| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| sunshine7 |
Posted - Jun 09 2012 : 2:35:05 PM
Hi,
I am just reaching out to anyone that has been homeschooling their children. I am considering it as a very strong possibility for my child, only because he is so animated about learning that I think that extensive exploration would be fun for him as well as beneficial.
Any advice or tips especially concerning the pressure to send children to public schools because of social reasons.
As a country family having neighbors with children is rare, and so I don't want to send my child in to school just so he can hang with other kids?
Would love to hear some feedback on your experiences, opinions,and suggestions. Thank you !
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| 12 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Apr 01 2013 : 09:10:09 AM
Yes a lot of things are not tolerated in school, which is sad, especially for boys. I mean I don't know about you, but weren't the boys ALWAYS in trouble in your school till around third grade. They were at mine...boys can't just sit still and "read" for 8 hours a day for the most part till they are older. I too wouldn't want my kids love of learning to be squashed cause I agree, reading is a major corner stone to almost all other learning.
Awesome about how inventive your children are. Let to explore they can come up with some pretty darn cool things!
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| Lanna |
Posted - Mar 31 2013 : 01:53:01 AM
quote:
Originally posted by MagnoliaWhisper
His reading level isn't unusual for boys actually Lanna. :) Just sayin'. lol Most aren't ready for reading till around 8.
Oh, *I* know this and you know this, but it's not so well tolerated in school. Especially with NCLB, and yes, teachers have told me as such. Kids *have* to be semi-fluently reading to do all the homework that needs done by 2nd grade (sometimes by first, seems to depend on the school). The reading thing has been one of our more sticky things since the 9yo's not as thrilled about it (despite Grandma offering to buy him and the 6yo each a fancy remote controlled car when they learn to read!) and around here, the vast majority of 7-9yo's read.
I'm considered the weird one because I see reading as so incredibly important to their future, I don't feel comfortable turning it into a dreaded chore (one friend had her then-7yo in 2-3 hour, 2-3 times a week reading tutoring sessions - during the summer! - because her husband was freaking out). If you lose your passion and love of reading, well, it becomes more difficult to learn things, IME. Heck, apparently my 4.5yo was doing multiplication (correctly!) on Starfall the other day. Uh, I haven't even gotten to that Life of Fred book with my older boys, so she did that one all on her own. Darned smart little kids.
But then on the flip side, this kid can make double decker Lego RV's, complete with stocked kitchen cabinets, he creates bridges and paths like you wouldn't believe in our backyard with scrap lumber, and yeah. At 5yo he was hooking up a pulley system with a rope, big stick, an old bucket, and our maple tree. Just because I had him outside playing - that was the extent of my involvement (he even figured out some way to get the rope way up there on the tree branch!). So he'll likely show up as an engineer someplace in 15 years. 
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Lanna, homeschooling mama to four little monkeys that still try to jump on the bed |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Mar 30 2013 : 11:09:55 PM
oh and a BTW, with my oldest we are homeschooling, because I chose to before we even had children, but secondly if I had any second thoughts about it, she is sooooooooooo full of energy...we are kind of HAVE to keep her home as well. I am pretty sure the principal would have us on speed dial too. And exactly like you said, we have to kind of be on top of her all the time to harness that energy for good, if we don't it will for sure go in a evil way. I've seen it first hand with my MIL (she's a "good" person, but had to go through a lot as a child because of bad choices, due to the energy levels, and then I see it in my adopted sister as well...always in trouble since elementary she is now in high school and has had to change high schools a few times because of it getting so bad!). So um yeah.....she's a sweet heart and truly is a good girl...but if let go wild......well....
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Mar 30 2013 : 11:05:16 PM
His reading level isn't unusual for boys actually Lanna. :) Just sayin'. lol Most aren't ready for reading till around 8.
About your teacher/friend. I have a cousin in law who went to school to be a teacher. She FREAKED out when she heard we were going to homeschool. From the stuff she was spewing at me...I'm pretty sure the schools kind of brain wash them about public schools being superior.
Funny we went to the local home show a few weeks back, and we went with a girl friend of mine cause my DH didn't want to go. And my kids were chatting it up with EVERY one there. VERY social, other kids their ages were hiding behind their mom's when the adults would speak to them. After a few booths like that...my girlfriend (who btw was homeschooled as well) said, your kids kind of blow that whole home school kids are anti-social stereo type right out of the water don't they. lol
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| Lanna |
Posted - Mar 30 2013 : 12:06:12 AM
What Wendy said.
I have a few teacher friends, and one in particular took it personally that we decided to homeschool (when a) it wasn't even her school and b) had *nothing* to do with her!). I'm pretty bland/generic with my answer to 'why are you homeschooling' - it's usually "it's what we decided was best for our family right now." Then move the conversation along unless it's someone who's genuinely interested in hs'ing. You get a feel for whether they're on the warpath so to speak, and get good at avoiding that unless you're up for it (I've usually got better things to do, quite honestly).
And maybe I've gotten a tough skin over the years... we do a *ton* of non-mainstream things, so I'm kinda used to getting some amount of flak for whatever. We homebirth, I still have my 3yo's placenta in the freezer (need to dehydrate that sucker finally!), I breastfed each child for years (25mo-35mo depending on child), we have a 'big' family of four children, we homeschool, selectively vaccinate, live as debt-free/un-Jones-like as possible, organic garden, can/preserve, aim to eat with the seasons, all kinds of fun stuff. After all that, having someone try to attack me for choosing to homeschool? Meh. Again, I've got better things to do.
Takes slightly more oomph to ignore my MIL, but she'll get over it/come around at some point. She always does (oh goodness, when she learned we planned to birth the 6yo at home she flipped - by the time the 3yo came around she thought it was the best/coolest thing, despite being a pharmacist and drenched in that whole medical model).
The socializing thing... my hubby thinks he's being cute when he says "well, we're not aiming to raise socialists!" Sigh. Which is true, but still, I'm in the camp of you catch more flies with honey. Anyway, the proof is in the pudding. When we go to parks or play areas like at the local almost-YMCA, we get compliments on our children - they play nicely with children of all ages (when's the last time you saw a 9yo boy nicely helping a non-related toddler on a playground?) and help out if/as need be when asked (usually, they're still human). That said, there's four siblings in our house (9yo, 6.5yo, 4.5yo, 3yo), three bedrooms, and yeah. They *have* to learn to get along so we can survive. And what better than for them to do/learn together and have those memories later on when they're grown? It's so fun to see what mischief they get into together sometimes. :D
As for the 'you must never leave the house because of school!' thing... yeah. Being a hs'ing sahm, we spend an awful lot of time in the car and out and about. We have Monday swim lessons for the 9yo, 6yo and 4yo (I plan to take summer of because we have season passes to a local amusement park), Wednesday is our milk pickup (we go out to our milk farm, pet the critters, chat with the farmers) and sometimes church potluck, Friday is homschool co-op day (and today two errands were tacked on to the end of our day). Playdates and errands and doctor appointments and children's museum visits and other stuff slots in when possible, this week I used up Tues/Thurs with my own dental appointments - it's been a rough/busy week. ;)
Oh, and we decided to homeschool when our oldest was 20-22mo. I was freaking out/practically having panic attacks about sending him off to school, and he wasn't even 2yo yet! He's *so* busy and *so* inquisitive and all that jazz, I knew school would be awful for all of us, and I'd likely be on a principal's speed dial. We wanted to harness all that for good (and not evil) and I couldn't forgive myself if his inquisitive love of learning was squashed out of him (like mine was - I was bullied by a teacher in 6th grade for reading Nancy Drew - I didn't pick up a single book/magazine/article for non-school reading for the next decade!). And good thing - he's slightly immature for his age, has amazing motor and spatial and building and problem-solving skills, but is on the slower end of learning to read (he's 9yo, and he and my 6.5yo are at almost the same place reading-wise). Because of how we roll homeschool-wise, he's able to blossom when he's ready, which we love. :D
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Lanna, homeschooling mama to four little monkeys that still try to jump on the bed |
| KuntryKlucker |
Posted - Mar 24 2013 : 6:49:49 PM
Hi, I have been homeschooling my two boys since day one. We did preschool, kindergarten and are currently in
second grade. As far as socilization, we have way too much. We have to at time limit the socilization
so that we can concentrate on getting school work done. We are apart of a co-op in our area
that has field trips, parties, get togethers, carry-ins often. They are around other homeschool
kids their age and just love it. We too live in the country so we do not have neighborhood kids
to play with. That has not really been a problem since we have many other friends that are
homeschooled, we just make plans to get together and let the kids play or do a activity
together. Keep in mind when you home school you can cater your schedule so that you can do
social activities during the day when most people are at work or something. It makes going
out a lot less hectic and relaxing.
Give me the simple country life. |
| MrsRooster |
Posted - Jun 11 2012 : 09:32:47 AM
I also homeschool. My daughter is seven. We also had to dial back on our activities. Her schedule was crazy. LOL I have turned a blind eye to negitive comments. Someone will always have one. LOL
I pulled her out of school in Nov 2010 and we haven't looked back since. Love the journey!!
www.mrsrooster.blogspot.com
www.flossesandcrosses.blogspot.com
www.morganicinstitute.blogspot.com
Farmgirl #1259
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| SheilaC |
Posted - Jun 10 2012 : 05:36:30 AM
You know, maybe it's just b/c it's "Vermont", but honestly, most people (kids and adults alike) who hear that we homeschool have a response like "Cool!" or "I always wished I was homeschooled" or some such. We really don't hear much negative. I think some relatives were "concerned" at first but as they've seen how our kids are they now brag on them and are wholeheartedly in support :) I wonder if the people who are saying such mean things to you about it are people who are personally invested in the public school or other school system (and thus see it as an "attack" on themselves?) or are harboring some sort of guilt for not being willing/able to homeschool their own kids?
A side note-- for homeschoolers -- don't forget that most "field trip" type places (theater, museums, etc. will give you the same school rate as public schools get -- just ask!! we have been pleasantly surprised with the discounts available to homeschoolers.
At least in Vermont there are lots of programs geared toward homeschoolers -- several libraries in our area do a literature-type program once a month, the state historical society does a monthly program for homeschoolers, the national guard does a week-long thing for 10-11 yr olds, etc etc. As you meet more homeschoolers you'll hear of even more opportunities until you feel like there are so much "outside" opportunities you have to really limit yourselves so you can do your actual schoolwork :)
If you don't know other homeschoolers, just wait :) When you mention to others that you are homeschooling, invariably someone will say, "oh, so-and-so homeschools--do you know them?" or "you should meet them!"
Good luck with homeschooling--we are so happy we did. We've just been homeschooiling for 2 years (our kids have just finished 2nd, 4th, and 6th grades)and look forward to many more great years of it :)
http://troutwife.blogspot.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/brooktroutwife |
| LuckyMommyof5 |
Posted - Jun 10 2012 : 04:02:24 AM
Hi Nikki,
I am the mom of 4 little girls and I became interested in the concept of homeschooling or distance learning way back when my first was about a year old (she's 10 now). My husband and I wanted to do it, but every time we mentioned it to family or friends they had so mant objections and were so negative, we really questioned ourselves and didn't do it.
One of the very first posts I ever made on the forum after I joined last summer was very similar to yours - I was asking for some feedback from other homeschoolers and needing some real, positive support for my interest in it. I was overwhelmed (in a good way) with all the encouragement, support and information I got from so many Farmgirls. It was this that gave me the courage to really stop and think what my husband and I wanted as parents without taking into consideration all the criticisms we were getting over this.
I am SO happy to relate that we decided to withdraw from our public school district when the year ended (last week) and have enrolled my 3 oldest girls in a private distance-learning program to start in September. The program we chose is Waldorf-based and provides a curriculum and distance teacher support and assessments, but REALLY values the parents as the paramount teacher of their children and has been just great in supporting us and stressing our right to educational freedom. We decided to go with distance learning because it gave us a starting point, a bit of a built in support network and room to grow at the same time. What I have been discovering as we start this journey is that there are so many wonderful different ways to homeschool.
I worried about the "socialization" question, too, because daughters #1 and #3 love to be in big groups of kids and can't get enough of time with friends. Ultimately, my husband and I realized all the wonderful benefits we wanted to give our daughters from homeschooling/distance learning outweighed our fears over this one aspect of the issue. When we decided to really "take the plunge" we discovered how many opportunities for "socialization" there are out there for homeschoolers.
Also, when we were still unsure about this, we sat down and had a family meeting and asked our daughters their opinions. The girls were SO enthusiastic about it, even when listed the objections that many friends and family had raised. My husband and I knew then that if the girls were "into it" we had a good chance of really making it work.
And, Heather, I've wondered about that, too. If you say you homeschool (or are interested in doing so) people feel free to say all kinds of negative, nasty things to you about it. Whereas, if I said equally harsh criticisms about someone's children attending a "traditional" public, private or parochial school it would be considered the height of rudeness. Why is that? I would never, of course, say those things to another parent about their educational choices (because I know that every educational choice out there has both pros and cons and what works for one family or child may not work for another), but I have wondered about that double standard!
Farmgirl Sister #3243
"The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong." - Laura Ingalls Wilder |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Jun 09 2012 : 11:03:18 PM
You may want to join a home school co-op in your area, they will really help with plenty of social activities.
However, also remember you don't owe any one any explanations for the choices you make for your children and family...it seems like "homeschooling" seems to be open range for people to cast judgement, but many other things if you judged their parenting about would be considered rude and none of your business...I really don't get why others think it's a bit of their business!
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| SheilaC |
Posted - Jun 09 2012 : 7:24:23 PM
We're homeschoolers too :) As far as socialization. . .I think my homeschooled kids have TOO much socialization! I have to really try to "dial it back" a bit-- so many opportunities to be with other people and kids. They are comfortable socializing with people of a variety of ages, from much younger than themselves to much older! Rather than a classroom full of kids all their age--when in "real life" will they be surrounded by just peers of the same age as themselves? Truthfully it makes me giggle when people question whether or not they're getting enough socialization :)
http://troutwife.blogspot.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/brooktroutwife |
| musicmommy |
Posted - Jun 09 2012 : 5:39:16 PM
There are several of us here on the boards so you are in good company. My oldest is going in to the 7th grade this fall and we've been homeschooling since Kindergarten. It's a crazy ride, but I wouldn't change it.
As far as "socialization" goes...it gets into a tricky conversation. I don't need to send my kids to a school for them to learn how to interact with others, we are learning this at home, at the store, at church, at various activities, etc. Our boys are perfectly comfortable playing with babies, interacting with kids their own age and talking with adults. Yes, my oldest is a wee bit quirky, but his friends that are in public school are just like him so that's ok. It would be his personality regardless of where he went to school.
The hardest part for me is trying to word things in a way that really isn't going to sound like I'm putting down the other person. One piece of advice that I was given when I asked similar questions as you, was to ask the person exactly what they mean by social reasons. That would tell me a bit about how to respond.
We have our reasons to homeschool and I've had to remind myself a few times that they are the reasons that make homeschooling right for my family. My friends have their reasons for sending their kids to public or even private schools. I've had to remind some people that my choice to homeschool is not a judgement on their choice not to.
I do have experience with family members trying to pressure me, but I kind of told them this was a parenting decision we are making. They parented us and got to make their own decisions so they need to give us our space.
Feel free to ask any questions or send me a message. I love to talk homeschooling!
One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.
Bob Marley
www.becomingwendy.wordpress.com |
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