Hey Homeschooling mamas! I would really like to homeschool my children...Right now my son is in first grade at a public school. My husband is anti homeschooling for us as he thinks that our son would be too distracted at home to learn anything and he is concerned of what others will think. Do any of you have advice on how to show the benefits of homeschooling, or how to talk to your husband about homeschooling. I guess I'm at a loss for a specific question on this. Thanks!
If you do any research...the statistics are out there, and will impress him. The average home schooler tests better than the average public school student. That's a fact. They go to college more often, and graduate college more often. Their GPA's are higher when they do start school. https://www.home-school.com/news/homeschool-vs-public-school.php Here are some great stats^ Ultimately your husband will have to make a choice about what he cares about more...the possibility of a happier richer educational experience for your kids...or the possible criticism from others who are not educated about the benefits (yes, you will be criticized, sometimes even by family). It's not a decision to take lightly. Make sure you can commit. For some families, one income isn't an option. Your husband has to be on board and committed to supporting your efforts. Financial sacrifice is part of home school. Homeschool isn't for everyone. LOL....didn't expect me to say that, did ya? For many of us, it's an absolute passion that we would singularly trade for no other experience....and for others of us...private and public school are simply better options. No shame in what ever catagory you fall into. Ultimately, you should choose the option that is best for your kids, and best for you, too. If you're considering trying it....and you'd like to get your feet wet....Pick up some second grade curriculum (or make it yourself)...give your son a few weeks off after the end of 1st grade, and then announce that you are starting 2nd grade Home School, and that if he likes it, and does well...he might not have to go back to school in the fall. Organize a learning space and jump right in. See how he does. See how you do. See if it's a good fit for both of you. This way, if it turns out NOT to be a good fit....he can simply start 2nd grade in the fall...and if it IS a good fit...you can use the evidence of the progress you made over the summer to persuade Dad and feel more confident that you're doing the right thing. (And if you don't want to use the whole vacation, maybe do a 2 week trial run) One thing you have in your favor....is that you live in Michigan...which is one of the most liberal home school states. There is no home school regulation in Michigan, and the schools are used to kids transferring out to and back in from home school. Most teachers view us positively here. It's an EXCELLENT home school state! Keep the questions coming!
if possible, find a homeschool convention/conference - with book fair - in your area. Take him to the sessions and let him observe homeschooled kids out in public. This was the main thing that swayed my husband's opinion back in the day. When he saw how many kids there were being homeschooled (and realized that the kids at the conference were just a small fraction of the state's homeschoolers), and how well-behaved and poised and confident they were in public, and overheard conversations in passing as we walked from one session to another all day, attended the graduation ceremony in the evening, and took notice of the products at the book fair -- well, we'll just say he was impressed.
I agree about the stats and, especially, the convention. We have an inexpensive convention in our town each year. Those things really helped convince myself it was the right choice for us.
HaHa Yes leave the checkbooks at home! Men usually like evidence they can see, rather than stuff they're just told about. So you can also do a search for statistics about homeschoolers vs public and private schoolers like CrazyMom suggested and print them out when you find them so he can peruse at his leisure. Homechoolers rate higher in socialization (which means learning how to get along in society, as opposed to socializing which is hanging out with your friends), as well as academics. The "norm" on academic tests for public schoolers is by definition the 50th percentile, while the "norm" for homeschoolers is around the 85th percentile, and the longer they homeschool the better they score. And this is true no matter the education level of their parents, or the family income, race, or what kind of work the parents do (professional or blue-collar). Naturally, the more income they have the more "enrichment" activities and travel they can afford, but the ones who can only afford the public library, a notebook and pencil, and a math course also do very well! http://www.nheri.org/ http://www.pros-and-cons-of-homeschooling.com/homeschooling-vs-public-schools.html http://home-school.lovetoknow.com/Statistics_on_Public_School_Vs_Homeschooling http://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/000010/200410250.asp
I have 4 kids that stay home with me, and I agree with a lot of the posters above, I thought I would add my 2 cents worth. I have a special needs child at home and (to me) there was no other option BUT to homeschool him, since a special meeting with the school only yielded to me that he was just a funding amount and NOT a fun, sweet, hardworking boy. I wont have that! Our oldest boy is very smart, but he only does the work he is interested in. Right now, it's robotics. This isn't a problem, because in homeschooling I can teach math, grammar, reading, vocab, science, and social studies THROUGH robotics! I have spent $19 on curriculum for him on a book about robotics, that is age appropriate but TERRIBLY informational! It also has 20 projects for him to make! (Sorry, I got carried away! It happens...) Anyway, Curriculum doesn't HAVE to cost hundreds of dollars. Search around for used books, and tailor the curriculum to your child! I will ALSO agree that homeschooling isn't for everyone, unfortunately. There IS an adjustment period, s give it a month or two before you decide that it might not be for you. Most people who don't homeschool worry about socialization. That's bull. All of my boys are fabulous talkers! They have no problem talking to adults, or children of any age. They walk right up to people at the playground, introduce themselves, and initiate games. Even our special needs boy does that. Over all, my experience is that homeschoolers are further ahead than PS peers. Since you work with their interests, they are encouraged to do a lot more, and learning is easy. ESPECIALLY when they are this young.
To expand on what Meg said... Curriculum isn't expensive. Most people use something as a framework...but there are those of us who completely wing it. I never used a curriculum (K-7th grade)....but then again, I'm one of those extremist unschoolers (Think the red-headed-step-children of the homeschool movement. lol. We're just weird.) My personal approach embraced the freedom and flexibility of making up my own plan as I went...based on my child's interests, the integration of foundational basics, and living a life with less stress. But I totally get that other people sometimes like structure...and like to go down a "checklist" of things that need to get done everyday. If I were someone living in Michigan who liked to work with a lot of structure and a checklist....I'd check out a virtual charter school like this one: http://www.k12.com/mvca/faqs/general#.U01aR_ldU_k They provide materials, curriculum, books, testing...all for free. It's like going to an online public school. From the FAQ's: What does it cost to attend Michigan Virtual Charter Academy? Because we are part of the public school system, Michigan Virtual Charter Academy is available tuition free to students who reside in Michigan. The entire K-12 curriculum is provided free of charge. In certain cases based on financial need, MVCA may loan a computer to an enrolling family, as well as provide an Internet stipend. This determination will take place during the enrollment process. Students and families will be responsible for providing some consumable materials (such as printer ink and paper). For a couple with one partner who is on the fence....this might be a good compromise?
You can tell your husband that you'd like to try it for one year and then re-evaluate the decision at the end of the year. That is how I presented it to my DH, who was not happy about the thought of homeschooling.
My husband was not really excited about the idea until we moved to an area where the public schools are very questionable and the private unaffordable. I am an experienced teacher who has been out of the classroom for ten years so getting a job for me is not easy. He would love to have me make more money but realizes that the experience we are having is priceless. (At least today he does) I have a first grade boy (and a 4th grader) who hates all things school related. He loved Kindergarten when he was in a school but rarely finished an assignment. He learned that if he worked slowly they ran out of time and he didn't have to finish. Now, we have all day. He completes assignments, reads every day not just when it is his turn to read. I taught first grade in a private and public school. It is very tough to give every student the attention they need. These are all the facts I bring up whenever the discussion starts here about what to do next year. I will say though that I think it is important that he is on board and supportive before you begin.
Get your husband involved! Point out the subjects that he can teach much better than schoolteachers. Point out how he can sometimes take your son to work with him - to learn what he does, to run little errands, and build a strong relationship. Point out how he can help to choose the curriculum, including such novel subjects as helping in the garden, helping with cooking, learning history through family history, and so on. Point out that you can avoid pointless subjects and political correctness, that your son can spend more time on subjects he loves instead of being held back, and will learn in the context of your family's values. Ask him to consider involving your extended family, so your son can enjoy a deeper relationship with them. Get him involved. Get him thinking. Get him on your side. Don't set out to convince him: Just get him involved. Once it becomes his idea, the battle is won.
