Hi all - I am Jen, mom to 2 great boys, Jacob (7) and Logan (6). We live in Northern Illinois. We will officially begin homeschooling next week. It was a long journey to get here. We have been researching HS for the last 2 years for many of the same reasons I have heard on many groups and forums. I pulled the kids out of PS on December 13th when we finally *Had Enough* with PS. We have been going over many activities during this time. But we had not officially planned to begin until Jan 2007. We wanted to give the boys time to De-school, but learn that since they are no longer attending that this isn't just normal home free-time. TV/Games, etc... Which I had generaly allowed because they used to get on the bus at 7:10am, they were home by 3:00pm and had approximately 1 hour of homework everynight. That makes for a very long day, so when they were done, I did allow open game/TV time. So, most of these last few weeks have been trying to decompress get into a HS mode. A question I have, is did any of you experience grandparents who suddenly wanted to do activities with your children because they were not 'officially' attending a school building? MY MIL and FIL had planned to take the kids to see their uncle this week. The week had past and we heard nothing about it. Suddenly they decided they will all go next Wednesday. Well, we intended to begin home school Next Tuesday. I know we can wait a few more days, but I don't want them (MIL and FIL) to feel that just because we are not officially enrolled at a public school that this is a free for all. Has anyone else experienced this? Can't wait to get to know you all.
Welcome Jen, I hope you love it here as much as I do. I started homeschooling my two youngest kids this year. Both girls. One in 8th and one in 3rd grade. I don't think I would have made it during those first few weeks without the people here giving me pointers and advice. Good luck with your boys. I wish I had taken my girls out of school as early as you have or better yet, never sent them. Beth
Hello and welcome!!! My name is Patty and my daughter is Emma. We have been homeschooling since day one and love it. I hope you like it here. We have great people with great advice. See you around, Patty
Hi Jen, I'm Michelle. Nice to meet you! I experienced something similar, when my MIL would come visit for a few days every month. She completely ignored any scheduling I had planned and acted like the kids needed to "get out of the house" when she was there. Nothing educational, though, just out and about doing non-school things. It drove me nuts so I started planning outings the days she came and drug her to the museums, science centers, etc. Something that always bugs me is you will always have those who complain because hs'd children are 'cooped up inside all day' and then there are the ones will say things like 'I saw these hs'ers out and about during school hours, shouldn't they be at home LEARNING?'. Then there are those who think you are just 'playing school' no matter where you are and don't take you seriously until you assert yourself and prove them otherwise. My advice is grow a thick skin ASAP if you haven't one already and do your thing, don't be afraid to tell anyone (including MIL and FIL) that you have a schedule and they are welcome to participate but you do have a full time job as educator now and they have to respect it. I personally think it makes us look even more put together as hs moms/dads when we assert ourselves this way. Anyway, great to meet you and I'm sure you'll get tons of advice here! Michelle
Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. I am looking forward to being here and beginning our journey. I understand about growing a thick skin. Isn't amazing. When you have children, all of a sudden everyone seems to not only think they know what is best for your child, but that they can the *Right* to influence your parental decisions and make choices regarding your children. Anyway, thanks again for the warm welcome and the words of wisdom.
Hi Jen...welcome to the homeschool spot. I am Leslie and I am hs my ds11 and dd10. We are in our 2nd year. We love it here and hope you will, too.
Welcome, Jen!!! I'm Jackie in central Ohio. We are in Year 8 with three kids...dd12, dd10, and ds7. Obviously, you've done your homework! Most people in your situation have no concept of "de-schooling". The grandparent issue can be a sticky one. My best suggestion is to find some kind of a compromise. There's a lot to consider. Do the grandparents live close, to where they can see the kids any time, or are they far away so that it takes an extreme effort for them to visit? What kind of health are they in? My mom is fighting cancer, and we really are not sure how long she might be around, so she gets a little more leaway. Is this happening constantly, or just occasionally? And chances are, it will slow down once the g-parents get use to them being homeschooled. The novelty will wear off, kwim? Anyway, there are options. You might send a little work for them to do (nothing indepth) that could be accomplished in about an hour. Let your mom know that it needs to be completed. If it doesn't get done, your child will have to "make it up" during the evening or sometime that is normally "free time". That way, the kid is more willing to "remind" G'ma the next time that the work needs to be done. Or I've told my MIL that she could get a child later in the day, after we've had a chance to get some lessons done. Another option is to let the kid know that this activity with g'ma is important, but they will need to "make up" the work missed later that evening. At the same time, you DO NOT need to be at g'ma's beck and call!!! You got to find a balance. Time with g'parents is important, and we have greater flexibility, but YOU are the one in charge and can't just let them totally disrupt your child's education!
We are going to have to assign #'s to our names there are so many Jens and Jennifers! The funny thing is that I was named Jennifer because it was unique at the time(early 60's)! This is my second year hsing my 16 yr old dd and my first with my 11 yr old dd. I know where you are coming from with the long day. Last year my dd was getting on the bus at 6:00 in the morning and it was close to 4:00 before she got home. We are only 7 miles from the school! The youngest was never fond of school but last year was a breaking point when she had a teacher that showed abusive(mental) tendencies toward several of the kids. Joyce wasn't one but it was hard to see friends treated that way. This teacher was a fav of the principal so that wasn't any help. Mid year I "threatened" to pull her out and I regret that I didn't do it then. Anyway! Welcome to a wonderful, supportive group who are there for you! Jennifer
Since we don't have grandparents who want to spend time with their grandkids, I would try to let them spend time with them. Homeschooling is open and the schedule is easily moved about. That is the great part of homeschooling. Just tell the grandparents you need to know 3 or days before any plans so you can rearrange your schedule. Be glad you have grandparents who enjoy being grandparents. OURS SURE DON'T CARE ABOUT ANYONE BUT THEMSELVES AND WHERE THEY CAN VACATION NEXT!!! Good luck in your hsing adventures, Lorna 8th year hs mom
Hello Jen, I'm Amy U and we have been hs for 3 years now and loving it. We have one great son (12yro). We also live in Northern Illinois. Welcome to the spot!!
Lorna, That is typically our problem. We are typically fighting with them to spend time with the boys. MIL has made it clear that spending time with the boys is not on her list to things to do and has made it clear that picking up dog waste was more appealing. But all of a sudden... Long story... won't get into it. It has caused much tension over the years. This is the first time since my boys have been born that they have ever offered to not only take them overnight, without us requesting because either DH or I was in the hospital (even than she has requested us find a nanny service) but to take them on a little trip. Which is why I am having an issue. This is the first time, so I want to say yes. But now all of a sudden plans change, and now I have to change my plans to suit hers because she is being gracious enough to take the boys off our hands for a couple of days (that is her opinion, not mine). She has always viewed parenting/grandparenting as a JOB (note the capitlization - making it seem as if the worse job in the world would have been more preferable). Yes, parenting is hard work, but I would never equate it to a JOB. Anyway, I totally understand.
Jackie, Jennifer and Amy, Thank you! Jackie, I will likely just hold off a week, since as I have mentioned this is the first time this has ever come up. Jennifer, I typically go by Jenlynn most places due to that very reason. Amy, where in Northern Illinois are you? I am just North of Rockford, right on the WI border.
We are in Dekalb, which is about 40 mins. from Rockford! My MIL and Sil are in Machesney Park (sp). Which is right next to Rockford!
Ok. DH used to work at Rockford Drop Forge, whose parent company is in Dekalb. Dekalb Drop Forge. He spent a lot of time on the road between the two locations. We do a lot of shoping down in MP. Target, Kohls, Menards, Home Depot, etc... We are straight north of MP. We are in South Beloit. about 10 miles straight up 251. Do you know of any good HS groups up this way at all?
Welcome, Sorry I haven't seen this til' now. I grew up in Chicago suburbs. (til' I was nine) Glad you found us here. We are pretty friednly here and will help with any questions. You will do just fine homeschooling. The good thing about homeschooling is that if you need to take a trip in the middle of the week you can. If your state requires you to keep a record of how much time you school, you can almost always find a way to count it as a field trip. I would think that in your case it would be social studdies........ they will be using manners, they will be social, and find out how other people do things different ly, and if they are traveling by car, have them find different state license plates they can think about how far each car has traveled from their state to yours or what that particular state is famous for. Any way after their trip with grandma and grandpa they can write in or draw pictures in a journal about their trip. It can also be a map lesson even if you just draw a picture of your starting place, a few land marks on the way and the end destination. show them a real map and how tiny the space represents compared to how far they really are going.
My hubby worked at Kishwaukee Forge which was just bought out by Dekalb Forge. Dirty Hard work!! Last year I was part of a hs group in Dekalb, We really enjoyed it. But this year with my work it just doesn't work. It was called Kids Day Out. I still keep in touch and know we can go join in anytime. They have even offered to pick my son up. We also have Heart and there is one more but I can't think of the name right now. I'll think about it, I'm sure in time it will come. Can't wait to get to know you!!
Amy, Thank you! That is a wonderful idea. I am amazed at how much can be turned into an educational experience.
Perhaps after spending some time with the boys your MIL will find that she actually likes doing it.:roll: Also if you do make the trip into a school field trip, let her know how she played a hand in being a teacher for the kids, she may just be proud of that.
to find a homeschool group in your area, go to your search field and put in homeschool-comma-your town
I'm familiar with the Chicago subburbs, too. My "little" brother went to Wheaton College, my "old" boyfirend lived in Lyle, and my best friend lived in West Chicago for a while, and then another I can't think of. You know, if G'ma wasn't at all interested until you decided to homeschool, I think I'd be very cautious. I'm not sure I'd let them take the kids for that long of a time without you going with them. Don't mean to be negative, but it sounds rather suspicious to me. How does she feel about hs'ing? Has she made any comments one way or the other?
