Without getting into politics or my (Christian) beliefs, I want feedback on homeschooling. I do not want my child in the public school system, that much I know. I would ultimately like three children, and putting three children in private school can be very pricey so I am looking into homeschooling. Yes, my little man is ONLY two- and just barely that but it is never to early to plan. I've always been a planner by nature, so don't be suprised that if this is the route we take, that I don't have lesson plans mapped out by his third birthday haha. Anyway- I am really wanting to hear from mothers who HAVE homeschooled. I am seriously worried about the social aspect of it all. My little man has to be one of the most friendly, outgoing toddlers ever and I know he would love school because of the socialization. However, I do not want to have to "deprogram" my child every day when he comes home. What is your take? Any tips or websites I should check out?
Hi Paige! Found you through the BSP social network, and your post got me thinking. Though unfortunately neither I nor anyone I know personally has homeschooled their children, what little I know about it is that there are some community schools out there that support the homeschooling system and just give people a place for kids to socialize, and for parents to get updated educational material to use in their lessons. Have you tried looking up homeschooling message boards? Maybe you could try a few and just see what people are like in there.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get a response from someone who does know more about this, though. Thanks for being a part of our blog sponsorship program! =D
We've opted to not send Mahayla to public school either. We've elected to enroll her into our local Christian Community School. Since Rob and I both work FT homeschooling is not an option. I do know others who homeschool here locally and she only works every other weekend so she can home school her children which she did until high school (1 is enrolled into public HS and the other a local christian high school) As far as socialization is concerned as long as you pay taxes in your county your children can participate in school sponsored afterschool activities (sports, cheerleading, clubs, etc) also you could scouts. There is a group of local home schooled children that get together regularly here and have field trips and outtings. So your options are many.
ReplyDeleteWe have LOTS of friends that homeschool - we're the odd ones (and sometimes, the rejected ones - as in, "our children can no longer hang with yours..." that's cool) b/c we are choosing not to do so.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I do know for a fact that area attractions (museums, etc..) have "Homeschool Days" where all the HS kids/families come and hang out - one big field trip, ya know?
All our HS friends hang out and if there's one mom who excels in science, all the kids go there for "Science Day" and do experiments and what not...
Not a good answer, I know :) But I know that if you take the initiative, there are lots of ways to "get out" and socialize :)
Paige,
ReplyDeleteI've been homeschooling my daughters ever since they were born. My older daughter was also very, very social as a preschooler, and I did have some concerns originally about homeschooling. But today she is a beautiful, popular, intelligent, cheerful 13yo, and I have no regrets whatsoever about having chosen homeschooling.
First and foremost, I highly recommend you check out Sonlight Curriculum (www.sonlight.com). You don't have to buy their stuff new, but they have great reading lists for kids as young as 3. Their ideas are great and help you make good use of the special advantages of homeschooling, including "couch time," one of my favorite parts! :)
As far as the social aspects of homeschooling, there are a lot of ways to make sure your kids have plenty of social interaction. Church, scouts, sports through the rec center, homeschool enrichment programs and co-ops, homeschool support groups, programs at the local zoo or museum, and more, provide lots of chances for kids to make friends. In Colorado, we have several school districts that offer programs exclusively for homeschoolers where the kids get together for classes one day a week. This is a great opportunity if it's available to you - the kids get to deal with social issues, learn to get along with teachers, have to be responsible for a bit of homework, and so on, while the rest of the week you teach them what you think is important at home. But most homeschooled kids end up doing fine socially, because like you, their parents recognize the importance of that part of their lives.
There's so much more I could tell you, but this comment is already too long. You can check out my blog: marcys-musings.blogspot.com. (I haven't updated much lately, but there's some helpful stuff there in the archives.) Or you can email me privately homemarcy@msn.com. I'll be happy to converse futher with you. :)
Check out what Budget Saving Mom posted about homeschooling: http://budgetsavingmom.com/2009/09/26/guest-post-homeschooling-works/
ReplyDeleteI'm a homeschooler, too, and I want to encourage you to really think about going for it! I won't say that homeschooling is the best choice for everybody, but if you're willing to work at it and you want your kid(s) to have the best education possible, you should do it.
It is hard work, but you can provide your children with a better education than public or even a lot of private schools can. Leaving that aside, though, Christians have more than just educational reasons for keeping their children home, as I'm sure you're aware.
You have plenty of time to research and decide how you're going to do the actual schooling, but I'd suggest you not wait to start calling yourselves homeschoolers. It'll give your family and friends (if they're not supportive) time to adjust to the idea and get over it. And when things get a little rocky (And they will. That's life), you'll already be used to the criticism. You'll need a thick skin. Like a rhino. Now is the time to learn not to care what other people think!
Homeschooling has been the most rewarding thing I've ever attempted.
Paige~
ReplyDeleteI happened upon your blog page today as I am new to the blogger world and was looking for others who share the same interests and morals as myself. We have two daughters 15 and 9 1/2 and have homeschooled them from birth. We didn't know much about homeschooling when we set out on this trek many years ago, we just knew that this was the path that the Lord was leading us to take. As with anything, we have our difficult days yet the rewards of this lifestyle are beyond value. God has blessed us tremendously and although not bragging, we see such a difference in our girls and how they handle life by not having to "reprogram" them daily in comparison to other kids their age. It is a "lifestyle" and one we love! :o) We live to serve the Lord to the fullest on a daily basis and serving Him as a family is so rich! I would be happy to answer any questions you might have. My blog address is simpleandsurrendered.blogspot.com.
Blessings to you~
Mendi
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ReplyDeleteHi, Paige! I thought about your post all day, and then wrote one of my own. If you'd like to read it, it's here: http://getalonghome.com/?p=1370
ReplyDeleteDon't feel like you have to pay much attention to what I say. I'm no authority on anything at all, but I really wanted to say this stuff anyhow, and you gave me a great jumping-off point.
Thanks!
Here is the BEST article I've read about this subject because I, too, am thinking about homeschooling, and my daughter is only 2 1/2 :-)
ReplyDeletehttp://thepioneerwoman.com/homeschooling/2009/09/the-oldest-one-in-the-book/
Seriously, it's awesome-as are the comments! good luck with your decision!
I dont know if you read my comment on Ryanne's post, but that says a lot as far as the socialization I get my kids into as homeschoolers. Thankfully, there is a lot out there!
ReplyDeleteWe use the "My Father's World" curriculum and we LOVE it! I have heard Sonlight is great too, but I wanted something that wasn't based almost completely on reading as a means of learning every subject. I do know that there are many Christian based curriculums to choose from. Although your son is only 2, I would recommend finding out when the homeschool fair is in your area and go just to see what's available and listen to the great speakers they have.
I also purchased the Kindergarten curriculum I liked best, and did it as preschool when my oldest was 4. This way I could try it out and see how we did, and if I didn't feel it worked well, then I'd have that year to explore my other options.
Another thing we did was PRAY about whether God wanted us to homeschool or do private/charter school. I know it sounds obvious, but a lot of christian moms I know didn't do that and felt confused as to what to do with their kids.
I hope this helps a little!
I'm a mother, and a former homeschooled student. I will not be homeschooling my children. I have written a post about homeschooling disadvantages and my personal experiences.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.squidoo.com/homeschooling_disadvantages
Most "pros and cons of homeschooling" have been written by homeschooling parents for homeschooling parents and do not clearly define disadvantages. If they do, they tend to immediately refute them as not real. Before making this life changing decision, please consider a different voice.
I am just beginning our homeschool journey. My boys are preschool age. Socialization hasn't been a problem for us. Between Sunday School, story time at the library, activities at the children's museum, and occasional play dates with other children, they have plenty of interaction with other children and other adults. There are many ways to socialize your children without sending them to school. I plan to check out a local homeschooling co-op when they are kindergarten age and my baby is older.
ReplyDeleteWhile I am not necessarily a proponent of homeschooling (I think it has it's place, but I live in an area with good public schools and I personally believe that children gain more than education from attending school with a variety of children)I have seen many of my extended family have successful experiences with homeschooling. They participate in a program that allows them enroll their children in some classes and do other of their classes at home. They receive much of their curriculum from this program as well, and I believe it is part of the local school system. I believe it is set up as a charter school system. You may also want to look into charter school options. These are usually free as they are publicly funded, but have more parent input and control. Good luck. I hope that you find something that works out well for your family.
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