?about using two guides?

[twoxcell]

Ok so I was trying to combine my two dc with Beyond, but I felt like dd was missing out on too much, and she would have a really tough time with Bigger next year. I ended up getting Little Hearts for her and now we are doing two guides. It is going great and the kids are both doing well. They do their seat work separately but when it comes to storytime, and history reading I just read both of theirs in a row on the couch. They also end up doing each others activities most days. What I'm wondering is will dd be bored with Beyond next year since she is hearing and doing most of it along with Little Hearts. Does anyone have any experience with this? I know I can switch up the storytime selections next year, and she will be doing the right side of Beyond.

[HappyMama]

Hmmm.....this is a really good question! My younger ds also listens in on his brother's history and storytime. Mine are 2 years apart, so I'm not doing guides back-to-back like you are. But still, I've wondered the same thing.....

Sorry I have no advice, but I'm going to be watching this thread!

[twoxcell]

Mine are actually two years apart too, but dd is advanced for her age. She technically wouldn't be in K until next fall because her b-day is in Oct. We will see how the year goes, but I'm wondering if I should do something for her between LHFHG and BLHFHG.

[Tree House Academy]

I don't think it will bother her to hear the stories...but I would probably try to seperate the History readings and only do the Storytime together. You can actually pick ONE book for storytime and read it to both kids (saving you precious time). For instance, pick one biography, read it to both children, and have them go back and do the activity in their own guide (or orally narrate working together, etc). By doing history readings seperately, you can make sure that neither of them get confused too. Beyond is early Pioneer History and Little Hearts is back in Bible days. I would definitely try to keep them seperate.

We are doing two guides too, but do not face what you do - my older is in CTC and younger is in Beyond (so essentially 2 years before I repeat a guide). Because of the age differences and History differences, I actually do read my older son the Storytime History readers scheduled in the guide and I read my younger son the storytime books recommended in his guide. It is worth it for me to take that extra time each day just so I know that each child is getting what he needs on his level. With kids so close together (like yours) I am sure it can be tough.

[twoxcell]

LHFHG uses the Burgess books so storytime is not by genre. The amount of time I spend reading doesn't bother me at all. The funniest part is my ds did History for Little Pilgrims last year, but he still wants to hear it again, so maybe this really isn't gonna be an issue for her.

[amethyst rain]

What I've noticed with myself is that I tend to overthink these things. I would recomend just continuing on with what you are doing now. Then, when next year comes try her out in Beyond and see what happens. You may or may not need to change a thing.

[my3sons]

I'd probably have them do their Storytimes together, but not their history and activities - but that's just me. It's probably not a big deal right now, but later everyone doing everything from everyone else's guides adds soooo much time to the day - and can cause everyone to head for burnout (especially mom as the day goes on and on). If you just did their history readings separate, and had them do their separate activities but alongside each other, you'd not have to worry about repeating anything the next year. If you think you are going to be worried about repeating things next year (and I do think that's a valid concern, as dc are not inspired to read the same things and do the same activities 2 years in a row), and you might end up feeling like you have to place younger dd in Bigger Hearts (which she will not be ready for) with older sibling because of it, I'd just go to doing the Storytimes together now. I've found its actually very special to have some one-on-one time with each child during school, especially for character and Biblical discussions. But, I know things are going well, so you'll have to decide what's best to do!

In Christ,
Julie