liz Curtis Higgs

If you would email me Heather, I would love to mail you a book.

Just remember that God gave these precious children to you because you and your husband possess everything they require to be the man and women of God He wants them to be. Your love of writing, his love of science….God knows what they need so He gave them to you. Trust Him!

because of Jesus, Bobbie

Bobbies last blog post..Show and Tell with Canadagirl and Liz Curtis Higgs

We are still taking things one day at a time but I am much more hopeful about this school year. I hear the 1st yr is the hardest, trying to figure out what works for your family. I think we are a lot closer to having things work out (although we are in the process of adopting 3 more kids, so I’m sure it will not go as smoothly as I hope this yr either LOL).

Not sure I exactly answered your question but just want to encourage you to try and remember to let God lead each day, start and end with prayer together if you can, the rest is just blessings from Him. If you can teach your kids about loving God, the rest won’t seem so important, yet will fall into place. At least that has been our experience.

Michelles last blog post..Disappointment & The LPC Police

http://theendoftheroad.typepad.com/the_needle_in_a_haystack/2008/07/god-driven-schooling.html

Leas last blog post..Gift Giving Ideas

sheryls last blog post..~* Faith-Lift Fridays August 1, 2008 *~

shel@lifewithsevens last blog post..Chugging Along

What do you regret?I regret getting so uptight when things went off schedule.

What is your fondest memory of homeschooling your child(ren)? Just the whole experience has been a wonder! I look at other families that work full-time and don’t know their kids and I just can see the relationships that I have built with my kids are incredible and blessed.

B F.s last blog post..Friends, or the Lack Thereof

I loved our classroom and made it so fun for the kids. It was actually an office, but worked perfectly as a classroom. Also, we lived in the country, so I loved when we went outside for some hiking/ searching for nature times. We had a wonderful time reading together, as well. I still read aloud for our family now that they are in public school here in Colorado. Oh, and I loved Sonlight!! It was my very favorite. We used Singapore Math and our puzzle-loving kids loved it. They have some CD-ROM’s that you can use, if you want to check them out at sonlight dot com.

Oh! And the best advice I’ve ever had? “Look at your environment, children and location and with prayer, choose how you want to do school.” There are so many good options, but sometimes, people get competitive that their way is the best way.

Sorry for the very long comment! I DO miss homeschooling so much! :blush:

Holly Smiths last blog post..A Settling Groan

My fondest memory…Curling up on the couch next to the woodstove and reading together while the snow is falling and we sip hot chocolate while most parents are driving their kids to school on those bad roads…I remember this many times over

Good for you and God bless you!

gennys last blog post..The Story About the Best Friends on the Train

“What do you wish you would have differently when you first started homeschooling?”
I wouldn’t have chosen a computer curriculum for my 3rd grader. That was not good.

What do you regret?
Not getting reading help for my son sooner. He’s doing great now, but he didn’t read well until he was 11, and it was hard on him.

What is your fondest memory of homeschooling your child(ren)?

I’m still in the midst of homeschooling (7th grade and 9th grade). My most precious memories aren’t academic at all. Their behavior towards others is what’s astounding to me. There is none of the sullenness I’ve observed in so many traditionally-schooled children. And I have a wonderful relationship with my 14yo daughter…I hated my mom at that age, mostly due to the feeding of my teenage angst by my peers. My kids have lots of friends, but they are choosy, and won’t hang out with kids who have bad attitudes.

Also, my daughter is highly motivated, so her schooling is mostly self-guided. I’ve loved seeing her delve into things like “The Federalist Papers” all on her own.

My son is still a challenge. He would prefer to play music all day long. Since he wants to be a pastor, we’ve told him he really does have to learn how to study.

So glad to hear you’re feeling well enough to homeschool this year. God bless you, dear Heather.

Claire in CA, USAs last blog post..

I wish I had asked for help sooner with one of mine who wouldn’t/couldn’t read well until the 6th grade.

About your curriculum…Don’t let A Beka run your life. It’s not the Bible. If they can’t finish it all, that’s ok. If they already ‘get it’ don’t make them finish it all. It’s a great educational tool, but that’s all it is… a tool.

The 2 cents of a stranger!

Denises last blog post..my all-time favorite movie scenes, part 3