I am so glad to see the weather beginning to get nicer.  I have had a terrible time the last few weeks with a sinus infection.  I generally don’t get sick except for kidney issues, so this has been rough.  Why can’t mom call in sick?  Really should have read the fine print on the contract a little closer, lol. 

I love receiving emails from readers.  I have been trying to answer each one, but today I realized I have been answering the same questions over and over.  I think it is time to answer a few commonly asked questions.  I will take a few each week to post about.  Have more questions?  GREAT!  Email me anytime! 

Q: What curriculum do you use? 

A: We do not use a prepackaged curriculum.  The reasoning is quite simple, a prepackaged curriculum is limiting.  No one boxed set is going to have information about all of the things that our kiddos want to study during the year.  We are also not big on workbooks, so boxed sets that focus on workbook after workbook would drive me and the kiddos bonkers.  Even if your family loves workbooks it is doubtful that your child needs the same grade level work in all subjects. 

Q: What curriculum do you recommend for X grade? 

A:  I really don’t want to recommend a boxed curriculum.  I would love to help you find materials for various subjects.  I am going to start writing more reviews of books, material sources, etc.  If you really want to use a prepackaged set Oak Meadow is a secular provider of boxed sets.  They also sell items individually.  We have purchased a few books from the company.  I’m planning to write about one of them in a couple of weeks. 

Q:  Where are you? 

A:  We live in southwest Missouri.  Springfield is the largest city around, but St. Louis and Kansas City are just a few hours away.  If you know of a gathering of secular homeschoolers anywhere nearby, please let me know.  We love to hook up with other homeschoolers. 

Q:  Why do you homeschool?

A:  Short answer:  We homeschool for academic reasons.  I tend to answer that question using our short answer.  If a person is actually interested, I do have an expanded story to share.  I’ll save you the trouble of having to hear it tonight.   

Q:  Did you go to college? 

A:  Yes I did.  I graduated from Southwest Missouri State University with a master’s in counseling.  I also completed both of my undergraduate degrees at the same university.  Last semester I started graduate school again at another local university.  I am working on a master’s in criminology. 

Q:  How many children do you have? 

A:  We have two.  Our son is nine (4th grade if still in public school) and our daughter is 4. 

Thanks for reading this edition of Dear Heathen Mom.  I have some additional questions that I will be writing about later this week.