Homeschool Chat

[sha_lyn]

Just because I am not getting a paycheck & the kids don't leave here on a bus, doesn't mean we are trapped in this house all day long. I think that's a BIG misconception on a lot of people's part. Don't you?

ITA. The other huge misconception being that the mom does all the teaching without any help or outside resources.

As for Teaching Textbooks....I'm seriously thinking of switching to TT next yr unless we decide to go with Oak Meadow

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I just wanted to add an update for us. I went ahead and pulled my dd out of school this past Friday. It was so simple. Even though I had a lot of anxiety about how the school would react, the experience was rather anticlimatic. A friend of mine said, they didn't care when your child was in class, what makes you think they'll care when she leaves? LOL She had a good point.

We are loving homeschooling so far. We've done several field trips, projects, and one on one time for some academics. Its been incredibly easy. We are going slow this week, for the transition.

For those considering it, go for it!! I kept thinking, I'll wait till Dec, then I moved it up to Thanksgiving, then I was like, "what am I waiting for?" I just pulled her out at the 9 weeks mark. I think it was my own fears more than a reality. My dd (1st grade) was content in school. But she is ecstatic at homeschooling. I know we made the right decision for our family.

Good luck to everyone contemplating this decision.

Good for you!! I know--why wait? I know you will enjoy it. something else that we do-check out the caldecott or newberry books -or anything you enjoyed growing up to read, just for a reader. My kids loooove reading time, & we have read some really good books. This helps them with grammar,spelling, articulation. All kinds of things,--if they hear it correctly then learning it in upper levels will be lots easier. Case in point- my 9 year old. We started 'grammar' last week and most of it just clicked-it's been very painless!! also, we are using Learning Language Arts Through Literature--it's another I just have to rave about. Check into it for your daughter--you might really enjoy it!!!

ITA. The other huge misconception being that the mom does all the teaching without any help or outside resources.

As for Teaching Textbooks....I'm seriously thinking of switching to TT next yr unless we decide to go with Oak Meadow

I haven't heard of Oak Meadow-- I am going to look it up!!! I like TT because these guys are so easy to understand--it starts out very basic and gently moves them up. The 5th grader does his all on the computer-paper for scratch work, but quizzes (no tests for 5th) and class work answers are all on there and it automatically keeps scores--it even has a grade book. Very handy. The other one is lecture on computer and example only. He does the classwork and tests on paper.

 

[TNKBELL]

I just wanted to add an update for us. I went ahead and pulled my dd out of school this past Friday. It was so simple. Even though I had a lot of anxiety about how the school would react, the experience was rather anticlimatic. A friend of mine said, they didn't care when your child was in class, what makes you think they'll care when she leaves? LOL She had a good point.

We are loving homeschooling so far. We've done several field trips, projects, and one on one time for some academics. Its been incredibly easy. We are going slow this week, for the transition.

For those considering it, go for it!! I kept thinking, I'll wait till Dec, then I moved it up to Thanksgiving, then I was like, "what am I waiting for?" I just pulled her out at the 9 weeks mark. I think it was my own fears more than a reality. My dd (1st grade) was content in school. But she is ecstatic at homeschooling. I know we made the right decision for our family.

Good luck to everyone contemplating this decision.

Congrats!! This time that we have with our children passes much too quickly, we will never regret spending extra time with them!!
When I hear of elderly people being interviewed, I have never heard one them say, " I spent too much time with my children." It's usually the opposite.

 

[sha_lyn]

Oak Meadow is a Waldorf inspired boxed curriculum that slowly moves away from Waldorf as you move into middle and high school. If we decide to go with an accredited high school program it is the one we will go with.
http://www.oakmeadow.com/

 

[baloo's girl]

I'm very interested in LLATL. I believe my dd is a right brain learner. She struggles a bit with phonics. Do you think this program addresses different learning styles?

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I would say so, because my boys are both different learners and they both love it. Go to CBD.com and look it up--check out the sample lessons and different pages that they show. It's MY favorite Lang so far!

 

[Ashley Kees]

Okay- so this is the scoop. My son has a severe school anxiety (crying, panic attacks etc) and he also has adhd, pdd and a mood d/o. If I had ANY clue things were going to be this bad- I would NEVER have started working- but I did and now we are used to the income. I only work 20hours a week however, and $35 per week goes to before and after school care. I think we could swing it (by making some changes in our spending- nothing too drastic though) but my dh hasn't been so sure. I just need to prove to him that this is a doable thing.

You can do it. Your son's health is more important. We are a family of five with one income, and it's only $43,000. Part of most homeschool moms' jobs is making that budget STRETCH! You can do it. I promise.

I'll bet that your son's stress is also causing stress at home.

I will also say, it's AMAZING how much control you gain over you life when you homeschool and have to "make the money work". I feel so much more confident about myself now that I do all this.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I agree--this is 100% doable!! Libraries are life savers as well! Also, finding people or places that sale used but nice books help a ton!!!! It's amazing how much your kids can learn just from good classic books. And of course the research stuff at the library is good too.For ex-2 years ago, our library had a book sale- I got a '92 edition of Encyclopedias for $25 bucks, last year, the old Science Library set, for $10 and the Junior Classics set for $10--they are both older sets, but- with classics and science stuff-how can you beat that? I know info (in Science) may change-but the law of gravity and stuff like that never will!! So, we got a steal!! You learn to research and what's good for your family. different kids need different things depending on their age--what worked for math this year, may not work for little Jr. when he gets there, and you need a different curr---it's just learning as you go.

Be Brave!! You can do this thing!!!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I was curious--not to pry, but what is ppd and Mood d/o? I don't think I am familiar with this. I have a friend whose son is severe adhd--he's my sons best friend---when he's off his meds, he just CANT focus-I feel bad for him. Last year she kept him off over summer and the end of school last year, and he just had to get back on it. They were worried, because when hes on the meds he doesn't eat. He's the skinniest little fella!! And he's pretty short for his age-so kids pick on him when he tells them he's 13---going on 14.

 

[DawnM]

Never mind.

 

[sha_lyn]

A friend just sent me this link. Looks good
http://www.historyforkids.org/
He ran across it looking up something on Medieval history and knew I'm always looks for stuff for homeschooling

 

[npmommie]

I don't know if anyone remembers when I posted about looking for a new math program? we had been using Singapore............well I decided to stick it out with singapore a little while longer and things are good now, I think it is a great program and it is working very well for us now.......so I am glad I stuck it out a bit more........my dd is really enjoying it more, and liking math again!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Glad you found a fit!!!

 

[Mermaid02]

I was curious--not to pry, but what is ppd and Mood d/o? I don't think I am familiar with this. I have a friend whose son is severe adhd--he's my sons best friend---when he's off his meds, he just CANT focus-I feel bad for him. Last year she kept him off over summer and the end of school last year, and he just had to get back on it. They were worried, because when hes on the meds he doesn't eat. He's the skinniest little fella!! And he's pretty short for his age-so kids pick on him when he tells them he's 13---going on 14.

Sorry I have been MIA. Things are NOT going well- we have a meeting today with Guidance and the school Psychologist. PDD is an autism spectrum disorder- he's too social with adults to be considered Asperger's. Mood disorder is simply depression. Depressed kids tend to "act out" instead of be sullen like adults.

My dh thinks our son should "tough it out" and go to school and stay there- no matter what. I disagree- he's so unhappy and it just kills me. Advice?? What do you do when your spouse disagrees???

 

[Ashley Kees]

Sorry I have been MIA. Things are NOT going well- we have a meeting today with Guidance and the school Psychologist. PDD is an autism spectrum disorder- he's too social with adults to be considered Asperger's. Mood disorder is simply depression. Depressed kids tend to "act out" instead of be sullen like adults.

My dh thinks our son should "tough it out" and go to school and stay there- no matter what. I disagree- he's so unhappy and it just kills me. Advice?? What do you do when your spouse disagrees???

I don't have an answer for you, not knowing your husband and having never been in your situation. Just wanted to give you this and tell you to stay strong in your fight to do what's right for your son.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Loreli~ I agree with the previous poster, I don't know exactly what you should do. But I know one thing for sure I would do....start praying. seriously. Ask the Lord to open doors for you, and show your husband that whatever he shows you, will be shown to him. And that he will soften your husbands heart-maybe the Lord will allow your hubby to be around the next time one of the situations(school-related) comes up and he can see first hand what's really going on. In the mean time, research, research, research!!! You need to be well-armed in your little boys condition, and the home school arena! Know what your state requires, start learning about curriculums, forems to join, what style would work for you. Have a plan! You may find out some info that will sway your husband by seeing that you are capable and this is for the best!!!! I'll be prayin for you! These are tough times for kids--at the best---medical issues shouldn't be traumatizing and hindering their childhood. So, if the school environment is making him worse----learn all you can about what you can do to make it better. If you come to your husband informed, you may be able to make him understand why this is such a passion for you. Hope this helps!! Keep us posted!!

 

[lori1043]

A little ray of hope...
My Dh did not want to homeschool at first.
We were not having issues though either with kids at school. I just felt "called" to do it and still do. It was confirmed so many times in the year leading up tp taking them out of public school. I told DH about my felings early on and he said "no'. I was convicted that we were not homeschooling unless I had his support(in whatever capacity). 3-6 months later, he was open to "hearing about it" as we met others who did it. A 2-3 months after that we decided that we'd pull them out after elementary school(after 3rd gr) and homeschool till freshmen year then put them in a private school. A few months after that we decided to try it out while they were younger, in case it was a mistake for us it would be easier to "catch up".
My DH, now in our 4th year of homeschooling swears by it-he loves the freedom we have as a family and time spent. He likes that we do not have homework worries and concerns about being bullied or whatever. he lies that we have a "litle bit more control" over who they hang around. But he also agrees that we need to have a balance and wants them to learn to hold thier own. He insists on testing them every year(SAT) and I convinced him to hold off on our younger child till 2nd grade. I was hesitant at first about testing at all, but agreed -and I am SO thankful we do that yearly so we can see how things are going in the "real world" academically. I have been pleasantly surprised.

I REALLY suggest, as the above poster said, to pray about it. Prayer works whether it is a yes or no answer.

It worked for us, even though it took a year! Think about how life would be without his support-and how much it would affect your marriage, which is #1 for you and your kids.

Lori

 

[TNKBELL]

Mermaid02....I'm in complete agreement with prayer, it's the only answer to seemingly impossible situations!! I too will be praying for you and your Dh.

At first, my Dh was not sure, but researching and talking to other homeschool families really helped "arm" me with info to help "enlighten" him. Now, after 7 years, he wouldn't have it any other way.

One suggestion is to have him tell you his concerns and we could help you with info and advice to share with him.

God Bless you!!!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Just wanted to add I agree with Lori and Tink--I was in the same situation-that's how I know praying about it works-dh wasn't for it-I kept praying & the Lord put it on his heart as well and this is our 5th year and he loooooves that we do it!! I was going to tell you that in my previous post-but it got long!! Sorry!!

 

[Temair]

I'm looking for some advice. I am currently homeschooling my 9 yr old DD. I plan on sticking it through highschool. Lately I've been considering having a second child. So we are talking about a 10 year age difference, and adding a baby to the homeschool routine. I'm concerned about how schooling would work with a baby. Obviously I can't be there helping her every step of the way, but she is also at an age where she is doing more work independently. Am I crazy? How do you do it? Anyone else with kids with such a large age difference? And adivce is apreciated.