Homeschool Chat

[disneymom3]

We also need to remember that not every child is cut out for college. Our society has long focused on college being the end-all and it is not. In our family, happiness is the end-all. Fulfillment, a good life, contentment are our goals. If we have "enough", it is enough (and that is going to be different for each person). My oldest, "enough" includes spendy trips to Whole Foods and expensive Disney restaurants. For my 2nd, "enough" is no debt and a solid emergency fund while still having time to go hiking or camping with her friends.

I love this paragraph. Before I had kids, I thought everyone NEEDED to go to college. Weren't we all so smart at parenting and running the world before we had kids? Now, I have a child that for over 6 years has wanted to be a cop. His personality is perfect to be in law enforcement. Now, he might not stick with that, but with the number of learning disabilities he has, college is not going to happen. Or if it does, it's going to be a bit later in life when he decides he wants to work around what he is able to do. The oldest, yep, she is college bound. The youngest....I haven't figured him out yet.

 

[DawnM]

We are in Williamsburg. I have an answer for the discount question. ONLY the teacher gets a 50% discount. Everyone else is full price. It is rather costly, but they are currently offering 2 days for only $10 more for adults and $4 more for children, so we opted for the 2 day pass. The 5 of us for 2 days was around $125.

Dawn

 

[DawnM]

I don't have a lot of time as we are on vacation and there have been a lot of threads on college that I have posted our *plan* on, including threads on the DIS.....

DH and I do feel that we want to strongly encourage college for our kids. I am not sure my oldest will make it (some learning disabilities) but we have hope that he can.

Our plan for now is to provide living at home for free and full tuition to the local 4 year college. Anything more than that they will have to cover the difference. That is what we can afford and it is more than many are offered.

We have discussed doing something that our friends are doing......they told their children that they had to come up with enough $$ to cover the first semester ($2,500 at our local 4 year college right now) and then the parents would reimburse them at the end of the semester provided they got grades they were capable of and completed their end of the bargain. They could use that reimbursement for the following semester and get reimbursed after each semester, eventually getting 100% of their tuition paid, but not up front.

DH and I both have advanced degrees and we have many friends who regret not finishing. We want to provide the means to finish but it will be up to them to actually do it.

Dawn

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Hi! We are winding down our first year of hs--DD is in K. She is reading pretty well (I used Scholastic phonics program) and we used Saxon Math 1. We did some science and social studies too. She was also enrolled in Kindermusik and just graduated. I worry that I failed her somehow though. Did she miss out on something that she would have learned in a public school? Does anyone else ever worry about this?? Am I just silly for worrying about that? I just don't want her to be behind, you know?

She won't be behind! She'll probably be ahead....you forgot to add in that she is living 'real life' with you every day...grocery trips, housekeeping, juggling schedules....kids learn what it is that really goes on every day when they are not in a school setting all day..they see you and dad figuring it out, and putting it all together....and they also learn to communicate with people of all ages--and most do a pretty good job of talking!!Don't worry!

Aggie girl: DD is 7 and has never been to "regular" school. She is not missing out on anything. Actually, I feel she has more opportunities!

Yesterday was Box Day! We got our first Sonlight box. I just LOVE all the books! I told DD she could read as many as she wants, but we aren't starting back up yet.

We should get our box from Heart of Dakota today or tomorrow!! I can't wait!!

I love this paragraph. Before I had kids, I thought everyone NEEDED to go to college. Weren't we all so smart at parenting and running the world before we had kids? Now, I have a child that for over 6 years has wanted to be a cop. His personality is perfect to be in law enforcement. Now, he might not stick with that, but with the number of learning disabilities he has, college is not going to happen. Or if it does, it's going to be a bit later in life when he decides he wants to work around what he is able to do. The oldest, yep, she is college bound. The youngest....I haven't figured him out yet.

My oldest has always been interested in law enforcement also...he is very smart in math/science/all things technical...but has talked about it since he was about 3 or 4....I have even heard him talk about the FBI...so, who knows...of course, he loves the Air Force too...as does my middle one who I think is such an Engineer....it'll be interesting to see where all these little munchkins end up!!

 

[robinsegg]

Hi! We are winding down our first year of hs--DD is in K. She is reading pretty well (I used Scholastic phonics program) and we used Saxon Math 1. We did some science and social studies too. She was also enrolled in Kindermusik and just graduated. I worry that I failed her somehow though. Did she miss out on something that she would have learned in a public school? Does anyone else ever worry about this?? Am I just silly for worrying about that? I just don't want her to be behind, you know?

One thing you need to understand is that every curriculum has "holes" . . . things it doesn't cover. This includes the one the public school uses and yours Try not to sweat it! Teach your child *how* to learn, then she can learn *anything* the curriculum misses. Around here, the school seems to spend more time *teaching to tests* than teaching the children how to learn .

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

One thing you need to understand is that every curriculum has "holes" . . . things it doesn't cover. This includes the one the public school uses and yours Try not to sweat it! Teach your child *how* to learn, then she can learn *anything* the curriculum misses. Around here, the school seems to spend more time *teaching to tests* than teaching the children how to learn .

This happens a lot here too! I hear more and more people complain about it every year....supposedly the Taks test will soon become the STARR, or something like that...they are hoping it 'teaches' the kids more...but it is still the same situation....teaching to a test!

 

[mariezp]

Being the procrastinator that I am.... I have been meaning to follow TSRE's lead and comment on graygables quote. Looks like today I am finally going to get it done!

We also need to remember that not every child is cut out for college. Our society has long focused on college being the end-all and it is not. In our family, happiness is the end-all. Fulfillment, a good life, contentment are our goals. If we have "enough", it is enough (and that is going to be different for each person)....
My children have seen positive benefits of a college education and know that we do value it, but don't prize it.

AMEN! Very well said!

My son will be graduating this year and has no plans to go to college. His goal is to obtain his black belt in Jiu-Jitsu and open his own school someday. Granted, most people would not view this as a sensible goal. However, I am so proud of him for finding his hidden talent. If he can turn something he loves into a career I am certainly not going to stand in his way. In the meantime, when people ask about his future many often look at us with total disbelief that we would even consider not sending him to college. Perhaps some later time he might decide to further his formal education. No doubt I would support him if he did. In the meantime, my main goals are that he be happy and, since we are Christian, he keep focused on the eternal goals. Whether he achieves those goals with or without college is totally up to him and I will support him whichever he chooses.

 

[graygables]

His goal is to obtain his black belt in Jiu-Jitsu and open his own school someday.

Good for him! If he wants to open it near Orlando, we could use a homeschool-friendly martial arts school.

 

[jacksmomma]

Here is a question for all of you...and I know it is a "basic" question, but I am a beginner here... DS is 3.5 and we planning on homeschooling him. One side of the family supports us, one side does not. How do you deal with the competition driven questions? For example, "Such and such's child goes to preschool and knows XYZ. Does your child know that?" Most of the time my answer is No, because my son learns what he is interested in. He does not know many nursery rhymes, but he can sing the Beatles and Johnny Cash like nobody's business. He does not know the pledge of allegiance, but he is learning to read. What about the things he does know...how many public school kids know what a quadruped or a biped is?! How do you keep yourself positive and motivated when others try to bring you down?

 

[robinsegg]

Here is a question for all of you...and I know it is a "basic" question, but I am a beginner here... DS is 3.5 and we planning on homeschooling him. One side of the family supports us, one side does not. How do you deal with the competition driven questions? For example, "Such and such's child goes to preschool and knows XYZ. Does your child know that?" Most of the time my answer is No, because my son learns what he is interested in. He does not know many nursery rhymes, but he can sing the Beatles and Johnny Cash like nobody's business. He does not know the pledge of allegiance, but he is learning to read. What about the things he does know...how many public school kids know what a quadruped or a biped is?! How do you keep yourself positive and motivated when others try to bring you down?

That can be tricky. One thing you can do is to remember *you're* not in competition with *anyone*! Neither is your ds. If it's a real concern for you or dh, you can start making sure ds is exposed to more "traditional" prek stuff . . . if you do tv, SuperWhy is a good show that includes a lot of the fairy tales and nursery rhymes. I taught our oldest the Pledge of Allegiance (about this age) so she would have an idea of what her country was about.
One other thing . . . get some good homeschooling contacts that you can talk to when you feel down. It really helps!
(Watch out for January & February! You can really feel like throwing the towel in! This is true for all teachers I've heard from in the northern hemisphere, not just homeschooling.)

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Here is a question for all of you...and I know it is a "basic" question, but I am a beginner here... DS is 3.5 and we planning on homeschooling him. One side of the family supports us, one side does not. How do you deal with the competition driven questions? For example, "Such and such's child goes to preschool and knows XYZ. Does your child know that?" Most of the time my answer is No, because my son learns what he is interested in. He does not know many nursery rhymes, but he can sing the Beatles and Johnny Cash like nobody's business. He does not know the pledge of allegiance, but he is learning to read. What about the things he does know...how many public school kids know what a quadruped or a biped is?! How do you keep yourself positive and motivated when others try to bring you down?[/QUOTE]

By reminding myself that I am right and they are wrong..JUST KIDDING!!!! It helps to keep your goals in mind....know the big picture....like mariezp said earlier..we too are Christians, so our relationships with the Lord are very important..we believe He leads and directs us..if we let Him! So...I feel that this is something I was suppose to do, and that keeps me focused. Yes, I have bad days, crazy days, give up days, but knowing that I am doing what is right for my family keeps me on track. I am so biased, because I have seen it so much...but hs kids have such a broader education and can relate to others so much better...even if they don't learn all there is to learn, it's still okay because they know HOW to learn. They are usually better disciplined and can fit in to any situation because they haven't been isolated by age groups as much as public school kids.
Now there is the whole SAFETY issue in public schools... I am just so thankful I don't have to deal with that. And even if you sent them to public, private, charter, Christian, whatever...people would compare what they know there with the other kids too. It just seems to be something this society is hung up on...not really 'what' each kid knows and is good at ,but is it the 'same' as Billy in the next class, or Suzy next door. Really strange if you stop and think about it!! ok...off my soapbox...sorry!

 

[MiniGirl]

Here is a question for all of you...and I know it is a "basic" question, but I am a beginner here... DS is 3.5 and we planning on homeschooling him. One side of the family supports us, one side does not. How do you deal with the competition driven questions? For example, "Such and such's child goes to preschool and knows XYZ. Does your child know that?" Most of the time my answer is No, because my son learns what he is interested in. He does not know many nursery rhymes, but he can sing the Beatles and Johnny Cash like nobody's business. He does not know the pledge of allegiance, but he is learning to read. What about the things he does know...how many public school kids know what a quadruped or a biped is?! How do you keep yourself positive and motivated when others try to bring you down?

Do you have a homeschool mission statement? If not, you may want to think about it for awhile and write one. As succiently as possible write your reasons and goals for homeschooling your son. When you start to doubt your decision or when others steal your joy of homeschooling, pull it out and read it. It will help refocus you to all the many reasons you are doing this.

 

[mariezp]

Good for him! If he wants to open it near Orlando, we could use a homeschool-friendly martial arts school.

Thanks for the encouragement graygables! People usually look at me like I am from an alien planet! Good to hear a positive remark for a change!
DS is currently a blue belt. He most likely will get his purple by the end of the year. While he is nearly halfway to his black belt it will still be several years before he can open his own school. He does currently help instruct kid's classes and fills in occasionally on the adults class so he is also gaining experience teaching at the same time he is earning his rank. We were blessed to have found a fantastic instructor and great bunch of classmates so it would be virtually impossible to tear him away from the area now. Oh, and there is also the new girlfriend.... but aside from that.... if you had caught him a few months ago he might have been ready to head to Orlando. He has some friends down there who we just happened to meet and to go to WDW with back in December. They are homeschoolers too, BTW.
Anyway, I do agree that finding a homeschool-friendly martial arts school would be a great blessing. Good luck finding one should you decide to go that route! Now that I have shamelessly bragged on my son I might as go ahead and throw in a plug for the benefits of martial arts, don't you think? For us my DS's Jiu-Jitsu has only been a positive experience. It has taught him self discipline and instilled self confidence and I certainly never have to worry about whether or not he can take care of himself!

 

[graygables]

Thanks for the encouragement graygables! People usually look at me like I am from an alien planet! Good to hear a positive remark for a change!

I'm sorry you all don't get the encouragement and positive response you need. I get the same thing when I tell people that my 21yo DD works three jobs. She doesn't NEED to work three jobs, but she loves clothes, makeup, and children, so she works at Eddie Bauer, Sephora, and Seeking Sitters! She thinks it's great to get paid to do stuff you love to do, not to mention the discounts. She's also seasonal at WDW, so she has those benefits as well.

Your son is following his passion and that is SO important in this life. It took me toooooo many years to figure that out for myself.

 

[DisneyMom5]

Aggie girl: DD is 7 and has never been to "regular" school. She is not missing out on anything. Actually, I feel she has more opportunities!

Yesterday was Box Day! We got our first Sonlight box. I just LOVE all the books! I told DD she could read as many as she wants, but we aren't starting back up yet.

Oh, enjoy that! Soon you will find yourself owning all the Sonlight cores and no more big box days. Sniff.

I love owning all the books, but miss those sweet days!

I can't believe I've been at this 10 years!!!

Happy Schooling!

 

[mariezp]

I'm sorry you all don't get the encouragement and positive response you need. I get the same thing when I tell people that my 21yo DD works three jobs. She doesn't NEED to work three jobs, but she loves clothes, makeup, and children, so she works at Eddie Bauer, Sephora, and Seeking Sitters! She thinks it's great to get paid to do stuff you love to do, not to mention the discounts. She's also seasonal at WDW, so she has those benefits as well.

Your son is following his passion and that is SO important in this life. It took me toooooo many years to figure that out for myself.

Wow! I cannot believe that people would be so negative as to think that you daughter being willing to hold 3 jobs was anything but amazing! Kudos to her for being more responsible than many older adults! And as for working seasonally at WDW.... well now that would be something I would love to do!

 

[MiniGirl]

So..... my oldest dd (going into 5th grade) wants to go back to traditional workbook type math program, and my youngest (going into 3rd) wants to do one as well. I've used Singapore Math in the past. The kids are indifferent to it. We are doing Classical Conversations next year, and they recommend Saxon. Have any of you used both? What did you find to be the pros/cons of each?

Thanks.

 

[BelleRocks]

We are using Oak Meadow next year for 6th, which I am really excited about. But my DD was in online school this year, and she really likes online activities, which Oak Meadow doesn't utilize.

Does anyone have any good recommendations of free or low cost online sites to supplement Science and Social Studies? Maybe with videos to watch, etc? I have been googling but there are so many, if you have used some before that would help me!

(I'm not concerned with math.)

Thanks for your help!

 

[adisneymama]

[/B]

This happens a lot here too! I hear more and more people complain about it every year....supposedly the Taks test will soon become the STARR, or something like that...they are hoping it 'teaches' the kids more...but it is still the same situation....teaching to a test!

This was one of the top reasons we pulled DD out of public school this year! Couldn't have said it better.

 

[littlepeppers]

My son will be graduating this year and has no plans to go to college. His goal is to obtain his black belt in Jiu-Jitsu and open his own school someday. Granted, most people would not view this as a sensible goal. However, I am so proud of him for finding his hidden talent. If he can turn something he loves into a career I am certainly not going to stand in his way.

I think my son has found his niche in jiu-jitsu too. After trying many sports, he has found success & happiness w/ jiu-jitsu. He has been in it less than a year & just recieved his yellow/white belt. He is really into it. He told me that he wants to stay in it until he gets good like Mr. Tim Credur. The kids/coaches don't understand the homeschool thing. It isn't very popular around here.

Does your son have any advice for another future black belt?