Homeschool Chat

[Ellester]

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.

Well, multiple kids is a challenge. But well worth it in my opinion. We'll be adding #4 in December, the older kids are 10, 7, (both girls), and 4 (boy). The new baby is another girl. I haven't homeschooled with a newborn before, my oldest was in public school when my youngest was born. But, I know lots of parents who have done it so I know it's possible. I look at all the biology and homelife skills my kids are learning as part of their education. All the kids are looking forward to helping with the new baby (and having a few weeks off school as well!). It would definitely be a bump in your routine, but I don't know of two many families who have regretted having another child even with a big age difference. One of my good friends is actually due the day after I am and her two older kids are 17 and 13! This baby was a total surprise and has completely thrown their plans for a loop, but they are looking forward to having another chance at having a little one in the house. Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[Ashley Kees]

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.

I can't help with the large age difference, but I have been homeschooling with a baby in the house. We started my oldest in Kindergarten this time last year (she was nearly 5 at the time). Her sister was 3 and the baby was 7 months old. It was really easy, frankly, at the beginning, even with my having to help Layla (the Kindergartener) every step of the way. We would have "formal sit down school time" while I was breastfeeding and when the baby was napping. Now that he's old enough to only take one nap, we do "school" (with both girls, now) and he sits up at the dining table with us with crayons and paper. While the girls are doing reading or math, he colors and listens, (hopefully learning by osmosis!). While the girls are doing worksheets or reading independently, I will do flashcard with him at the table, or Hooked on Phonics for babies. Sometimes he just plays with toys under the table, he likes puzzles and blocks. The girls tune him out, no problem. Science and social studies are pretty much just books that I read to them right now, plus learning the pledge/address/phone numbers, and he listens to all that with us. It's normal for all of us.

On the plus side, my 4 and 5 year olds actually know how to diaper, hold, feed (bottlefeed) and burp a baby already! Not that I let them do it that often, but when they asked, I would. Now my friend just had a baby, and we all go over to help. It adds a level to their education that they really can't get at "big school" (what my kids call traditional schools).

You'll do fine.

Ashley

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Go for it!! My first year, my oldest was 3rd grade, the next was Kindergarten and the baby was a little over a year. Not an infant, but still nursing and needing lots of mommy time. She has learned to play by herself well, and has a great imagination--the other 2 have learned a lot about helping at home, and they all play great together and we really enjoy it.I would have another baby today if hubby would let me!!! The more the merrier!!! it's definitely easier to be hsing with a newborn than getting it up and out so early to take the older one to school- and then back out (at nap time) to pick her up!! I say do it!!!!

 

[Mermaid02]

Well, we had a meeting at the school with the school psychologist and guidance counselor. They are going to try having Jack do a half day regular school and then hire a tutor to come in the second half and work one on one with him. School will be DONE for him at 2:30 (NO HOMEWORK!!!) We have to present it to the Director of Special Ed on Monday. Wish us luck. I think this is a pretty good compromise (if approved) and if not I will approach homeschool again (My first choice!)

 

[PoohBear]

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.

I have three boys 15, 11 & 2yo. I am having a hard enough time with the 2yo simply because he is much more troublesome than the other two ever were (think Dennis the Menace on caffeine and steroids). Add to this that I just started homeschooling the older two this year. High school is a challenge by itself and I feeled overwhelmed many days. However, I would not do things any different. I know that I need to be patient and we will find our way.

I don't know if I can offer any homeschooling advice, since I am new to this, but I think getting your DD comfortable and established with her routine before the baby will make it easier on you. As far as the boys themselves are concerned, the 2yo is the apple of their eye. He is a blessing to us all. I think, because of the age difference, you will see a whole new side of your DD that will amaze you.

 

[DawnM]

Disney has their homeschooling dates out for January. Anyone going? We are! We went last year and had a fabulous time. This year we are going to take it a little easier. We will go for 2 weeks and get the 5 day hopper with 4 vouchers and go to Kennedy Space Center and a couple of other things too.

Dawn

 

[mykidsintow]

2 questions:

What are the Homeschool Dates for Dis in Jan?


I know there are a few ppl here that live in SC. What are SC homeschool laws like? We are considering where our lives may go and one of my options seems to be SC. Here in KY we have to write a letter of intent to homeschool and thats it. We have to keep records of attendance, but unless someone comes a knockin on your door, thats it. How is SC? Are there any active groups you know of around the Myrtle Beach area? We are looking at Murrells/Pawleys areas....

 

[LadyShea]

Here's a .pdf summary of SC homeschool laws
http://www.hslda.org/laws/analysis/South_Carolina.pdf

 

[mykidsintow]

Thank you for that Information. It actually reads similar to KY. However, KY does not require you submit anything... the just *could* require it. They also don't require the parents have any education, but I have a degree so its unimportant in our case.

Do the children actually participate in sate testing? In KY they are *suppose* to, but they do not inforce this and actually have no way to inforce it at all. The superintendent told me that it was required and I said "And if we don't?" she said "Then you don't, there is nothing we can do about it."


So the laws seem ok its not like PA requiring a ton of documentation.... but if they do actually require all this, then it is a bit more strict than KY.

Thanks again!

 

[OneBlessedFamily]

Hi! We are relatively new to Disboards. We are a family of 6, hopefully 7 very soon, and live in Missouri and Illinois. We started homeschooling this year while my son was in and out of the hospital for heart surgery. My 8 year old loves it so much that we may continue HSing her, but probably not my 6 year old (who misses the classroom on a daily basis).

I look forward to connecting with more HSing families!

And....there are dates for HSers to go to Disney????

Mary

 

[Ellester]

And....there are dates for HSers to go to Disney????

Mary

2 questions:

What are the Homeschool Dates for Dis in Jan?

The dates are January 12 & 13 and the programs are at DHS this time around.
http://disneyyouthgroups.disney.go.com/wdyp/programs/programOverview?page=HSDProgramOverviewPage

Our newest will be a little too new then, we'll be going on our own in February. One of these times we'll be able to take advantage of the HS Days I hope!

 

[wvdislover]

I'd love to see if I can go. However, I'd like to know what the hs activities are before registering, so I know whether my kids would enjoy it or not When do they advertise what those will be? All I could find on the weblink was the dates and ticket options (definitely a good price!).

 

[DawnM]

I haven 't looked at that yet. We didn't do them last year because our kids are really young. You do NOT have to attend them.....they are added bonuses, you can just do the parks.

Dawn

I'd love to see if I can go. However, I'd like to know what the hs activities are before registering, so I know whether my kids would enjoy it or not When do they advertise what those will be? All I could find on the weblink was the dates and ticket options (definitely a good price!).

 

[wvdislover]

I saw that it has something to do with Narnia, which our whole family loves. However, we just got back from a 10 day Land/Sea vacation, so I'm just not sure I can pull it off. DD7 is still in school, and missed 8 days this past trip; I'm not sure what they would say about me pulling her out again Sometimes, I think it would be a lot easier if I pulled her out and hs her with DD11, but DD11 wouldn't be able to work as well (much too easily distracted and needs total quiet to work) and DD7 LOVES school and her friends (she's quite the social butterfly!). Still, it would be fun to do!

 

[TNKBELL]

I saw that it has something to do with Narnia, which our whole family loves. However, we just got back from a 10 day Land/Sea vacation, so I'm just not sure I can pull it off. DD7 is still in school, and missed 8 days this past trip; I'm not sure what they would say about me pulling her out again Sometimes, I think it would be a lot easier if I pulled her out and hs her with DD11, but DD11 wouldn't be able to work as well (much too easily distracted and needs total quiet to work) and DD7 LOVES school and her friends (she's quite the social butterfly!). Still, it would be fun to do!

They also have Homeschool Days in September, the dates are not available yet. Maybe, that would be an option for you, it would be a different school year. At least they had it last year, I guess we will see, we are planning a trip in October, so if HS days are at the end of September, we will try to go then.

 

[wvdislover]

True, but I hate to give up my free dining. I saw that you can just buy passes for the hs days events for around $16 if you have an AP. I wonder if we could do this with our free dining package?

 

[disneymom3]

Hmmm, do they check if you show up or not? I am just thinking that DD would be a lot more interested in the topics than my youngest who is 6. I suppose she and I could go to the class and DH adn the boys could meet us later. It would be nice if there were more info on there about WHAT the actual workshops are.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Hello everybody! I haven't had much school stuff to discuss lately, so I haven't ventured over here!!!! How are you all doing? I am winding down our first semester. We start earlier in summer ( I don't know if you remember-we start around mid-July) and stop with Thanksgiving. So, we actually have 8 days of schooling left!! We are ready for a much needed break-time!! How are your days shaping up? I know we had some on here new to HSing and I was curious how you have held up!!! It takes a bit to get into the swing of it, then you are off like a racehorse!!!

I am not sure what I can post about this-I know we can't buy/ sale, but with one semester coming to a close, I know some of us will start with new curriculum in January. I am getting some of our stuff out to make room for new books and things and wondered if any of you would be interested in my curriculum we aren't using anymore. Does anyone know if I can at least list the sub/grade I have and then you could pm me if interested in any of it? Just curious!! I am not sure where the mod's draw the line with too much info.!!! If I can't do that -just pm if you are wanting more info on what I have and I 'll let you know what I have!!

Well, only 10 days left till Thanksgiving!!! I can't believe we are so close to the end of the year!!!! Hope you all get as much done this week as possible so you can enjoy all your family next week!!!

 

[wvdislover]

How exciting! We basically follow the PS calendar, since I still have DD7 in PS, while I HS DD11. I won't tell her you're almost done for the semester--she'd be really jealous!

 

[sha_lyn]

I was really hoping we would be finished with the first 1/2 of the yr by Dec19 but looks like we'll miss it by a few days