Homeschool Chat Part III

[polkadotsuitcase]

Here's my, "Yeah, we homeschool. You got something to say about that?" look:

 

[ilovepete]

I have noticed people change their tune when they find out we are homeschooling and start giving all sorts of advice. Pretty annoying!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Polkadot~ that is hilarious!! Don't you just feel like that somedays?!!!

 

[jacksmomma]

I work part-time in a science lab at a musuem. I get a lot of homeschoolers in my hands on space. I will generally ask if the kids are homeschooled and sometimes I get the huffy yes, but when I mention that I am choosing that for my child as well the tone totally changes. We really need a button or handshake.

I few people have asked my newly turned 4 year old about preschool, but he just says, "Momma is my teacher, I do it at home." That generally ends the conversation.

 

[DawnM]

We have very much enjoyed SL History (although as I mentioned we are now looking for more hands on). For the older grades, History is the core of the program and literature is built around it.

Science, IMHO, is just ok. It is fine and many love it, we just didn't get into as much.

SL History isn't all that hands on, and when folks have commented on that,, SL has said, "Well, our Science is very hands on." This is true and for many, they want hands on science and more reading based History and Literature. If that is the combo you are looking for, it will probably work very well for you.

Dawn

I guess I should have been more specific. My son could get lost in books. He is learning to read and loves to be read to. I have been researching sonlight and it seems like it will be a good fit for us, but I have heard some less than great comments on the science and/or history lessons. Could anyone give me feedback on that? or an example of a typical lesson? Thank you!

 

[my*2*angels]

The question I get asked the most is, "So how is THAT going?"! You know, in that, ARE YOU NUTS!!!!, tone! I just say it is wonderful and we are LOVING it! It works great for our family!!! Or if I am especially perturbed(LOL is that even a word!) I will tell them about my DD7's epilepsy and how dangerous it could be for her at school. That usually ends the conversation!

 

[graygables]

I find the attitudes thing interesting. Maybe it's just that we're so whatever about it, but it doesn't bother us when people ask and we've never had a negative interaction. Once, we were at the mall when someone asked if the girls were playing hooky and my then-freshman said, "Nope. We're on a free market economy field trip" Every once in awhile, someone will say, "Why aren't you girls in school?" and my kiddos give them a and say, "We ARE".

 

[DawnM]

I don't get too many negative comments anymore. I used to get a lot of ridiculous "what about socialization?" questions as we Moms would sit on a park bench and their kids would be acting like banchies while mine were being cooperative...... There is so much I WANTED to say during those moments.

Here in NC there are SO many homeschoolers that it is almost the norm.

I also taught ps (and was a school counselor) for 16 years total so that is really nothing they can throw at me that they think they know and I don't about what school is really like!

Who knows, maybe I give out a "bring it on!" attitude now because I really don't get much in the way of neg. comments now.

Dawn

 

[Srackangast]

Yes, home school is BIG here in NC. We do get the question but no one seems to think too much of our answering "we home school". This is only our 2nd year and I love it. Wish I had started a long time ago.

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

I didn't realize there were so many from NC on this thread -- we should organize a h/s get-together. Hmm. Where would we go?

Oh, okay -- let's go to Disney! It's the only logical choice, after all...

 

[bear74]

I'm in. We started Homeschooling DD 7 in kindergarden. She is in 2nd grade this year. The main question I am getting latley is if I am going to keep homeschooling after the twins are born. I told them of course.

 

[MissChris]

I love that face Polkadot, I'll be practicing it in the mirror as soon as I'm done here

We live in NYC and I think most families have two parents working and I don't see many homeschoolers, I don't even usually see many parents in the park with smaller children during the week, most kids have nannies or daycare. I even tried to get in touch with our local homeschool group but no one ever got back to me. I'm not sure it exists anymore. Looks like NC is the place to be .

So I've decided to not worry about curriculum this year. I have a small tendency to get ahead of myself, (really, I can totally control it ) and I realized that right now its more important for her to be excited about learning so we're doing our half hour a day of "school" time and we're spending the time reading fun stories and playing word games. We're already enjoying ourselves more.

 

[DisneyDizzy]

I didn't realize there were so many from NC on this thread -- we should organize a h/s get-together. Hmm. Where would we go?

Oh, okay -- let's go to Disney! It's the only logical choice, after all...

If I could pick up and move anywhere it would be NC. *sigh* Alas, I am stuck in Utah (of all places) for the foreseeable future. It's quite lovely and we're knocking off all the National Parks on the weekends (We have 9 or 10 within a days drive) but I do miss it back East. I wish I was close enough to drive the kids to Grandma's for the weekend! My husbands job is going to keep us out here for a few more years.

There are a LOT of homeschoolers out here but they tend to be uber-conservative and all share the same religion (Mormon - We're not). I love the people out here but we don't really "fit" any of the groups and are very much on our own! My 8-year-old doesn't have a single friend out here and I find that a challenge. I, for the first time ever, really AM worried about socialization. We've been out here for a year now. He will meet kids his own age but they are VERY busy with their own Church activities. The 2 kids his age in our neighborhood were running down the street the other day yelling the F-word at everyone. Now, I'm pretty easy going but I think that is uncalled for in an 8-year-old. Especially since their parents were on the front porch. We live in a very nice neighborhood but most everyone is a lot younger than us with younger children.

We also have a new baby who was born premature and spent the summer in NICU. So, that has kept us from getting out, too. I'm just really hoping and praying that we find a way to fit in and find a few friends. But without changing who we are. Has anyone been in a similar situation?

Also, I feel I should say the people out here are very nice. We just don't share a lot of the same beliefs. I offended a whole group of homeschoolers when I brought a Starbucks to a meeting. They asked me not to bring coffee or tea to the meetings. I felt terrible but at the same time I'm not giving up coffee just to fit in. It wasn't like I brought a beer or something. I didn't go back. We don't drink and are fairly conservative so we have a decent relationship with our neighbors but I worry about my son.

Any advice?

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

It's quite lovely and we're knocking off all the National Parks on the weekends (We have 9 or 10 within a days drive) but I do miss it back East. I wish I was close enough to drive the kids to Grandma's for the weekend! My husbands job is going to keep us out here for a few more years.

That's one thing I do miss about living up North -- the part of NC we live in (smack in the middle) is fairly "vanilla" and not any of the grand parks and views that other parts of the country have.

There are a LOT of homeschoolers out here but they tend to be uber-conservative and all share the same religion (Mormon - We're not). I love the people out here but we don't really "fit" any of the groups and are very much on our own! My 8-year-old doesn't have a single friend out here and I find that a challenge. I, for the first time ever, really AM worried about socialization.

I know that feeling. It took us a while to find the right fit -- and we ended up joining a couple different local groups. Each one scratches a different "itch."

The 2 kids his age in our neighborhood were running down the street the other day yelling the F-word at everyone. Now, I'm pretty easy going but I think that is uncalled for in an 8-year-old. Especially since their parents were on the front porch.

Yee-ouch!

We also have a new baby who was born premature and spent the summer in NICU.

Congrats on your little princess!

I'm just really hoping and praying that we find a way to fit in and find a few friends. But without changing who we are. Has anyone been in a similar situation?

Yes. With one of the first co-ops we joined, I felt like I was a definite outsider. During the mom breaks, I was trying to strike up a conversation with the gal sitting next to me and she literally turned her back on me and started talking to the woman on the other side of her. Even in one of the current groups we're in (our "primary" group), it's a fairly tight clique -- of which I'm not a part. But I've found about three other "renegades" who connect with me, so it's possible. Just keep showing up, being who you are, being friendly, and not taking things personally. Your son will naturally gravitate to one or two kids he likes. And the beauty of homeschooling is -- they don't have to be his exact age, either! One of my sons has a good buddy who's two years younger, and my oldest son hangs out with a group of boys of which he's the youngest.

I offended a whole group of homeschoolers when I brought a Starbucks to a meeting. They asked me not to bring coffee or tea to the meetings.

This, I don't get! I didn't realize coffee was taboo? Granted, I drink mainly decaf, but I gotta have my cup of comfort.

Hang in there. It can feel isolating sometimes, but you'll find your spot. Sounds like you've had a lot of other stuff on your plate this summer to focus on! It'll work out.

 

[graygables]

This, I don't get! I didn't realize coffee was taboo? Granted, I drink mainly decaf, but I gotta have my cup of comfort.

Yes, Mormons don't drink coffee or tea or eat chocolate (I know, gasp!). our neighbors who were Mormon used carob chips in everything, but they never got bent out of shape over us drinking tea or anything. Some of them would drink decaf since it's the caffeine that supposed to be at issue.

If you were going to a Mormon space, I would say that it's only polite to honor their belief system, although they should also take the responsibility to politely forewarn folks to the rules. If it were not a Mormon space and it is an open group, I'd probably still show up with my coffee in hand. Might not make friends that way, though...

 

[DisneyDizzy]

Yes, Mormons don't drink coffee or tea or eat chocolate (I know, gasp!). our neighbors who were Mormon used carob chips in everything, but they never got bent out of shape over us drinking tea or anything. Some of them would drink decaf since it's the caffeine that supposed to be at issue.

If you were going to a Mormon space, I would say that it's only polite to honor their belief system, although they should also take the responsibility to politely forewarn folks to the rules. If it were not a Mormon space and it is an open group, I'd probably still show up with my coffee in hand. Might not make friends that way, though...

Well, it was supposedly an open group. Open to all religions and people. We met at a park in my neighborhood. I actually was really put out by the request since not all the members of the group were LDS. One of the other Mom's just rolled her eyes. She left the group and I never saw her again. I actually had no idea coffee and tea were a problem. But, it doesn't matter now...I never went back to that group! I kind of think you look after you and I'll look after me. And as for me, I NEED my coffee.

I didn't see the issue. We were at a public park and it wasn't like I offered any to anyone. Oh well. Live and learn. We just moved on. We have yet to find another group, though. It's mostly my fault. I'm hesitant to get involved with a group out here without knowing the dynamics first.

We'll get it together though. I love this thread. I get more information off here than many other places!

 

[gerberdaisy1234]

I'm just really hoping and praying that we find a way to fit in and find a few friends. But without changing who we are. Has anyone been in a similar situation?


Any advice?

Hi, I was praying for us to find the right group too. A new ice rink opened up and offered a home school class. We signed up. We were all pretty much new to ice skating. It has been such a blessing. It seems that since we were all new to the group we all bonded great. It has been our unspoken goal to always include newcomers and make them feel just as part as the rest of us. It is amazing. I pray that you will find a similar group for your family. (We are a very multicultural group in every aspect.)

 

[my*2*angels]

Don't give up! This is our first year of hsing and I was worried when we joined the group here! This is a VERY small town and I didn't know how welcoming they would be. However, it has been WONDERFUL!! It is at a church, but there are MANY different religions represented and everyone seems to get along FINE! They were all so friendly and it has been an AMAZING experience. So please keep trying, you will eventually find one that is the right fit!

 

[MomofSixinSC]

So I've decided to not worry about curriculum this year. I have a small tendency to get ahead of myself, (really, I can totally control it ) and I realized that right now its more important for her to be excited about learning so we're doing our half hour a day of "school" time and we're spending the time reading fun stories and playing word games. We're already enjoying ourselves more.

Editted becasue my big fingers hit something and removed the first part of my thought: Have you thought of doing Five in a Row? Might be the perfect blend of "doing school" andreading together for you. I did it with my olders when theyy were young and we all really enjoyed it. I am looking forward to doing with my youngest (with the oldest's help) when she starts "school".

 

[Michelle and crew]

Disney dizzy, that is so hard. I lived in Utah for a short bit and it was hard being a non mormon there. Noone ever yelled at me for coffed, though. The LDS folks here are not hardcore like that.

We found our first friends at a YMCA swimming class for homeschoolers. One person, also new, was friendly. Cliques abound, and I find that I have to fight not to fall into that too. I am always so thrilled to see my friends too!

Good luck in finding a group to fill the gap.

I am so not ready to start. We had the best weekend ever, DS16 starts his college class next week, we have to get his license taken care of...the never ending list. DS13 had a terrible time with algebra last year, and I am still debating going back to reinforce, and then going to algebra 2 rather than geometry. Is there any reason they are usually done in that order?

DS11 just loves his work, and is easy. I still don't want to start!!!

Co Op starts today, and it is a pain and politics, but the only game in town. We have a group of about 30 highschoolers and that makes it worthwhile.