| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| chandasue |
Posted - Nov 25 2008 : 09:07:16 AM
I was just wondering if anyone here homeschools their kids, how the experience has been for them and why they made the decision to do so? I'm leaning toward homeschooling my son (he's only 2 so we have some time) but convincing my husband is a big hurtle. He's convinced that all homeschoolers are "weird."
Chanda |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| jennym |
Posted - Jan 06 2009 : 07:47:46 AM
Oops! It looks like the link I posted doesn't work - try going to www.homeschooloasis.com, and go into the Article Chart. The link for John Taylor Gatto is on the Homeschooling Basics chart.
P.S. I previewed this before I posted it, and for some reason this link isn't working either (I'm cutting and pasting, so I don't know what's wrong....), but if you just do a search for homeschool oasis, you should find it.
Sorry for all of the trouble!!!!
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 |
| jennym |
Posted - Jan 06 2009 : 07:37:10 AM
We're in our 9th year of homeschooling, and I could bore you to death by going on and on about how wonderful it is, but suffice it to say that I LOVE it!
Regarding the socialization - I hate to use the term "real world" (I just hate that term - who decides for someone else whether the life they're living is in the "real world???? People may have different lifestyles, but that's what life in the real world is all about!!!!)...anyway, many people claim that homeschooling doesn't prepare kids for the "real world". IMHO, homeschooling does a much better job of preparing kids for adult life (i.e. the real world that so many people refer to). Homeschoolers grow up in the same world they're going to be living in as adults - they get to interact with people of all different ages, and they have the freedom to make choices about their lives. They also learn to not go along with the crowd and do something just because everyone else is doing it. I honestly believe that school teaches kids that they have to accept the status quo, and I also think that's why so many people are against homeschooling - instead of researching it for themselves, they believe what they've heard others say - and those others usually don't know anything about it, either! It's just the popular (mis)conception. I think some people never outgrow the force of "peer pressure!" I honestly don't mean to sound like I'm blaming teachers - my oldest son was public schooled (I do wish I had made the choice to homeschool earlier, when he was younger) and he had some really caring teachers. I just think that some of these problems are inherent in the system. Check out this link: http://www.homeschooloasis.com/art_john_taylor_gatto.htm. John Taylor Gatto has written some very interesting books!
Ok, I'm climbing down off of my high horse now....sorry! I hope I haven't offended anyone.
One last thing - when I started thinking about homeschooling, my husband was unsure about it, too. Now he's a huge proponent!
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Dec 30 2008 : 4:31:28 PM
I have just posted a lot of home schooling books various grade levels in the market place section in case anyone is interested.
~I Dream of a Better World..where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned!~
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and http://myvictorygarden.etsy.com |
| ModFarmgirl |
Posted - Dec 22 2008 : 6:51:09 PM
I was homeschooled through all 12 grades! I loved it!! I do consider myself "weird", but everyone is "weird" in their own unique way. I'm a consistent daydreamer, so I really liked being homeschooled, being when I totally daydreamed off in English, I could go back and do it again 'til I paid attention and understood it. I also loved having a Christian based school. It made a world of difference.
It was hard being homeschooled, at least back then, being it was not as popular as it is now, everyone seemed to put you down and I got so used to explaining that homeschool is real schooling, just like public school, but you are just doing it at home (public schoolers do so much homework at home they are a percent "homeschooled" in a sense anyways). There are struggles, but the finished outcome is well worth it. I know of some EXTREMLY successful, smart, caring, just plan wonderful people who had been homeschooled. My brother for instance (graduated homeschooled): he wanted to attend college to be a computer programmer. The college he was planning to attend did not believe he, a homeschooler, could be capable of the grades he had from high school. They made him take all sorts of test, and they were shocked at his high IQ and tripped all over themselves to get him into their college! A month or so before graduation a guy came to the college he was attending and asked for the smartest student in the computer programing class. That was my brother (there were two excelled students in my brothers class, him and a girl, who was also homeschooled)! The guy hired my brother pretty much on the spot and he's had a great and secure job with a growing business for about 5 years now and plans to get married next fall. <--- A homeschooler success story!
Good luck, Chandasue!
~~Marie~~
www.modfarmgirl.etsy.com
www.modfarmgirl.blogspot.com |
| emsmommy5 |
Posted - Dec 22 2008 : 6:06:47 PM
I firmly believe if you go into homeschooling with the knowledge and commitment to do what is best for you and your children, with the eye on the goal of raising good people, then things will work out.
I always made sure to remind myself that my goal was to raise good people, with good morals and values, people who would give back to the community and serve each other. My goal was not to purposefully raise academic prodigies, but I have found that throughout our years and years of homeschooling, mostly with an unschooling approach, the kids have proven they are intelligent, informed people. All 5 have been highly involved in the community, some in sports, all in service opportunities, and the list goes on and on.
Besides, I figured if anyone was going to take the blame for screwing up my children, then it would be me, because at least I would screw them up with more love and attention than any one person could give!!!
Farmgirl #208
What are you doing with your dash? |
| homesteaderbelle |
Posted - Dec 21 2008 : 4:25:33 PM
Yep, my dad feels the same way about homeschoolers. He says homeschools are weird, weird, weird and they aren't going to fit in the world.
I will admit, there are some weird families that homeschool, but the families were weird before they started homeschooling, homeschooling didn't make them weird. It seems that the 'weird' families choose homeschooling.
You son, if homeschooled or not, will only be as weird as you choose to be.
We are homeschooled, we are not weird although we are differnt because we choose to take the less traveled path. we are loved by our outside family, friends, community and seem to fit in just fine.
I have noticed that non-homeschooled children envy our homeschool life-style.
Belle
http://www.homesteaderbelle.blogspot.com/
|
| homemom |
Posted - Dec 18 2008 : 08:34:06 AM
This is my third year homeschooling. Before that both of my kids were in private school and I taught there. It was a busy and crazy schedule and even though it was a private Christian school there were influences that I know both kids could have done without. I now wish we had started earlier but am so glad that we are home. The kids are both doing great.
We are part of a homeschool group and get together often with other kids. Socializing is not an issue at all.
There are many great people who have been homeschooled. We just learned about Thomas Edison and he was homeschooled and only went to school 3 months in his life.
I hope this helps. Let us know what you decide.
Ruth
Living the farm life in my heart.
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Ruth
http://farmgirlinmyheart.blogspot.com/ |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Dec 17 2008 : 4:24:04 PM
Hello. I hope it's ok to jump in here. I homeschooled my 2 girls for awhile when they were young. I was one of those new mothers that did what my friends were doing, putting their kids in mother's day out and pre-school and all that. By the time my first child got to kindergarten, the poor thing was exhausted! She did ok at the beginning but went downhill after Christmas break. So I talked to the principle to see if she could take a break for awhile (I was not very bright then!) and he thought I was crazy. So I decided to pull her out and teach her myself. I was so glad I did. Anyway, we did this a few years til she was ready to go back. I do wish I had kept going, though.
Anyway, there was a letter in the paper here about homeschooled kids. He was responding to a previous letter someone had written about homeschooled kids "being hidden away at home" and lacked social interaction. (I always hated when people told me that my kids wouldn't get the socialization they'd need to get through life!) So this guy says that the opposite is true. He says HS kids are deeply involved in all sorts of community activities: sports,music, art, theater, church. A survey taken a few years ago found that, persentage wise,HSer's actually did more volunteer work than their PS peers. In various articles, college admin.have praised HS grads for how well adjusted they are and major colleges actively recruit HSers.
He also says anyone who gets to know some HSers will be very impressed both by their social skills and their academic achievements.
So there is something to think about. I know several people who Hs and all their kids are nice and polite and very smart and helpful and involved in all kinds of things. Soccer, 4-H, church, HS co-ops.
Sorry this is so long. Hope it helps someone out there. But I think homeschooling is great! I would love to HS my grandkids just so they wouldn't have to go to the schools they go to. And they have to ride the bus. They are always telling me what goes on on the bus and it's not fun. I do not like buses.
Kris |
| knittingmom |
Posted - Dec 17 2008 : 1:28:08 PM
Your little one will be fine homeschooled. If your husband is nervous about the whole homeschooling thing suggest that you both research together. There are many resources: books at the local library, on the internet and if you're in or near a bigger centre there are usually groups of homeschooling parents that get together. Maybe once he's informed he'll feel more comfortable. There are also many alternative schools as well such as Waldorf.
Good luck.
"There is no foot so small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world" |
| Lanna |
Posted - Dec 17 2008 : 1:16:29 PM
We're planning to homeschool our kiddos. I grew up in the area, and honestly, the schools haven't gotten better (um, I didn't even know or have to know what a verb or noun were until I started taking French my freshman year of high school if that gives you an idea).
Luckily, I've got a few little groups locally that we connect with - an unschoolers group, a homeschoolers group the next city over, and a natural families group (that don't look at me funny about the canning/gardening/wanting chickens/homebirthing/etc.). My 5yo has been making noises about wanting to go to school, but I've got until May to come to decision about that... I'm not sure whether he actually wants to do it and would be okay with sitting quietly in a classroom, or whether it's the big school bus that he's excited about. We always said that if the kids really wanted to go to school it'd be their decision, but now I'm in that stuck place where I'm torn about the whole thing. Plus I'd miss him during the day, and so would his brother and sister. Sometimes I miss the days where I didn't question things and just did what everybody else did. Sometimes. 
*****************
Lanna, mama to three little monkeys |
| chandasue |
Posted - Dec 10 2008 : 07:27:43 AM
Thanks for the k12.com link, at least it gives me something to compare and if coming up with my own curriculum is too daunting it's something to fall back on.
On a lighter note: I may have convinced my husband that it's the best thing for us. He's being much more open minded about it than I gave him credit for... Go figure.  |
| beekeepingmama |
Posted - Dec 08 2008 : 3:27:10 PM
We have homeschooled for 8 years. None of my kids have been in PS. We always heard the socialization issue, too. Just remind him that the socialization they get in Ps is: How to be a bully, how to put up with bullies, how to not talk when you have a question, etc. I have tried coming up with my own curric. That was very difficult. We have been using K12 ( http://www.k12.com ). They are a bit expensive, but many states have a government funded program to use it. Good luck! |
| karla kay |
Posted - Dec 08 2008 : 2:12:31 PM
We have been homeschool for 7 years now. I am teaching our 4 kids. My biggest issue when we started was that many people would say that our kids would not be socialized, in other words weird. Well, I guess we are weird, but not unsocialized. My kids are involved in many community wide activities. We have a large homeschool group in our town. We have speech & debate, choir, and gym that parent volunteer to lead. We get together on Wednesdays to do this. In a few weeks many of us goin skiing all winter as a group. We get a group rate like the public schools. Not only are our kids aroun many other kids, but the support from other parents is great. My kids know how to behave around other kids as well as adults. I consider my kids to be very well socialized. We decided to homeschool because one of our son's was having a very diffficult time in 2nd grade. The teacher told us that he needed one on one attention. Who better than Mom to do that. It has worked good. He is now 14 and doing very well. We have had our challenges, but over all it has been worthwhile for my kids. We all truly love it.
Karla
Farmgirl Sister #331 |
| chandasue |
Posted - Dec 08 2008 : 10:52:56 AM
I'm glad to see everyone has a sense of humor about the labels others have for homeschoolers. I suppose you have to... I definitely have the support of my entire family so that helps a lot. I've been talking to others that have had to convince their husbands as well and that has been encouraging as well. I'm certain that I already fit into the "weird" category, he just didn't realize it when he married me. |
| JunkGypsyJen |
Posted - Dec 05 2008 : 3:39:17 PM
We just started homeschooling this year, my daughters are in 2nd and first grade and my son is 2. We love it! It's not always easy, other people (especially my public schoolteacher mama) feel they can always give me their opinion about it, but that's ok. I know we're doing what's best for the kids. And we have SO MUCH FUN! I love learning with them, and truthfully, I'm learning too. At the moment, they're studying Ancient Egypt and I'm learning as much as they are! Learning seems to be part of our lifestyle now ... where before it was that necessary evil that controlled our lives and schedules.
Public school isn't bad ... I don't mean that. But I see the difference in my children, in my family. We are all so close. We talk and really listen to each other. Best of all, my daughters are truly best friends. They fight like sisters do, sure. But they play together, they share secrets ... they are building a bond that was lacking last year when they got home at 4 p.m., went to bed at 7:30 and spent all day apart. My son enjoys their company too. He would otherwise be almost an only child during the day.
One last thought ... the only argument I've ever heard is what about socialization. My kids have Sunday school, Cloverbuds (pre-4-H), summer soccer, and weekly piano lessons. We live a mile from all of their cousins and grandparents. They are social little creatures ... much more than their Mama, to be honest.
This was a decision of the heart, not the mind. By following my heart, I filled my mind with so many new possibilities.
Well-behaved women rarely make history. |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Dec 04 2008 : 8:34:08 PM
Yep..we are weird too...13 years worth of weird..ha... But hey..we love being weird.
Being weird means I receive comments about how brilliant, and talented my kids are, how well behaved, how mature, etc. I'll take weird any day.:0)
Hey..if your hubby needs convincing remind him that Albert Einstein was home schooled, as was Benjamin Franklin, and so many more brilliant minds.
Good luck to you in whatever you decide.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
| musketeermomma |
Posted - Dec 04 2008 : 6:47:51 PM
We have homeschooled for about 10 years now and I admit... we're weird too.
In the end, it's not what you do for your children, but what you've taught them to do for themselves
-Ann Landers |
| QueenofQuiteAlot |
Posted - Dec 04 2008 : 12:04:42 PM
I have homeschooled all my kids for 9 years now...but, we are weird *U*
Dalyn
Muckboots 'N Aprons Chapter
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| jumpingjuliet |
Posted - Dec 04 2008 : 09:24:36 AM
I've heard Abekka was a great one. That is one of the ones we are going to check out. Most of my friends use it with their kids. They are all happy with it.
Becky
I am one with my inner farm girl! |
| Ga Girl |
Posted - Dec 04 2008 : 08:28:50 AM
I homeschool as well and I do it so I know what is going into my children. I do not believe in evolution and do not what my children being taught that. I also know that alot of the colleges are starting to get more involved with homeschoolers because they feel like they have more to offer because they have had more one on one. Sure hope you can find the answers you are looking for. Good luck! Karen
Create in me a pure heart,O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalms 51:10 http://farmgirlingastyle.blogspot.com/
www.KKJD1.etsy.com |
| MsCwick |
Posted - Dec 03 2008 : 11:25:48 AM
the christian company my dad used with me was called Abekka (sp) |
| chandasue |
Posted - Dec 03 2008 : 11:08:25 AM
Thanks Becky... I ordered some books about homeschooling, perhaps something in there will sway my husband to let me homeschool our son. |
| jumpingjuliet |
Posted - Dec 03 2008 : 03:24:14 AM
My son is 3 now and we are planning on homeschooling him. Some of the brightest, best adjusted, POLITE, and most rounded people I know are homeschooled. I believe parents have a right and a duty to oversee what their children learn. Since the public schools want to tell us what our kids need to know and want to tell us what we can believe, I believe homeschooling is the best way to know exactly what your child is being taught.
Opportunities abound at when, where, how and about what you learn. You can take any situation and make it a learning experience.
Good luck with your HSing.
Becky
I am one with my inner farm girl! |
| chandasue |
Posted - Nov 27 2008 : 12:20:31 PM
Thanks for all the comments! I'll check out that website, Tracy. Maybe I'll find some info that'll convert my DH... |
| NatureNymph |
Posted - Nov 27 2008 : 10:32:25 AM
We're in our second year of homeschooling and it has its good points and bad points. Right now the good points out-weigh the bad. But I try to keep an open mind to the possibility that one day public school may be a possibility again.
I started homeschooling because my daughter who was in Grade 1 at the time, was being bullied relentlessly. I had thought about hsing before she went to kindergarten but I let other people talk me out of it. Now I wished I had gone with my gut. Now my son is 5, kindergarten, and my daughter is 8 and in Grade 3.
There is so much out there curriculum wise and support wise. You should not have to look far. It does take a while to get connected but once you start you'll find more and more.
I love knowing what my kids are learning and what they struggle with. The report cards from public school don't give a good indication of how my children were learning. I also like the variety of things we do... this week in History we read about Darius and Xerxes of Persia and their attacks on Greece in 480 BC... this is stuff I never learned in school and I am proud that my kids are getting a better understanding of the world than I had. They will be better prepared and well read.
Check out HSLDA.com, they are a legal organization protecting homeschoolers rights in the US and Canada (hslda.ca). Their website can give you more info on support groups in your area, your state laws and some interesting articles to read.
I hope this helps,
Tracy
"Everybody likes to go their own way--to choose their own time and manner of devotion." Jane Austen, Mansfield Park
http://simplicitysampler.blogspot.com/
http://blessewefarm.blogspot.com/ |
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