Moving to "Bigger" Things

A few days ago I posted about our switch back to Heart of Dakota with Megan.  I posted that I had placed Megan in Heart of Dakota's Preparing Hearts For His Glory, but that I was concerned that the writing and cursive was a bit advanced for Megan at this time.  After praying, reading many posts on the message board, and watching Megan do her work, I had a long conversation with my husband.  

We are a couple of weeks from purchasing next year's curriculum for our daughters. If I am going to switch from Preparing to Bigger, it will be when we order for the year.  

Heart of Dakota stresses placing a child at the correct level.  I have struggled with this because Megan is such an excellent reader.  However, as I have prayed and read, I came across a post on the message board that clicked with me. Last month a lady posted this remark in response to a similar situation another HOD user was experiencing:

"It is easy to feel in the early years that one isn't doing enough, and then later on us moms can realize that we wish we had done less in the early years.   Enjoy those early years and the extra time they give for a more relaxed day. They really are precious."

I have a tendency to push too hard, to wonder if we are doing enough. What I really need to do is enjoy this time with my beautiful daughter.  We need to spend time reading aloud and doing art and spending time with Jesus and playing and listening to great music and enjoying learning and homeschooling.  I don't want Megan to resent school because I had her at a level that was too advanced and she wasn't naturally ready.

Starting next week I will be spending a couple weeks working at a seasonal job. In that time, I am cutting Megan's schooling down.  She will be working with her sisters for part of the day, and I am making it simple.  She'll do basics while we wait for the order to be placed and shipped.  

Now that the decision has been made and my husband is completely in agreement, I feel a strong sense of peace.  I am excited to order, and giddy over the thought of box day!