Hi Toni,

I am one of the founders of TheBlogFrog and wanted to stop by and say hi!  I don't homeschool but we have many users who also write wonderful homeschool blogs.  I hope you are able to connect with them through BlogFrog.  Just a tip:  community owners have found it very helpful to "announce" their new communities in a blog post to readers so they know to come over here and visit.  And make sure the widget is in a place that can be easily seen on your blog - this helps readers see where they can go for discussions.  Congrats on your new community and welcome!

Holly at TheBlogFrog

I'm joining you from Nova Scotia.  Toni, I'm a dedicated reader of your blog - number one on my list of bookmarks!  Keep em coming! 

I've been homeschooling from the beginning and we'll soon be starting Grade 4 and Grade 2, with a 3 year old who thinks she's in Grade 6!   For Sara, I'd encourage you to give homeschooling a try!  You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.  It's not without it's challenges (hey - we don't do this because it's easy!) but you will find your groove and figure out what works for your family, and then you'll know it's right.  The benefits are too plentiful to list!  You don't need a Masters degree - all you need is love for your kids and a desire to train them up.  The rest really does fall into place.  Good luck! 

Sara-

I would love to hear some tips for a pre-school cirriculum I have a four year old and since I am a SAHM I would prefer to prep her for kindergarten at home in a more structured way than just practicing abc's and 123's.  (When ever someone asks my DD how old she is they automatically ask oh so you go to pre-school?... gee I didn't know it was a requirement these days ) I have looked online at some programs and some are very expensive and wonder if they are worth the money or just find my own materials but I am interested in the ones that seem to follow a seasonal theme with crafts included.  My other daughter starts 4th grade on Monday, time to get back into the groove of things.  

Sara-

Hello, Toni!  I introduced myself in your HH forum, but don't get back there to read too much.  I'm teaching 5 kiddos this year: 11 yo girl (Switched on Schoolhouse 6th), 9 yo girls (twins: a mix of unit studies, Saxon math, Pathway reading, Sequential Spelling, and Primary Language Lessons), 8 yo girl (August birthday, so second half of 2nd grade work, then SOS 3rd grade), 6 yo (Saxon math 1, pathway readers/phonics pathways, A reason for handwriting).  The twins on down will all do history and science from Mystery of History and Exploring Creation with Astronomy.  It's going to be an interesting year!

We've been homeschooling from the beginning.  I have a very casual approach when it comes to young kids, especially as my olders have grown and become very good teachers of basic preschool/K material.  The little ones learn SO much from their big sisters and brother, just in their everyday play and interaction.  I add structured activities as they ask for them or demonstrate that they are ready for such.  I can't imagine all the hassle of dealing with a houseful of kids going to public school every morning!  I'm very grateful to be able to sleep until 8 am every day. :)

Bree-

I'll be homeschooling 4 children full time.   I'm posting what we do to homeschool on my blog - http://weshallmountupwithwings.blogspot.com.  

I have 4 children full time. 

Kendra use to sit on the laps of different chilren I schooled as a baby and toddler.  She is now 14 and working her way through 9th grade mostly.  Incredibly smart, she tends to spend too much time exploring the extras of a subject.  On the plus side, I can let her use the answer keys and do all of her own grading because she learns best that way.  She is also erratic and easily side tracked though, and it's a constant struggle to keep her focused.

Vannan is 12.  She is dylexic and struggles to read, so she's still in 6th grade subjects.  She is a hard worker but tends to plow on through even if she is completely going the wrong way, rather than stopping for her work to be checked and help given.  She is very dedicated, but it is a struggle for me to teach her her some days because she still requires a great deal of one on one time.

Joel just turned 4 and is working on Prek and Kindergarten levels this year.  He has insatiable curiosity and soaks up new materials and ideas like a sponge.  He has an easy going personality and is so easy to teach and work with.  Not a perfect child - but he sure makes life easier.  The danger with him is to not push too much too fast.  I'll be using Horizon Preschool and Kindergarten with him this year ... 3 days of preschool and 1/2 days the other days to introduce new ideas of kindergarten as long as he wants to.

Marriana is my almost 3 year old niece that my family (group effort) has custody of for now.  She was the responsibility of my parents until May 10, when my mom died suddenly.  After all the relatives left, I began taking care of her because I live right next door - 11 whole feet.  A bonus is that my dad wants us to use Mom's school room this year.   She is a very strong willed child, but is responding well to a stable home and routine.  My biggest challenge with her is the "I'll do it my way...by myself" attitude.   But she is very smart and determined to do the same work Joel is doing.  I'll be doing the Horizon Preschool with her 2 days a week and busy work as I need to.

We are expecting in a few weeks - so we are starting school early in hopes of having the first 6 weeks finished before LaRue gets here.

I also assist my best friend in teaching her children - I do much of the foot work and planning for her and part of the teaching.  She helps clean my house.  She has 3 in school - Katie is 11 in 6th grade, Bethie is 6 and a special needs child that we hope to get part way through Kindergarten this year, and Matthew is 4 doing the same stuff as Joel.

I've got three boys: 4 years, 2.5 years, and 7 months old and am totally wanting to do a pre-K homeschool with  my 4 year old.  I'm leaning toward Charlotte Mason but the 4 year old is totally into "school sheets, Mommy!" so it might not be what we end up going with.

Jen-