Home schooling?

Discussion in 'Homeschooling' started by Anonymous, May 3, 2004.

  1. vipdeal

    vipdeal New Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2004
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    No Regrets

    We have no regrets here!! My 2 girls have never been in public/private school. We love learning and playing and working (learning to keep a home; cleaning, cooking, yardwork) together. We have time to learn with reading and educational videos from the library but then also have time to bake cookies. We have free time when Dad gets home to read together or take walks and not have the pressure after supper of "did you get your homework done for school tomorrow".

    Learning at home really lends itself to learning real life. When my Mom had a stroke last year, instead of having to take my kids to school, they came with me to the hospital. They learned what it takes to talk to the doctors, sign paperwork and what a stroke does to someone. They were there to provide companionship and love to their grandmother when she really needed them. I can't tell you how much it meant to her to have them there. I didn't have to worry about them missing school, this was learning about real life.

    This spring for the first time we have a pair of bluebirds nesting in a box about 8 feet from our kitchen window. My girls are watching them diligently building their nest, feeding them mealworms and hopefully will be able to see their babies when the time is right. We can spend an hour just watching them if we want to. It has been a wonderful learning experience of what God has provided through nature.

    We have been blessed and the girls grow up so fast that they will be 18 and out the door so quickly.

    We are taking the time now to enjoy each other and really get to know one another. (No peer pressure to deal with here.)

    I am not saying homeschooling is easy, but the learning possibilities at home, field trips, homeschool co-ops, all the rescources for homeschoolers, etc. are endless and so rewarding.

    Thanks for letting me share with you some of our experiences.

    Michelle S.















    :)
     
  2. Kathe

    Kathe New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2004
    Messages:
    141
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hi Jenniatek

    I'm in New Brunswick, like Brenda. My kids have never been to public school and in NB there aren't any of the programs like they have in BC and other provinces. Literally, we are offered NOTHING. The school board urges us to acquire the Province's curriculum documents, which I stupidly did for a number of years. Then I realized ... if I really wanted to follow all this *crap*, I'd just send my kids to school and let someone else teach it to them. Then I came to the realization that the bulk of what is in those documents never gets covered anyway.

    Your post, quoted above, echoes some of the sentiments I express when people want to stick up for PS. I simply ask them ... "why would you want your child away from the family home for 8 hours a day, only to have to come home and spend 1-3 hours of what should be family time, covering what the teacher couldn't because she is spread too thin?"

    Personally, the very notion drove me nuts. I saw my girlfriend send her first little one to public school, and complain about all his homework and how long it took and how it interfered with their evenings and family time. No way should school take over a child's life ... nevermind the whole family !!! You mentioned that you have to spend time with him at night. I won't even mention that at least in this Province, teachers are sending kids home with homework, that their ILLITERATE parents are supposed to be able to help them complete. It creates an endless spiral. Those kids can't get help at school because there are no resources, and the parents are sadly inept due to whatever lack existed in their public school past. How is the cycle broken? I don't know, but homeschooling seems an easier solution to me than watching the struggles my friends go through with their kids. I'm not doing homework with my kids at 9 pm ... but they are. I have NO homeschooling friends and I don't have a clue what's taking them so long to get on board LOL.

    I may likely be the type of homeschooling parent a PS teacher would say is too slack. With five kids here and four grades to teach, it's tough enough to cover the basics ... I don't have time to include art, music, etc. Of course, in our district those things are not being taught either. As I mentioned, there are no school board supported programs we can join to supplement as there are in other locations. Am I slack? I don't think so. I certainly have no regrets, to answer your last question. This is especially so during moments like when my son was explaining to my 40+ year old friend who took two years of nursing, how to do grade 8/9 math, when he's only in grade 7.

    As was mentioned by another poster, homeschooling allows us to pursue a child's strong points, even to higher grade levels than their other subjects. It's like sprinkling seed and water where the soil is best. For my oldest son, that's in Math. Can he write a really great composition? Nope. Does it worry me? Nope. The other night, out of the blue, he started writing these little rap songs about family stuff, like his sister's broken leg. His rhymes were really clever and I had to chuckle at them. I know he's got it in him ... he just needs inspiration. That's probably my fault. I need to inspire him with interesting writing assignments. We still have five years of schooling to work on that. Besides ... at the rate he's going in math (skipping grade 8 and moving to Algebra 1) we can take all of grade 12 and work on writing if we want to. That's the beauty of homeschooling ... a little seed here, a little water there. Sometimes even old roots need to be dug up .. that's ds's writing issues LOL.

    I've gone on and on (TinaTx is a bad influence LOL), but hopefully made a point. Clearly, you KNOW what's best for your child. Your post shows it. Don't allow the slack environment he is in to send him the wrong message about learning. Just some thoughts.

    Kathe
     
  3. Deena

    Deena New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2004
    Messages:
    15,775
    Likes Received:
    0
    Jennifer,

    As I said in another post, I wouldn't tell you you HAVE to or SHOULD homeschool, though I believe in it with all my heart, but I know you CAN homeschool! I also believe it would make a world of difference for your son! He's a bright child, and, if homeschooling is done correctly, he could really go places he wouldn't be allowed or able to otherwise! YOU will be the one to guide him and see his eyes light up when he understnds something, YOU will be the one that gets to spend time with him each day helping him learn and building a stronger family relationship. I don't think you'd regret homeschooling, and I can pretty much guarantee that when he's older he will thank you for the time you had together, for the sacrifices you made for him, and for being a great mom! Right now the kids don't always think you're so great, or appreciate your sacrifices, but it's been so worth it to me to spend this precious time with my 3 children--I LOVE it (well, most of the time :eek: )! :D

    Keep thinking about it, it's great!:cool:
     
  4. TinaTx

    TinaTx New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2004
    Messages:
    789
    Likes Received:
    0
    Jennifer, I don't feel that I should defend a homeschooler who doesn't educate her child! IMHO, the parents will have a day of reckoning :eek: I'm not the judge.I can't change the ps system, and I don't want to. I'm just one. What I can do is to inform those who are uniformed.:)

    Ps would have a parent think that teaching a child to read is a *secret process*. A process that can only be admininstered by a person that has a degree. Its not a secret process, it is quite easy. Ps wants us to think that character training comes from *Just say no to drugs* or *safe----* Oops, I'm not sure if I can say that here;) Whatever happened to abstinence, virtue, chastity and honesty?I want to be able to teach these things to my children, not another 7 yo.

    My son did go one year to ps in Kindergarten. He too had a nice teacher! He was in the accelerated class and EVERYDAY there were constant interruptions from kids of parents who thought the education institution was a babysitting service!:rolleyes: I didn't want that to rub off on my son. It WASN'T the teacher, it was the permissive attitude of the parents. The teacher was not recognized as the profession that she is in the GOOD school that he went to.

    I went 3 days a week to the public school.I told the teacher in the beginning *I realize you don't know me from Adam, BUT this child is MY child.I'm responsible for his education. Quite frankly how can I help if I don't know whats going on.* So I went on to explain to her that I would be up at the school 3 days a week helping in her class and with the HOSTS (helping other students to succeed...in reading)I did this all year.

    I was shocked how at every parent night, for the 18 kids she had in the class, there were no more than 5 sets of parents that came . WHATS UP??:eek: HELLOOOO!!:D Where were they at? What was so important that they couldn't take 20 or 30 minutes to come talk to the teacher and see their child's work product?;)

    You don't have to be *torn*:D just do what is best for YOUR child as a MOM. The title of mom, parent and caregiver is the most sacred title of any degree I hold or ever could hold. It is a God given assignment that I hold precious and dear.

    I hope I don't put you to sleep:D :D reading this!
     
  5. Brenda

    Brenda Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2004
    Messages:
    5,129
    Likes Received:
    0
    Jennifer,
    You asked if any of us had any regrets - the ONLY regret I have is that I didn't home school sooner than we did - if I would have followed the direction I was being led in when I was first convicted to home school, I could have saved my family a lot of pain.

    We've only been home schooling for 6 weeks and we've had some hurdles to over come (the misperception that I need to have a teaching degree in order to teach my son - I disagree with that - no offense meant to you). Andrew was in public school for K-3 (half of 3 anyway) and we've had a hard time 'de-programming' him.

    Last week we had a really rough time when he told two different people that I was too hard on him - that I gave him more work to do than his teachers did - boy did I feel rotten. I was actually re-evaluating what I was doing and whether I should continue. We went so far as to go to the school yesterday to see what they could (or would) do about putting him back in - we left there with a horrible taste in our mouths. His teacher told us that her class has been great since Andrew left - they blamed him for all the trouble in the class (he's not perfect by any means, but I do know that he wasn't always the cause of the trouble - I was told that by other teachers in the school who witnessed Andrew being provoked - the problem we had was only half the problem was being dealt with - and it was always Andrew who got the brunt of it). When Andrew was provoked, he was sent to the office for his share of the problem while the other child got the 'slap on the fingers' treatment - "Now, Now (insert name) you shouldn't do that" and they were sent off on their merry way! :rolleyes:

    I'm not a great advocate for the public school system because of the battles we've been through this year. The system isn't set up for 'special needs' (Andrew is ADHD, ODD, has hearing deficits and visual deficits).

    If you feel you want to home school, sit down with your spouse (or partner) AND your child and write out the pro's and con's of both then it gives you soemthing to look back on. My own opinion is DON'T do it if you don't have full support from your spouse - it will make it harder on you.

    As for home schoolers being flaky - if I can teach my children to walk and talk and ride a bike (for example), teaching them their school work is a piece of cake (again that's my opinion). While I don't have a degree in education I do have a post secondary education (in nursing) and have done multiple courses since graduating from that program - many of which were self taught. I had a family when I took these courses and I worked full time when I did them - I still had top honour marks - so basic material is not a problem for me.

    I've rambled on enough, Sorry.
    :eek:
    Brenda
     
  6. Anonymous

    Anonymous New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2004
    Messages:
    1,054
    Likes Received:
    0
    Well, I DO have a degree in Education, plus PLENTY of graduate courses. And, while it might help in some ways, it's a hinderance in others. We've talked about "deprogramming" kids when we pull them from PS. But there's also a "deprogramming" for those of us that are "trained" educators! Sometimes it's very hard for us to "think out of the school box", so to speak! If I didn't have all that "education", maybe I'd be more willing just to relax and do it, and not freak out that my daughter won't finish her math book this year!
     
  7. Anonymous

    Anonymous New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2004
    Messages:
    1,054
    Likes Received:
    0
    Re: Hi...from a former ps teacher...

    Don't you feel competent enough to hs your own children?
    Well, Mom2ampm, I'm pretty sure I could handle it...I've been teaching for over 13 years...and a variety of grades and curriculum too. That certainly isn't the issue.
     
  8. heatherwasp

    heatherwasp New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2004
    Messages:
    41
    Likes Received:
    0
    Amen Jackie, I'm with ya on that!!!! :D:D:D:D
     
  9. Anonymous

    Anonymous New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2004
    Messages:
    1,054
    Likes Received:
    0
    Here's something else I've been thinking of: how do you get one child to focus on work while your 3 year old runs around like a crazy person? My oldest can't even eat dinner without the little one distracting him.:eek:
    Jennifer
     
  10. Anonymous

    Anonymous New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2004
    Messages:
    1,054
    Likes Received:
    0
    The same way you try to get 6 kids taking part in a reading group, two on the computer, another group in the corner practicing math drills, three in a different corner playing a game because their work is done, speech therapists and reading specialists popping in and out, kids arriving late, and that's not even taking into account the two Special Needs children that can't sit still for more than two minutes AND the other three that SHOULD be labeled special needs, but their parents won't let anyone test.......

    Distractions are a part of life. You learn to live with it and teach your child to cope with them. I have one daughter that will go upstairs to her room and work if it gets too hectic, my preschooler needs to put earphones on while on the computer (same as you do in your classroom, I would guess!), he might be in the basement playing, or sometimes he takes part in what we're doing. I can give him a history picture to color while the girls and I do our history work, and if there's something to cut out, he'll have a fit if he can't have one, too.

    And yes, there are days when he's running wild around the house and I'm tearing my hair out (he's four, after all!)
     
  11. TinaTx

    TinaTx New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2004
    Messages:
    789
    Likes Received:
    0
    Jennifer, after all we are just people! Not superhumans;) I think a another difference is that they are YOUR kids, subject to your rules of discipline, not someone elses!

    All morning today, my ds that just turned 4, had on obsession with the umbrella. He popped it open and shut the whole morning! Not too bad, EXCEPT for the fact he was popping it open/shut in my other two boys faces while they were reading:eek:

    Not all days are like this! Thank Goodness! We have many times when my older sons hold the *baby*(baby huey!! :eek: )in their lap while they read! Priceless!

    In addition, we can stop early or keep working depending on what *mood* they are in! We have many days, when everyone, including mom just doesn't feel good. I have to say though we probably have many more days where we don't want to stop....we just want to keep on going! Somehow we manage what we are SUPPOSE to get in for the year, PLUS more that I hadn't counted on.
     
  12. Brooke

    Brooke New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2004
    Messages:
    5,379
    Likes Received:
    0
    Or.....you can see to your kids' needs when they have them....for learning, eating, bathing, learning, playing, comforting, correcting, learning, playing, pondering, praising, learning.......

    Learning in our home isn't "school at home", so I don't ever feel that one child is distracting our teachable moments.....now if they both need my attention at the same time, one is learning patience while they wait! :cool:

    Now where was the problem you were asking about???? :confused: :D :D :D
     
  13. Anonymous

    Anonymous New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2004
    Messages:
    1,054
    Likes Received:
    0
    Brooke, we did a lesson once about "putting on patience". I'll be busy, and Phillip will be bugging me AGAIN about wanting a drink RIGHT NOW, and I'll ask him, "Mommy said she would in a little bit. What do you need to put on right now?" And I'll get an exasperated, "PATIENCE!!!" Then, every once in a while when he's waiting as long as he can, he'll come up and tell me, "Mommy, I'm being VERY, VERY patient!!!"
     
  14. She

    She New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2004
    Messages:
    1,170
    Likes Received:
    0
    Jackie,
    Your remark about the kid wanting a drink got me to thinking....scary eh? ;)

    Am I the only one who fills up a water cup for each child for the day and then let them drink when they want? I've had several people tell me they have/had to stop what they were doing to get the kid a drink. I Hummmm Am I weird? Ok really don't answer that. :p Of course if they need a refill they get it but...I walk by the cups all the time and when I see they are half full I will fill it back up in my spare moment.

    Anyway...around here you only get *flavored* drink at meals or if we make special milkshakes. All other times it's water kiddo!
     
  15. Anonymous

    Anonymous New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2004
    Messages:
    1,054
    Likes Received:
    0
    Actually, She, I got smart a while back when we had a REALLY HOT summer. I bought my girls water bottles, and would keep them filled in the refridge. It REALLY helped, and had them drinking more water rather than other things (juice, Kool Aid, etc.). Problem is, they can't seem to fill them by themselves. I guess the water just tastes better when Mom fills them up, LOL! Phillip's funny, though. He'll ask for juice ("because I'm WEALLY THIRSTY!!!"). I'll tell him that I'll get him some water. Well, he suddenly decides he's not THAT thirsty!
     
  16. Deena

    Deena New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2004
    Messages:
    15,775
    Likes Received:
    0
    She,

    I did that too. But when we moved 2 years ago, the fridge came with the house---yay! It has the water thing in the fridge door, so my youngest (she had JUST turned 5) could get at it. She was so proud of herself being able to get her own drink! We also don't have juice much, except orange juice for breakfast. Soda is a rare treat also. Now my youngest is 7, my middle one is 10, and Guess what? I am getting a teenager next week! What do I do with it??!! It's my first one!:eek: Yes, my oldest is turning 13! Anyway, I digress.... some days you just can't keep up with all the demands the kids seem to have. Other days it seems like you get sooo much done! With homeschooling it's okay, cuz they get so much one-on-one attention! Today we had a blast---it was a beautiful day, which right away boded ill for schoolwork. So we did music practice and math, then spent the rest of the day hiking, and throwing rocks in a pond, and laughing, and enjoying the beautiful weather and fresh air (yes, we have that here in Washington state)! :cool: It was still a great learning experience! There were many things we talked about and discussed. But it was while we were having fun, so they didn't know they were learning! It was one of those really nice days that I wish we could have more often. They were excited about it too!

    So what subject were we talking about? I'm all over the place in my comments here!
     
  17. Anonymous

    Anonymous New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2004
    Messages:
    1,054
    Likes Received:
    0
    Oh, I WANT ONE of those refriges! My MIL has one with crushed ice, and I told DH just the other day it was our next BIG purchase (yeah, right!!!) As for Birthdays, Faythe is 8 today!
     
  18. Kathe

    Kathe New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2004
    Messages:
    141
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hey Deena ...

    I'm getting one of those too ... a teenager, not a fancy fridge LOL !!! :p

    My oldest ds will be 13 in just over a week. YIKES !!! :eek:

    As for the fridge, I got an all-fridge 18 months ago ... don't know how I lived without one.

    Kathe
     
  19. Deena

    Deena New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2004
    Messages:
    15,775
    Likes Received:
    0
    Jackie,

    It's well worth it to get a fridge like that! Ours has the water and ice cubes or crushed ice. When we have people over, the kids can get their ice and drinks themselves, and that's great! I don't know what I did without it either! Course, ours was rather expensive, we bought a house to get it! :eek: :)

    Kathe,

    WOW, our children are close in age! My oldest ds will be 13 on Thursday (the 20th). He thinks he's pretty cool:cool: , but then, so do I (most of the time)! ;) , but I'm still interested to see how life goes with a teenager!:p It could be quite interesting! :rolleyes: But I am thankful for him, and for my other two, and especially my husband!:D

    Now I'm like TinaTx, using all the smilies:p

    Talk with you later...
     
  20. She

    She New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2004
    Messages:
    1,170
    Likes Received:
    0
    Deena's getting smile happy!!! :D

    Around here we have a 5yo and 18mos - both boys. so.....I have to give them drinks otherwise my 18 month old "Taz" would find a way to scale the cabinet get a cup, open the refrig and do it himself. Ok...maybe not yet but....let me tell ya...that kid. UGH!!!!!

    We had a great day today... Taz took a LOOOONG nap - 2hr 30min :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D Very nice!!!!

    We school while he naps. It was an easy school day because ds had already done most of his reading assignment yesterday because he "really wanted to read a story from his book". Gotta love that! Anyway...we got to do some extra easy & fun goofy things.

    He is really curious about cursive and likes to write on the white board. Of course he thinks if the letters are connected it's cursive. :)

    We finally have sun!!!! Yesterday we got hit really hard with severe storms and LOT'S of rain. We didn't have any damage but, about 2 miles away they had quite a bit. They think a tornado touched down. It was a scary day!

    Enjoy the teenages! I've got a while before we have to *prepare* for that. Mostly just keeping the refrig stocked constantly right, Deena? :D
     

Share This Page

Members Online Now

Total: 63 (members: 0, guests: 57, robots: 6)