I have to admit, for some reason I am nervous to write about this. I don't even know why, but for some reason or another the butterflies are flying in my stomach. I think maybe some of my nervousness stems from what people might have to say about what I am going to talk about. But I also have felt impressed for the last couple of weeks to write about this. This has been a controversial topic from the get go, but I feel like I need to share how this last year has been. Actually the school year isn't really over yet, but we have actually finished our first year of curriculum. Our materials for the next grade level are all ready in the mail, so if you were wondering if we are going to continue to homeschool, the answer is DEFINITELY YES!!!!! I can't begin to express how totally and completely our family has been blessed by this decision. I as a mom and teacher have been blessed with more patience. I think this has been the biggest thing. Now don't think that I have become "Ms. Patience", there have been some not-so-good moments, but overall there has been a huge difference, for me and for Hailey. We are learning together and for that our relationship is growing stronger. That kind of leads into another blessing that has come from this. I truly feel that our family will ultimately be stronger, I hope, for doing this. While other children are separated from their families for eight hours for school, plus homework, plus extra curricular activites, we are fortunate to be able to spend that time together as a family. I didn't even realize going into homeschool that this was a concern. But after seeing how close my kids are with each other because they get to spend so much time together, I have become increasingly grateful. Now I know you are thinking it's important for them to get other social contacts, and I totally agree. This is why they have friends that come over and play, are involved with church activities, and are going to be enrolled in dance class. We are also involved with a homeschool group in our area that gets together for various field trip activities. I am in no way concerned about their social "capabilities". I now feel that you are either social awkward or not. How many of us went to public school and there were just weird kids? You know who I am talking about. So I don't even think of social aspects of homeschool a concern anymore. I also feel blessed by the experiences we are getting to share together as a family. At the beginning of the year so many people expressed their concern that my kids weren't going to get certain experiences that you would get in public school, and that is true. But I think the experiences that we are having together are so much better!! My kids will have memories that lots of other kids WON'T have. The science experiments on the kitchen counters, the cool art projects, the fact that their mom taught them how to read, and the excitement that we shared together as a family when one of them had a light bulb go on for a certain math concept. These are priceless to me now. I don't think I could give them up. Nor could my kids.
I hope that through this I can inspire mom's to know that it is possible. My most frustrating thing I have experienced this first year is mom's telling me that they could never do it. If I can do it, anyone can do it! I don't come up with my own curriculum. I get it through an online program. Everything is laid out for me each day, which is what makes it possible for me. I am very busy with my calling at church, teaching piano lessons, making cakes, the list goes on. But homeschool works. My five year old is starting to read first grade chapter books, she can add and subtract two digit numbers. She loves art projects and science experiments. What more could I ask for? I again am so glad for this experience and hope that circumstances continue to allow us to do this. Again, I know that not only are my kids getting a better education, but we are growing closer as a family. This is so important to me right now. The family is so important right now, more than ever! I hope that we can continue to grow closer and that my kids will not only have friends outside of the home, but will find best friends in each other.
Disclaimer: I felt so strongly about writing this that the only time I could find to do this was at 12:30 a.m. So if you find spelling or other errors in the above post that's why!
15 comments:
What curriculum do you use? I'd like to try big time home schooling in the summer. I don't think it's necessary to have that long of a break, and I'd like to give it a shot. I've always been a bit nervous about sending my kids off to school. Home schooling was not for us this year. We'll probably send Becca to school next year too, but this summer would be a good time to try it out.
I think I want a kindergarten curriculum so I can use it will Jamie too. I don’t know. Maybe kindergarten would be too easy. I could always supplement it with harder stuff for Becca. It’s easy to do stuff like that with her age group. Yeah, I think I want kindergarten; then I can use it with Jamie next year. It’ll be summer vacation, and I do want them to have fun too. I don’t want to stress Becca out. She’s really good at math, but her writing especially can use some work. It probably wouldn’t hurt to do kindergarten stuff with both kids and then supplement it for Becca.
You do inspire people. Heidi doesn't start kindergarten until september but we have already started homeschooling. I don't follow a set curriculum but I have been just working on things. We spend some time each morning doing spelling, reading, math and then something like history or science. Then we do art after lunch. It isn't a great education but she isn't even old enough for school yet. I love that you homeschool and totally agree about the social thing-weird ids come from weird parents, the schooling has nothing to do with it. And, like you said, it is about having a strong family. Out here they only have full day kindergarten. That means heidi would be at school from 9-4. She would only be around me in the morning (which would be rushed and hectic to get her dropped off on time) and then a FEW hours before her 7 o'clock bedtime. I don't want, at the age of 5, for her to spend more time out of the home than in the home. I support you and think it is great what you have done. Keep it up!
Thanks for sharing your positive experience. It's neat to see the choices different moms make for their families and learn from them. I love the teaching/learning aspect of being a mom - it's such a pleasure to be a part of their growth and development. Sounds like you've had a great year! :0)
I'm glad it's working for you. It looks like the girls are really enjoying it too.
Maybe my mum should have homeschooled me seeing as I skipped so many days by playing sick...
It's hard to say right now, but I think I'll end up sending my children to public school when the time comes. However, I'm super impressed by what you've accomplished with your children at home. It's obvious that their education is very important to you and that you work very hard to make sure they get everything they need.
I was homeschooled for a few years and didn't enjoy it so much, which is probably why I'm leaning towards public school for my future kids. But I will say that if I change my mind, you'll be a role model for sure!
School for my kids is still a few years away, but ever since you've started homeschooling it's made me think about it more. With all the positive things you have to say about it(and my own positive experience in 6th grade) it makes me want to do it more. I guess we'll just have to see when the time comes! If it does I'll probably be asking where you get your curriculum from. =)
I think homeschooling is a great idea!! About sending my kids off to public school--I'm mostly afraid of all of the things that my kids would learn from other kids at school that I would not want them to know/be exposed to at a young age!!
I'm not concerned about the social aspect. As you said, there's church on Sunday, and there are friends to play with between. There are also so many options for sports and other activities for kids these days. Most of these other social times you can also be nearby to see what situations your kids are in, what kind of friends they have, etc.
If you (any parent contemplating homeschooling) are very concerned about social interaction, make some friends who have kids the same age as your kids, and combine for homeschool!! (I guess I'm just saying that social interaction really doesn't even seem like a problem to me for homeschoolers, unless the kids really don't have social interactions much, which seems like a somewhat easy fix... Yikes! Hope I'm not offending anyone!)
I haven't decided for sure, but I have always leaned toward homeschooling--even thought about it before I was married!! It does seem difficult, but many people like you have done it successfully. It probably takes some guts, but it sounds like you are loving it! Thanks for posting about it, by the way!!
I am so glad you're also homeschooling and having a great time! What is your curriculum you are using? I have been trying to find something that doesn't have me trying to figure everything out each day.
Good for you! I'm so glad that you have found something that works for you and your family! Everybody made fun of me for being a stay-at-home mom with no "side" businesses. I fell the same way you do about home school. People can say what they want and sometimes they get pretty upset thinking they know what's best...but that doesn't change what you do. You do what's best for all of you!
I think that Home School has improved since it was first widely introduced a few years ago. There are also so many more who participate that the opportunities for social interaction are there and open to everyone. Even our local YMCA has homeschool days where kids get together for basketball or swimming and all sorts of other activities. There are even on line schools for the upper grade levels from 6th grade through high school. I idea isn't just that it is a better way to learn and a better use of time. It is, as you say, an opoportunity to have more good moments together, and to keep them from some of the things that they are unnecessarily exposed to at school.
I remember a friend of mine telling me what her son came home and told her he learned on the bus ride home. He was in third grade. She drove him to and from school everyday after that.
I am grateful that we have the Running Start program here. The "education fads" of the day are not always the best for our children and having other options that we can explore and consider that are the best for our children and our families.
We also had a neighbor who had always home schooled her kids. They decided they wanted to try public school and see what it was like. The older one, 4th grade, lasted a few days,and the younger one lasted a week. (2nd grade) They would complete their tasks ahead of the rest of the class because the work was too easy for them. When they had finished their work they were just told to sit at their desk and color. The little one said," If I wanted to color I could do that at home!".
Great job Heather. I hope your family can continue to grow in love and knowledge and that you will have great joy in the connection you make with each other.
Good Girl Heather. If anyone can do it and make it a success its you!
I love this post! Thanks for sharing.
Heather, good job! My older sister has been home schooling her kindergartener this last year and feels the same way. She said she never thought she would but is now considering making it a permanent thing. Hey we got a web cam! We are on skype. I think you guys have one right? You are much more technologicaly advanced than I so let me know cause we would LOVE to see you and your kids!
I know my comment on this post was lame, but I want you to know that I have read it more than once, I wholly agree, and I appreciate that you are willing to express this! It is hard to do, I shy away from it entirely unless someone else broaches the subject with me...then I'll let loose, for sure! Lol. I have a friend I just referred to this post, and the WAVA one...so I was reading it again and wanted to comment again.
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