Is it natural to be this scared about starting up HS? I have a pretty good grasp about what I will be teaching my 6 and 12 yr old, and after talking to a friend who HS's, I feel a bit better about what will be required of my 16 yr old. But oy---I feel like I am jumping in head first and not knowing how to swim, lol. Please tell me it gets less scary. Everyone I have talked to has told me the first year is the hardest, and I hope thats true.
The first year is the hardest and the scariest, but it is also the most "ah-ha" filled year. The year you really are so grateful for each of your kids and being able to learn alongside them. When you feel like throwing in the towel, a memory will come to mind of how this one did that or the other one did this and you will know it is all worth it. You will be amazed at how freeing homeschooling is and how family affirming it is. Have a super year!!!
I am already getting excited about it, so that outweighs the fear..... sometimes, lol. I have found a ton of printables for my youngest and now every morning she practically begs me to print something off for her. MY 12 yr old is seeing all that there is that he can do too and already has a list of science experiments he wants to start. We have talked about a trip to visit my parents across the US, and he has figured out all the learning skills they can do on a trip. It is pretty neat to see that at least two of the three are getting excited about it.
I agree with Cheryl. You will have some real "ah-ha" moments and some bad days too........but those are even good (in a learn from it sort of way). I can understand being nervous with the high schooler but at that age, they can take more responsiblity in their learning too. Don't be shy about asking questions and seeking encouragement here....it's a wonderful group of ladies (and a few men too).
Welcome to homeschooling and to Homeschool Spot! It does indeed get much less overwhelming as you get into it and you figure out what works - and what doesn't work - for you and your kids. Don't be afraid to toss what doesn't work for you, and don't worry that your plan doesn't look just like anyone else's. None of ours looks exactly like the next person's, either.
I am new too, but after extensive forum lurking I am feeling less scared. After all, how can I muck it up worse than the school he's been in? :lol: My son is at a 3rd grade level in most subjects at 11 years of age because that is the Norwegian school level compared to the American level. And the NM schools in the area we are moving to are supposed to be horrendous too. So I think I will do great, compared to those examples at least. And so will you!
It's like riding a bike! Soon you will be a pro and it will be like breathing, you won't even think about it. Hang in there!
Thank you Tbog for asking about the fears and worries. I have been feeling the same way the past week or so and I don't technically begin our homeschool adventure until 09-10. I guess because I live in a rural area and my in-laws and some other people are negative and unsupportive. I usually don't care what people think but I want my husbands family to be excited so that we can share all of our happy moments with them too. I think I am going to be great at the planning and organizing and getting our learning room all set up and decorated, etc. My worries are more of ...remembering to be patient, remember to ask what they think, teaching to their learning style as it is different than mine. I have friends and family praying for us and that is SO appreciated. I know God put this passion in my heart for a reason. I just need to remember that He is in control and to seek His wisdom rather than thinking I can do it all on my own. The ladies on this forum have been such a blessing. Everyone is so supportive and honest and helpful. I hope you enjoy this forum as much as I do (new member for a couple weeks now). Welcome!
We felt a little like that when we first decided to homeschool our boys and now that we've started there are still times where I wonder if we are learning enough, or if we are learning the right things. But then I look at what my boys can do after only a little more than a month of hs'ing and I know I've made the right choice! It's getting easier and easier each day and we've changed our plans a few times in between but that's ok with me.
I must confess, when we first decided to hs and the curriculum was on order I would have nightmares about teaching my children. I would wake up in a sweat thanking God that it was only a dream. I would dream that my kids didn't learn how to read or write and every day I wouldn't be able to find the books and when I finally did find them I was not able to read either. It took me about a week of teaching my kids and I was feeling a lot better. All your worries and fears are natural. After awhile you will look back and think that all your fears were of the unknown and once you get the hang of it all will be well. :love:
I think it is amazingly normal to be scared! I'm working on finishing my 4th year and I'm still scared occasionally! So are my kids!!!! The first year will be full of cool stuff, adjusting, getting out of the "school" mentality and realizing that LIFE is LEARNING. And what the general public considers school - really isn't! You are your child's best teacher. You taught them to walk, talk, communicate nicely with others, share, go potty for goodness sake! That means you are already their teacher. I LOVE Todd Wilson...(www.familymanministries.com). I saw him at the convention this week and he seems to have his finger on the pulse of Homeschool Moms! LOL It's normal, and you're awesome, come here every day (at least once!) because we are all in the boat all year. I'm REALLY excited about our new year. We're going to attend a co-op this year, I'm excited about our curriculum, etc. This is the first year where I'm really excited to get started. OKAY...off soapbox... You're going to be AWESOME!
Hello, 11 yr vet hser here and I want you to know that I think its healthy to be scared! If you werent a little nervous you probably would not have done all the studies and researching to make sure you were getting it right! I have been through fears and strengths in my time of home school and have to say Deena and Kris helped me a lot and Jackie! They all have enouraged me when I was feeling like I could not do Highschool level work and now my dd will be going into the 11th grade level in everything but math, that will be Geometry which is like 10th or something here> I get nervous with the idea of her getting so high in school and she had the choice for the past two years to go out and chose to stay home! So I must be doing something right or at least not wrong! Over all I would say just be sure you are ready for ups and downs of homeschooling as best as you can each day cause it changes day by day sometimes. It is a lot of fun watching them 'get it' and grow in knowledge too! I think the best part of homeschool is the times we could take unlimited vacations because school could come with us!
I have had my scared times as well. Am I doing a good job? Are they learning what they should? Are they missing out on anything? All that kind of stuff. As we hs longer and longer I am getting much more confident. It comes with practice.
I get nervous. Like now with it being testing time. I get the 'Did I do it right?', 'Did we take too many fun days?' 'Was it okay to switch gears mid school year?' November will start year 3 for us.
Oh Sweetie, if you weren't overwhelm then you would be nuts. Yes we all are that way and still to this day, but having people to reach out for help, does help alot. Also, remember it's like any other job you will have great days and bad days, but so many wonderful times and memories it will be worth it in the end. Come here when the days are hard we will cry and laugh with you. TMOM thanks for nice remark but I don't feel I do alot on here.
You all are so welcoming. It is amazing me when I talk about hs, how many people are thinking of it. I know I have asked a local hser here about tons of things, but I know I will definitely be coming here often.
