Introductions Please!! Newbies and Regulars!

[Peek a Boo]

I noticed there was an introductions thread on the high school board, but wanted to start one here where most of us hang out.

Me:
I have 5 dc: 13yos, 10yos, 6yos, almost 4yog, and almost 2yos. We've homeschooled since oldest was in first grade. I'm a San Antonio gal, but after our 4.5y exile to Upstate NY we have returned to TX and settled south of Dallas. Took me about a year to thaw out!! i need the heat. Lizard Woman, dh calls me.....

I tend to be pretty eclectic. Found the WTM boards in NY when I was looking at SOTW. Been here ever since, slowly implementing ideas. We've added copywork, Greek, SOTW, and a few other things.

Things i've liked using: Apologia Science [Phys Sci for 8th right now], BJU Science 6, SOTW w/ the Activity Guide, Spell to Write and Read, Wordsmith Apprentice and WriteShop, First Language Lessons, Teaching Textbooks Pre Alg [oldest], Saxon math [2d ds], and some A Beka stuff for the younger grades [Writing With Phonics wkbk, 1st grade math, Handbook for Reading, and Oral Language Exercises], and Mountain Ocarinas.

My older three are very active in Scouts and a free TKD class. We are also involved in a few co-ops for drama, Gvt/ Citizenship, Lego Robotics, and Science. I'm on the Parks and Rec Board and we are good friends w/ the homeschool family down the street who's dad was recently elected mayor....so we get a lot of local happenings and political talk around here.


been married for 14 years today {{shhh! I don't think dh has remembered yet, lol --he got alled outta town this morning}}. dh is a pilot that flies charter jets and listens almsot non-stop to RightWingWackoTalkRadio. I'[m pretty conservative, but can't handle that yammering for hours on end, lol. We are Christian, but I don't hold to a specific denomination. dh was raised Lutheran so that's where we're attending now.

No, the avatar is not me, but i do have a Catwoman costume that I wore to our city's Halloween Party :-) it suits me puuurrrrrfectly.
http://redoakrecord.com/index.asp?Show=11/15/2007&Page=1

I decorate with books. When we moved from NY back to TX I asked the Mayflower guy to estimate the move w/ and w/o books. There was literally a TON of difference. I counted about 3,000 as I packed them up. I know we've added about 2,000 since then. I need more shelves.......dh is great at building shelves. Pic attached. It was full in 30 minutes.


i think that's about it....Your Turn!!

[Classical Michele]

A little shorter than Peek's :)

I have 3 dc: 8yod, 7yos, 6yos. Started visiting these boards about 5 years ago. I use an eclectic mix of curricula incorporating mostly Classical and Charlotte Mason.

I love to cook and bake from scratch, read, garden, knit, backpack, and be with my family and church family. We attend a Calvary Chapel church.

[orangeblossom]

I've been homeschooling for 5 years; two children - dd (12) and ds (10); found the boards after reading TWTM and checking out the website; we use Abeka, Saxon, TT, SOTW, Wordly Wise, and a few other odds and ends; dh teaches science and I do the rest; I run a decent sized homeschool group; have a pet Gecko; live in a cookie cutter house in suburbia in the Great Northwest and love it (although we could use a slightly larger garden); transplanted from Canada the US almost 9 years ago; have traveled to Europe on a couple of occasions and it's my ultimate dream to move there after retirement.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

[Book Crazy]

There are three in our family. Dh, myself and our son, Devon who is 7.5.

This is our 3rd yr homeschooling. We are more relaxed in our schooling than most, but try to follow a Charlotte Mason type of thing.

Sarah

[PixieKris]

Hello there,

I am Kris, and am homeschooling my only daughter (11) for at least the rest of this year. We have been homeschooling since first grade, and she is in 6th now. Before that, I was a Montessori elementary teacher and she was in preschool, and I used lots of resources from TWTM in my classroom. I became interested in homeschooling before finding TWTM - our Montessori Teacher Prep program recommended "How Children Fail" by Holt, and I fell in love. (Bet they regret that, now... Otherwise I'd probably still be teaching! :) ) I am working towards my masters in counseling, and will be doing a practicum next year, which is why we are looking at private schools.

My hubby was one of those computer guys, and now he manages those computer guys and does architecture for computer software, and that's all I know about that.

Favorite currciulum: SOTW and Real Science for Kids and LOTS AND LOTS of books. (I also decorate with books, Peek!) We've used nearly every writing program known to man, and ended up liking a combination (every other year) of Rod and Staff and IEW. We just tried Spelling Workout this year, and I wish I'd done it all the way through, but hey, if that's the biggest hole....

We love games and books (did I already mention books? :) ) Casi is taking three classes through an alt ed program this year, and loves it: Shakespeare, Do you know what you think you know (history and philosophy) and Debate/Mock Trial.

Happy Homeschooling!

[sdWTMer]

I have two sons 11 & almost 8.

Anyway, I have been coming here for quite some time. I don't remember when it all started.
I have had several different monikers, Julie in Katy, Julie in San Diego. I can't remember if there are others.

Anyway, I use a plethora of different things. We use Math U See, Latin for Children, SOTW, Rod & Staff and a lot of books too! Although, I'm definitely more relaxed.

The boys are active in Cub Scouts, although I do have one Webelo as well. The boys are also very active in chess @ our local San Diego Chess Club in Balboa Park.

And, I am a talk radio junkie! We've been married for 17+ years. We go to a non-institutional church of Christ congregation which we love! Oh, and another thing, I do love Vince Flynn novels as well as Tom Clancy. How could I forget knitting? I love to knit and am working on my first pair of fingerless gloves!

:)

[Old Dominion Heather]

I am a former teacher. I have three boys, 8, 5, and 2.

We live in Virginia (the Old Dominion) and my dh is a web designer/graphic artist.

Dh and I were both homeschooled from elementary school through highschool, so we are not so freaked out about ruining our kids and producing social deviants. (at least no more deviant than their parents!:cool:)

We have a dog who likes to run away.

[Dayle in Guatemala]

I have 3 dc ages 13, 11, and 9 grades 8, 6, and 4 that I have home schooled for 8 years. We are originally from northern MN and moved to Antigua, Guatemala Nov. 2005 to work with Youth With A Mission. I stay home and help out when needed and I have the time, and dh is the outreach coordinator for our base here.

We tend to be very eclectic in our curriculum using a variety of things with a bent toward CM/Beechik. Our favorite things this year are: Apologia Biology, Lightning Lit. 8, Truthquest, LLATL and Trail Guide to World Geography.

My 3 dc speak far better Spanish than either my dh or I, but, I'm not too shabby!;) We are now working on reading in Spanish and writing.

I'm an absolute freak about Jane Austen and all things British. :D I love to read, cook, bake, and spend time with friends.

I love these boards! I don't have many friends here who home school so this is my support system. Very important!!!! My friends here tend to either have no children, or theirs are grown and gone.

I'm looking forward to seeing all the other intros!

[SnowWhite]

Hi, everyone!

I am a second generation homeschooler, and spent my twenties teaching school.

I currently teach a first grader and cuddle a 3 yo.

I don't subscribe to any educational philosophy (unless "try to make it fun" counts as a philosophy).

We're presently enjoying WinterPromise Animals and Their Worlds and WP LA1 and will move on to American Story 1 and WP LA2. I'm going to switch to BJU math for grade 2 (one of the lovely ladies here converted me, LOL).

I came to the WTM boards for the Sale/Swap boards and stayed for the sparkling conversation.

[momofkhm]

I'm married to a great guy who is interviewing for the second time in a week. He got an offer for a completely different job that he did not go looking for last night. I didn't even know we were looking for a new job for him! Soon we'll be making the pros and cons list!

I have 3 kids - K is 13 and 7th grade. H is 10 and 5th grade. M is 7 and 2nd grade. We use TOG for history, R&S for spelling and grammar. The girls (K and H) use Saxon for math. M uses Singapore for math.

We belong to a co-op which starts again in a few weeks. All of us got our first choice classes. Ours sounds different than most. It's also huge! 150 moms! The moms have a choice of 10 different classes or personal time. The kids get to pick from 6 or 7 classes for each of 2 hours. Moms also have to do a service hour. Wonder what I'll get this time. I've been with the infants and 3 yo. I've also been a floater (they put me where they need me each day). This year I asked to help with middle/high kids first choice. We'll see...

H and M are playing basketball now. All three will play soccer in the spring and I'll coach the girls.

We are very active at our church. Dh runs the sound board and I'm the Sunday school supervisor. Other things as they come up as well.

[Amy from WT]

OK, this is fun!

I'm Amy, and I've been married to Glen for (gulp) almost 20 wonderful years. We have three great kids - dd 17, ds 13, dd 10, and a Chinese Crested dog who we are desperately trying to train not to bite people (no she is not hairless, and yes, we have actually hired a dog-whisperer type of trainer!). But that's another whole story......

I discovered classical schooling when I joined a classical co-op 7 years ago, and haven't turned back since. I LOVE Latin, took it in HS (didn't love it then actually!), and have been teaching it for 7 years.

We live in NJ - for now. My hubby is a brilliant musician and has worked in both the academic field and the church music field. He is currently seeking employment, and we expect to be moving - somewhere? - at the end of this school year. (Please pray that he finds something soon!) I am a musician as well and teach piano and flute.

My favorite curricula: Sonlight, SOTW, MUS, Latin Prep, a soon-to-be-published Latin curriculum called "Great Latin Adventures", GWG, Apologia, Art of Argument, and Building Thinking Skills.

My hobbies: Reading! Digital scrapbooking, photography, embroidery, pet training (!) and writing/publishing.

I like to think that my avatar resembles me as a little girl....I am NOT brave enough to put one up of me now!!! At least, not yet!!!

I can't wait to meet everybody else!

[Allen Academy]

I am pretty new to these boards - we just decided to homeschool DD (4) this past spring, and I have been lurking on here ever since. In the last month or so, I have started posting. Once in a while.

I am also a former teacher/librarian. I never intended to homeschool, but my DH is in the military and we are moving around so much that I thought it would be a great way to provide some stability for her... we will have moved 5 times before she is five years old.

Currently we are living in Oklahoma City (for 6 months) and sometime between April and July, we will be moving to Okinawa, Japan.

We only have one child now, but are hoping for more someday...

[Mama Lynx]

I'm Stephanie. I used to post as Stephanie not in TX. I've actually met Peek, IRL, because I used to be in TX, see. But now I'm not. ;-)

We currently live in Michigan, but expect to move again very soon. Where? Who knows? Whee!! It's such an exciting life I live!

I've been married for 16 years this summer, and I homeschool our four boys, ages in the .sig below. We've always homeschooled. I have a degree in lit with minors in medieval studies and psychology. I have worked in publishing and trained to be a teacher, but chickened out at the student teaching bit.

I love rock and roll, science fiction, British comedy (British anything, really - comedy, history, men), and ancient and medieval history. I, too, decorate in books, if you call piles "decorating." I am educating myself in Latin, classical literature/history/philosophy, and Great Books.

I can't remember when I first read WTM, or came to the boards. Forever ago.

We do a modified LCC type of school, still sticking to some WTM, and some more organic interest-led learning thrown in. My boys are very active in Scouts, and currently I'm a Den Leader and DH is the Cubmaster.

And apparently, I feel loquacious today. :D

[Kristafish]

Hi!
This is our 6th year homeschooling.
I have 2 dc right now, in a few months will be adding another :D
I have been married for almost 13 years(in March)~time flies

For school we use a bit of this, a bit of that. But that will change in the fall when we switch to My Father's World~which I'm hoping will make my life easier :)

I love to read, scrapbook(even though it seems like there is never time for it) and be online(when I can) :D

Nice to meet you all :)

[JudoMom]

I've got 5 boys, ages 8, 7, 5, 4onMonday, and 2. I knew I wanted to HS before we had kids, but I'm not quite sure when or how I decided that. I read TWTM in 1999/2000, when my oldest was a baby, and I liked it. We've almost found our groove, and now are more of Latin Centered, but with TWTM History cycles. Right now I have a 3rd, 2nd, K, PreKOnDemand, and a StopStealingCerealFromThePantry-er.

Um, we like Judo (or at least I do and have drug my family along with me). My 8 & 7 year olds have been doing it for about 2.5 years and will test for their orange belts next month. I've been doing it for about 1.5 years, and will test for my green next month. Ds5 has been doing it off and on for the last 1.5 years (he has arthritis), and is a yellow belt (I think he's testing for his next level of yellow next month). I've finally convinced dh to start next month (I think). Ds4onMonday got his gi last night and is thrilled to start next week. The baby just chases his brothers around yelling Hajime! (that means start in Japanese) and trying to tackle them.

We're down to 2 American Eskimo dogs as pets. At 1 point we had a hamster, a guinea pig, 2 birds, and a fish.

I used to be known as threelops. I like to read, but mostly non-fiction. I've never read nor seen Pride & Prejudice, but am considering reading it. I don't get to read as much as I'd like, though, because it's either too noisy (go figure) or I'm too tired.

[Daisy]

I go by the name of Daisy because I love daisies. My real name is Daphyne. I've been married to Jon for 13 years. We have 2 children; DD8yo and DS6yo. Having children was a long, hard road for us or we would have more right now.

I was born and raised on the East Coast (NJ & AL) and went to college out in WA state where I met my husband. I received a degree in theology and Dh has a Master's in Education and School Counseling. We moved to CA for work and were not happy about it. Dh is currently a first grade public school teacher.

Dh wanted me to homeschool from the beginning for many reasons (religious, uh, he sees what the local ps is like, etc.) but I kept fighting it. I just didn't think I had the patience. I'm about as type A as they come. Finally, after a horrible first grade public school experience, I bit the bullet and brought DD home. Now I cannot imagine why I ever fought it. We LOVE homeschooling. Pretty much all my friends and church family think I'm nuts for homeschooling but Dh's and my family think it is wonderful (so we have some support even though it is 1,000-3,000 miles away).

I had a traditional/classical education in private school and so I gravitate towards that with my children. I'd label myself as eclectic though. I use MFW and R&S.

[melissel]

Great idea!

I'm Melissa, living in NJ (formerly posting as Melissa in NJ). I've been married to my DH for seven years, and I work from home as a research editor. I'm currently HSing Bella (5), and hope to HS Julie (2) as well. This is our first year HSing (though I've been collecting resources and using guerrilla tactics to convert my DH for over three years now :p). In the beginning of January, we switched from WP Animals and Their Worlds (which was not working for us), to using FIAR as our core, Galloping the Globe to give us a light structure for geography, Right Start Level A for math, and (in theory) WP The World Around Us for science. FIAR is going well, though Bella still thinks it's odd that we read the same book repeatedly. And I simply cannot believe how much she's enjoying the geography work. I recommend GTG to everyone now :D

I was sent to these boards by my wanna-be-HSer, in-reality-afterschooler ack25 *waving hi* Even though she's unable to HS in real life, she taught me almost everything I know about it. The boards have saved our HSing relationship several times--I don't know what I'd do without them now!

[Just a Jen in Mississippi]

Hi all,
I've been a Well Trained Minder since about 2000 when a friend from church recommended the book to me. After reading it, I was sold that these were the guidelines I was looking for to give my children a great education. Even though I have a teaching degree (student taught but never officially taught because I had my first child and the rest is history!) , I was still so lost the first year until I found Susan Wise Bauer. I can remember being so excited that the same friend that recommended the book to me kindly reminded me that the WTM wasn't the Bible and that I could use other things! The first year or two, I stuck as closely as possible to the WTM schedule for my own comfort, but each year since, I've tweaked and changed things as needed. I now have a 7th, 4th, 1st grader (all girls) and a three year old boy and am in my 8th official year of homeschooling. I've been an occasional poster (more regular in the spring as I'm planning my new school year), but I read fairly regularly. I can't tell you how much I've gained from the Hive Mind over the years.

But a little more about me personally......I married at age 18 to my high school sweetheart and this July, we will celebrate 17 years together (20 counting our dating years!). I love art and paint in my spare time. I've even sold a few and wished I had more time to devote to it, but family comes first. I came up with a school schedule this year where we started a few weeks early and go for 6 weeks and take a week off. This has allowed me more creative time and time to recharge. I've loved it and have felt no burn-out this year. We will still finish in May and have a decent summer.

I've always posted under Jen in MS but after someone else started using the name, I added my blog name to it (Jen in MS of This is the Day blog)......just so you know who I am! LOL I no longer keep up with my blog though, so I didn't chose that as my name on here.

Well, I think that about covers the basics (curriculum aside:)).
Have a great day!
Jennifer

[Sue in TX]

Hello all-

I have a dd6, dd4, and ds2. I decided to home school (before my kids were even born) when I was completing my master's degree which required one semester of student teaching.

I have enjoyed learning from all of you by mostly lurking on these boards for a couple of years. My dd6 is very advanced and she is both a joy and a challenge to teach. My dd4 is a "math kid" and she also has a significant speech/auditory processing disorder. My ds2 is a wonderfully cuddly little boy and also full of spunk!


We just moved north of San Antonio from Kansas and I am missing Kansas terribly. My husband travels a lot more than we ever expected with his new job and it is not what we want. Ok, no more complaining- b/c believe me I could go on, and on....

Susan

[Michelle T]

I actually don't follow TWTM, but I like the boards! Well, I am going to start using SOTW next month, does that count?

I've always posted as Michelle T. Live in Southern Cali with DH of 18 years, and my one child, DS who is 11.5.

Been homeschooling since DS's sixth birthday. We started because of his severe learning issues, he just needs a lot more than the PS could ever give.

I use a mix of whatever works for DS. Currently doing our own thing for science and history, special ed math, a mix of language arts. I'm always searching for some area of curriculum that will help DS actually learn.

I love gardening, especially roses, and cats. I'm Jewish, DH is Christian. I'm way too addicted to message boards, and love to read.
Michelle T

[Rhonda@LivingWater]

I'm Rhonda and I've been married for over 19 years. Our dc are a 10 yo dd, 8 yo ds, and a 6 yo dd. We have been homeschooling from the beginning. Dh first brought up homeschooling when oldest was 3 months old, so I had a little time to get use to it and do a little research. :)
One of the first books he picked out was TWTM and I refer to it often (but I still have the 1st edition;))
We are a little Classical/CM/Beechick all rolled into one so I guess that actually makes us eclectic.
I try to fit curricula to each of my dc's learning styles and modalities which is interesting to me as a teacher!
These boards are so helpful and encouraging and I have been "visiting" for about 3 years now.
It is great to actually get to know one another and I hope in a few days or so to actually take the time to get my photo in my avatar.

[Adrianne]

My hubby and I have been married for 10 years (in feb) and we have 2 ds 9 and 5 and one on the way due in August. We have homeschooled since the beginning. I pretty much handle all the educational work and dh handles the practical side of life. (more on that later).

We live on a 24.9 acre farm in PA and we love it! Right now we have 21 chickens, 1 dog, 1 barn cat, and a pond full of yummy fish. We grow all of our own veggies as organically as we can, in the spring/summer so I spend a lot of time, weeding, freezing, and canning. Right now my dh is building new doors for our spring house (where our water comes from) with help :eek: from the boys. (the practical side of life). We are hoping to plant blueberry bushes in the spring as our new addition.

I knew the WTM was for me when I read it back in 2001 and have never turned back. My favorites are: SOTW, FLL, Latin primer, Writing Strands and OPGTR.

I am a biologist/chemist by training so science is my favorite subject and I love to do experiments every chance I get. I also love to teach any subject to children and hope to spend the rest of my life teaching in some capacity. When not teaching I enjoy reading, gardening, and cooking. I gave my life to the Lord about three years ago and have enjoyed following His path ever since. Praise be to God!

We belong to a wonderful but simple Christian co-op that keeps us rather busy. My ds9 enjoys reading, video games, drawing, drama, and eating pizza. ds 5 enjoys experiments of any sort, video games, hot dogs and he is our resident weapons expert.

My dh loves fixing things, hiking, hockey, and history related things.

It is nice to meet everyone!

Adrianne

[Diana in OR]

I've been "here" for 5 or 6 years. My oldest started ps high school this year, and I have a 6th grader at home. I live in Oregon, which I think is the greatest place in the world to live .

I am seriously considering ps for my younger ds next year. As a result, I am trying to cram as much stuff as possible into his adolescent brain over the next several months, lol. :eek: I'm a curriculum junkie, and I wouldn't even try to list the different resources I've used over the past 10 years I've been doing this. It just wouldn't be fair to the ones I'd almost certainly leave out :)

I am running for my local city council in the May primary. It is a HUGE learning curve for me, but I love it. I do okay with the written word, and don't mind speaking in front of groups, but I'm still working on some social anxiety at being able to respond to impromptu questions with something other than "uh..." and also learning how to make small talk (I really dislike it, but it's part of the process). I'm also trying to cobble together a wardrobe that extends beyond sweats and Birkenstocks. My 1980s teacher outfits just won't cut it. I have to be "on" whenever I'm out in public now, even if I'm just picking up ds from school or at the grocery store. This is totally my thing, and hope someday after my dc are grown, to serve in my state's legislature or Congress.

[Shannon831]

We have been a homeschool fam for a year and a half now. We took dd out of ps after her 3rd grade year. I'm now hsing dd for 5th and ds for K. DD is using SL, MUS, Abeka and a few other odds and ends. DS is using MFW.

DH and I have been married for 10 years (high school sweethearts) . We both grew up in SoCal. We lived in New Orleans for a year, Orlando for 7, and have just recently moved back to Northern Cali. We're neck deep in transition at the moment, and not even in a permanent home yet.

Dh is a Youth Pastor, which makes life very interesting at times. I have pretty much always been a sahm. We have 2 other kiddos- our 7yo Tyler, who is severly disabled, and a 3yo dd.

[Riverfront Headmistress]

Mom of all girls. Busily home schooling 10 year old and 7 year old girls.

엄마 to HeeWon from South Korean - aiti to Noora from Finland.

[Marie in Oh]

Our oldest is in 4th grade and the only boy. We've always homeschooled and always known we'd homeschool.

[Emmy]

I've been a lurker for a long while on the old boards and am now posting some since changing over to the new boards.

My name is Emmy and I've been married to my dh Scott for 13 years. We have 4 boys that are 7, 5, 4, and 18 months. This is our 2nd year homeschooling. My sig line lists what we are using....I'm not sure I am married to a specific philosophy yet but I really do like the WTM and am following it's directives more and more in my curriculum choices. I'm finding that our learning style and choices are ever evolving!

[sleepy]

I love your Dr. Who avatar!

[Lorna in the boonies]

My oldest two started out in public school, and I pulled them out after 1st and 5th grades.

I live in West Texas, but I'm no longer 'in the boonies'. I was in the boonies for 12 years while dh pastored, well, a church in the boonies! In 2005 we moved an hour north in order to plant a new church. In my wildest dreams I never imagined we would be doing the church planting thing -- but when God calls one to pastor in a certain town and there's no church there, that changes things. It's been a wild ride, but I'm enjoying it.

Dh and I have been married for nearly 18 years and have three children, ages 6, 11, and so-close-to-15-it's-killing-her-to-say-she's-14. (We also lost a newborn daughter in 1999.) I use a variety of things -- BJU, Winter Promise, Rod & Staff, Math-U-See -- it just depends on which thing works best for which kid.

Before I had kids, I was a special education teacher. My oldest was born in February and I finished out that school year, but I've been a SAHM ever since.

I've lurked here since the fall of 2003, I think, which is when I first seriously considered pulling my kids out of ps (I finally pulled them out at the end of that year) -- but I've never posted much. I'm hoping that will change now!

[Ellie]

We started hsing in 1982, when there were only two kinds of people: homeschoolers and not-homeschoolers. It was many years before hsers found specific niches for themselves and gave those niches names:)

Mr. Ellie and I have been married forever (ok, since 1974). Our two dds are all grown up, no granddc yet.

I've been a support group leader, newsletter editor, convention coordinator and workshop presenter, and umbrella school owner/administrator...things I never imagined I would do when I was growing up, lol.

And I've met Peek A Boo and Cindyg, so they can vouch for me:D

[sleepy]

I used to post as "erinjd"

I homeschool my 3 oldest (13, 11, and 9) while chasing my youngest (2 yo).
Math and Latin are on our "must do" list every day. I like to think of us as classical homeschoolers with unschooling tendencies.

[Faline]

I think being a SAHM rocks! There is nothing I would rather be doing. We have 4 great kids and have been homeschooling since birth (ha ha), officially for 5 years.

We have used/are using Sonlight, Truthquest, R.E.A.L. Science, R&S, CLE and a collection of other things. Bits and pieces of whatever works! My favorite approach is Charlotte Mason, but I seem to have a difficult time putting that into a reality here...maybe that is another post for another time.

I love crafting. Knitting and sewing are my favorites at the moment but I also crochet, cook/bake, garden, read, scrapbook etc etc!

I am a crunchy kind of gal and like to try to live simply. We might even be called old-fashioned! I make my own soap, butter and bread.

We love country life and wouldn't have it any other way. I have a wonderful dh and I feel soo blessed...

[Jenny in Atl]

I've been around for about six years now, on and off (homeschooling that long too). Married to my better half for 17 years, a couple since 1983 :eek:
We have two girls, Mackenzie 12 and Fiona 7. Numerous pets from a Golden to odd looking aquatic frogs.


DD 12 went to a small private school for three years but we ran out of money and I fell out of love with the school on the whole. From the start of this adventure, I have always used WTM mixed with a few other resources, and I'm always looking for new ideas and suggestions.

Cheers!

[Tonia]

I read the WTM when dd was a baby, found the boards and I've been lurking since then - she's now four. Would love to have another baby, but we'll see. It took me five years to get pregnant with our dd.

I'm an American living in Quebec with my Canadian dh and dd. I'm slowly learning french, and trying to keep up with dd (I have this crazy fear that she will learn to sass me in french and I will have NO idea what she is saying! :p )

God willing, we will homeschool all the way through high school.

[Mamagistra]

I'm the poster formerly known as Debra in TX. Dee-aitch and I will celebrate 20 years of marriage this fall. We have always home schooled our crew (dds 10, almost 9, and 7 mos., ds4). The extended menagerie includes a great dane, a pug, one cat, two guinea pigs, a rabbit, and two parakeets inside...twin border collies and 12 chickens outside.

Once upon a time, I was introduced to the idea of home schooling by a snippy, fake-tanned ballet mom who, upon observing my interaction with 2yo dd, mock-scribbled on an invisible notepad and declared. "You look like one of those home school types!" I looked up "home school" that very day and decided that indeed I was one of those "types". ;) How will I ever thank her?!

What began with WTM here has taken a LCC bent, and both books are close at hand to guide and refresh me, as is this site. I met one of my best friends via these boards (howdy, SueTX!) and I am ever-so grateful that it is here for those of us who enjoy the interwebs.

In my spare time, I read as much as I can, cook lots of yummy things, eat them, and repeat. :D I enjoy making cards and gifts by hand, and I paint a mural or a funky mailbox once in a while.

I love Jesus, nachos, Great Britain, Rembrandt, crosswords, Indian food, poetry, birds, coffee, and the smell of old books. I loathe mean people, NASCAR, Mountain Dew, drug commercials, apostrophe misuse, Viacom, canned beets, pants with words on the seat, and Wal-Mart :).

When I grow up, I want to draw beautiful portraits of children, eat chocolate cake every day, and laugh even more than I do at present.

[NancyinCA]

I have mostly lurked on this board for the past 4-5 years (wow!). I have homeschooled for seven years, since my oldest was in kindergarten. Currently I am homeschooling my oldest three and cuddling the newest, littlest guy every chance I can get.

I have been married since 1993 to my sweet husband. He is pastor to young adults and families at our church. We love serving here at our church and hope to retire from it (many years from now!).

I work part time for a local charter school doing what I think is the best job in the world-coaching and helping other homeschooling families who are enrolled in the charter. I love homeschooling, and I love helping other families succeed.

Recently, we moved into a home we bought (yay-after renting for many years), so I am in the throws of setting up house. Just this past weekend, we trekked to IKEA to purchase Billy bookshelves for our new library! woo-hoo!

[AmyinPA]

I've got 5 dc and one due in the next three weeks.
9 yo dd, 7 yo ds, 5 yo ds, 4 yo dd, 2 yo dd, and one in utero.

I've been homeschooling since oldest was 5. My dh is self-employed and owns a marketing website company.

As a family we enjoy many church activities...Upward Sports, Pioneer club, and Christian Dance.

I love to read biographies and historical fiction. I love decorating magazine and love to apply those ideas to my own house (but do it soo much cheaper).

I'm new at gardening and sewing but have managed both well so far.

My favorite past time is sitting quietly with my husband and talking.

I speak fluent French.

[JudoMom]

I loathe .... NASCAR, Mountain Dew.....

THUD :eek:

[Wendy In KS]

Wendy In KS

I am a 28 year old mother of five wonderfully unique, at times incredibly annoying, but overall prett amazing kids aged almost 10, almost 8, 5 1/2, 3 (this Sat!!), and 13mos. I am married to my highschool sweetheart- we've been together 12 years and married almost 9.

I had our oldest child about three months before graduating high school, I've dabbled in college classes- have an Associate's Degree. We've always homeschooled. Through that time I've worked various part-time jobs in retail or as a waitress. I'm currently between jobs.

My husband finished his degree and has been in his current job for a year and half- and received two promotions in that time- yes, I'm proud :D. He has a very corporate job.

We live in a suburb of Kansas City in a pretty typical suburban neighborhood. We both have very close (both geograpgically and involvement-wise) family. Which is a blessing and a curse :D

We are fairly "normal" people. We have a church we've been members of forever and attend when we don't sleep in. We workout at the YMCA but aren't health nuts. We try to eat healthy foods but we also enjoy junk foods. We tend to lean more towards the conservative side of things, but overall are very tolerant, open people.

[Closeacademy]

I don't post much on the general board but mostly hang out on the K-8 curriculum board. I have 2 dds--Kindergarten and 2nd.

We use an eclectic mix of classical (progynasmata & Latin), Charlotte Mason (short intense lessons, living books, and copywork), Waldorf (art, music, visual keys and math enrichment), Montessori (hands-on) and what I call the Singapore influence (math and science).

I am a die-hard fan of Spell to Write and Read and Singapore Math. I am also starting a business mentoring other moms and helping people to organize their time, space and lesson plans.

[Jill, OK]

Well, I 'found' The Well Trained Mind just after I finished my oldest's Kindergarten year. I knew I wanted to teach history chronologically, and when I came across an interview with SWB where she talked about WTM and mentioned that chronological history study was something her strain of classical education employed, my interest was piqued.

So, I borrowed it from the library, and realized that some of my other goals were similar to what one would accomplish with classical education, and so, I searched out the forums.

Oldest will start high school next year, and I can truly say that this group has been a great resource, all these years.

We don't fit a nice, neat, classical mode (we're pretty solidly in the middle between 'delight led' and 'mother enforced'), but we definitely lean more towards classical, the further we get down the road. (Meaning, loosey-goosey during elementary years, growing incrementally more rigorous as we creep towards high school).

I formally homeschool four of my five, currently (littlest guy is three), and work parttime from home as a freelance copywriter. It's...interesting. :o)

[Diann]

Hi, I'm Diann. I've been reading these boards for quite a while, but only post occasionally. I have 4 boys, 18, 16, 14, and (almost) 12. I started homeschooling the oldest when he was in fourth grade. Prior to that the boys all went to a Montessori school. Over the years I've used different curricula including Calvert, Oak Meadow, Lightning Literature, Analytical Grammar, Write Shop, and many different texts.

My dh and I are originally from Indiana, but now reside in the South. We will celebrate our 25th anniversary in August. :) We've known each other a long time since we grew up 3 houses away from each other.

I'm enjoying reading everyone's intro.

Diann

[Just Me]

Hi All,

I am a Homeschooling mom of three - a 12 yr. ds, 11 yr. dd, and an 8yr. ds. We have been at it for 6 years now!!

I use a pretty eclectic mix for schooling. My oldest works through an online academy, which I have loved so far. For the other two, I pick and choose what seems to work best for us.

I am married to a Seminary student, who will start his last semester on Thursday. He also works full-time at our church as the Minister of Middle School and Christian Life.

I work part-time at the church as the assistant to the Music Minister.

I love to read, shop, cook, and budget our money.

We have two dogs (Bailey, a border collie and Fibi, a teacup poodle/Jack Russell mix), one cat (Joy), two birds (Daisy and Killer) and three fish with no name.

We live in central North Carolina, very near Raleigh.

I think that's it!! :D

[Beth in SW WA]

Hi gang,
After 6 years of private Christian school, we brought our kids home this year for a hybrid form of classical education. I read SWB's book over the summer and cried myself to sleep because I felt I had short-changed my kids by giving them a mediocre education at what I thought was an excellent school. They were not challenged -- but worst of all, they were not inspired to learn or grow.

We have hired a Latin tutor and Writing tutor. The rest we hammer out at home together. The kids work fairly independently. I am a strong proponent of self-education, for many practical reasons.

We also have 2 little girls we adopted from China who will most likely attend a local classical school which is also a homeschool co-op. Our 4-year-old reads at about the 4th grade level -- so I'm not sure what shape or form her education will look like.

I feel so blessed to read the posts here. I told my husband that the smartest women I know are on TWTM boards.

Thank you, SWB, for all you have done to help us in our journeys....

[Mamagistra]

THUD :eek:

Aw, Judolops...I'm sorry. :( I like...um...the Olympics...and, and...7Up? Does that help? :D

[Mary H]

I have been homeschoooling since the 1997-1998 schoolyear. My ds who graduated at 16 was the one who was homechooled at this time. We homeschooled our 24 year old son for the high school years. I now homeschool our 11 and 9 year old ds's. We use, Abeka, BJU (math) and Easy Grammar. I have been married to my dh for 12 1/2 years. My dh is the pastor of our small (soon to be growing) church. I enjoy dancing,signing, and worshiping the Lord in the arts. I love to come here and read about everything that everybody is saying. I am kind of shy, so that is why I don't post very much. :o I am reading the book TWTM now. I am planning on using this in my next year. I have been coming here for about
3 months. I guess thats all for now.
God Bless!!

Mary H (Mary in AZ on other boards)

[percytruffle]

Hi everyone,

I've been reading and posting on the wtm boards for many years. I am mostly at the hs board, but enjoy hanging out at the general board. You all are great company!

We have two dc.

Our dd, 19, graduated last year and is at the local community college pursuing a degree in Biology. She is looking to transfer to a four year Christian college this fall or next spring. She has been very successful so far. Last year she was inducted into the national honor society of two year colleges. She is a paid bio and chem tutor at the cc. Her senior year of hs was split between cc courses and a few courses at home. Apologia science prepared her well! Her current interests are genetics and bio-psychology.

Our ds, 17, is a junior this year. Next year he will follow his sister's footsteps into the community college part-time. His anticipated major is still open and includes history and business as options.

I am a NY state certified art teacher and a practicing artist as well as being a homeschool mom. I also herd cats on the side.;)

My dh is an optics engineer and travels to many exotic places. Sometimes we are able to accompany him.

We are a fun bunch who like dry humor, a good cup of tea, and a lap full of furry felines.

[Liz CA]

Well, here is another stellar resume:

We've homeschooled since 6th grade - now in 11th grade with a variety of material, however trying to stick fairly close to the recommendations in the original WTM.
I was cruising around the WTM website for years before I ever ventured onto a board and it was out of sheer panic when ds entered High School that I tentatively clicked on a board.

Started posting on HS board for another year before finding that it's okay to post on General Board as well - I think it used to be called "K-8 General" and I didn't dare post or read because we were not in 8th grade anymore. One day, I clicked on the wrong board and found a happy bunch of homeschoolers exchanging recipes and because I love to cook, bake and eat, I stayed for a while.
Oh, that was about a little over a year ago...

Ds 16 yo, plays disc golf in tournaments with Dad, rides horses, loves to raise chickens and sleeps with his dog. Need I say more? Oh, and he thinks Agriculture or Zoology may be his bent.

[Liz CA]

I used to post as "erinjd"

I homeschool my 3 oldest (13, 11, and 9) while chasing my youngest (2 yo).
Math and Latin are on our "must do" list every day. I like to think of us as classical homeschoolers with unschooling tendencies.

...you as erinjd, glad you mentioned your "other" identity! :D

[Beth in OH]

Hi everyone--

I began visiting this board daily when we began hs'ing in 1999. That was the year we brought home our oldest dd (then a rising 5tn grader). She's now a senior, and throughout high school has taken 2-3 courses per day at the local ps, used online courses, and has added university courses this year. She has been accepted at three colleges and is waiting to hear from a fourth.

My middle dd is a 15 yo sophomore and does a combination of hs and online school. She is very busy with music (violin), and we drive many hours per week for lessons and rehearsals.

My youngest dd is a 12 yo 7th grader and just began attending a two day/wk school. She takes lit., grammar, science, Christ in the classics, history and music appreciation there. Latin, math, and composition are still at home. She is also very involved in music (flute), and we do a lot of driving for her as well.

Beth

[mellifera]

I used to be mjia on the other board. I have 4 dc - 2 girls and 2 boys. We've been homeschooling since ds1 (age 12) was ready for kindergarten. I guess that's about 7 or 8 years. My brother sent me TWTM for Christmas early on and we've been using it since then. We like trains, legos, the 1850's (but only to visit), and books.

[Pster]

I have been on the WTM brds for maybe 5 yrs? I'm really not even sure. We have 3 dd's - 7 1/2, almost 6, and 4 going on 16. A friend introduced me to the thought of hsing when we couldn't place our dd (almost 4yo) into kindergarten (had to by law be 5 already). I saw yet another year of preschool as a waste of time - so I started working with her at home. I had taught [a high school multi-handicapped class in PA for 6.5 yrs] so teaching "my" kids seemed like something I would enjoy. Plus.... with both of our mothers being public school tchrs - I have inherited TONS of books and school "things" (oh yeah...and LOTS of "advice"). lol

I enjoy gardening but - we are renting so = no garden
I love to read & page thru any type of health / nutrition / exercise type bks
I love to plan & am a big list maker & note taker

Because of the boards:
I am a curriculum & book junkie
I grind grain & love to bake bread
I've made my own laundry soap
etc etc....the list goes on (but that is prob best saved for another post!)

I have been married to a wonderful dh who makes me laugh (going on 12 years this year). We've lived in FL for 7 yrs - just moved to Orlando in August. We have an English Mastiff, 4 surviving guppies, 2 hamsters, and ....dd7 is "researching" snakes/lizards/frogs etc etc - for another pet. We'd love to live in NC - in the mtns or someplace - but...that's just not where the job is!

My goal is to hs the girls as long as we can! (and survive)

[Krista in LA]

Hi, I'm Krista in LA fka kcp. I have been homeschoooling my dd12 and ds9 since 1st grade. We have always followed TWTM as much as we could except for the one year my dd used Calvert. I've been an occasional poster since sometime around 2k.

Besides homeschooling, we are all black belts in TKD (I'm an instructor and dd is a junior instructor), my dd does ballet, and my ds is in Cub Scouts.

I'm enjoying these new boards as I'm learning them, but I do miss some things from the old ones.

[LoriM]

I'm LoriM, wife of an active-duty USAF officer who retires this summer (what ever am I going to do with a retiree at home???) and mom to two teen girls. My older dd is a junior at the local university, still living at home and juggling college, boyfriend, and life. My younger dd is a junior in high school, and will start at the local community college in January 2009. I'm an avid quilter and reader, and spend a lot of my free time watching too much television. I work at the local community college in the GED program, and teach statistics at the local university in the Math Education department. I've been here at the WTM Boards for about 8 years.

[JudoMom]

Aw, Judolops...I'm sorry. :( I like...um...the Olympics...and, and...7Up? Does that help? :D

Um, okay. It's not the same, but it'll do ;).

And an aside...I was just reading another thread, and someone called me Judomom. And I briefly thought "Huh? My name's Judolops." :p.

[~Tara~]

Hi all *waves* I'm T

I have 5, going on 6 critters. Eldest, 10 yob; Yogurt, 8 yob; Nugget, 6 yob; Doodles, 4 yog and Boo, 2 yob. Yep, only one girl in the mix, thus far. (and yes at times she thinks she's the princess but we don't allow such mentality around here, except by the momma ;) but most of the time she's just 'one of the boys' Oh and no, I don't necessarily *hope* this one's a girl to try to 'catch up' or 'even things out' a bit)

We've been home schooling from the beginning. At first I was deathly afraid of the idea. I *wanted* to, but seriously hated school myself and wondered how on earth THAT would work. But, I felt this was what I was supposed to do and trusted the Lord to equip me. And thus He has.

We follow what I call a 'relaxed classical' style. I *like* the stuff as laid out in WTM, but, it's just too much for me. I follow the chronological idea and grab other things here and there, recommendations, stuff like that. But I am by NO means a hard core WTMer.

Other than schooling I like to spend my time taking pictures. I'm by no means a pro at it, far from it honestly, but, I find it fun. I also like to make old-fashioned soap and homemade bath products, but I've not done so in a while. I like to bake from time to time. And the whole family races BMX. Ok, so the 2 yr old doesn't ride yet..and the 4 yr old isn't on the track yet..but not far. We need to get the 6 yr old up to a 'mini' then his 'micro mini' will go to the 4 yr old girl. But, the 3 older boys, dh and I all have bikes and race regularly. NBL and ABA. Looooooooove it! I've never been a sports kinda gal, but I have finally found my thing. Now if only I could do it well. But, it's gonna be a little while til I can work on that....expecting in May and all ;)

I think that pretty well sums us up.

Oh, unless you also need/want to know that I have given birth to all my children at home and I am also a child passenger safety technician. :)

[WTMindy]

Here we go: I've been married to a civil engineer for 16.5 years and still in love. I have a 10.5yodd who is very much like me (loves people, life, music, theater, reading, etc) and a 9yods who is very much like my dh (logical, great in math, doesn't like to be the center of attention).

This is my 6th year homeschooling and I work 2 days a week as a teacher in our school district's home-school co-op. I love my job because my kids get to come with me, I get to teach math and other subjects to high-school students (which is what I did before I had kids).

I am a very happy person. I love singing on our worship team at church, reading, organizing, planning, teaching, and I'm starting in on digital scrapbooking.

My parents and my inlaws are my best friends and I feel blessed to live close to all of our immediate family. Life is good.

[Heidi @ Mt Hope]

I used to post as Heidi in OR.

I have three boys: 6, 3.5, and 17 months. Life is a little crazy around here. I've been married almost 12 years to my wonderful dh. He is an IT guy. An out-of-the-box, spontaneous sort of guy to balance out my traditional, routine minded ways. I am thrilled to watch him be an incredible father for our boys.

Planned on homeschooling before I was married, found WTM before getting pregnant with ds#1, been on the boards for over 4 years, and just started 1st grade with ds this month. I am loving it! SOTW is my current favorite. Ds just started reading chapter books. I know we can do this!

We moved to our 'forever home' in the country a year ago, just two miles across the fields from where I spent my entire childhood and where my parents still live. We are in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. I love it here. We have 3 decent cities within 30-60 minutes drive. Mountains and ocean are within an hour. We have four seasons, but without unbearable hot weather or unbearable cold weather. :) It is gorgeous and green! Both of my sisters live within 15 minutes of our home.

Life is good.

I love to entertain, decorate, read, scrapbook, cook and bake... My favorite extra-curricular activity (smile) is my book club.

[JenneinAZ]

I am Jenne in AZ, I took out the spaces when I registered here because I thought it wouldn't let me use them. Ooops.

I am homeschooling three kids. My daughter, Bookworm is 9, and reads everything she can find. She also likes to play the recorder and neopets.

My older son, MisterMan, is 7. He likes to build things and run around screaming. He plays piano and Cub Scouts is the highlight of his week.

My little guy, Bunny, is 3. He follows the older kids around everywhere. He likes playing with legos and duplos and would rather not go to the older kids activities.

I am Jenne in AZ. I am old enough to not give an age. I spend my time researching curriculum and chasing kids. I would like to learn how to make a really good loaf of whole wheat bread and how to play chess. We have homeschooled since my oldest was born.

Jenne in AZ
(dd9, ds7, ds3)

[KristineIN]

Hi, I'm Kristine, I live in Indiana (Go Boilers!) I have three wonderful children, dd will be 10, ds is 8 & other ds is 6! Dh and I will celebrate 13 years in July. I've been homeschooling from the get-go. We have friends that have graduated kids and just knew all along that this is what we would do. I've been visiting the boards for a really long time too.

I am pretty eclectic in our schooling. We are using SOTW, FIAR, lots of read alouds. just a mix of various things.

I enjoy gardening, cooking/baking, reading, spending time on the computer and with family and friends. I really enjoy entertaining (nothing too formal, just a casual get together. In June we went from under 900sqft. house to 1900 square ft. so now I'm actually able to do that. It's been awesome. Anyway, it's nice to put names and faces together and get to know everyone.

Blessings,
Kristine

[Zee]

Hi. I'm Zee. I've been posting and lurking on the boards for about 8 years or so. I've always homeschooled and my ds is in 5th grade. I'm eclectic, but lean heavily on classical teaching philosophy. How do you do? :0

[Colleen in NS]

I'm Colleen, and I live with dh, ds9, and dd7 in eastern Canada (southeastern Canada?). We've been here for 11 years, and married for 13 (previously lived in Ottawa, Canada's capital city). I'm from the States, and before getting married, I served for several years in Youth With A Mission (YWAM), an international missions organization. That's where dh and I met.

I read the WTM when ds was about 3 or 4, and was very overwhelmed by it. I read it again when he was 6 and when I was clueless about how to go about educating him. Instantly I was onto the plan and have been ever since, with modifications here and there. I am SO grateful for SWB's books, teaching CDs, these message boards, you ladies here......WTM has gone from being a mere plan to being more understood by me - the whys and the hows.

I basically homeschool and manage the home. I am contemplating taking up tutoring in reading, since I did it for two years a few years ago. But I'm not sure yet, because I don't want it to overtake the homeschooling. However, it's good money around here.....how do you other classical educators manage school, home, and working at home anyway as your kids get older? Ds is heading into logic stage work next summer.....

ciao.

[j.griff]

Okay, I want to know where to get the instructions to build those shelves, LOL.

[Sixmeadows]

I am a mom of 7 kiddos ages 12 down to 3 year old twins.

i have been married almost 14 years to a wonderful supportive husband. Good thing or I would have lost my mind long ago.

i am from Minnesota and my husband is from California. I love the outdoors and attribute that to my long wonderful summers being spent at the cabin in northern Minnesota. But I love the beach and the wonderful humid free summers of Ca.

The WTM has been my support group for the last 5 years so you guys are important!!

thanks for all the fun:D
Cheri

[JennifersLost]

I homeschooled for 7 years, took a 1.5 year break, and now am luring the children back home. My 14 yo will come home first, in about two weeks. My 12 yo is already begging to follow him. The other two swear they won't, but....I'm pretty sneaky.

We followed the WTM pretty strictly for much of our first seven years. Now I plan to unschool (except still do the history/literature combination - I love that).

My oldest two have lots of passions to work on, and I'm trusting that things will progress nicely.

I've been on the boards about three or four years now and used to post as Jennifer GWOTW.

I'm also a writer, and we love to travel.

[StaceyinLA]

I have 4 dc. One dd is 18 and in college. One is 16 and in 10th/11th grade. One is almost 15 and in 9th grade. Ds is 12 and in 7th grade.

We have used TONS of curriculum over our 14 years. My faves are Apologia for science, R&S and Analytical Grammar for Grammar, TOG and Notgrass for History, our Spanish tutor (best thing I've ever done), and various other miscellaneous things. You were right in noticing that I've left out math. I have yet to enjoy a math program enough to consider it a favorite.

We live on 5 acres, and have had many animals, though we are now down to only chickens for farm animals. I think we're just outgrowing that phase. My dd's horse is retired at my sister's, and I have sold off all of my dairy goats. We have no more rodents, birds, etc. indoors either, only dogs and cats.

I enjoy cooking, reading, gardening, traveling (when we can), volleyball, swimming, visiting friends, and, um, playing Webkinz. I have recently become a vegetarian, though I will admit to eating the occasional seafood (I do live in Louisiana after all), and am really feeling good about the changes we are making in that area.

As far as church, we are Christians currently studying the Catholic church and strongly considering a return to the faith.

Oh, and I just turned *40*.

[j.griff]

I'm Jenn (but nobody calls me that- I'm always "Mom/Mommy/Momma; Honey; and my mom says, "Hey Baby". LOL) My dh is active duty Navy, we've been stationed here for almost 13 years. We have 4dc- 13yod, 6yos, 4yod, and 2yod. We've been unschooling for a long time, it's "working" for 13yod- but I'm going to have to introduce more formal math. I'm thinking that I'll start more formal schooling for The Littles too, and then as they get older they can either enroll in outside classes for higher levels or they can do more independent study- whichever works. 6yos is pretty facts oriented- which is a hoot, IMO.
I've been visiting these boards since 13yod was about 5 (wow, that's a long time). I take breaks, and lots of times just lurk. :-)
We're going to be moving to Pensacola this summer, so right now we are in decluttering mode. That should be more than enough info, LOL.

[shanmar]

I am shanmar. I live in Alaska, where I was born and raised. I am married to Leny for 17 years, and we own 4 mostly lovely children (I have hope that the 12 yo will become lovely once again). They are Amanda - 16, a sophmore at a local tech school, specializing in cullinary arts; Blake - 14, a level 10 gymnast and a pretty good hockey player; Connor - the infamous 12 yo, he was born into the wrong family, because all he wants to do is hunt and fish, but all we let him do is play hockey and soccer; and Delaney, the 10 yo, who is a level 5 gymnast and a pianist.

I also own a B&B and we are opening a bookstore!

[Tammyla]

I've got two dd/13 and ds/10. Home schooled from the beginning and possibly through high school:eek:.
First found TWTM boards and began posting some 5 years ago. I read the book in the first edition 8 years ago:D. This year I purchased the new edition:D Yippie.

[Jan in SC]

I'm Janet in SC, but I post as Jan because there were a couple of other Janets.

This is our first year homeschooling! I'm married to David, a lawyer, and we have three boys. They are 5, 6, and 7.

We're having a great time and hopefully learning something. We follow TWTM and use an eclectic mix of materials to do so.

The boys love to ride bikes, and have just started BMX. They like video games way too much! I really like to read and try to read a book or two every week. I love tennis! Our schedule has really changed this year, but I still try to play as much as possible.

We enjoy traveling, but never seem to go anywhere very exciting. We are very Episcopalian- 8 ministers in the immediate family!

[Elizabeth TN]

I just re-started homeschooling. My daughter is in first grade and my son is in second. I also have a 2 1/2 yr old little boy and an 8 month old daughter. I am really excited about homeschooling again. I have been married for 11 years. My husband is also very supportive of homeschooling our kiddos.

[prairiegirl]

We are in our 4th year of homeschooling our 3 kids (8,7,5.) We are grain and cattle farmers on the Canadian Prairies.

I stumbled upon the WTM message boards before I had even known there was a book. That was exactly 5 years ago. I usually lurked on the old boards but I really like this new format so I will be posting more.

I have finally resigned myself to admit that we are eclectic homeschoolers. I have tried so hard to do just the classical education thing but it just hasn't been working for us. So, for now, we do a mish mosh of classical, CM and Waldorf. What a mix. Finally, though, after three years, we have found our fit.

Julia
mom of 3 (8,7,5)

[Deece in MN]

Hi,
I am Deece and live in MN (in case y'all couldn't figure that out :p).
I have 2 dc: ds is 13 and dd is 11. We have always homeschooled. I have been on the WTM boards since they started, but have never been a big poster. I just can't keep us with y'all!
We have taken a wide and varied path over the years in our hs'ing; from unschooling to classical to everything in between (I think I have adhd).
We are heading towards unschooling or at least a very relaxed, eclectic approach at the moment.
We love reading, playing with the Wii, watching movies and having great conversations.
I love to quilt and my dc and I started taking Judo lessons almost 2 months ago.
I love this board and even when we are not following a classical model, I learn so much here.
Thanks!

[Faithseed]

After years of lurking on the old boards, I suppose now is as good of a time as any to introduce myself :)

I'm a mom of 4 children:
#1 is 9, female
#2 is 7, male
#3 is 4, female
#4 is almost 3, male

We've been married for 11 years. My husband owns a well known gardening website, so needless to say we are avid gardeners. In my "free" time, I love to cook, bake, knit, read, sew, and anything else that might be fun- not necessarily in that order!

I look forward to participating more now that I've come out of my shell!

~Faithseed

[Emily in FL]

I have been mostly lurking here for about a year now.

I have been married to my dh for 16 years and live in a very rural area of Florida. I am homeschooling my dd (8) and also have a ds (3) who thinks that he must do everything his sister does. I am very involved in our local homeschool group and lead homeschool storytime at our local libraries (volunteer).

I am a former teacher who never imagined or considered homeschooling as an option until I met a wonderful group of women in a MOPS group who were homeschooling their older children. Our dd has been homsechooled since K.

I can't even remember how I found out about TWTM, but remember how I felt when I read it. It made more sense to me than any education theory I had learned in college. We use the book as a guide, but do not follow everything strictly. We do use SOTW and FLL.

[Remudamom]

We've been homeschooling our five since the oldest was four. One a sophmore in college, one 9th grader and triplets in 8th. We're reformed Presbyterians. Dh and I met in college (Alabama) where we both majored in education.
Married and returned to his family ranch 29 years ago where he raises cattle and I raise horses. We both pitch in on the kids.

We started the classical method when the oldest was around ten or so. I know three mostly lurkers who haven't registered yet, and I've met NutriMom IRL.

I was almost crippled with arthritis for years, now I'm on a miracle drug and rejoicing over my new life.

[GothicGyrl]

My name is who I am. I used to go by ToniCW but that's blah. I AM a goth gyrl. I am also the mother to a 15 yr old and 12 yr old, both girls. Married 7 years in June. Dh is a physics teacher at a high school. I used to be Christian, that was ruined for me and I make no regrets about "losing" it. I AM crazy, I am wild, I have fun and am very ecclectic, opinionated, argumentative and well, me.

I am also an artist--some work on my blog, which is also opinionated. :) I've been homeschooling since oldest was at the end of 4th grade, she's now in 10th. 12DD has only ever known homeschooling--she was only in public school for K.

Both are doing 10th grade work right now--videotext algebra, biology, history, english--yada yada. I have no preference in homeschooling books except that it be totally secular, especially my science/history.

Otherwise, I am as I say in my sig. Ask Peek, she knows firsthand. :)

[Heather in the Kootenays]

I'm only homeschooling one now - a 12 yo boy. My now 15yo dd went to PS Gr 10 for the first time this fall and is doing brilliantly. Dh works in the computer business - mostly from home but travels to Silicon Valley about once every six weeks. He's gone this week - the coldest week of the year and left me with a dead van.

As for schooling we're doing lots of co-op work right now - Ancient History, Rosemary Sutcliff, quilting, drafting, Oak Meadows Science, Singapore Math.

I'm struggling with the new boards but I guess I'll adjust.

[Jennifer in MI]

I'm Jennifer. My kids are: Sam (11 - 6th), Andrew (10 - 4th), William (7 - 1st), and Meg (2 next week). We started homeschooling when Sam was 5 and we knew he wasn't ready for school socially or emotionally, but was academically ready. I thought I'd do it for one year! Ha! Sam has since been diagnosed with Asperger's and I'm certain that having him home has made him the neat kid he is today.

I'm married to Steve, an Episcopal priest. We've been married 13 years now.

[HappyTree]

{Hi Marys echoing in the background:)}

I've been on the WTM boards for about the last 6 or 7 years. We've h'schooled all the way thru (my oldest is 15) with the exception of a brief stint in 1st grade for the oldest. I have been blessed with a wonderful husband of 15 years and three awesome boys, ages 15, 12, and 4.

I have been Mary in CA, Mary in GA, and Mary in ID. With the changing of the boards I felt it was finally time to get a new name; hence, HappyTree.

I love the community that I find at the WTM boards!

[Nancy in SoCal]

I married my hubby in 1997 and we will celebrate our 11th anniversary on Friday! We have five wonderful kiddos: ds-10, dd-9, dd-7, ds-4, and ds-1 (on Thursday.) I have been on the boards since 2001 and have always homeschooled.

My hubby and I met at music school where I was a flutist music ed. major and he was a piano/composing grad. student. We recently relocated from CT to sunny SoCal so my husband can make a go at his life-long dream of composing for film. He is extremely talented. You can hear his music here (http://gustavhoyer.com/).:)

I spend my time studying my Bible, doing laundry, reading books to my kids, cooking, baking, and loving my family.

This board has been a blessing to me through the years (in any format!):D

[Mom2GirlsTX]

Hi all, I have been on the WTM boards about 4 years, could be more, I am not sure. DH and I have been married over 20 years and we have 2 daughters. The oldest is 10 and homeschooled, the youngest goes to Public school. We live in Texas.

[Herding Cats in NC]

Hello everyone! I've been mostly lurking here for a while now. I have posted once or twice (as LauraF in NC) in response to questions on running, of all things. This is my first year homeschooling -- hence my responses only to questions about running! I have ds 10, dd almost 8, and ds 4 who currently attends preschool but really wants to homeschool with us. Probably because we don't get much done when he's home! I enjoy running, reading, photography, reading, scrapbooking, reading, and did I mention reading? My dh's worst fear is that I'll get a job at a bookstore. And we have the ongoing discussion...he says I need to buy less books and donate some of the ones we have; I say we need more bookshelves. :D

[Jenn in Mo]

Hi Jen! Good to see you!!!!

I miss you!

[Amy loves Bud]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi all,

I'm Amy, married to Bud for almost 15 years. We have a 9 yo ds and a 7 yo dd who we've always homeschooled. We added a new daughter, Romy, to our family in July! We live in Texas and I love the heat!

Bud works from home, so we get a lot of family time which I love.

I love TWTM and get lots of great ideas and info from these boards. As my oldest moves into logic, we will probably be going into a more LCC style (even though I've yet to read the book, and I'm holding off on buying it until the new edition is out), but continuing our history in TWTM manner. I'll also be bumping up science, as that's "my thang".

I've made a commitment to stay off the computer until after our official school day is over, so I will only be here in the afternoon or late evening.

[Stirsmommy]

Well I use to post as MelissaJ but honestly it is too hard for me to keep track of too many screen names and passwords. I have been reading/posting for almost two years although I did take an extended break after our move to MN. I now homeschool just the younger two as my eldest has begun taking classes at the cc near our home. Since moving to MN I have taken up a hobby that doesn't involve trolling for new curriculum; it is the addictive habit known as knitting. I would rather knit than do most anything else. I think that is in part because I can do it while sitting on the radiator attempting to get warm. Also it keeps me from going into the kitchen we are remodeling and crying. *I will never buy a house with out a decent kitchen again no matter how beautiful the hundred year old woodwork is in it!*
Melissa

[sclisa]

I was Asil on the old boards, but didn't post often. Let's see...I'm 38, married for 18+ years, live in upstate SC, and have 4 children. They are dd15, dd12, ds9, and ds(2 in 2 days). My older 3 are all in ps this year, but that's a first for me. I know one, possibly 2, of those 3 will be returning home next year (and I'm quite excited about it, I might add).

My current avatar photo is *terrible*, but I did it quickly and after a marathon cleaning session. I hope no one holds it against me. :eek: Hopefully, I'll be able to post more often, but my almost-2 year old keeps me hopping, and we still afterschool, so we'll see.

Lisa

[Citrusheights5]

Well My name is Lee and I am a mom to 4 soon to be 5 DC. I am due on January the 26 with a little boy. I am currently HS'ing my 10 yo DD who is in 5th grade, my 9 yo attends PS, but I am not sure he will be there that much longer. I also have a 3 yo and 2 yo DS. We live 2 blocks away from my step DS, who is 9 and attends the same PS as my DS. We attempted a charter school earlier this year, but have switched back to WTM.

Lee

[Quiver0f10]

I have 10 dc ages 19, 17, 16, 15, 13, 11, 9, 8, 4 and 3. I have been HSing since 2001 and found wtm mid year the first year and switched to it fall 2002.

My oldest 2 age graduated and the oldest is currently in college and the next heads in August.

[ChristyB in AL]

My name is Christy. I have been going by ChristyB in AL for 4 years or so. Before that I was ChristyB in Deutschland, or something like that, while we had the opportunity to live in Germany for 2 years because of dh's job.

We homeschool our two sons, ages 15 and 16. We have homeschooled since the beginning. Our sons are hoping to earn advanced academic diplomas, so they have a lot of work to do. Plus they both are very talented and gifted pianists. They spend a lot of time learning their classical piano pieces. (We have a WONDERFUL teacher from Russia who graduated from the Conservatory in Moscow.) They also play football--my dh jokes that they are the only piano playing lineman etc. he has ever known!:)

Other than homeschooling, my hobbies are reading, scrapbooking, baking/cooking, and trying to find new ways to save money. :D

I haven't quite gotten used to the new format--I like the old format better. But I know I haven't spent as much time here since the switch!

[Bradford Academy]

I've been married for 14 years and we have 3 highly energeitic children: dd 8, ds 4, dd 2. One of my best friends introduced me to The Well Trained Mind about 4 years ago. The same friend let me know about the message boards. I've lurked for almost a year. I have really slow dial-up internet so I probably won't post much.

My oldest is in third grade. We use Explorer's Bible Study, Singapore Math 3B, SOTW Middle Ages, God's Design Science (Weather), Italic d, Rod and Staff Grammar, and Writing Tales. We read books from the SonLight and Veritas Press reading lists.

[entropy]

Love the new boards!

I'm a SAHM of twin (almost) 4-year-old boys. They're a blast.

In my past life I was a 2nd grade teacher but right now I'm getting a M.Ed. in reading.

Married for 6 years
Religion: Agnostic
Pets: 2 German Shepherds

That's it for now, gotta get to class. Br-r-r-r it's cold outside. :(

-Jodi

[Robyn]

cross posted from the curriculum board...
I'm Robyn. I've lurked at the old boards from time to time so I figured I would pop in and say hello. I am in southeastern Massachusetts and I have two boys, 9yrs and 17 mos. I've homeschooled my oldest since K, mostly with WTM. I tried to go in a more Waldorf-y direction for a bit but it just didn't work out for us. So, here we are starting from scratch half-way through the school year.:rolleyes:
I also watch my nephew(4) and niece(18 mos) a couple of days a week. The four of them keep me quite busy, esp my tyrannical toddler.

[Sparkle]

I am pretty new to these boards - we just decided to homeschool DD (4) this past spring, and I have been lurking on here ever since. In the last month or so, I have started posting. Once in a while.

I am also a former teacher/librarian. I never intended to homeschool, but my DH is in the military and we are moving around so much that I thought it would be a great way to provide some stability for her... we will have moved 5 times before she is five years old.

Currently we are living in Oklahoma City (for 6 months) and sometime between April and July, we will be moving to Okinawa, Japan.

We only have one child now, but are hoping for more someday...

Hi! Welcome, Amy, you're in great company here!

[Sparkle]

Hi, I used to be Yvette in CA on the old boards. I've been married to my dh David for 19 years, and we have 4 academically-average, but very sweet and mostly adorable children: Declan - 12, Duncan - 10, Cecily - 8, and Fiona - 5.

I use a wild assortment of curriculum - right now I am using WP American Story 2 with my 2 boys. We are nearly finished with it and will then move on to Christian Cottage unit studies - For God So Loved the World. My dd8 is using WP Animal Worlds, Pathway readers, Simply Numbers, and R&S Patterns of Nature, among other things.

I am Catholic, but have been attending an Eastern Orthodox (OCA) church lately.

In my past life I was a veterinary technician and I have degrees in plant science (viticulture) and animal health technology. My dh is a computer programmer manager guy with the state government, and a part-time pianist with 2 local churches.

We belong to 4-H (this is our 1st year) and we are enjoying it a lot. The boys are taking soccer, football, archery, entomology, cooking, and medieval history. The girls are doing crafts, cooking, and dance.

We have a rabbit and 2 cats. I enjoy reading, baking, computer time, drinking Coke, bargain hunting, gardening and sewing on occasion, and traveling (which rarely happens). My best talent is solving Cryptoquotes, and I have no talent at all for drawing, fixing hair, or anything that requires coordination.

[momtolgd]

I found these boards quite by accident when researching homeschooling when our oldest was about 4. I've been a regular reader and a sometimes poster ever since.

I'd say we are eclectic in our schooling, though most of our choices have come through opinions from all of the wonderful people on here. I do use the WTM as a guide, but not all of our decisions are from there.

We have 3 kids: grades 2 and K, and a 1 year old. We are enjoying SOTW 1 this year, as well as Horizons/Singapore and GWG. We also really like the ETC series!

I enjoy music and studied it in college...I am looking for students to start giving some clarinet lessons for some extra money. I also teach the general music classes in our co-op for ages 4-6 and 7-9. This is our first year in the co-op (we moved here just 1 1/2 years ago) and we are all enjoying it!

I also have taken up sewing and trying to learn digital scrapbooking...I love taking pictures and got a new digital camera for Christmas (mostly of my kids!) I made stockings for the kids for Christmas time, and I've sewed recycled wool diaper covers for the baby. I tried cloth diapers with him and found that I enjoy it and it is cheaper!

We have a cat, an aquatic frog, and a couple hermit crabs.

My kids are anxiously awaiting the start of spring Soccer (2 more months), Our oldest just last week joined a tiger cub scout den and is really enjoying it so far! We are finally finding our groove in our new area.

I enjoy reading these boards and have gotten so much help here!

[kalanamak]

Kay. I'm nearly 50, have a slightly older hubby whom I married merely to have a child, so our relationship is more like friends and business partners than a romance (we'd both had long marriages we were dumped out of and didn't want another romance, no sirreeebob). Kiddo is 5.5, male, tall and physical. His maternal gp's were 94 and 85 when he was born! He was named after my father.

I'm a doc at a very large mental hospital, a challenging and exciting if low-paid medical job. Half the fun is the staff. Many have mental problems themselves. The others range from little English to slimeballs to really grand and wonderful people. I have regular hours, and I homeschool in the late afternoon and evening. Hubby is a SAHD and carpenter and says being a homedaddy is the best job he's ever had. Papa came from a "disadvantanged" background, and getting him used to things like regular dental care and clean undies has been a challenge.

So far my biggest problem with homeschooling is nearly fainting. I keep holding my breath as kiddo works down a page! Watching a little mind unfold is rewarding on many fronts, and since I was never around children (when kiddo was born I had never changed a diaper), this is all new new new to me. I need to hear from others. Hence, here I am!

[juls]

My new board name is Juls but I've been around since 2001, posting off and on but reading almost every day. I have three kids: 10 yr old ds, 8 yr old ds and a 4 yr old dd. I use the WTM as my backbone for homeschooling and incorporated ideas and curriculum that I have gleaned from the wonderful hive mind throughout the years. Homeschooling is more of an autopilot thing to me now.

Personally I love to yard sale, lead women's Bible studies and recently I am learning that I like to cook.

[Sunflower]

I go by Sunflower and usually post on the general board (although I lurk at the others). I love the forums since we live in a rural area and these incredibly intelligent people know everything. I have been on the boards since 1999 or 2000 (I can't remember-it has been a while).

I have been married to my sweetheart for 23 years. We have 4 gorgeous daughters. I homeschool the youngest 3. One is in 6th grade and the other 2 are in the 1st grade. My oldest now attends a classical christian highschool.

I love to read, try out new recipes, garden, and learn. I want to learn to knit and play the harp this year.

I am working on figuring out the new boards. Sooooo... when I mess up, forgive me please.

[CookieMonster]

I am mom to two children, 3.5yrs and 18mo. I found WTM about two years ago and have been investigating and researching ever since.

Click here to learn more about me (http://onemomsfunjourney.blogspot.com/2008/01/little-bit-more-about-me.html)

[Dawn E]

Wow! This is a long thread!

I'm 34, have been married to my dh for 8 yrs now, and we have two children: dd 5yo (almost 6) and ds 7mos. I have been lurking around the boards for years even though this is our first official year of homeschooling. I don't remember how I came upon the book, WTM, but I don't think my oldest was much more than one when I first read it. :)

I am very grateful to this community that has helped me to get over my initial fear of starting this homeschool journey (esp. with a new baby in tow). We are absolutely loving it!!!

A mom in my homeschool group asked what we were using. When I listed off our wide variety of materials she said, "Who helped you find all that?" Who? Well my WTM friends, that's who! :)

[BarbaraL in OK]

I'm Barbara and I live in Oklahoma :) I married my grad-school sweetheart 15 years ago, and we have two sons, ages 12 and nearly 8. I've been on & off the WTM boards ever since I first had my "Aha!" moment about homeschooling, January 2001, when our oldest was in public school pre-K and our youngest wasn't quite a year old.

I afterschooled our oldest for several years, doing a Montessori-Classical kind of mix. In third grade, though, I gave up the structured afterschooling because his homework was putting the serious squeeze on the time we could call our own. Intentional exploration & learning is my tendency anyway, so on we went.

We stuck with our local neighborhood public elementary, reasonably happy, until... we weren't any more. Two weeks into a crummy start for our youngest in kindergarten, we withdrew him to start homeschooling in earnest. A year later our older son came home as well, which was a much bigger necessity and such a relief for the whole family (peer issues!).

This is our second full year homeschooling our boys, after plenty of wishing and hoping and praying and waiting and reading and thinking and etc., for years. Now that we've actually been doing the whole homeschooling thing, I LOVE it! I have found my way to the LCC approach with a four-year world history cycle a la WTM.

We live in an outlying suburban neighborhood of our little city of 100,000, and my husband works a couple of miles from home. We met in grad school in meteorology, and he is the computing coordinator for a big meteorology program at a state university. Our families are all on the west coast (I grew up in Washington) and in Ohio -- so we're making our own way as we put down roots here in Oklahoma.

I sometimes call myself a postmodern homemaker -- or maybe a suburban homesteader? My favorite pastimes are: being frugal, working on sustainable living, knitting, baking, cooking, gardening, reading (nonfiction), enjoying time with my family and with my friends, leading my Godly Play Sunday school class of 4 & 5 year olds, playing the piano, and participating in some favorite online communities.

I have two blogs, both of which need tending, and a Web site for parents, Faith at Home (http://www.faith-at-home.com/). I do a little Web design, but that has been set aside in these first years of homeschooling. Someday I would love to do graduate study in church history or late medieval women's lives. Or maybe not.

I'll stop talking now!

[Needleroozer]

My name is LB, and I have lived in south Seattle in a 1943 Cape Cod style farmhouse on 1/2 acre for five years now, with the Papa Dude with whom I have been a partner for 17 yrs in May; the Fine Young Man, aka the Boy, 15 3/4, who is enrolled part-time at the local high school and is very skilled at speech and debate; Piano Girl, who is 13 tomorrow, who is aiming at being a professional pianist; 3 toddler cats named Catkin, Sparrowhawk, and Sassy/Cuddlepuff; and 4 chickens named Annabelle, Lucy, Goldie, and Chickyboo.

I found the boards about 9 years ago, I think. Been here a long time. We have mostly used CM/WTM methods. For curriculum this year, we are using Holt Biology, Teaching Co. courses, History Odyssey, CW, Bravewriter online classes, Latin Book One, MathUSee, WEM for literature, etc.

The kids are mostly schooling themselves these days, which I love. I spend my days supporting the Boy, teaching the Girl, trying to be a better housekeeper (not), and meal-maker, and then I head down to my Happy Place, my basement studio. I dabble in mixed media textile work: collage, paper-making, art-quilting, and painting. I am concurrently teaching myself about acrylics, watercolor, and oil paintsticks.

I love babies, two-year olds, my neighbor-dogs, Vitamin water, Indian food, fish, fish, and more fish (- my fave way to eat protein), music of all kinds, Dancing With the Stars (It is all Miz Booshay's (http://booshay.blogspot.com/) fault), and driving with the windows down even in the middle of winter.

[theodwyn]

I've been lurking and occasionally posting for a few years now.
I grew up in NH but here I am in a place I never imagined I'd be. My dh is a high school physics teacher and we've been married 15 1/2 years. We have 2 children--our ds is almost 14 and our dd is 12.
We use a variety of resources for homeschooling and this is our 7th year of home schooling.
I am an RN and work part-time at a pediatrician's office.
I like to read, bake, sew, play around with my Canon Digital Rebel XTi, camp/hike.
Our family plays a lot of board games and own over 200 I think. We also decorate with books-- the formal dining room is our library with shelves sticking out into the middle of the room making room for nine large cases.
I glean a lot of useful information from here but don't post unless I really think I have something to say.
My board name is from LOTR. My children's middle names are Eomer and Eowyn and Theodwyn is their mother.
My real name is Wendy.

[NicksMama-Zack's Mama Too]

I *think* I started visiting these boards in 2001.

I am 40 years old. Married to my dh since 1990. We live in almost Northern VA - just south of where dh and I grew up. I did the career thing for the first five years of our marriage. Then we had the boys and I embraced mommyhood and never looked back. My dh is my best friend and a wonderful husband (25 days a month)....My mom lives fairly close by and she blesses me with her understanding and confidence daily. My best girlfriend is a childhood friend who lives down the road. I don't have loads of friends, but I seem to like it that way. I really like my alone time.

I found WTM at the library way back and loved the idea of chronological
history. After many attempts at classical, we have evolved to a more eclectic than classical homeschool, but I find lots of useful stuff here.

I consider myself pretty unconventional compared to my few friends. We haven't had tv in four years and avoid most pop culture. I have my own ideas about religion. I have a very dry sense of humor. I like to curse in my home when my children aren't around. I don't like girly flicks - prefer intense, non-linear storylines in movies (fav movie "True Romance"). I read all my news online (local, national and foreign). I vote in every election (local & national). I hate shopping and only buy stuff when I have to. We drive old cars and have cheap furnishings. I have very eclectic tastes. I don't care to keep up with the Jones'. I don't like being around groups of people or doing group activities (and I was socialized in PS).

I am opinionated, but realize that there are few that share my opinions. I think I'd like to sit down for coffee with GothicGyrl and Michelle T. I have a feeling we'd get ourselves kicked out of Starbucks though...:eek:

My hobby is self-educating. I'm working through Russian Math 6 and reading a bunch of parenting books (my 11 year old is putting me through he wringer).
I love math and frequent Kitchentablemath site as well as Joanne Jacobs' site.

I enjoy this board because I find the people who visit this board interesting and smart. I have learned so much here - both about homeschooling and living. I feel like I am almost "consulting the Oracle" when I log on with a question for the boards..:)

Nicksmama

[Amira]

I have 3 boys, one who's a few weeks old and a 1st grader and 3rd grader. We love to live overseas and like learning languages. If anyone is working on Persian right now, I'd love to hear about it. I love to read and do traditional handicrafts like spinning and handquilting and to cook, especially international recipes.

We've always homeschooled, partly because we've moved every summer since our older son was 4, but mostly so because we all love it. I've been reading often and posting sometimes on the WTM boards for almost 5 years.

[mcconnellboys]

Okay, are you sure you want to hear about me again, LOL?

I'm old and crotchety. I have two sons. Save yourself and stop now.....

I studied anthropology in college, at UT, Knoxville. My primary interest was in forensics work and I was there when they started the body farm, but due to political reasons (professor duals) I was relegated to work with primates in association with Oakridge labs.....

Due to a socially chaotic life, I did not end up finishing my masters, nor going on to earn a Phd. I moved to Baton Rouge, met my future husband, got a great paying job and bought my first house.

I changed from the retail work I'd grown up in to working in a law office because I'd fallen in love with reading law during a business law class. I obtained paralegal certification from LSU and decided that I wanted to work in medical malpractice (closest thing to forensics work and a lot cleaner).

I was able to become an adjuster with the Louisiana Worker's Comp Fund when it was reorganized and did that work, as well as some outside paralegal work, for the rest of the time I lived in BR.

We moved to Lexington when my youngest was 9 months old. My husband took a job here as adjuster for a high risk worker's comp fund, similar to one he'd been working for in LA. I got him into the insurance area of work after he took his CPA and other accounting designations. The only one he doesn't have is Certified Fraud Investigator, which is the only one I think would be interesting, LOL!

My oldest son is 15 and a sophomore who has gone back to private school this year. He's so mega-social that he's met half the school already and loves it. He swims year round and is very interested in drama and playing guitar (isn't every teen boy?) His teachers all tell me that he's SO quiet, and well-mannered and SUCH a good student, LOL - he's obviously pretty good at drama...... Oh, and he's over 6 feet tall and still growing. I feel like I live with Clifford, the big red dog.....

My youngest is almost 10 (in March) and way too much like me, with all our family's bad genes, sigh...... He's actually mentally quicker and trickier than my oldest and keeps us all hopping with his constant plays to dominate and control every aspect of every situation, EVERY day....

He's a soccer man, but has a club foot condition that causes his calf muscles to be weaker, so he's sort of topping out at this point in what he can do physically. I hate that for him and will have to continue to try to look for new outlets for him. He loves animals and really loves to ride horses. We have opportunities aplenty here, so I may move to get him into that in future.

They've both been good students for me, although their interests and abilities are certainly different. I continue to tweak and change to try to improve for my younger over what I offered my older; learn from mistakes and make better (such as more tests in middle school, etc.)

My husband is still working as that auditor in that worker's comp company and has really had a charmed life insofar as his work situations. I guess that's a fair thing. He's a good person and deserves to have a cush job that allows him to be with his beloved boys as much as possible (he works a 4 day week, so long hours on those days, but he's off on Fridays).

I have not worked since moving here. We had my younger's club feet and worries that he had CP to deal with when we first moved, until he was about 5. My mil died due to lung cancer just a few weeks before we moved here. My fil almost immediately found a new lady friend, which devastated my husband (and he's sort of abandoned all of us since then). My oldest had been diagnosed with ADHD, which was no big deal in BR, but HERE it was like a great big "retarded" sign taped to them - what a hassle that proved to be. KY was a little behind the rest of the country, we thought, to say the least.....

Oh, and how can I forget the horrible fiasco of poor teacher management that the poor child endured during the half year we had him in private school when we first moved here? I won't even go into it. Suffice it to say that the teacher let a nothing incident explode into the biggest, monthS long deal, and my first grade son ending up sobbing on the way to school each day as he worried about what would occur that day..... OY.... We learned that there was such a thing as homeschooling and we started down that path. Not perfect with a curmudgeonly mom like me, but maybe better than the alternative.....

So, I've been a little busy, LOL. And once all that cleared up I got involved in putting on major vacation Bible schools for a few years with almost no help, 'cause I'm such a glutton for punishment, I guess. Then my husband finally put his foot down about that and I've actually sort of begun to occasionally be able to have a somewhat clean house.

I really wanted my children to be able to do and learn from lots of immersion type activities of speakers, classes, and field trips so I got involved in scheduling of trips in our area during my second year of homeschooling. I've helped start and restart a local coop. I help get outside, stand-alone classes started (and really prefer these over coop for the amount of learning involved). I still work to set up theatre performance dates, get-togethers, physical ed opportunities, and field trips throughout our area. I belong to a webring in the area that has about 350 families subscribing to it, so posting there helps get the word out about group activities.

I found out about WTM and read it during my second year of homeschooling. It was really like what I was already doing on my own, and I began implementing some of the curriculum suggestions the next year. It has been invaluable to me! I read and re-read my books, making notes in the margins and inserting notes throughout. I actually took them to Cincy last spring and got SWB to autograph them for me - something I've NEVER done, LOL!

Like Peek, I think I tend to decorate with books. I said once on these forums that I think sometimes the stacks are what's holding up the roof, LOL. I've begun starting to sell off some of the really little guy stuff - but I still think that 5000 mark sounds about right for what I've got on hand. I seem to find replacements faster than I can empty the shelves....

OKAY, enough about me. I'll shut up,

Regena

[Cathy in IL]

I have 3 children that are forever mine - dd(9), dd(6), and ds(4). On any given day I have up to three other children. Today I have two brothers who are 1 and 3. I am a single, licensed foster mom but am currently with a program called Safe Families that helps prevent abuse and neglect by providing children with a family to live with when their own family is in a crisis situation. I have had 14 children since August when I moved to a house the agency owns. Before that I lived with my 3 in a small condo and wanted to be a part of Safe Families, but had no space.

Our curriculum is eclectic but mostly follows the recommendations in WTM. I have homeschooled for 5 years now.

In my "free time" I like to talk with friends, book, bake, scrapbook, hike, and listen to music.

[Paz]

I have been married for 20 years. I homeschooled ds until 8th grade. He's currently a Sr in HS doing all duel enrollment classes this semester. He used to play baseball and is now into surfing and snowboarding. I homeschool dd (15) who is dyslexic and amazing. She looks at life differently than anyone I know. She plays softball and loves animals. We are currently using SOS for geography and Spanish, Jacobs for Algebra 1, Apologia for Biology, and BJU for English Lit.

[myfunnybunch]

I'm Cat. I've got five children: A lovely lady, almost 15, homeschooled for middle school, now attending public high school; A lovely lady with autism, 12, homeschooled this year; three fine young gents: 7, 5 on Friday, and 3.

I rarely post, but I read the boards on a daily basis.

[OhM]

I am Michelle from Ohio. I'm a part-time EE (hence, "OhM", get it? Thanks OHElizabeth - wherever you are!)

This is our 3rd year of homeschooling dd12 (7th grade) and dd10 (4th grade). I've frequented the boards beginning about 2 years before I started hs'ing. After reading TWTM, I couldn't not give my kids that education. (And yet it still took us two years to re-organize our life to be able to do it.)

Now that I've done it for awhile, I can't really say I'm giving them the education SWB spelled out and I envisioned, but we are taking what we can from the book, doing what we can, and enjoying our time together.

I live in a tiny town (pop. 500) which is 10 minutes away from a small city, and 20 minutes away from a larger city. We feel like we have the best of both worlds with that kind of proximity to arts and sporting events.

Been married to dh for 14 years (had to engrave the date in his ring to keep track of it, because I'm bad that way :rolleyes:) I'm a sometimes-pianist at church, SS teacher, Christmas program director, VBS director, GS leader, and obviously someone who can't say "no". I like to read more than I like to breathe, but I'm not (yet) a book collector. I am a library fanatic. I'm probably every bit as opinionated as the next person, but would bite my tongue off before telling you what I think.

And since I'm babbling now, I'll say, "See ya later" and go back to my shell.:)

[OnTheBrink]

I'm Michelle. I've been homeschooling since 2001, when I pulled my son out of public school to home school him during his high school years. He graduated in 2005. I home school my almost-10 year old daughter and I babysit an 18 month old toddler.

I've been divorced for 7 months; separated 2 years. By God's grace and provision, I was able to purchase my little blue house where I and my kids live. My son is in college and lives at home.

I have loosely followed WTM with both kids, but right now am following the frame-work a bit more than I have before. I've also used CM methods with my daughter, but with watching a toddler, I don't have the time to spend on CM methods anymore.

This is my favorite home schooling board and I love the opinions and recommendations of everyone here. This is one smart group of women!

[Kristiana]

Hey Amy, I'm a musician and teacher as well. I play the cello and have 10 private students, as well as a trio for weddings, and am in a local community symphony.

Anyway, I live in Salt Lake City where I'm currently freezing! It is so cold here this week! But I've been married for 10 years and we have 3 boys ages 7, 4.5, and 3. We started homeschooling (if you can call it that) when our oldest was 3.5 and abnormally interested in the alphabet. We did letter of the week which took us a year to get through the alphabet due to morning sickness and a premature baby. DH always said we were going to homeschool our kids and I'd laugh at him. But here we are!

We did FIAR for two years and I dearly love that curriculum, I always said classical education, at least as I'd seen it described, was not for me. But then I picked up TWTM and I absolutely loved it. It was like someone took the ideal education I wanted for my children and wrote it down! We love the history focus and 4-yr rotation (DH was a history major) and it just made sense to me and I also love how it maps out 12 years of school for you. I'm sure we won't follow it exactly, we haven't already and we're just doing 1st grade, but I love having the plan there. I feel like I know where I'm going, I'm not wandering aimlessly through curriculum.

Anyway, I also love family history, cooking, baking, cross-stitch, reading, and travel. I found this board about 1.5 years ago and it completely overwhelmed me, just the sheer size and amount of information. I came back to it about a year ago though and I've posted irregularly, mostly on the curriculum board. I've learned so much though, I love coming here to meet like-minded homeschoolers. I don't know too many others locally that use TWTM. So, that's me!:)

[HomeOnTheRanch]

I've been married for 17 1/2 years to my college sweetheart. He's still my sweetheart, but thankfully he is out of school now. We live on a 50+ acre hay ranch. DH is a doctor in a rural health clinic and pastors a small church. We have 4 kids...DS almost 14, DS 10 1/2, DS 8, and DD almost 23 (ok, she'll be 6, but she thinks she's 23).

We've been homeschooling for over 10 years since DS taught himself to read. We took it year-by-year, but we finally decided we're in it for the long haul. It has been a blessing while we were moving so much for DH's education since the kids never had to switch schools, and now we wouldn't have it any other way.

We use quite an eclectic mix of curriculum. What worked well for my oldest doesn't quite work for the 2nd, so we have quite a library of books for a variety of learning styles.

I've been visiting the boards for about 3-4 years. The poster currently known as Mama Bear kept emailing me links to certain discussions and I was a frequent lurker up until about 2 years ago when I started posting sporadicly. I'm sure there are other people on the boards that I know IRL, but I haven't identified them yet! It has been fun "seeing" other people here that I know from other boards around the net.

[Sugarfoot]

I just posted an introduction on the K-8 curriculum board, but I don't know how to cross post it, so I'll try to repeat it here:)
I'm Gina, my husband and I have 4 children, and we live in the Flint Hills of Kansas. I have a master's degree in marriage and family counseling and my husband is a gastroenterologist. I've always homeschooled our older 2 and will add the other 2 when it's time! We have a ds12, dd 9, dd 18 mos., and ds4 mos. We also have 2 huge Golden Retrievers. We travel quite a bit--most often to DisneyWorld. The 2 older children are black belts in Tae Kwon Do. They also take piano lessons, and dd 9 does gymnastics. I feel very fortunate to be able to teach my children at home!

[kalanamak]

Have you read PrairyErth? It is all about Chase County and is the only book I've found that really gives the flavour of Kansas.

I love driving Hwy 177 at dawn or sunset and going to hear the Prairie chickens boom and poking around in the little historical societies in the county seats.

[Katia]

I am Kat in IA, hence the name Katia and I've been on the boards since 1999.

Married to my pastor dh for 25 years and homeschooling for 13 1/2 years now.

I love cats and have three right now, having just lost my first baby (she was around 19 years old) in October.

TWTM is a terrific book that I've read many times but I just can't seem to implement it in our home. We've done more of a Beechick/CM style in elementary and jr. high. So far, high school has been rather traditional.

I like to eat, especially chocolate, but I don't like to cook. I like to bake :)

Music is my one talent, but it is strictly an "at home" thing. I'm making sure my girls are trained so they can bless others with their talent.

I love to read, but I need bi-focals and I'm in denial...so I don't read much right now. Only three novels so far this week.

I'm and organizer and planner, but only in my home and homeschool. Otherwise, I'm a classic introvert with OCD tendencies.

Love these boards!

[frogpond1]

and have 4 children- 7th, 5th, 3rd and 1st. My husband and I run a 2 day homeschool cooperative school for 21 3rd-8th graders and on the other 3 days I homeschool and run the household, command AWANA, and try to spend more time with my littlest one. I've been learning Classical Education methods since my first born was in first grade and I'm still learning. I'm working hard on mastering Latin, completed Wheelock's +, but still building mastery in many areas- it takes this almost 40 year old brain a while to commit things to long term memory. I'm also chewing on the Progymn in order to really teach it from my heart and not just be stuck following any particular classical writing/composition curriculum.

I'm a math major/former ps teacher... so the teaching thing has been my life since grade 3 when I decided that was my dream. I'm a perpetual student and lover of learning, so I guess that is why Classical Education appeals... what other type of education would make you study like mad to teach a group of 6th graders??

My littlest guy officially is reading well now and I guess I'm closing that chapter in my life- teaching my babies to read. We still snuggle and work on fluency, but you should hear him read. I am completely amazed in a sad sort of way. He is just a first grader but he'd rather die than let me sing those cute phonics museum tunes to him about long u etc. "MOOOOOOOOOOOOm.." he grumps and I have to stop embarrassing him immediately. Well, at least I can still sing him Bible verses!

So now you know who frogpond1 is, the one interested in all the latest classical scoop, and eager to try the hard Singapore bar problems, and willing to try to help on Latin.

[Jean in Newcastle]

I'm Jean in Newcastle. I've been married to my dh, Tanny, for 15 years now. We met in Greek class in seminary. He is Filipino but is more American than I am. I grew up as a missionary kid in Japan. My dh is a Nurse Manager at a dialysis clinic and pastors on weekends and Wednesdays.

I have wanted to homeschool ever since I read "For the Children's Sake" by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay. This was while I was single and was teaching at a private school for gifted kids. One of my "interview" questions for my dh during our engagement (and it was a deal-breaker!) was if he would go along with homeschooling. He is more committed to homeschooling the longer we do it!

I have two children. Science Boy (10 yo/5th grade) loves to read, do science (of course!), draw, and bake for his two-year old baking business. Monkey Girl (6 yo/1st grade) loves to dance, do gymnastics, do math and play. She wants her own business (making jewelry) when she is seven! We do a CM/Classical mix.

[Amy in Orlando]

Amy in Orlando here. Guess where I live? Dh, Mike, and I have been married for 18 years this March, together for 22 years total. We met at the Univ. or Florida, though we were both born and raised in the NE (Pittsburgh and Buffalo). We have four sons (info on them below). To be honest, homeschooling never occurred to us. To be brutally honest, I danced in the parking lot that day I dropped my twins off at kindergarten. We initially started homeschooling out of frustration with our local school system. Now we do it because we can't imagine doing anything else! This is our eighth year.

For the most part we follow TWTM because it's worked for us. I like notebooks. AND, despite what you might read in my blog, I like order. But, that's just me. I tend to embrace the goofy/ridiculous side of life (though, irl, I'm not exceptionally goofy or ridiculous - well, just a little).

I'm finishing up my last cup of tea and patting myself on the back for not shrieking ONCE during ds's first official day of having a driving learner's permit. 45 minutes and I did not once yelp.

[freethinkermom]

I introduced myself on the accelerated board, but I will do so here also :)

I am Terry, mom to ds10 (11 in three weeks) and ds6, wife to dh for what will be 16 years on Feb 8. We met when we were 9 and have been friends ever since. I am from California, but we moved to the Oregon coast almost six years ago. The area we live in is not exactly rural, but it is isolated from any real cities which makes me a bit stir crazy at times.

We have almost always homeschooled. I was having some health problems so we tried the public schools for the first trimester of the school year. I got better and the schools sucked, so they are back home and we are pretending it never happened :D

I used to post on the WTM boards and at The Denim Jumper as 2wackyboys or wackboysx2, but freethinkermom is a better decription and easier to type.

[buddhabelly]

I'm buddhabelly here and on the old boards. I have had a lot of trouble getting registered and also getting used to the new format, hence my lack of new posts recently.

I homeschool one 8yo 3/4 grade boy, and live in Alaska. My son is wild for Legos and computer programming/design. (Yes, he does the Lego robotics!) I'm a Buddhist, and my belly is only of moderate size. I homeschool because my son requested it. He can't tolerate the noise and chaos of public school.

We use SOTW, Right Start Math D, RS4K Chemistry I (and also Physics I), Latin for Children B, Espanol para Chicos y Grandes, Elementary Spanish on United Streaming, Growing with Grammar 3, Spelling Workout D/E, and Classical Writing Aesop B. Ds really likes Classical Writing. We have also begun looking at IEW, which I think is good if you don't take it as gospel. The author discourages you from doing so! It is a good blend with CW Aesop so far.

May all beings be free from suffering and the causes of suffering.

Julie

[Mrs. Readsalot]

I grew up in Baltimore County Maryland, but now live on the beautiful Eastern Shore of Maryland (no comments about how we talk here please - remember I can only hear you with my good ear)
I planned to homeschool my son before he was even born. He is now 14 and I am still as passionate abouthomeschooling as I was at the beginning.
We use a mix of SOTW, Sonlight(mainly reads and read alouds for history), Chalkdust Math, Sequential Spelling, Winston Grammar, almost finished Igniting your writing (next will be Format Writing), Prentice Hall Science Explorer and Discovering Science in...series books(currently doing garden book), Rosetta Stone Spanish, Wordly Wise 3000, Pentime Handwriting. I especially liek to use History Through the Ages to organize our history studies and we also use Amy Paks timeline stickers. I recently order Amy Pak American Revolution and Colonial studies set and they look wonderful. We also do a lot of hands on science work. Currently we are doing Mr. Circuit 2, building a solar and also a fuel cell car, and Zome geometry studies.
I enjoy reading a lot, and I do a lot of reading. I am currently on book 15 in my 888 reading challenge. I also like to watch Jane Austen movies so you know what I am doing on Sunday nights at the moment.
The only blog I read on a regular basis is Ree's Pioneer Woman
I have been married to my dh for nearly 18 years. We currently live near the beach, but we plan to retire in the mountains.

[Shelly in IL]

I am a SAHM with Dh as a commercial pilot. We have 2 wonderful boys, 11 and 8; 2 dogs - an Airedale and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel; 1 deaf cat; and 50 chickens (the boys have an egg business).

We use an Eclectic approach to our homeschooling, picking and choosing from great stuff that we are exposed to largely from this board. Favorites are: Apologia science, Abeka Math through 5th grade, Veritas Press History, Lial's Basic college Math, and Latin Prep Latin.

We have always homeschooled. God has put us near some wonderful homeschool families as our children have grown up, so we were exposed to the benefits of it while our children we very young. This allowed us to become used to the idea and decide that it was our path relatively easily!

My husband was a Marine Corps F-18 pilot, we moved a TON. It has shaped us into a very flexible family. We are hoping that when we put our children in high school that we won't freak at the rigidity of their schedules!

Now, if you have read this far, would someone please e-mail me privately and tell me how to get a hive mind stamp on my name, and also how to do other various things on this board? Thanks so much!

[Debbie in IL]

Good idea, Peek!

We are in Central IL, transplanted from New England / Upstate NY. Fortunately, we love it out here - and family from back East is able to visit us very often, which is wonderful.

Married to dh 17 1/2 years; 2 dc - dd 12 1/2, ds 10. Started off with Calvert, shifted to WTM 3 yrs ago. Now, I consider us as "comfortably classical". We are using Sonlight and loving it.

Deb

[Virginia Dawn]

Hello. I've been homeschooling for about 15 years, I'm starting to lose track of how long it has been. I have 5 kids dd 21 (with 2yo grandson), ds 17, ds 14, ds 8, ds 3. My daughter went to public school kindergarten but none of my kids has been to ps since.

I started with Konos and Writing Road to Reading because my friend who convinced me to homeschool used those resources. As I learned more on my own, I became interested in Greenleaf Press and their idea of following history from beginning to end. From there I found Sonlight and did that for a couple of years, but I found my self creating my own curriculum packages pulled together from things I liked. Then I read TWTM and refined my approach to history even more, I even tried Latin for a few years with my oldest son. :)

I'm now in a place where I feel comfortable with choices that I've made, so I don't really know what's new out there, I just keep plugging along. Still, History is a big deal in our house.

I sew, crochet, cook from scratch, practice frugality out of necessity not necessarily choice, wore denim jumpers for about 3 years (peer pressure, you know ;)) and have never worn birkenstocks.:) I am currently attending community college at night, but I'm not sure where I want it to lead.

I am a Christian and attend a church of Christ congregation. You might say I am moderately conservative in practice, but willing to be liberal in thought, up to a point. :D At any rate, I don't believe in accepting doctrine and teaching blindly. "Read, think, and learn" applies to my approach to Christianity

I found the boards about 3.5 years ago. I love coming here to find book titles, and interesting conversation.

[Janet in Toronto]

I have two sons, 16 and 12. I homeschooled boy #2 for two years, Grades 4 and 5. He returned to school last year and is now in Grade 7.

Growing up and living most of my adult life in Canada, I had never really heard of or seriously considered homeschooling. When we moved to the Atlanta area 6 years ago, the first neighbours we met were homeschooling 5 boys. When public school didn't seem to be working out for our second child, we pulled him out and did the first two years of the classical history cycle.

We returned him to a private Catholic school when it became clear that he needed more opportunity to be with children his own age, and I wasn't able to provide that for him, for a variety of reasons.

We're now back in Canada and it is clear that his two years of homeschooling have prepared him very well for the rigorous school program that he is in now.

On the personal side, I've been married for almost 25 years. I worked in telecommunications for 17 years as a statistician, researcher, and people/project manager, until I left to go back to school. I have been at home since 2001 and have discovered the joys of full-time mothering/housekeeping. I'm an avid knitter and love to cook and sew.

[Jean in Wisc]

High School Board Introductions (http://67.202.21.157/forums/showthread.php?t=1140)

[heymom]

I only post once in a while, but I read often.

I'm the permanent mom of 2 boys, both on the Autism spectrum--whatever that means. I am the temporary mom of 1 girl.

The kids are 9 1/2, 5 1/2, & 1 1/2.

We have a basset hound and live in the Packer state. :D:)

Our version of school is ever evolving to meet our family needs and keep a life of sanity and peace, with a huge measure of fun.

[Annie G]

I'm Annie and I've been here for several years..,probably 4 or so.
We live in Northern Illinois, which is an adjustment after living in Atlanta since 1969! (The current outside temperature is 1)
Dh is an engineer and I have been a full time SAHM since 1989.
Daughter Kimberly is in her 3rd year of her PhD studies at Georgia Tech. She has been married for almost three years and they have a darling daughter, Anna Grace.
Daughter Elizabeth is a pharmacy tech at our local hospital and doesn't know what she wants to do when she grows up.
Daughter Catherine loves languages and musical theater and has two more years of school before she heads off to college.
Son James is a delight. He is a mini version of dh and has a beautiful even personality (hey, after three hormonal, emotional, passionate teen girls, that's more important than you might think!!). Like many teen boys, he's consumed with cars.
Dh and I are quite involved with the area Corvette club, which is part social club and part service organization. We are also heavily involved with Christian Youth Theater.
It has been so interesting reading about everyone!!

[MNClaire]

but am back and using my old moniker.

I am Claire, been married to dh for over 17 years. He was born in the Netherlands, and our son was born in Bulgaria (adopted) so I'm the only Yank in the group. We live in rural Minnesota, but not so rural that we still can't get to the Twin Cities easily.

This is my third year homeschooling. The first year we used My Father's World for kindergarten. Switch to straight WTM for 1st grade. Favorite curriculum is Math-U-See...my slow math learner is really getting the concepts now because of it.

I like to read, scrapbook, quilt, exercise and play computer games in my spare time (just what is spare time?) I have learned a TON from you ladies here on these boards and am so glad this resource is here.

[Janna]

I loathe mean people

LOL! That's nice to know that you "loathe" mean people, LOLOL!! Way to be different! :D

~Janna

[jellybean]

I have only posted a couple times on the old board. Not even sure what my old name was. But just introducing myself. I have 4 kids and have been hs'ing for several years now. Nice meeting all of you!

[Sunny]

I'm Sunny AKA in real like as Dawn. I've been homeschooling since the babes were born. Josh is now 13 and Zach is 12. I made a mission statement when the boys were about 1st grade, and when I read it today, it is still mostly true. I wish I would have settled on what type of Classical Ed we wanted from the beginning, but God always seems to keep a step ahead of me, and I find myself needing to change the plans to accomodate. So, I don't feel too bad.

We're Christian, of the reformed denomination United Christian Reformed. Grew up Lutheran, and then went to Baptist where I realized I was a child of God, and now love our reformed church.

I have been frequenting these boards since about 1999. I'm addicted, I love them. I changed my name somewhere in the early 2000's because there were several Dawn's that would show up, use the name,and people would get confused. So I finally changed to something that was less common, but still find imposters posting once in a while :D I'm going to really like this board, with registered names! No more imposters! No more confusion as to who anybody is. Maybe I'll finally get everyone straight!

I've been married to my wonderful, handsome man for 16 years. He is self employed as a paint contractor, but loves to do anything that means he is moving around and working with his hands. My younger son will someday be like him.

I love to mountain bike (when there is time), quilt, scrapbook (learning to digital scrapbook this year), this winter I'm learning to ski and snowboard, I love to read, & train our 2 twin Australian Shepherds.

That's me!

[Sunny]

Welcome Sunflower! You have been lurking since 2000, and this is your FIRST post? Wow, how can you sit on your hands so patiently?
Welcome.

[LNC]

deleted - too much info!

[Angie in VA]

Hi, again! I'm Angie in VA and I just posted for the first time last week and then POOF! The boards changed, and I'm old and hate change, but my appreciation for the hard work the good folks do on this board overrides my hating change!

We have "officially" homeschooled since 2000. I didn't trust the theory du jour of the public schools to teach my dd to read, so I taught her. Then I realized we already WERE homeschooling and wanted to keep doing it. We've been enjoying the journey ever since. I have a dd and a ds and use a mix, loving a mix of Classical and Charlotte Mason, but we're using Sonlight until we move into our new house which is under construction.

I live in the finest state of the union and when I run away from home (WITH my family, not FROM them!) I go to Colonial Williamsburg.

I see some familiar names here, more than I saw last week, even. I lurked for a while, and have always learned and laughted a lot here!

:)

[Audrey]

Well, I'll play, too.

I'm Audrey. I'm a witch. I live near a tiny town in rural western Canada. I've been married to the same, only dh for 10 years (this March). We have one, only son - 8yo. We've always homeschooled, and so far haven't seen any need to change that.

We farm on land that's been in dh's family for 125+ years. I work several pt jobs, all but one of them I can do at home. The other is that I am the librarian in our tiny town library. It's a very tiny town, with a library open 15 hrs/week. I like it -- for the books.

[Wendi]

I have one ds, 11yo. I've been homeschooling all along. Long ago, I was a public school teacher.

We love to use Veritas history. Still trying to figure out what works best for math. Loving IEW writing this year, and Phonetic Zoo spelling.

I sing with the music team at church, and I also sing in a chamber chorale in our city; we sing some wonderful music like Handel's "Messiah", Mendelssohn's "Elijah", Haydn's "Creation", Bach's "Magnificat", etc. I love it!

We (well, ds and I, not as much dh) are animal lovers. We have two house rabbits, a tubby one named Oreo and a fluffy princess named Lanah. I'd love to get a cat someday.

We love hiking, and can't wait to get up into the high country soon to play in the snow.

We're a busy family this year, as I'm working part-time to raise money for an international adoption.

Wendi

[PixieKris]

*waving* Hi LB! Slowly going through all these great introductions, and thought I'd say hi!

[Sharon H in IL]

Hi, I'm a regular, though these boards have me a bit intimidated. [blush]

I've been using TWTM as inspiration ever since my oldest was a toddler, and he's 11 now, in 5th grade. My younger son is 8 and in 3rd grade. Married for 22 years, have my MIL living in an attached apartment next to us.

We spend about two years doing a SOTW book, and we're on the third volume now. I have about a thousand books of children's historical literature and science that we supplement with!
Some other programs we use:
Latina Christiana I & II
RightStart math
Andrew Pudewa's poetry memorization course
First Langauge Lessons 3 & Spectrum Word Study for grammar
Kimber's Classical Reading and Writing Copybook for cursive handwriting & copywork for the elder DS, Memoria Press' Copybook III for the younger
Natural Speller for spelling

Younger son takes piano lessons and ballet; older son is involved in every sport known to the park district.

It's wonderful to have this resource for support and my own enlightenment. As so many people have said, I've learned more about homeschooling here than anywhere else.

[SheilaZ]

I'm Sheila. In my life BC, I was a middle school science teacher. I quit teaching soon after my oldest was born. I like to say that I'm on extended maternity leave.

I've been married to my Army guy for 13 years but we live in my hometown. That will change in the next year. I'm not looking forward to it.

We have four boys ages 12, 9, 6, and 4. The boys have always been homeschooled. I wonder from year to year if I will continue homeschooling, but DH is sold on the benefits of staying home. He's my enabler for all things educational and fiber based.

I'm an eclectic homeschooler with a secular bent. I use a little of everything. Whatever works for the individual. ( MCP math, Singapore Math, Spelling Workout, Wordly Wise, Hooked on Phonics, Explode the Code, R&S English, Abeka English, SOTW, CK History, Harcourt Science, and MCP maps and graphs.)

Let's see....I knit. I crochet. I sew a little. I teach a knitting class. I tutor some 8th graders. (Which is quite informative.) I don't change my bed sheets nearly enough. I bake bread in my bread machine. And I make crazy birthday cakes.

I don't like mopping and I wish this writer's strike would end because I've grown quite fond of Chuck and Pushing Daisies.:mad:

[Sugarfoot]

Hi, Kalanamak, I've never read that book--I'll look for it! We've lived here about 7 years. We're in Riley county. It really is gorgeous. I, too, love the view from 177 at sunset. It makes the rest of the world just disappear...

[Tia in Wa]

Hi everyone I am Tia and I live in western Washington. My dh and I have been married for nearly 11 years. We have 2 dc and 2 dogs. This is our 2nd year of hs. The first part of that 1st year was scary. I was saved by WTM.
I love to read. I too decorate with piles of books. My favorite fiction authors are Georgette Heyer and J.R.R. Tolkien, but I will read anything.I also scrapbook, quilt, and swim.

The posts here have been so helpful to me thank you all so much!:)

[RegularMom]

Hi, I'm RegularMom.

I've been homeschooling since about 2006 or so. I have 2 girls, ages 7 and 4, so I'm clearly in the beginning stages of this whole thing.

I never, ever planned to homeschool. Then I had kids and sent them to preschool. And that was...INTERESTING. And then I decided I wanted to try homeschooling. Two months after making that decision, I got up the nerve to tell my husband I wanted to homeschool the kids, and he immediately hugged me and told me it was a GREAT IDEA and furnished me a schoolroom.

And all that time, I was sure he'd have me committed for wanting to homeschool. Who knew?

So, that's how I got myself into this.

I really like TWTM, and hope to follow its guidelines as much as possible over the upcoming years. But I'm new, so who knows how this will all turn out?

About a year ago, we decided it would be a good idea to pick up and move 2,000 miles across the country to be closer to family. Now that we've done it, we're wondering WHAT WE WERE THINKING. It's been a tough year, but we're hanging in there and still homeschooling.

When I'm not teaching my 7-year-old, you might find me beating my head against the wall as I try valiantly to negotiate with my 4-year-old, or to get the dishwasher to work right, or maybe even to catch up on all the laundry, or -- even funnier -- to find at least 8 minutes by myself that don't involve me sitting in a locked bathroom. I hear people say that as the kids get older, it gets easier to find time for yourself. I almost believe them.

I write about all this stuff at my blog (www.regular-mom.com (http://www.regular-mom.com)) but if you come visit my blog, please be aware that it's not exactly rated G. Which means that I've occasionally been known to utter a few 4-letter expletives in my posts. From time to time. But, not every day. I make an effort to keep it clean for my dear RegularSister who doesn't like cursing so much. But every once in a while, one just pops out. And my blog is sort of the only place left where I can go and shout four letter words. Which is theraputic for me in many ways. So, I won't promise to stop it.

So, fair warning to you all.

I'm more of a lurker at these boards. I can't say the new format will change that or not. I can say that, for me, lurking is good. In real life, it's hard to get me to stop talking. So, enjoy my lurkiness, people. Seriously.

I like to come here and read how it's going for other moms who have kids my age. Because I need to know that the craziness is somewhat commonplace. That It's Not Just Happening Here At My Place. Ya know?

Of course you do.

[mommatlaw]

I am a newbie here. I posted this message on the afterschooling board, but thought I would introduce myself (since I lurk on your board for all of the wonderful opinions and advice). I have recently made the decision to "afterschool" my DD1, who will turn 5 in February and, eventually DD2, who will turn 2 in February. I work part-time, and the girls are in school for much of the day. In anticipation of public kindergarten next year, I have begun to work with DD1 in the evenings after dinner (not the easiest time of day for either of us). I hope to supplement the school's curriculum, spend quality time and stimulate her desire to learn, among other reasons. I would appreciate any feedback from experienced moms who have taken a similar path. I am at a loss as to how to do this in an organized and manageable fashion (should I develop a simple lesson plan? should I set aside an area in the house? is this too much for my child?). I also would love advice on any curriculum you have chosen. Thank you very much!

Michele:)

[Andie]

Welcome!

[Peek a Boo]

Howdy!

i can't say I've BTDT, but here's a couple of ideas that I've picked up from listening in on other conversations....

If that's a tough time of the day for y'all, you might want to consider making it a basic GAME time --don't try to teach anything formal, just play an educational game --cards [numbers!], board games [counting moves], pizza fraction games, even the "jr" types of monopoly and scrabble. She'll learn a LOT, have fun, it's low-stress, and eeeeeeasy, lol. Maybe as y'all get accustomed to playing together, your moods will eventually gear to that time as a FUN time and you can start implementing a few minor "serious" concepts couched in the name of fun. Janice Van Cleave has a series of books called "Play and Find Out About...X..." that you can see at the library.

oh-- and we're collecting intros at the thread below-- click on over and be assimilated!!!:D

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1182

Good luck!

[Sharon H in IL]

I am a newbie here. I posted this message on I have begun to work with DD1 in the evenings after dinner (not the easiest time of day for either of us). I hope to supplement the school's curriculum, spend quality time and stimulate her desire to learn, among other reasons.

Hi, Michele,

I love all the great advice I've gotten on this board, and one piece of advice that seems to be consistent is: Don't push too hard when they're young. Enjoy them. Cuddle them. Read to them. If the time of day you are focusing on extra educational things is rough, then they're going to associate 'aftershooling' with that emotional state. You want it to be a good thing, so keep it positive and enjoyable.

They'll be able to handle more work-type activities as they get older. But their emotional approach to learning will inevitably hinge on your attitudes and how they feel when they're with you. So . . . everybody, have fun!
Read fairy tales, read bible stories, read simple science picture books. Plant beans, blow bubbles, see what floats & what sinks, sing folk songs, sing skip counting songs, dance Skip To My Lou.

HTH

[Barb F. PA in AZ]

I am at a loss as to how to do this in an organized and manageable fashion (should I develop a simple lesson plan? should I set aside an area in the house? is this too much for my child?). I also would love advice on any curriculum you have chosen. Thank you very much!

First of all, welcome! Enjoy your new venture with your little ones.

Please don't feel as if you have to do lesson plans at this point in the game. At your girls' ages, lessons should feel mostly like play. Don't think if it as school, think of it as an extension of your day to day parenting. At age 5, the main focus should be on skills. Daily handwriting practice, a little Math each day to stay sharp, and reading lessons unless she advanced, and then she can just read to you. Don't do lesson plans, just pick up the book and do the next thing each day.

Content is the fun stuff: Science, History, Art, Music, Literature. Don't try to hit each area every day. At this age, it's fun to do a unit study of each continent. Pull out storybooks, make regional food, look up art projects and music and/or composers from different countries. Keep an eye out for the gleam in their eyes. If the gleam is there, keep going, but if the spark goes out, put it away for the day. Have fun!

Barb

[Mrs Mungo]

Hubby came home from deployment, we packed up house in North Carolina, visited Florida, Arkansas and Oklahoma and finally arrived in Hawaii almost 3 weeks ago! I finally get my internet up and working only to discover the WTM board has a new home! Wow! I love it!!

For those who are new or don't remember (I do not do well at people's personal details myself) I was Jenmom on the old boards and have posted on the WTM boards off and on for about 6 years or so (eldest is in sixth grade, I think I started posting when she was in K). I have two daughters, the one in sixth grade and the other in fourth and one son who is in first grade. We're a military family and have lived all over but we *just* moved to Hawaii. We are loving the gorgeous weather and beautiful scenery.

And to respond the OP I had 55 boxes of books on this move...well 55 that *said* books, I think there were some more that contained books but were cleverly labelled something like "kitchen utensils."

[sclisa]

Hi there! I agree with the others -- at this age, it's better (and more enjoyable for all) to make things fun. If at all possible, turn things into games. If you want to practice handwriting, you can make up sheets with a line or two of the letter you want to practice. At the end of each line, you can offer a sticker or a quick fun activity together. Anything that is fun and motivating.

If you're looking for resources for games, I like the "Games for..." series by Peggy Kaye. "Games for Math", "Games for Writing", "Games for Learning," etc. Obviously you don't need all of them, but you can see if your library has any of the titles.

Anyway, I really just wanted to say "hello." http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/greet024.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)
Lisa

[Needleroozer]

*waving* Hi LB! Slowly going through all these great introductions, and thought I'd say hi!

Waving back at Ya'. How is it all going? You guys well? School going well? Haven't seen you since July!

[slug hollow]

Hi! So nice to meet you all!
I'm a 38 year old mother of 2 & expecting our third in May. I'm married to a wonderful man with whom I love to converse.
Our daughter is 5.5 - super verbal & full of questions. Her memory astounds me. Our son is 3.5 - he's active, coordinated & wise beyond his years. Has a grasp of how things work (physically) that could only have come from his father. Baby-on-the-way is @ 25w1d gestation & is of undetermined gender - I can't wait to meet the little one & see which way the household balance will tip.
I tell people I wanted to homeschool before I was sure I wanted kids. It's still been an intimidating prospect but I love it. I can't wait to try Latin as it's something I always wanted to learn. I am currently stressing about next fall when dd will be ready for some 2nd grade material, I plan to start a more regular schedule of preschool w/ ds and baby will be around 5 months old.
We have a sweet 10 year old dobermut with bad knees. We've never owned a TV. We're not religous people. We have a strong commitment to living a moral life & following a personal philosophy honestly. I like to garden, I used to paint, I love making lists. He can fix almost everything, used to write (and will again:)) and loves technical design done right. I'd like to say I decorate w/ books, but honestly, it's more like clutter. We are in the 4th year of drownding in--- oops, I meant restoring our 1875/1940's fixer-upper here in our micro-climate known as Slug Hollow.
You guys are wonderful - I've really enjoyed reading you & am already regretting that I won't be able to keep up w/ all the fun discussions!

[PixieKris]

Hey there,

Life is good... loving homeschooling, loving my schooling - just keeping busy and having fun. Yikes- it has been since July! We must get together again sometime!

Kris

[Tracey in TX]

Hi everyone! I've been looking at WTM for 5 yrs before taking the plunge into hs'ing for our family. It's 6 weeks... We are newbies! I used to teach in both public and private school. Spent endless hours supporting our local elementary school and wasn't feeling satisfied. The state curriculum teaches to the lowest common denominator, and wastes most of the year teaching to the standardized test.
My gifted child began losing interest in learning b/c it was a mindless endeavor. DD,Giggles, took the easiest route to modest success. Not the type of life learners I hoped to create. I pulled them out of school in November. The adjustment period is over, but so is the honeymoon period! We hit the books and they're learning topics that they never knew existed. We're in the academic trenches together now!

[kalanamak]

and I learned to sled and horseback ride in the surrounding hills. Do you ever go to Pillsbury Crossing, an old ford the settlers used? Have you found the wonderful, large and ignored crabapple trees on campus? Have you been to Paw-Paw glen east of town? I have so many memories of all he things my parents did with us, on the cheap because there were six of us on a teacher's salary.

[Sugarfoot]

Oh, my goodness! We're going to have to do these things! The town has grown so much just since we've been here. The campus is good for exploring. We'll have to look for the crab apple trees. I hope my kids have lots of good memories of growing up here like you do!

[Maria from IN]

Well, I have one son who's 13 now, and we have been homeschooling since Kindergarten. I started back to college in 2005 after about a 15-year break, so the WTM recommendations we had been pursuing got kind of thrown out the window for a while, and now we're using Switched On Schoolhouse for everything but History--still using SOTW for that. I hope to get into graduate school (just getting ready to turn in my application, cross your fingers!) and become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. That should make teaching high school rather interesting.

I'm divorced and have a great boyfriend who's just as wacky as myself, and this here place is home to a cantankerous cat and an active lab/coon hound puppy, who will tree something only because he wants to play with it. Currently I'm completing an internship at a local hospital's psych unit, and I'm having the best time! I finally know what I want to do when I grow up!

[Tea Party Girl]

OH my goodness, these forums are SO active! I could never get involved with the old one because I could not follow the threads and this is a huge improvement to a newbie. There's so much going on here, though, how will I ever keep track!?

My sons are 12 and 9, my daughter 6. We use Sonlight to decide where we're going to focus our history and literature next, but I love PHP grammar materials. I'm thrilled there will be a writing program and an FLL Level 4.

I wish I was having more luck with the Phonics (OPGuide) program and my daughter, however. Hope to find out more info here.

Look forward to getting to know everyone!

[jacqui in mo]

Hi everyone. I'm Missouri born, & Missouri bred, & when I die, I'll be.... well you should get it by now. A little song I learned in 4-H :).

I have 3 dc, 12, 9, & 5. We follow WTM pretty closely. I am a former Speech Therapist who's worked with almost all ages & disorders. I am a decent flute player & married to an excellent cellist/musician/computer programmer. If I'm not reading for the children's homeschooling work, or reading something fun to the kids, then I'm usually reading myself to sleep at night.

It's great to be on the new forums.

Jacqui

[KidsHappen]

Hubby and I have been married since 1990. I have six dc (b25, g22, g16, g14, g11 & g8) and two step-dc and first grandbaby on the way (Yay! I can't wait). We have lived in Middle TN for five years now and are planning on making this our forever home. I have homeschooled since 1995 and been here since 2002. I used TWTM as a starting point and then kind of created my own curriculum from there. Here are some of the things that we are using:

Grammar: Growing with Grammar, Easy Grammar and Analytical Grammar.

Writing: Writing Tales, Wordsmith Craftsman and Put That In Writing.

Latin: Latin's Not So Tough & Getting Started in Latin.

Math: Singapore, Mastering Mathematics, Math-U-See and Teaching Textbooks.

Science: Education Exploration, PAC Integrated Chemistry & Physics and Holt Biology (I think).

History: Parragon World History Encyclopedia, SYRWTL Junior History, History of US and A Human Odyssey.

I am writing a homeschool curriculum guide, although I haven't worked on it in 5 months as life as kind of gotten in the way (buying a house, moving, mono, teen problems). Things have just recently calmed down some and I am getting a maid so I think that I will be back on track soon.

The avatar is me and my hubby. This is a picture from Christmas that my dd paid for as my Christmas present. I have pictures of the whole family which I will try to get around to posting soon.

It's late and that's all I can think of right now.

[Tammy in Germany]

Hi Guys..I'm Tammy. I've been homeschooling now for 6 years. I'm getting ready to graduate my second daughter and then I'll be down to just one homeschooler who's never been to public school. He loves homeschooling.
We have used A Beka for the last 3 years but will be changing this fall to a new program. I'm so excited. :)

I've been married for almost 21 years to my wonderful husband. Ron is in the military and we feel so lucky to have been able to travel so much and see the world.

[Kate CA]

I will be the last to post! LOL

I am Kate, it is pretty obvious I live in CA. :) I have five lovely children; four girls, one boy, 13 to 5. I have been married for 15.5 years and am very happy. I love homeschooling.

That about wraps it up! LOL

Warmly,
Kate

[Lizzie in Ma]

We began homeschooling after a disastrous ps kindergarten year. As I was sharing with my Pastor's wife she looked at me and said, "Lizzie, if I can do it, YOU can do it". And here I am 7 years later. I read WTM that summer and have used it as my game plan ever since. We are what we call "eclectic classical".

My daughters are 11 and 7 now and we are teaching 6th and 1st. I have been married for almost 17 years to my best friend and we are newly addicted to the Sharpe's dvd series by Bernard Cornwell. DH and I are also huge Joss Whedon fanatics.

We have 2 guinea pigs, a budgie, a cockatiel, an Aussie Shepherd and a Siamese and an assortment of fish. And, while a totally separate category than the pets, my twin sister and her husband to be live with us as well.

I love Christian Light Education Math and Language Arts, Latin Prep, Lively Latin, Lightening Lit, IEW's theme based lessons, SOTW and Truthquest with Mystery of History. I do not like Saxon Math, Latin for Children or Writing Strands.

I am an old book collector and reader and a curriculum junkie. My very favorites are the My Book House series,Landmarks and the OLD Childhood of Famous Americans, not the new ones. I also love the old "Twins" series.
I also love knitting and am playing with felted projects lately.

We go to a Baptist church where we are incredibly blessed by the church body with friendship and fellowship and many of us home school. My dh is on the worship team and our soon to be old enough dd will join in May. We love singing as a family and the girls are learning guitar from Dad and piano from me.

I am so very grateful for the collective wisdom and willingness to share that I have experienced on these boards. I am glad to be among you.

[rivendellmom]

Always have to have the last word-
Anyway I'm Jen, we've been homeschooling for 6 years and we live in Northern IL. We're about exactly halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee (in fact I grocery shop in WI). We follow a combo of a WTM/LCC curriculum at home.

[mommatlaw]

Ladies - In one day I've already received great advice from you! I look forward to learning more!

[Karenciavo]

http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/sign/sign0082.gif (http://www.emailblacklistcheck.com)

Wrong smiley inserted, sorry. :o

Anyway, I just wanted to say welcome. :)

[Tammyla]

Welcome~

[Jean in Newcastle]

Bumping this up in case someone else wants to introduce themselves. I am finding this very interesting.

[wbtx]

I have 4 daughters 13,14, 15 and 21. My 21 yo is finishing up her commercial pilot license. My other three are trying to drive me insane. :D . We have been homeschooling 9 years. I still don't feel like I have it together.LOL.
I do not like writing this. Everything I say seems lame.:p

[Tutor]

I'm Tutor (dropped the "The"... original, huh?). My family just moved to Dixie this past summer and I am missing the snow this winter.

We have 4 munchkins... 11yog, 9yog, 7yob, and 3yob. My dh is a full-time PhD student and a part-time teacher at a local private school. He also helps with homeschooling. (I could care less whether my kids know grammatical terms, but dh loves that stuff, so he took over). I am currently writing a science curriculum for grammar stage students aimed toward homeschoolers and smaller classical schools. (I am currently suffering from writer's block, so I thought I'd hang out here a bit.) I also take care of a majority of the homeschooling. We've been homeschooling since our oldest was born.

We aren't involved in many outside activities right now since we only have one car and our schedule changes every semester, but a member of our church offered our oldest free horseback riding lessons, so we are in the midst of arranging those. We are also trying to get our son back into the swing of Cub Scouts before he falls to far behind.

We are active in our church home and are so thankful for a church home that has taken us in so lovingly. We attend a PCA church, btw, but my dh grew up Baptist and I grew up alternating between the Unitarian Universalist and United Methodist churches. My dh and I love to discuss religion, politics, movies, books, music... whatever, so we invite people over regularly to just hang out, eat and talk. We love inviting strangers over to hang out, talk, and tell us about their lives. We try to have a movie discussion night once per month.

That's all I can think of right now. Shorter is probably sweeter, but, as I said, I am procrastinating, so you got the long version. LOL

[Jolash]

I'm Shari, Mom to one ds 8, who's in second/third grade. We've homeschooled for four years and have finally hit our stride. We follow the WTM, but loosely. This year were using: SOTW2, Saxon 3, Prima Latina, Explorer's Bible, Cursive Connections, Trail Guide to US Geography, SWO, FLL2and Exploring Creation Thru Astronomy. My son is active in Wolf scouts, soccer and takes piano. We have a local HS group that meets once a week that is a real support for me.

We live in Central AL. My hubby of 15 years is a minister in the UMC. We have 3 cats, and one very hyper rat terrier named Puck.

I've posted very infrequently as Lashjo, but decided to change when the new board started.

[jail warden]

I have 3 children. ds 8, dd 6, dd 1(she'll be 2 in April) In June I've been married to my high school sweetheart for 11 years. We enjoy the WTM as a starting point for our schooling although, I have rarely used what SWB recommends. I LOVE the book, it gave me a starting point and confidence to go beyond a box curriculum.

[Andie]

...And all that time, I was sure he'd have me committed for wanting to homeschool. Who knew?...

Nah. I'm sure he's got lots of stuff on ya that's better than homeschooling. ;)

[JeanM]

I'm Jean, and I'm homeschooling two boys ages 8 and 6. We're currently living in Michigan, although that may change this spring if DH gets a new job. We've homeschooled since halfway through my elder ds's kindergarten year. I guess that would be almost exactly three years now. Most of the time I love it.

I was working part-time from home until I lost my job a year and a half ago. I just interviewed for another at-home job, but don't know yet if I'll get it.

Jean

[MoniMoni]

I guess I'll take a stab at it...

My DH and I grew up in NC and our Dads are professors at the same college, although we didn't meet until I went to college. We've been together 20 years/married 15. DH is an electrical engineer/Manager, and for some reason that equates to relocation every 2-3 years. We've lived in NC, TN, OR, PA and now we are in MD. I'm not good at setting up house, so I spend too much time and energy settling in.

When we moved to MD 2 years ago, we realized the moves had taken a toll on our oldest's education. Too many gaps and too much repeated, so we decided to homeschool her. Last year we brought them all home and it is a challenge. I found TWTM and this board almost 2 years ago and they've been a life saver.

The grammar stage kids are a breeze and I wish I had started homeschooling the older two when they were younger. We use a mixture of curricula; the process has forced me to get to know not only the kids strengths, weaknesses, and styles, but also my own. I will have to farm out writing, math, and science for the older kids. It isn't getting done to the level I would like. My hope is that the older girls find a passion that helps them focus their path.

Their mom still doesn't know what she wants to be...I love to create, salvaged items, gardening, sewing, baking, painting... I love young adult, fantasy and historical fiction: Terry Pratchett, Jane Austen, Garth Nix, but have a terrible time reading non-fiction. I scan - ((ducking)) Is there a 10 step program for that?

I've enjoyed reading about you all!

[Catherine]

I am mom to three boys, two of whom are homeschooled now, first and fifth graders. My ninth grader, original reason for beginning this project, went back to school for HS this fall and is surprisingly thriving and is very happy. I started teaching him 3 years ago. Wish he was still home, but I'm OK with it.

We follow TWTM fairly closely, but truly I know little else, though many of my acquaintances use Oak Meadow or Calvert. I love being able to work at their level and go at their pace. Each child is so unique.

Personally, I differ from many of you in that I am employed-I am a doctor, working on the weekends at night (half time). It's a challenge, but truly, a breeze after 14 years of part time primary care, which I loved, but was just too much for this mother of three. I may return to it eventually, when they are grown and I have more energy (and am paying for college educations!).

We use Singapore for math, Rightstart for the first grader and supplement with singapore, R&S for grammar, FLL, SWO for the older, All About Spelling for the younger, SOTW, lots and lots of reading. I'm on a first name basis with the librarians-thank goodness our local library (Baltimore's Enoch Pratt) is excellent. My boys take music lessons and each do a sport-swimming for the oldest and youngest (a beginner, obviously!) and soccer\baseball for the middle.

I will out myself as a liberal politically. I haven't read this entire thread, but am I the only one?? Currently , I don't follow much news as I simply don't have the time. We attend a UU church. I've been married to dh for 15 1/2 years-he's a patient, wonderful man who makes all of this possible by doing daddy duty weekends-plus attending many swim meets (our 14 yo is a swimmer) that mean leaving the house at 5:30 AM Saturday and Sunday. What a guy! He's an academic.

I hope to keep homeschooling my younger two sons until they leave home. It is so much fun, they are close, we are thoroughly enjoying it.

I also read all of these boards when I have time, and have gotten so much moral support and so many great ideas from all of you. Thank you!

[Kiva, SouthernGirlMusings]

Hey! Let's see where do we start, I have been married for almost 7 years and we have 3 kids - the Princess and the Prince and Malachi that is an angel watching over us. I have been home since a month before the Princess was born, can't believe it as been almost 6 years. Prior to that I worked on Capitol Hill and for a nonprofit doing public policy in Washington DC.

The Princess is 5.5 and is in K and we use MUS, trying out TOG, OPGTTR, and anything else that I throw in the mix. The Prince just turned 4 and likes doing school so he is starting some penmanship items and other fun stuff, he likes reading the first level BOB books and he picks up way too much from listening in due to his being highly auditory. :)

Hubby works in a good government job. :) We have recently started a home church and that has been interesting but truly a blessing. I love to do all sorts of crafts - sew, crochet, knit, jewelry and anything else that I am can get my hands on..and I love to cook. I have been doing quite a few swaps on Swap-bot (http://www.swap-bot.com/) and love it and I am currently wishing for spring as the cold weather is driving me crazy.

Forgot to add, that I found WTM about a year ago and it helped open my eyes and think more about what type of education we wanted for our children. I found the boards about the same time and have commented periodically.

[AnneJ]

DH and I have 4 children and I've been HSing since July. Before that, the kids went to a Classical Christian school here in town. DH is an accountant and I work part-time as a nurse in a medical ICU.

Since starting HSing, our lives have been less stressful and my relationship with my oldest daughter has blossomed. When my oldest was still in school, she said to me, "I wish kids could just take a week off from school so they could spend it with their parents." Now I am really enjoying spending time with them (it's not all roses all the time of course). Plus we are saving a ton of money on private school tuition.

I'm not sure how I came upon TWTM book but in 24 hours I pretty much went from thinking I would never homeschool to deciding that it was the right thing for our family. It was quite a shocker to most of our friends and family (they are all very supportive though). When I told my parents our plans, my dad's first words were, "It's about time."

As far as hobbies to, I love to read, cook and do crafty things--although I don't have as much time as I used to do those things. I also love to teach others about meal planning, budgeting and the like.

We mostly follow TWTM for our curriculum and have been enjoying our selections so far.

Well this turned out much longer than I expected. If you want to know more, just visit my blog. Thanks for all of your wisdom!!

[Karin]

Well, it's taken me a while to post here, and it's so far down it may not be seen by many (so many people!) We have 3 kids, a 12 yo dd, a 9 yo dd and a 7 yo ds. We have been officially homeschooling for 4 1/2 years, although I've had kids at home since I had my first. However, dh wasn't so sure that homeschooling would be a good idea at first--he's all for it now!


We learned about WTM from friends of ours. Although the original intent was to follow it to the letter, we had to modifiy it due to our children's learning styles, etc. I'm going to keep this short. Not too interesting, but for some reason I'm not as chatty tonight as usual. Just quiet is all--perhaps because I was reading a great book while my dd was at swim practice.

[Jessica in KS]

I'm just beginning this homeschool journey with my (soon to be) five dc. The ages of mine are: 5, 5, 3, 1, and baby due in June 2008. As of today I am feeling pretty overwhelmed, but am realizing that I need to grow in my faith, trust Him, and be praying regularly for my dc. I am also needing all the help and suggestions I can get from moms who have had lots of young children with no older ones to help!

[HFClassicalAcademy]

I'm a mom of 4 and homeschool my k and prek. I used to be Liz in NC in the old board and I took a little break only to come back to this forum!!

I have a ds almost 6, dd 4, ds2, and ds 5months.

[Michelle in GA]

I have three dc. My oldest, I graduated last year, and he is now at GA Tech as freshman. I also have a 14y/o ds and a 13y/o dd. We use the following curriculum: Truthquest History, BJU DVD science, Chalkdust Math, BJU DVD Spanish, Abeka grammar, Vocabulary Catoons, Wordsmith Craftsman, and tons of library books for reading. I have been visiting this board for about 7 years and I couldn't live without it!!!

Michelle

[Stacey in MA]

There are 6 of us in our family:

Myself (38yo SAHM),
DH (45yo techie engineer type).
DS8 doing 3rd grade
DD6 doing 1st grade
DD3
Baby DS-almost1YO.

We live near Boston as of about 2 years ago (Central CA before that, and upstate NY way before that!). We homeschool for a whole BUNCH of reasons, and came to use the WTM when DS8 was 1st grade age, and been sold ever since. In fact, I used to buy "this and that" curriculum to try out, and often wasted money on things that just didn't work, weren't what we wanted or expected, or were low quality. But all of SWB's recommendations in the WTM have always been right on the money! So now, I mostly stick to her pre-thought and tested choices.

FWIW, I find that there are lots of un-schoolers in our area. I have met very few classical homeschoolers. I wonder if that's true of my area specifically, or generally true through the homeschooling community?

I started following and posting sometimes on these WTM boards about a year ago. I am not interested in much cyber-debating. I simply read and consider other people's answers and experience, ask when I have a question I think you all might have help to offer with, and offer my experience and ideas when I think it might be useful.

Anyway, pleased to be here!
Regards, Stacey in MA

[Dee22]

I have three children and have always homeschooled. Their ages are 14, 12, & 7. We have lived in SE Virginia for almost nine years. My husband's job brought us here and we love the area. It is a great place to live and homeschool:)

[Punks in Ontario]

My name is Karen. I have an incredible husband and five kiddos. My oldest is 21. Then I have four boys aged 11, 10, 5 and 4. We've been homeschooling the boys from the beginning.

I've been checking out this board for a few years now. I've gotten a lot of ideas for my 4 yo from the special needs board. Thanks to the imput of the wonderful people, he's pretty normal now!

We use a fairly eclectic mix of materials. Everything from Christ Centred Curriculum and of course SOTW, Prof B and whatever else comes my way.

[NYSue]

4 children; dd - 22, ds - 21; both homeschooled part of elementary until highschool.
2 dss still home - ages 10 and 14. Ds 14 has learning disabilities.
Have lived in upstate NY all my life and am not bothered by the weather at all, Peek!! I love the seasons and the green :D
Married 25 years last June, blessed with a beauttiful grandson last September (that's his adorable face you see!).
Owner of one neurotic dog and two very psycho cats.

[Mary in NJ]

Hi,

We have three children that we homeschool 11 yo daughter, and 10 yo twin sons, and have always taught them at home. Our two adult children went through the public/private school settings.

I began visiting the boards in 2000 when we first decided to homeschool our now 11 yo. I had read TWTM and started using some of the ideas. My husband is a Pastor serving full time in the Army as a Chaplain. We move frequently, so homeschooling works well for us.

We use, Rod and Staff for Math and Grammar, SOTW for History, Considering God's Creation for Science, Memoria Press Latin, Spell to Write and Read for Spelling, and other miscellaneous units.

I enjoy sewing so I am trying my best to pass this along to my 11 yo daughter. We are using the Christian Light Home Ec course, and it seems to be going well.

Joyfully,
Mary

[Anne in Saskatchewan]

Hello everyone:

We homeschool 3 boys (9, 6, and 3) in a very small town in Saskatchewan, Canada. I have limited access to other homeschoolers, so I enjoy reading all of your posts, althought I don't often have time to post and participate more fully.

My husband found TWTM when we first began researching homeschooling (gasp!) 6 years ago. Our approach has been to try the suggested curriculum first, and if it's not working out, start looking for other things. This has saved us a lot of time, and we are quite happy with our curriculum choices.

We are a pretty normal, struggling family. My oldest boy can't get enough hockey, my middle boy is into dance, and my baby would just like to be older.

Personally, I like reading and am working my way though Jane Austen this winter. I like movies - we have Bringing Up Baby ready to watch this weekend with the boys. And I volunteer on our local library board.

Thank you everyone for the time you put into these boards, for the information and inspiration you share.

Anne.

[GLOWAcademy]

:)Hello everyone, I am a SAHM of one son :)
I have been HS him since he was 4 years old :) and I Love it.
I am from the State of Texas and have been married going on 20 years this October :) .
I Love to Crochet hats for the cancer hospitals, garden,draw and Paint
I am a pretty layed back person , quiet at times, but like to chat up a storm at other times
Well so not to drag this on and bore ya I will go check the board out
Yall have a Blessed day.

~Renee~

[ereks mom]

I've been married to my honey for 27+ years and we have have 2 dc: ER is a 17yob & is a high school senior; EK is a 13yog & is a 7th grader.

All four of us were born in central Georgia & still call it home, although I did live in my dad's hometown of Adrian, Michigan, for a year when I was a toddler. I don't remember much about that, but we have pictures of me standing in the snow, crying because they made me stand there in a snowsuit (like the one Ralphie's little brother wore in A Christmas Story) so they could send pictures to the southern relatives. Anyway, the stint in Michigan only lasted a year, and then my mom couldn't take the cold weather anymore, so they packed us up and moved back to Georgia and I've been here ever since. :p

I have a master's degree in education, and I've taught professionally in preschool, kindergarten, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, & 12th grades. I "retired" when ER was almost 2, and I've been a SAHM most of the time since. ER attended preschool & kindergarten at the lab school for the local college's teacher training program (while I was working on my master's), and we started homeschooling when he was in first grade.

I am an eclectic homeschooler. I always read and research a LOT when I'm trying to decide what books & resources would best suit my dc, and I ask way more questions here on the boards than most people, I think! Some of my favorite "finds", thanks to people on the boards have been:
Rod & Staff English & Bible, TruthQuest History, Apologia Science, Starting Points Worldview Primer, and various websites with great free printables, such as literature guides, outline maps, homeschool forms, etc.

EK is a bubbly, social butterfly. She excels in all school subjects (except maybe math ;)), and she especially loves history, literature, and writing. She is very artsy; she likes to draw and do crafts, and also loves drama, singing, dancing, and taking photos & editing them.

ER is a friendly but quiet "thinker". He also excels in all school subjects, but he especially likes Chemistry and Religion & Philosophy studies. He is very musical; he enjoys composing music and playing piano & guitar. http://www.smileyhut.com/music/guitar.gif (http://www.smileyhut.com) He has been accepted to both of his top two college choices and is trying to decide which is the one for him.

Dh is a pastor (Southern Baptist) and former prison chaplain. While working in the prison, dh wrote and taught a character development course for the inmates. They enjoyed it so much that they encouraged him to find a way to offer it to people "on the outside" because they believed it would help others avoid making the mistakes that landed them in prison. Dh rewrote the course and started a company offering the program as a professional development course for individuals and businesses. Its success in that arena led him to begin marketing franchises. It's still in the early phases (read: isn't making money yet!), but we are delighted that learning and applying the principles of the course is helping people make better choices and improve their lives.

I'm happy to have you all as my support group! http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/happy/happy0065.gif (http://www.allboxingstats.com/)

[Nikita]

I'm Nikita, homeschooling in southern Ontario with dh and my 2 children who have never been to school. We do "classical lite", so I have lurked here for a while but never posted - I feel like my experience is a bit different from a lot of folks who have a more structured homeschool. I love reading everyone's comments on these boards, but sometimes I feel overwhelmed by all that you accomplish with your kiddos - my older one is just not academically inclined even though he's bright. So...

13yo son (grade 8) is currently doing Singapore's New Syllabus Math, and Galore Park's Latin Prep 1 (thanks to Laura in China for recommending it!) We follow the suggestions in The Writer's Jungle for writing, because he is such a reluctant writer, although he's done some R&S grammar in the past and we've dabbled in lots of other writing programs unsuccessfully. We're also taking a break from formal science and history right now and unschooling those, as he has his plate full with a bunch of outside activities. He's been involved in First Lego League for the past 3 years as well. These outside activities are crucial for him as he is so social - it's getting harder and harder for us to keep homeschooling as most of his peers are drifting off to institutional schools for high school and he feels the isolation.

9yo daughter (grade 4) is finishing up Miquon Math supplemented with Math Mammoth right now (then we'll switch to Singapore), and L'Art de Lire French, also Writer's Jungle for writing and R&S 3 Grammar. I'm using Nebel's for science for her, and SOTW although not on a strict schedule. I'll be starting the Trail Guide geography program with both of them in a couple of weeks (after a family vacation). She's involved in a lot of extra-curricular stuff too, mostly music- and dance-related.

Nikita

[Denise in IN]

I love reading through these, so I guess it's time to add mine!

I'm Denise, and I live in northeast Indiana, close to Ft. Wayne. My dh grew up here, and I've lived here almost 17 years. We just built a new house right next to dh's parents.

We have three boys, ages 8 1/2, 6 1/2, and 3 1/2, and one girl, age 3. Our daughter was born in China and adopted by us at 18 months (thus the small age difference between ds 3 and dd!).

We're in our fourth year of homeschooling; my sons are 3rd and 1st grade. We are loosely following TWTM at this point. I discovered these boards 2-3 years ago while looking for good curriculum advice, but I've stayed around for all the good enabling and good company! I can proudly say that I now make my own yogurt, own a front-load washing machine, make vanilla, drink Mike's, own more bookshelves (and booKshelves), and use Foil Hat soap! :D

I like to scrapbook, bake, eat chocolate, read, listen to music, and play the piano in the spare moments when I'm not taking care of my family or on the computer. :rolleyes:

[Soph the vet]

I'm fairly new to the board. I usually post responses to vet questions as I am one (horses are my favorite species to work on, but I only do small animal part-time now). I have been married over ten years. We've homeschooled our three kids, dd9, ds7, and dd5, since eldest was in K.
I love reading, cooking, and broomball (we live in the land of the frozen lakes). I 've been following the recommendations in WTM for most of my curriculum choices.
My secret ambition is to relearn piano and perform with Jars of Clay someday....doubtful!

[cricket1178]

Okay, here it goes. I have 3 dc, 2 have graduated, and I am still homeschooling my 11yodd. I am electic in my choices using Saxon Math, Abeka language, and Apologia Science. We belong to a small homeschool group, but enjoy it. Oh, We live in rural Indiana.

[spicygirl]

Hi ya'll! I have been married since high school and we have two sons. Oldest is 8 and youngest is 6. My oldest is struggling with reading comprehension right now, although he reads well above grade level. I hope to get some cool new ideas from you ladies :)

[MolleenCarie]

I'm Colleen, married to Steven. We're homeschooling our oldest, Chancellor, using MFW K. I have B4FIAR for Sarah, but haven't used it at all. Maybe over the summer. Isaac is the baby. He's 10 months old and adorable. :)

[Rachel]

My name is Rachel and I live in Northern California where I am in my 11th year of homeschooling. I have a 22yo, 15yo and 13yo twins.

My twins wanted to try school for the first time in the middle of last year so are at a small charter school in our small town........they will be coming back home for high school however. My 15yo has no desire to go to school and has been homeschooled all the way.......

I went back to school myself 18 months ago and am now in a holding pattern waiting to get accepted into nursing school or PA (physician's assistant) school.

We started out as homeschoolers and then I transitioned each child in 4th grade into a classical/charlotte mason style of learning. It has worked very well for us

[Michele in New Zealand]

I am Michele (in New Zealand). I used to frequent the WTM board years ago and have started browsing and occasionally posting. I have two daughters, dd12 who is still homeschooling, and dd14 who started a private christian school for the first time ever this last Wednesday.

Dd12 is a karate princess, a national level dressage rider (but has had to give up due to a change in our circumstances), struggles with math, has dyscalculia, dyslexia but reads and reads and reads, ADD and mild Aspergers. She is incredibly artistic and very crafty.

Dd14 has just discovered peer pressure, Queenbees, disinterested teachers, nice teachers, girls who follow along with anything and, thankfully, girls who do the right thing. She is a very bright student and does well with anything she puts her heart into.

:) :) :) :)

[Volty]

Hi, I'm Volty, 36, originally from Michigan, but have been living in China since 2001 and will be here for a long long time. One of the very few men here so far as I can tell.

Her in China, I had been teaching English as a second language mostly to elementary aged student, but to all levels. When my wife got pregnant last year with our first baby (now almost nine months old) I switched to teaching in a kindergarten to get a feel for early childhood education. I've been excited about homeschooling for a long while, not just before my daughter was concieved, but before I even met my wife.

Things are going really well for us. My wife had a job as a manager in a commercial real estate company for eight years that paid well but worked her insane hours for many many years. She hasn't worked for about a year and hopefully won't feeel the need to go back. I earn enough for our family on just my income and I don't even work so hard myself. Upper Middle Class (by Chinese standards) lifestlye, sufficient disposable income where I earn more than I spend each month, happy and low stress. Her parents also live with us to help with chores and taking care of the baby.

My wife is fantastic and my daughter is the joy of my life. We're really content. And we can't wait to tear into this homeschooling. :)

[Kay in Cal]

I'm Kay in Cal... two sons, ages 6 and 4. I've been on the boards since before my oldest was born, since we've always planned on homeschooling.

I'm a United Methodist minister, live in Southern California, and enjoy playing games, reading books, and being with my kids.

[Cindy in SoCal]

:confused: Wow! A completely new format for WTM!!

I am Cindy originally from Idaho but now living in Southern California, at least until my husband retires. I retired in 2005 for health reasons and to be able to homeschool my son full time. DH has eight more years of work and then it is tropical paradise, here we come!

We currently homeschool A, who is very bright and a joy to be with. I homeschooled my adult son, D, for the last 2 years of high school and look forward to helping him and his wife homeschool their infant son, Joshua, when the time comes.

Our family is busy with scouting, competitive swimming, singing, acting, traveling, baseball & soccer games, Guitar Hero (dh should have been a rock star) and fund-raising for medical research for Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy.

I am known for my over-use of exclamation points, my laid back nature, and my pecan chicken!

[Surfside Academy]

Hi All,

My name is Tiffany and I live in sunny San Diego, CA. We've been homeschooling for 2 years now. I have 3 very active boys, ages 7, 4.5 & 2.5My oldest is almost finished with 1st grade. I'm already panicking thinking of adding a kindergartner into the mix in a few months!

I would call myself an eclectic homeschooler. I don't use a packaged curriculum; I prefer to pick and choose my own. I do use the WTM as a model whenever possible. We're big fans of SOTW, MUS, GWG and SWR (don't you love all the acronyms!)

I love books so I'm trying to instill that same passion in my boys. I have to admit though that my oldest is a bit of a reluctant reader. He's definitely getting better but he's not one to sit down and read a book all on his own. Oh well, I guess they all can't be perfect! My boys do enjoy surfing and skateboarding. My husband is already prepping me for when I'll have to work our school schedule around a big swell and do our work at the beach. I should probably change our name to "Not When the Surf's Up Academy" but that would probably prompt a visit by the state!

I do enjoy the boards and I love gleening from everyone's experiences and opinions.

[whybenormal]

Hi! I'm Michelle. I just discovered these forums this week, so I'm brand-spankin' new here!

I'm homeschooling my ds7. We are using a combo of Sonlight and elements from WTM. I also have a ds4 who likes to tag along during school time. I've been married to dh for 14 years, and we are living in Illinois.

I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you on these forums!

[momo4]

Hi everybody,

We have 4 boys ages 11, 8, 4, and 2. I have always wanted to homeschool and we started with our oldest. Now whenever I don't want to homeschool anymore (sometimes, I have those days), my husband tells me why I must. Thank goodness we are on the same page.

When we started preschool, a friend showed us TWTM and we were hooked. That friend and these boards were life savers. I think between babies and a major move I just lost track of the boards. Schooling was all I could manage. We were finishing up curriculum for this year and I had a few questions about what should come next. I had no idea when I returned that this format hadn't been going for a while. I think I got here about 1 or 2 weeks after it started. I love this new format. So much easier to follow a thread and the search is fantastic.

Once again, I am so impressed with the amount of knowledge and care here. So glad I can be a part again.

[Sanguine]

Hi,

I've been homeschooling for nearly seven years now. This year we'll be finishing up SOTW and moving on to Learning Adventures: A World of Adventure in the fall. I'll be adding in the Guerber series as our spine, starting with, The Story of the Ancient World.

Just thought I'd say, "Hello!"

~Sanguine

[Tutor]

Welcome! Glad to have you here.

[gardenschooler]

Come on in, take your shoes off and stay awhile! The more the merrier.

Everything I know that is good and useful about homeschooling I learned right here. It's like one long teaching seminar (and a whole lot of other stuff, too).

[JudoMom]

:D

[Ria]

One of my dearest friends used Learning Adventures and absolutely loved it. You'll have a wonderful time! Welcome to the boards.

Ria

[Sanguine]

Thank-you.:)

[rockermom]

I'm MumMum to a very independent 8 month old boy and Stepmom to a wonderfully sweet nearly 7yo boy. I played bass in local bands until I got pregnant (hence the name). We don't officially homeschool yet (we don't have custody of dss so he is in ps in another town), but my husband and I frequent these boards (yes, the old ones too) to learn. We both knew we'd homeschool before we even got married.

I hope I'm still welcome even though we're years away...:o

[Amy in TX]

We have four dc: two girls (13 & 10) and two boys (7 & 4). Started homeschooling 4 years ago when oldest dd was in fourth grade. We loosely follow WTM methods.

We are Muslim, and dh is Pakistani, and I have the loveliest in-laws in the world!

:o)

[Doran]

I didn't know this thread existed until today -- I was late getting on board with the new format forum.

Hi everyone!! :D I'm Doran. I live in Maryland, on the Eastern Shore, with my husband of 17 years (I'm rounding up...our anniversary is a just a bump more than a week from today -- how's that for a convoluted sentence?). We have two lovely daughters, ages 13 and 11. We started out as unschoolers but in the six years since we began this homeschool journey, we have become much more structured. Early on, we discovered WTM and found it wonderfully engaging, full of great ideas, and completely overwhelming. After all, we were UNschooling! We found it to be a useful tool, though, as the years went on. We benefit from the recommendations of parents here, as well, and have chosen many of our materials based on other families' experiences.

I am a former organic/sustainable farmer (13 years) now writing for a local environmental organization. Dh is a fine furniture craftsman. Dd13 is a crew team member and an ultimate book hound. Dd11 is a drama queen and a budding gymnast. We girls have studied karate for six years. We all enjoy singing (even though dh..well...he really can't), laughing, and being together. We live pretty simply.

Doran

[Soph the vet]

We live in the frozen tundra, well, prairie of Minnesota. We have 3 dc: a 9 yr. old artist and entrepreneur, a 7 yr. engineer (like dad), and a 5 yr. old who will probably run an orphanage given all the babies she already has! We've homeschooled for four years a la WTM eclectic classical approach. I currently head up a 30 family co-op that meets twice monthly. Our favorite family subject is history and the subject most often neglected is science (which is ironic as dh and I are both science geeks: engineer and veterinarian). We also have no pets (another irony for a vet) as we tried goldfish but they died of Nilla wafer overdose, go figure.
My favorite pastime is broomball and researching controversial subjects and then tirelessly arguing them with others who have a "deer in the headlights" look about them. Oh, and I can't stand to be politically correct!:)

[Rebecca in GA]

I'm Mama to 11 and almost-7-year-old sons and an 8-year-old daughter. Sixth-grader has been hs since first grade and the littles always, except for a 2-day/half-day preschool stint when DD was 3/4. DH and I turn 40 and celebrate our 15th anniversary this year.

Last year, we lost my MIL to cancer and my older brother in a car wreck, and we are still grieving. We have felt extremely blessed to be able to draw our children in close and deal with our losses on our time and in our own way without the imposed schedule of traditional school.

We currently use Ambleside Online, Sonlight and R&S/A Beka math. As I mentioned on another thread, we plan to incorporate a large learning project (journalism) for our eldest beginning next year. We also participate in many service projects as a family.

DH is a corporate communications manager and I pick up occasional freelance writing projects. We have a house that suits us perfectly in a quiet subdivision on the outskirts of a Georgia town that boasts the oldest bookstore in the state, a hospital, a technical college and a state university.

[Begonia]

I think I introduced myself on the high school board, but not here.

I'm Begona. Yesterday I was elated because I finally mutated out of my larval stage. Yay! I'm not a frequent poster, and I'm also not very chatty in real life, but I read the boards regularly.

My husband and I have two daughters. Our older one is a sophomore at a Virginia university. She's studying computer science and plans to graduate with minors in linguistics and in ancient Greek. She has never been homeschooled. Younger daughter, aged 13, left private school two years ago and is thriving in our little homeschool. She is a budding writer and Rolling Stones fanatic. :rolleyes: Her curriculum includes mythology classes through the Lukeion Project, writing classes through EPGY, Latin with Scholars Online, CyberEd Science, Jacobs Algebra, and McDougal Littel's En Espanol series. She's also an amazing target shooter (junior olympian, national record holder). We love homeschooling-- no more tears at the end of an exhausting school day. :D

[Mrs. H.]

I have five children ages 1-10, and we've always homeschooled, since dd's birth I guess you could say.

We live in Louisiana, and my dh is another one of those that listens to rightwingwackoradio all. day. long. I too am conservative but I can't take that yammering all day.

We have five acres of woods/yard to call our own, for our three boys and two girls to run wild.

We do a WTM/Charlotte Mason hybrid, using CM more as the years go by, though. I've had a copy of TWTM since the first one was published many moons ago.

I like to read, knit, blog, garden, sew, cook, and make weird stuff like sourdough, homemade buttermilk, kombucha, etc.

I'm not a frequent poster, but I am a frequent lurker. I'm still getting used to the new format for these boards, though.

[Mad Charity]

I've been here since 2000 and TWTM is the reason I started home schooling. I read it by the pool at the beginning of a summer and it changed my family's life. My kids are 14,12, and 8 and we are actually almost done home schooling and are sending everyone to school next year. It is sad and happy at the same time. I am in my junior year of college and take all my classes online through a local university. I am taking 15 hours this semester because evidently I don't have the sense God gave a goose and signed up for that many. I am so stressed out I have started grinding my teeth!:eek:

[Stacey in NY]

I have been on the boards for about 2-3 years, not very actively. I check out the curriculum board a couple times a week, and try to offer info if I feel I have some useful input.

I have homeschooled my 2 ds ages 6 & 8(almost 9) from the beginning.
I used FIAR with my oldest for K, then switched to a more Classical style. I love the WTM principals, but have difficulty doing it all. I lean toward Charlotte Mason ideas as well. When I get to overwhelmed with schooling and daily life, we relax and do more Charlotte Mason.

My husband and I also own a Buisness which consumes a lot of our time.

[transientChris]

My name is really Christina and I am now Christina in Space Coast, that is I see the shuttle and rocket launches from my house if I don't go to the beach to get a better view. I am married to dh for 21 1/2 years and we have three children. DS/18 is in his third year at Hillsdale, dd/14 and dd/11 are still being homeschooled. We are still a military family though my dh is trying to decide whether to retire or not. I used to be Christina in Belgium and Christina in NM. That makes is at least 6 years that I have been here but I think it is more like 7.

We are in a great state of flux as to what I like right now since we are having major medical problems with my middle child. SHe is still having her non-stop headache of now over 2 1/2 months. She now also has joint pains and something that seems like carpal tunnel syndrome. We don't have a diagnose yet but we are probably going to have at least three doctor visits this week with one last week and one next week scheduled.

I have my 14 yo doing two-three classes online and another two with a co-op. She is getting behind but I am trying to just have her not get too far behind. Her younger sister is doing at least two lessons a day with an online Canadian program. I just want a diagnose and tratment started so that we can start getting back to more normal.

Christina in Space Coast

[Kristen in NC]

Wow! I didn't have time to read all the posts in this thread, but I'll introduce myself anyway.

My name is Kristen. I live near in NC with my husband of almost 15 years. He is a high school chemistry teacher. This is our 5th "official" year of homeschooling. We have 4 children: a 4th grade son, a 2nd grade daughter, a Kind. son, and a 16 month old daughter who is into everything :D

I used to post some and read a lot on the old WTM board, but I hadn't visited much this school year. We are using SOTW-4 this year. I've used Singapore and Miquon math for everyone so far. We're using Latin for Children for oldest son, and Elementary Greek for oldest son and oldest daughter. We use Rod and Staff for English grammar. We've used various science curricula including God's Design, Elementary Apologia, and RS4K Chemistry.

I decided to spend some time on these boards because we're getting closer to the Logic stage.

My hobbies are????? Who has time for hobbies? but I am trying to do some digital scrapbooking and I enjoy reading and baking. Some day I'm hoping to take up knitting again. I also am blogging some.

[Renai]

Wow! I miss visiting for a couple of months and come back to this. I've only been visiting periodically this school year, though, since we started using MFW (Charlotte Mason classical). I started visiting this board right after I first read the WTM book, in December 2004, before dd began kindergarten. Thus, not counting a couple years total in preschool, she hasn't been to school. WTM was the book that turned on the light bulb and convinced me "I can do this."

DD, 8, is 2nd grade this year, still plugging away at homeschooling bilingually. Next year, we start Latin! Her English reading skill is growing and I'm sure by then she'll do just fine. This year we use:

Bible: MFW, although we do the readings in Spanish
History: MFW Adventures- Intro to American History
Math: Mundo Matematico (going out of print :()
Grammar/Spelling: Spanish stuff from Fernandez Editores and Arco Iris
Science: Kinda sorta follow the MFW schedule, but take lots of rabbit trails, done in English and Spanish
Art/Music: MFW, although she hasn't liked the art much. I'm going back to How to Do Art with Children by Evan Moor
English: phonics from MFW 1, and Hooked on Phonics for review and fluency
Foreign language: a bit of Japanese and German...periodically

Next year, we do a year of geography before going into the 4-year cycle.

She takes tap, modern, and ballet classes this year. Her teacher (who just performed this past Saturday and was awesome - over 40 years old) seems to think she is talented and gave her a merit scholarship for the modern class. I think she is still too young to hyper focus on one area, but I'm open to being wrong.

Me? Last year, I worked fulltime in a preschool while taking classes fulltime and homeschooling. Glad that's over. During that time, I also learned scrapbooking, and how to crochet. This past summer, I met up with my grandmother for the first time in 15 years, and she taught me how to sew. Now, all I need to do is organize my time so I can do those things. This year, I work part time from home, and am still busy. One thing I have this year that I didn't last year is a social life (outside my computer friends).

Renai

[CalicoKat]

DH and I have celebrated our 15th anniversary this year. I found TWTM boards about 3 yrs back. We use suggestions from TWTM as well as Charlotte Mason's philosophy of education

[JuJuBee]

Hello, this is my first post! My name is Marcia, and I live in Georgia with my husband of almost 15 years and our six children, ages 13 to 7 months -- Evan, Hayden, Elliana, Pierce, Henry, and Cecilia.

For a myriad of reasons, I will be homeschooling Hayden next year, and, if all goes well, for four years, at which time he would enter high school at a local classical Christian school my oldest will attend next year. We may be adding others (who are currently at the public school) on later, if this goes reasonably well. Right now, it's just a big experiment for me, and I'm terrified! I've been inspired by TWTM and I will be incorporating much of what is suggested there.

I look forward to learning from this community! Now, I'm off to ask a question about a French curriculum! ;)

[paula j]

Hi everyone, I'm Paula and I'm new over here.:rolleyes: I have been homeschooling my ds who is 12 yo for the past 4 years using mainly sonlight. I will be using core 6 next year which inlcudes the Story of the World books so I thought I'd come over here and check out this forum and see what kinds of things you all add for a classical education.

I must confess up front I'm bad about adding things.:cool: I add extra books, extra activities, I even add extra science projects that go along with what we are learning in history. It's ok though because it usually works out pretty good and we have had alot of fun with school.:D I'm wondering though, if now that he's junior high age, maybe I should get more serious.
My ds is more of a math/science sort of guy and I'm afraid he may balk if I make him do latin or greek. He hates writing, although he can do a wonderful job of it if he puts his mind to it. Anyway, guess I'm just looking for ideas and trying to reassure myself I'm not ruining his education.:cool:

I look forward to meeting all of you, although I'm sure I know some of you from other boards.

Blessings
Paula

[Faithr]

Hi all!

I used to frequent these boards a lot (the old boards) several years ago. I went through an unschooly period but now I'm heading back to a little more structure. I've been lurking here for a bit. Anyway, I'm Faith and I have 5 kids, ages 17 to 6. We've been at this homeschooling thing for 11 years now. I really like the new board format and I have to tell you all that you are a wealth of information! I've been enjoying lurking but I figured it was time to introduce myself.

[Faith]

Welcome Faith. I'm Faith also. Hope to get to know you better. Keep posting.

[GreenKitty]

Welcome:)

[Doran]

Hi all!

I used to frequent these boards a lot (the old boards) several years ago. I went through an unschooly period but now I'm heading back to a little more structure. I've been lurking here for a bit. Anyway, I'm Faith and I have 5 kids, ages 17 to 6. We've been at this homeschooling thing for 11 years now. I really like the new board format and I have to tell you all that you are a wealth of information! I've been enjoying lurking but I figured it was time to introduce myself.


Welcome. Or, rather...welcome back! :D

Doran

[Once]

Here I go!

We have been hsing for four years now.

Dd is 8 yrs. With her we use Horizon Math, Math u see, Easy grammar, Rod and Staff 3rd grade, SoTW, Zaner Bloser, SWR, 4-H, piano, Wed. night at our church, Gymnastics and maybe restarting Art classes out of the house. She is intense and loves her youngest brother whole heartedly. She has loved almost every cirr for the first week but quickly loses interest after that.

Ds is 5 yrs. With hime we use Msth u see, Horizon, SoTW, any science stuff we can get our hands on , Zaner Bloser, piano reluctantly, Wed night at our church, Gymnastics, Art class and soon soccer (when it finally melts here in the north) He has loved My Body from TCR and Apologia Astronomy.

The baby is walking not always talking and generally making it hard for us all to concentrate.

My hubby and I have been married for 14 years and friends for 24 yrs. We are expats living in the States from Canada. Always looking for good Canadian cirriculums. He is 110 percent supportive which makes me really lucky because I need it on the harder days.

We are very relaxed but try to get in the three r's everyday the variety of cirriculums are for the fact that my dd forgets almost everything 16,000 times before it is in her head. We school lightly all year long with a big break around Christmas. My kids *love* to play and I love to see them have a great childhood.

My computer skills are spartan but I manage. I love this new board as it seems easier to navigate and post on. I am one that will not notice that a thread has been close and post anyway. I lurk alot and use what I can. I am the worst speller in the world and I love to bake quick breads.


Thanks to all of you that so faithfully share your wisdom and humor. The journey is easier because you have set a path.

Once (was my name because I thought I would only post once)

[Kim in Appalachia]

I'm Kim, I have 5 dc. Two girls, ages 13 and 10, and three boys, 8, 6, 3. I started homeschooling with my oldest when she was 5. We started out using a little bit CM and a little bit unschooling. It is not work, that is when I found TWTM. I have been using Veritas materials, but using WTM's way of implementing everything. I am also using Ambleside online. I still love CM ideas, and tend to combine them with classical.

My children swim (all but the 3 year old). My oldest plays piano, and the next three violin.

We keep very busy in our little rural town.

Kim

[Kanga]

I have visited on and off over the years. I realized last year that I mostly visit the board when my husband is out of town - during those times you provide the much needed adult conversation! I have previously posted as either Ann or Ann of whatever state I lived in at the time.

I have been married for 18+ years. My dh's job has allowed us the opportunity to live in many states and homeschooling has allowed us to accompany him when he travels to desirable locations (we declined his invitation to accompany him to Iraq;). Dd is currently attending cc classes and this has put a real cramp in our usual travel plans.

We have 3 children dd (17), ds (15), and after many years of secondary infertility ds (1). We have always hsed our dc. We are eclectic/classical hsers. We do not know any other classical hsers in our community so I turn to this site for recommendations.

We live in the country with our horses, cats, guinea pigs, and a bearded dragon. Since we have cats, we run a wild life rescue by default. My dc are always bringing in some animal they have rescued from the jaws of death. My dd says the cats are well fed so they are only hunting for sport which disgusts her. She has a very high success rate in healing the animals she rescues.

I was raised Presbyterian, my dh was raised Catholic. We've annoyed both sets of parents (which contrary to their opinion was not our goal!) by attending an EV Free Church but often take our children to visit the Churches of our youth.

[Shelbelle7]

I'm a newbie here. Hi! I'm Shellie and I have 1 great husband and 7 great kids!
I've been homeschooling since 1992 and have graduated my 2 oldest. I've used a number of different curricula and have finally found a home with Tapestry of Grace. I'm looking forward to getting to know you all (some I already recognize!) :)

[sunflowerlady]

My name is Rita and I live in FL. I have been married to my dh for 19 years and we have one daughter who is 8 years old. I have homeschooled her since -well, I guess since birth.:)

We are pretty eclectic and use mostly traditional materials and have done a couple of unit studies. For next school year, I may be doing a complete different approach and going to a Charlotte Mason/Ruth Beechick sort of homeschooling.

I lurked a good bit on the old board, but decided to jump in here on the new board and post when I can.

Rita

[ChrisN in NY]

I don't have time to read through all the intros (Sorry!), but I scan through the posts and read a few when I can. I've learned alot here over the years.

I am Chris; I live in NY with my dh of 23 yrs and 5 of my 6 dc. This is our 17th year homeschooling.

Ds21 is at Teen Missions Bible School in FL. He graduated in 2006.

Ds17 graduates this year if he finishes the odds and ends he has left from 11th grade. He's taking his senior year at CC and plans to attend a 2yr state school (where he's been accepted) for Dairy Science in the fall.

Dd16 is a junior; she's a very busy girl who doesn't know yet what she wants to major in at college. Her favorite subjects are Geometry and Chemistry.

Dd13 is in 7th grade.
Dd10 is in 5th grade.
Ds8 is in 3rd grade.

I work part-time as a church secretary, and am not keeping up very well with all the things I should be doing.

ChrisN

[MtnMom]

FYI, in spite of what my screen name suggests, I don't live anywhere near the mountains...I just wish I did! :)

DH and I have been married almost 12 years and have two children, DS7 and DD5. This is our second year of homeschooling. If you had talked to me a couple of years ago I would have been one of the last people to consider homeschooling, mostly because I didn't know enough about it and I didn't think I could do it! One of my sisters was thinking about it and gave me some resources so I could make a more informed decision. And, after much prayer, much research, much discussion, and DH's encouragement, we took the plunge. And I'm so glad we did!

Before becoming a SAHM when DS7 was born, I worked at a community college as a counselor/academic advisor for students with disabilities. Now I do some academic advising on a seasonal basis, as well as teach a class every once in a while, as time allows (which isn't much, lately). DH is a high school teacher and freelance animator. He's on his last semester of his master's program, so our schedule has been really crazy lately (well, more than usual).

As far as our home curriculum, last year was kind of "freestyle", but we have a little bit more structure to things this year. Here's what we're using:

Scripture and Catechism lessons. We are Lutheran and our faith and church are an integral part of our lives.

Sonlight Core C for History/Geography, Read-Alouds, some of DS's reading, and Science

Horizon Math K and 1, plus additional math games, etc.

Handwriting Without Tears

Spelling Workout

First Language Lessons

Lots of playing, Legos, puzzles, drawing, imagination, music, singing, dancing, building forts, "home" skills (i.e. chores), etc...and various and sundry other items of interest, as well as a COOP now and then.

...I will add that I've been a lurker on this site for quite some time, and have learned a lot! I must give kudos to Peek-a-Boo for telling me about it. Thanks, Peek! :D

[wide eyes & laughter]

...a good reminder of what I want to see & have w/my dc on a daily basis. My goal is to see them engaged (wide eyes) and share lots of laughter! It helps me to be "in the moment" since I'm a planner:D

Dh and I knew we wanted to homeschool our dc before our first was conceived, for a lot of reasons. The greatest overall reward is enjoying their individuality!

Ds9, dd7, dd5: SWR, copy work, GWG, RightStart Math, Apologia Science (occasionally taught by dh), art journals (dh, again) Bible, fun read alouds is all we do for school currently. It is enough.

Nice to meet you!
Cheryl

[mom25cuties]

I've been a lurker for a while and decided to finally join in the activities. I actually know a few posters here but I wanted to formally intro myself. I am a wife and hs mom of five dc from tots to teens. We are going into our 4th hs year. I love the information and support that is available on this forum. I'm looking forward to borrowing your wisdom and using it for my own. I'm looking forward to sharing more about our family as I learn of yours also. Due to a short amount of time, I must keep this post short. :)

[Laura Corin]

There are a lot of really helpful ladies here - I hope you have fun.

Laura

[Hen Jen]

Welcome! Now, tell us more about yourself! where kind of busy that way, I guess. My stuff in in my signature... I'm in So. Ca, homeschooling 4 and doing it a kind of classical/Cm sort of way. I find such great book/curriculum ideas over on these boards, and lots of extra advice too.

[redmom3]

I posted last night and because it generated a huge thread and I didn't reply until tonight, some thought I might be a troll. No, just a busy mom who enjoys reading -but seldom enters in. I do think often "I should ask this or that", then a child or issue comes up and I don't. :o
I have been sick alot lately-bad sinus infections!!
I posted on the other board as Lorie in TX. I have three dc 13dd, 3ds and 1dd
we dealt with infertility for over 10 years, we had a miscarriage a few months ago.
I love the Lord-we are reformed in our beliefs. My dh is an OPC pastor and we may be about to change churches.
I do have red hair (really bright orange:p), I am 38, need to lose weight, love having my little children, but sometimes miss my "old" quiet, calm life with an only. Dh is 47 and we wonder if we'll have more kids. My ds is three and is very spirited-I mean he could take up all of me and still want more!!
I want to blog-someday!
I am tired of being hot one moment and cold the next here in NorthEast Texas.

This is just an introduction, I will try to come out of lurkingdom and join in.
I tell everyone all the time about things I find out about here. I really need to go to bed:D

[nancypants]

Welcome! You sound like a wonderful person! :) I hope we hear from you more.

[Tutor]

Welcome! Looking forward to hearing more from you.

[j.griff]

I remember a Lorie in TX on the old board- at least I remember seeing that name LOL, I don't remember and specifics about you or your posts :o
Welcome to postdom, LOL.

[Laura Corin]

Laura

[Tammy in Germany]

~Welcome~:D

[GreenKitty]

Welcome

[Friederike in Persia]

and don't worry, you don't sound one bit like a troll (aren't those green and gender neutral?!)

Peace Friederike