Anyone else having last minute wavering on TOG before the price goes up?

[5wolfcubs]

The price on TOG Year plans goes from $180 to $225 on February 1st. If I was 100% I wanted to use it for studying the Middle Ages (TOG 2) next year, I'd buy. But I'm not. Not at all... :( It's such a good program but I'm not using it nearly the way I could be. We started out strong the first Unit but it has been less and less since then... And as much as I enjoy planning each week, I'm tired of it. The having everyone doing the same thing has been stressful too. It is supposed to be easier, but it hasn't seemed that way. Sibling conflict (7yo answers quicker than 13yo) and trying to get everyone in the same place at the same time and then the little ones interrupting... Whereas if they were each doing their own thing much of that would be avoided! Maybe I just have grass is greener syndrome!

Actually, what I think I want is 3 different Middle Ages programs. The 8th grader could do History Odyssey (I've read all the posts about it here & like the looks of it) independently, the third grader could do SOTW & AG and what could my 6th grader do...? TOG? :rolleyes: Oh, maybe MOH?

All this indecision on my part makes me want to skip school entirely tomorrow and go to the zoo! :p

Thanks for listening!

[Trivium Academy]

And go with your gut. Don't buy TOG for next year, try it the other way since you feel more inclined to do it that way. Don't let the price increase pressure you, it's only $40. On one hand, $40 vs. the other hand feeling like you're not doing the right thing for you and your children. I'd rather give up the $40.

(((Lee)))
Love ya! ;)

[Tina in WA]

Adding to the mix... Have you looked at History Portfolio's (http://www.homeschooljourney.com/) for your 6th grader?

:D

[Baseballmom]

I have a friend who has left TOG several times for the same reasons you mentioned. She always ends up coming back to TOG. I keep remembering that whenever I get the "grass is greener' syndrome. I have the same issues with my children studying the same thing. I will ask my 12 yo ds a question and he will answer it wrong, then my 8 yo ds will inevitably chime in with the answer and a smirk on his face.

[Wendy in ME]

This is exactly why we sold ours after unit 1 of year 1. With 11yo and 9yo it is actually easier to have them separate. They were further apart on things than I had thought they would be and it became competitive. We switched to HO and SOTW w/AG and it is going so well. I too really loved the idea of TOG but I felt like we just weren't doing it justice.

[Tina in WA]

Perfect advice, Jessica. :)

[WTMindy]

I bet you would be able to sell it unused for $180 if you decide not to use it. TOG has a great resale value and once the price goes up, people would probably pay $180 for it.

[Janice in NJ]

I hear you! Homeschooling would be SO easy if there was no parenting involved!!!!!!!! Teaching them to love others and get their own pride under control is such a pain - especially when I am trying to teach history, or literature, or arithmetic, or biology or ANYTHING! :-)

[Janice in NJ]

Yes - but the guilt factor can be no fun either. Even if you come out even, the idea of buying something and then not using it can take its toll - especially if you unwrap it and handle it and fondle it and start buying books and .......

I hear you Mindy, but speaking as a curriculum junkie, I'm with Jessica on this one. Don't buy it unless you want it. There are many paths to a good education, don't let a "sale" drive that decision.

Peace,
Janice in NJ

Enjoy your little people
Enjoy your journey

[Melissa in CA]

Actually, what I think I want is 3 different Middle Ages programs. The 8th grader could do History Odyssey (I've read all the posts about it here & like the looks of it) independently, the third grader could do SOTW & AG and what could my 6th grader do...? TOG? :rolleyes: Oh, maybe MOH?

Well, if you did use TOG with the 6th grader, you would at least have a great list of books on hand. You could use some of the TOG literature & bible with other two. Perhaps philosophy for the 8th grader? Just a thought. :D

I am one who just bought TOG to use for the first time. It arrived today...FINALLY. In just glancing through it I am in love;)...but then I am only schooling one child next year.

~Melissa

[the floating cottage]

but I have my discussions seperately. I know it may sound crazy but they are looking for one on one time from me anyway. I take my 15 dd to Starbucks on the weekend for a couple of hours and we go over everything. It has really been great. It is not something we would normally do, and it keeps us both accountable and prepared.

[susie in tx]

Being the cheapskate that I am, I wanted to purchase Y2 and pre-purchase Y3 before the price went up. At that point, I had never used TOG. I'd looked at it, perused every sample I could find, read everything I could get my hands on. My dh told me to just buy Y2. I did. While I really like what I see, and we're using it, I'm glad that I followed my dh's advice and just purchased the Y2. I'd be absolutely overwhelmed with all of Y2 and all of Y3 just sitting on my shelf. And, since seeing it, I've realized that we may just not get to Y3 for a while.

I hope you had fun at the zoo. It's a lot of money. Unless you're sure, there is no sense in spending it, when you might just be re-selling it, unused, later on.

hugs,

[5wolfcubs]

I hear you! Homeschooling would be SO easy if there was no parenting involved!!!!!!!! Teaching them to love others and get their own pride under control is such a pain - especially when I am trying to teach history, or literature, or arithmetic, or biology or ANYTHING! :-)

Are you suggesting my children have character flaws?! Oh, wait! That is my pride getting out of control! :) Thank you for this, Janice. You just reminded me that even if I have the "perfect curriculum," if I don't use it, or if I try to use it as a substitute for parenting, things won't go well.

Thank you everyone for posting here! It's good to know I'm not alone. I wish I could say I'm going to the zoo and have reached a happy decision...but my youngest has a fever and I have yet to decide!

I looked at TOG 2 samples last night -- the dialectic questions look so good! But so good doesn't do anyone any good if it isn't done. I also looked at the WTM history for the Logic stage, been a long time since I've done that. :D

If anyone has any last minute thoughts for me, please share!

[Lisawa]

((Lee)), sorry I have no real advice... but understand the hesitation.... and year 2 is a big year for TOG. Covering the most historically....

Hope you find peace in what you choose...

[LisaNY]

Just an observation, but wouldn't using three different history programs just exchange one kind of stress for another? I would personally find that confusing, but others might be fine with it.

Since your 7yo seems bright, according to what you said in your post, he might do fine w/your 11yo. using MOH. (?)

I would not do history discussion with a group of that wide an age difference.
I think your oldest needs that one-on-one time, if you can schedule it in your week. :)

[5wolfcubs]

I didn't to buy TOG today.

I decided, over the course of the day, that next year, I'd use HO for my 8th grader and SOTW w/ tests & outlining & free reading from HO books for my 6th grader and just SOTW for my 3rd grader.

When I shared all this w/ dh over the phone on the way home from work, he said he thought it was time to go w/ Calvert or K12...something complete, in a box, etc. Then I'd have all this free time (since I wouldn't be planning or reading msg boards) to massage him. :D

I do feel free from having to decide anything right now. I can focus on the next 13 weeks of TOG and skill-building in our weakest area -- writing!!

Thanks again for all your input...I'll be needing it again soon, I'm sure!! :)

[susie in tx]

Good for you. Even though the decision making is tough, it's always a good feeling to know that you have a plan and you can do it. :)

[Karenciavo]

When I shared all this w/ dh over the phone on the way home from work, he said he thought it was time to go w/ Calvert or K12...something complete, in a box, etc. Then I'd have all this free time (since I wouldn't be planning or reading msg boards) to massage him. :D


Sounds like something my husband would say :rolleyes:

[Lisawa]

I didn't to buy TOG today.

Thanks again for all your input...I'll be needing it again soon, I'm sure!! :)


Glad you were able to come to a clear decision Lee! Its so hard sometimes to know "what" to do... and when you feel the pressure of a time crunch... that doesnt help! :)

I look forarwd to hearing what your plans are! Im sure it will be great!

Much love,