Homeschooling ?

[In a hurry]

Hi! I know that homeschooling is big on this board, and was wondering if anyone else is still in the "think about it" stage. I have a daughter that will be going into 2nd grade, and a son who is almost a year old. I was supposed to go back to work this fall, teaching 1st grade, and have loved teaching all of these years, but think this would be fun.

The school has just become too beaurocratic with all of the NCLB hogwash. As I have aged, I have less and less patience with hogwash!

I have done portfolio reviews for HSers in our area, and have a basic clue, but that is it, as far as curriculum and other decisions!

Thank you very much for the information!

 

[hsmamato2]

Well... you're going to get a lot of replies here,if past threads are any indication... here's my POV, homeschooling is a wonderful thing.It can work for an incredible variety of people,in many different circumstances. If you truly want more of a feel, google homeschooling in your state. You'll come up with local groups, join up with them,and get to know some folks.
It works on so many levels, especially for those of us with a low tolerance for hogwash.
There are some, who don't have a great deal of knowledge about it,who will insist that you need a whole lot of red tape,college degrees(take your pick) and angelic patience to do it.None of that is true-
All you really need to successfully homeschool is caring parents who want great things for their kids.That's the one thing you MUST have.
You WILL find, LOTS of social opportunities for yourself and your kids,classes, trips, friendships,opportunites to grow along with your whole family..special moments that can never be repeated...I could go on...
Also you will experience sadness, tears,anxiety,underconfidence,and days where you don't want to get out of bed.
Just like with anything,(especially parenting) there are good days and bad days.

 

[noodleknitter]

It can be a good life, if you work it right! Good luck! We don't follow one curriculum, but when I first began, 17 years ago I did. I think it helped me get my sea legs, and some direction!

 

[In a hurry]

Thank you! I know there are several Homeschooling groups in this area, so will have to figure out the differences. Do you belong to that legal group? Is that necessary?

 

[hsmamato2]

No, you don't have to belong to an*unnamed* national legal group, in fact, it's not necessary at all, find a local group that jives with your personal philosophy,and get their expert advice, the best legal advice is always from local sources,since they know best what is going on in your state. You may have to look at a few groups to find a good fit, don't worry, you're sure to find what you need! Good Luck!

 

[Denine]

After much thought, I finally decided that I could at least try my hand at homeschooling. I am going to start pre-k with DD in the Fall. I am doing a workbook with her now.

I feel much of the time that I don't have the patience, but I am willing to give it a try for my daughter's sake.

 

[Ellester]

We just finished our first year of HS'ing (dd's 4 & 8 and ds 2). We had ups and downs but I'm really glad we are doing it. I was in your boat at this time last year. I checked out every book I could find about homeschooling from the library, went to our state convention, talked with friends who homeschool, and googled like crazy! I would find your state organization online, they usually have a listing of the legal requirements. We use Sonlight, which is a Christian curriculum. They have a good website that answered lots of my questions. Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions that I might be able to answer.

 

[laceemouse]

We started hsing a little over a year ago after many years in the ps system. We did it for a number of reasons, academic and otherwise. We also use Sonlight. It has everything planned out for you day by day. I think the two biggest misconceptions people have about hsing is that you sit in the house all day and the kids do not do anything with other kids and that you have to feel 100% confident teaching Chemistry and Physics. There are lots of options for both issues. We will be in a co-op next fall where the older 3 will all have science taught by an experienced parent/volunteer and my oldest will be taking a few other hsing classes taught by professional educators/tutors (she is in high school.) We also plan to dual enroll her at the local community college starting in the 11th grade. She is gifted and was bored with school even though we always attended "great" schools. She wants to start college early and go on to law school. None of my kids are into the clothes/movies/music/dating scene that most kids these days thrive on! I think it is working for us. If we ever decided that hsing was no longer working, even with all the help we can get in our area, we would look at a small private school. The huge ps junior high did us in! Your child is just a number there (unless they are the super genious, super jock, or the kid setting the bathroom on fire!)

 

[nuzmom]

In a Hurry - We've been home schooling for a few years now (DS10 and DS5), so we're not in the "still thinking about it" stage - however, we go throught the "re-evaluation" phase now and then. However, I have to say that we don't stay in that phase for very long, we just pass through it off and on.

What works for my DH and I is to list our reasons for and against. We also talk about "what's the absolute worse thing that could happen if we home school?" and "what's the absolute worse thing that could happen if we do PS?" We also evaluate our weaknesses and find ways to get past them (we also are part of a co-op and this helps in that area).

Lastly, I think it's really important to get a good handle on why you're home schooling (if that's the decision you make). Then, if you can, write down those reasons. These "objectives" aren't the ones we turn in to the school, but they sure do help us through our "re-evaluation" phases.

Enjoy the journey