That was my first thought as well but just like homeschool curricula, there is no one size fits all! For example, I've been criticized for NOT using an all-in-one. I've been *heavily* criticized for spending as much time per day homeschooling as I do (5 hours, on average, sometimes more...multiple children, some of whom need individual attention for various topics). I've been criticized for everything in the book and then some. I try not to let it bother me but sometimes it's really hard not to.
Absolutely. I got a all in one to use as a reference to build off of...this was a fabulous way to branch off and let go of a hand holding me through in the beginning. Now I make my own curriculum with a lot of confidence.
We started with an all in one because I wanted hands off and Christian, but we soon found out that an eclectic way fit us. I agree that families are different. If it works for you, use it! 😊
You are absolutely right. When I started homeschooling I had no idea how to go about it. We subscribe to Time for Learning and got Spectrum books as well. Three years later I am still using the same method as it has worked well for us. There are so many curriculum out there but if all-in-curriculum works for your family that is great. Homeschooling is not school and it should be gear to what works for you and your family. I feel sometimes when I see videos of curriculum overwhelming as I would not be able to keep up to some of the standards that some mom's have and I don't think my kids will either. To all the new moms that are trying to homeschool don't stress it you will get the hang of it eventually 😊
Using a boxed curriculum is great for working homeschool parents, too! A lot of people on the internet devalue all-in-one kits or say that it’s just for people who don’t know what they are doing. Piecing together curriculum takes a lot of time and work. The switch from eclectic to all-in-one was a gift for my homeschool.
I don't think that's an unpopular opinion. I think its probably easier to do it that way. I looked into one for this coming year, but I have different ages of kids and I wanted to find things they both could use.
@@wentzel812 thank you! If you look back at my super early videos, you can see it was totally a learning process. I learned more about my camera, got a small amount of additional lighting, and learned how to lighten things in the editing process. My husband happened to have a microphone that plugs into my camera. And learning that whole process was actually a ton of fun. I’m still picking up things with my editing software all the time. 😊
Homeschooling can be so exhausting and a struggle. I have loved all my years of homeschooling but it's not been easy and even as a veteran I have used All In One. I love Sonlight. But even if your not new, homeschooling is a challenge and there are seasons where you just need that. Even using an All In One curriculum you can add and subtract and change it around. Sometimes trying to piece together curriculum can make it so hard and overwhelming whether you are new or a veteran.
There are So many companies! This is only going to be our third year homeschooling, and my first year I almost cried because I started watching videos and everyone was buying something different for every subject and it was so very overwhelming! My kids were older grades 4 and 7. I would have absolutely loved this video then! Thank you for making this!!!
Exactly the advice my brand new homeschooling mama heart needed to hear 15 years ago. You’re doing other mamas a great service. This is really sound, wise, kind advice. It can be paralyzing to look at all the options and be afraid you’re going to get something wrong. I guarantee, you will! And you’ll learn and change your approach to something that works, and I promise your children will learn and not be stunted. Thank you for this great video!
@@martharobertson7943 oh my goodness, thank you so much for this comment. And it came on what is one of the hardest days I’ve had in a very long time (unrelated to my channel or homeschooling). It was so nice to have such a positive comment on such a tough day. Thank you. ❤️
This is helpful! I also might add that even if you’ve been in the homeschool game for a while, and have never used an all in one, it is still an option! I’ve never used a boxed curriculum but when my season of life is crazy, I definitely think it would ease some of pressure and decision/planning fatigue.
Yesssss!! I commented to someone else that if a certain season of life makes it difficult to be on the eclectic side, I’m fine if I have to go back to it. My overall goal is to homeschool my child and I’ll do what it takes to make it happen. 😊
10000% Agree. I spent my first 2 years using Abeka only, until I felt I had the confidence to swap other things out. Love Abeka as an all in one program to start with, and you can leave things out if it feels like too much. 😊
Our 1st year I had only 50 pounds to spend, so I looked at what was my ideal choices then chose affordable things that were similar. For example I wanted a paticular all in one reading curriculum but it cost about 60 pounds, I found one that used the same methods second hand for 10 pounds. We didnt have the budget in those early days for all in one, but I do recomend it to newer home educators, because for a two year period we had a lot going on in our life, and I had a pre reader, a early reader and another child who is very dyslexic coming up to exam age and another kid who likes to work semi independently and I used an all in one and it really helped! Athough normally we like to pick and chose a bit to each child's learning style, but we still use the basic scedule from the all in one!
I totally agree with you! All in one can be very helpful when starting out and I sometimes envy people who can use an all in one years in to homeschooling 😂 I am very elective 12 yrs in! Edited to add: okay I was curious how many I’m using this upcoming year (4 kids) 1. Classical Conversations (2 in challenge & 2 in foundations) 2. Math U See 3. Fix it grammar 4. Logic of English 5. Happy Cheetah 6. Handwriting without Tears 7. Gather Round unit study (Africa) 8. Beautiful Feet Books Around the World 1 9. Story of the World vol 1 10. Let’s Talk Science Level 1 11. Essentials in Writing The only two I use across the board for my kids: Classical Conversations & Math U See.
Yes!! I feel like it gets a bad rap and can be so helpful. And like you, I’ve become more eclectic, but who knows, there could be a season of life that sends me back to an all in one - and you know what, that’s cool with me. We will do what we need to do when we need to do it. 😊 (I totally envy those people sometimes too. 🤣)
@@Making_Homeschool_Happendid you see my edit? 😂 I’m at 10. I think I remembered everything. My kids are all adopted and have special needs so all in one just does not work. The beauty of homeschool is a tailored education! ❤
Yep! I forgot one! Essentials in Writing (for grammar for my 7th grader who doesn’t like Fix It- I plan to wean her to Fix It though after she finishes up the rest of her EIW from this year. Fix It is sooooo easy to add in to the Challenge work with CC since we don’t do much Latin.) I’m a new subscriber! Loving your content! You are uplifting and easy to listen to. I loved what you said about we will do what we need to do when we need to do it. I always try to make decisions about what is best for each child and each season of life/schooling we are in.
@@faithfullyinfertile I love your curriculum list! Thank you so much for sharing! I always want to try ALL THE THINGS so I’m a little envious you get to use so many. 🤣🤣 You are so kind! I’m pretty new but have really enjoyed making these videos. I was so scared to tell anyone when I wanted to start… I’m so glad I did though because my husband and daughter gave me the huge support shove I needed. 😊
We are so similar in how our homeschool journey has looked. Used the same all in one (except math) for 7-8 years. Finally broke away as we had gradually replaced many of the subjects, and looking ahead, I knew that their high school program wasn't right for our family.
Good job! I had an all in one the first year and didn’t use it to the fullest. Still pieced things together. Sometimes overcomplicate. Now we use history, science, and first language lessons this upcoming year. That’s our group subjects.
We started with Abeka. I have a friend who uses Sonlight for her 4 kids and loves it. I have another friend who uses BJU. Abeka and BJU are going to be similar and have a more traditional approach whereas Sonlight is a literature based curriculum that uses a lot of living books. Sonlight does use multiple publishers sometimes to put together their cores but they have done that for you. If anyone else has anything to add, feel free to help this overwhelmed mama out!
Also, I know it can feel so overwhelming but just give yourself some time. You may not have it all figured out on day 1 and that’s totally fine! You will get your rhythm, I promise! It may just take a little bit of time. I’m so excited for you though to start your homeschooling journey. It’s such a special time. 😊
I started homeschooling with all in one curriculum the first few years as well and for the same reasons you had. 10 years later I am now completely eclectic. This would have completely overwhelmed me at the beginning.
Right?? And this is why I get a little frustrated when I see people automatically shut the idea down. It can be so helpful! Thank you for your comment! 😊
I really wish I could do it. I would have saved myself so much stress! But from the beginning I have pieced it together because we are a bilingual family. I just found something from LLAMITAS Spanish for my second that I think I could limit myself to and I would have almost everything I will need. Very good video! Thanks for sharing this opinion
@@numbersandstars I’m so glad you liked it! I wish we were a bilingual family. But I definitely see how that adds another layer of difficulty when picking things out!
Weird that it is considered unpopular. Many, many homescgoolers i know use all in one. Im surprised thus is even an issue for you.
@@DK-tq3fy I still see it today pretty consistently on social media. I just want everyone to use what is best for them and not feel bad about it. 😊
That was my first thought as well but just like homeschool curricula, there is no one size fits all!
For example, I've been criticized for NOT using an all-in-one. I've been *heavily* criticized for spending as much time per day homeschooling as I do (5 hours, on average, sometimes more...multiple children, some of whom need individual attention for various topics). I've been criticized for everything in the book and then some. I try not to let it bother me but sometimes it's really hard not to.
Absolutely. I got a all in one to use as a reference to build off of...this was a fabulous way to branch off and let go of a hand holding me through in the beginning. Now I make my own curriculum with a lot of confidence.
@@HolisticUly yes! It almost worked as a training tool for us!
I love all in one for new homeschoolers. It’s a good starting point and you can always split off from that. 🤷🏼♀️
@@Imzadi yes! 💯
We started with an all in one because I wanted hands off and Christian, but we soon found out that an eclectic way fit us. I agree that families are different. If it works for you, use it! 😊
Exactly!!
Yes! There is no one size fits all!!
You are absolutely right. When I started homeschooling I had no idea how to go about it. We subscribe to Time for Learning and got Spectrum books as well. Three years later I am still using the same method as it has worked well for us. There are so many curriculum out there but if all-in-curriculum works for your family that is great. Homeschooling is not school and it should be gear to what works for you and your family. I feel sometimes when I see videos of curriculum overwhelming as I would not be able to keep up to some of the standards that some mom's have and I don't think my kids will either. To all the new moms that are trying to homeschool don't stress it you will get the hang of it eventually 😊
@@darkravenbella yes!! You have to do what works. 😊
Using a boxed curriculum is great for working homeschool parents, too! A lot of people on the internet devalue all-in-one kits or say that it’s just for people who don’t know what they are doing. Piecing together curriculum takes a lot of time and work. The switch from eclectic to all-in-one was a gift for my homeschool.
@@krkmr5979 yessss!!! This. So much. This.
I don't think that's an unpopular opinion. I think its probably easier to do it that way. I looked into one for this coming year, but I have different ages of kids and I wanted to find things they both could use.
@@lifeandthecity9535 thank you!! It is definitely more tricky with multiple kids. 😊
“A firehose to the face”…I feel that lol
@@puckettsfullofsunshine9981 🤣🤣
Your setup, lightening, camera quality, and audio is great. I'd love to learn how you did it.
@@wentzel812 thank you! If you look back at my super early videos, you can see it was totally a learning process. I learned more about my camera, got a small amount of additional lighting, and learned how to lighten things in the editing process. My husband happened to have a microphone that plugs into my camera. And learning that whole process was actually a ton of fun. I’m still picking up things with my editing software all the time. 😊
Homeschooling can be so exhausting and a struggle. I have loved all my years of homeschooling but it's not been easy and even as a veteran I have used All In One. I love Sonlight. But even if your not new, homeschooling is a challenge and there are seasons where you just need that. Even using an All In One curriculum you can add and subtract and change it around. Sometimes trying to piece together curriculum can make it so hard and overwhelming whether you are new or a veteran.
There are So many companies! This is only going to be our third year homeschooling, and my first year I almost cried because I started watching videos and everyone was buying something different for every subject and it was so very overwhelming! My kids were older grades 4 and 7. I would have absolutely loved this video then! Thank you for making this!!!
@@amandamendoza4181 yes! Sometimes you need simplicity just to get started. And sometimes that simplicity works long term as well. 😊
Exactly the advice my brand new homeschooling mama heart needed to hear 15 years ago. You’re doing other mamas a great service. This is really sound, wise, kind advice. It can be paralyzing to look at all the options and be afraid you’re going to get something wrong. I guarantee, you will! And you’ll learn and change your approach to something that works, and I promise your children will learn and not be stunted. Thank you for this great video!
@@martharobertson7943 oh my goodness, thank you so much for this comment. And it came on what is one of the hardest days I’ve had in a very long time (unrelated to my channel or homeschooling). It was so nice to have such a positive comment on such a tough day. Thank you. ❤️
This is helpful! I also might add that even if you’ve been in the homeschool game for a while, and have never used an all in one, it is still an option! I’ve never used a boxed curriculum but when my season of life is crazy, I definitely think it would ease some of pressure and decision/planning fatigue.
Yesssss!! I commented to someone else that if a certain season of life makes it difficult to be on the eclectic side, I’m fine if I have to go back to it. My overall goal is to homeschool my child and I’ll do what it takes to make it happen. 😊
10000% Agree. I spent my first 2 years using Abeka only, until I felt I had the confidence to swap other things out. Love Abeka as an all in one program to start with, and you can leave things out if it feels like too much. 😊
We used Abeka also. 😊
@@Making_Homeschool_Happen Awesome, I loved their program, taught all my kids to read really well 😁
@@GardenMinistry. yes! Their phonics program is so solid. And we still use Abeka for math, grammar, and spelling. 😊
What’s your homeschool unpopular opinion? 😅
Our 1st year I had only 50 pounds to spend, so I looked at what was my ideal choices then chose affordable things that were similar. For example I wanted a paticular all in one reading curriculum but it cost about 60 pounds, I found one that used the same methods second hand for 10 pounds. We didnt have the budget in those early days for all in one, but I do recomend it to newer home educators, because for a two year period we had a lot going on in our life, and I had a pre reader, a early reader and another child who is very dyslexic coming up to exam age and another kid who likes to work semi independently and I used an all in one and it really helped! Athough normally we like to pick and chose a bit to each child's learning style, but we still use the basic scedule from the all in one!
@@joanner1427 I love this! Thank you for sharing!
I totally agree with you! All in one can be very helpful when starting out and I sometimes envy people who can use an all in one years in to homeschooling 😂
I am very elective 12 yrs in!
Edited to add: okay I was curious how many I’m using this upcoming year (4 kids)
1. Classical Conversations (2 in challenge & 2 in foundations)
2. Math U See
3. Fix it grammar
4. Logic of English
5. Happy Cheetah
6. Handwriting without Tears
7. Gather Round unit study (Africa)
8. Beautiful Feet Books Around the World 1
9. Story of the World vol 1
10. Let’s Talk Science Level 1
11. Essentials in Writing
The only two I use across the board for my kids: Classical Conversations & Math U See.
Yes!! I feel like it gets a bad rap and can be so helpful. And like you, I’ve become more eclectic, but who knows, there could be a season of life that sends me back to an all in one - and you know what, that’s cool with me. We will do what we need to do when we need to do it. 😊 (I totally envy those people sometimes too. 🤣)
@@Making_Homeschool_Happendid you see my edit? 😂
I’m at 10. I think I remembered everything. My kids are all adopted and have special needs so all in one just does not work. The beauty of homeschool is a tailored education! ❤
Yep! I forgot one!
Essentials in Writing (for grammar for my 7th grader who doesn’t like Fix It- I plan to wean her to Fix It though after she finishes up the rest of her EIW from this year. Fix It is sooooo easy to add in to the Challenge work with CC since we don’t do much Latin.)
I’m a new subscriber! Loving your content! You are uplifting and easy to listen to. I loved what you said about we will do what we need to do when we need to do it. I always try to make decisions about what is best for each child and each season of life/schooling we are in.
@@faithfullyinfertile I love your curriculum list! Thank you so much for sharing! I always want to try ALL THE THINGS so I’m a little envious you get to use so many. 🤣🤣
You are so kind! I’m pretty new but have really enjoyed making these videos. I was so scared to tell anyone when I wanted to start… I’m so glad I did though because my husband and daughter gave me the huge support shove I needed. 😊
We have over 10 for our homeschool as well, since all-in-one just doesn't suit our family.
We are so similar in how our homeschool journey has looked. Used the same all in one (except math) for 7-8 years. Finally broke away as we had gradually replaced many of the subjects, and looking ahead, I knew that their high school program wasn't right for our family.
Big change totally scares me so I have to do it little by little. 🤣🤣
Good job! I had an all in one the first year and didn’t use it to the fullest. Still pieced things together. Sometimes overcomplicate. Now we use history, science, and first language lessons this upcoming year. That’s our group subjects.
What All in one curriculum Do you recommend? I am starting and very overwhelmed!
We started with Abeka. I have a friend who uses Sonlight for her 4 kids and loves it. I have another friend who uses BJU. Abeka and BJU are going to be similar and have a more traditional approach whereas Sonlight is a literature based curriculum that uses a lot of living books. Sonlight does use multiple publishers sometimes to put together their cores but they have done that for you.
If anyone else has anything to add, feel free to help this overwhelmed mama out!
Also, I know it can feel so overwhelming but just give yourself some time. You may not have it all figured out on day 1 and that’s totally fine! You will get your rhythm, I promise! It may just take a little bit of time. I’m so excited for you though to start your homeschooling journey. It’s such a special time. 😊
What ages are your children? Do you have any specific concerns you want to address with your kids? There are a wealth of options for curriculum!
@noahsmilkshake Thank you so much for the information. I have been looking at these options. I have a kindergarten. She its going to be 6 on sep.
I am one of those homeschoolers who never wanted an all in one curriculum. I could see it as necessary if I was working full time though
I started homeschooling with all in one curriculum the first few years as well and for the same reasons you had.
10 years later I am now completely eclectic. This would have completely overwhelmed me at the beginning.
Right?? And this is why I get a little frustrated when I see people automatically shut the idea down. It can be so helpful! Thank you for your comment! 😊
I really wish I could do it. I would have saved myself so much stress!
But from the beginning I have pieced it together because we are a bilingual family. I just found something from LLAMITAS Spanish for my second that I think I could limit myself to and I would have almost everything I will need.
Very good video! Thanks for sharing this opinion
@@numbersandstars I’m so glad you liked it! I wish we were a bilingual family. But I definitely see how that adds another layer of difficulty when picking things out!