Thinking of homeschooling

[sweetpeasmom]

Hi everyone. I am new here. I have a 10 mth old right now. I know I still have lots of time to think of this, but I've been giving homeschooling some thought.
I was just curious as to how you all made the decision to homeschool, what prompted you to do it? Was it something you absolutely were positive of or had doubts about? I know I'm not a super smart person, I do have some academic weakness, so I do have some doubts about my abilities. But I also know, that I learn quickly and that I feel there's more to learn than just from the textbook.
TIA for any input you'd like to give

[fyrflymommy]

hi! my dd is 23mo. i decided to homeschool long before i even had a dp to bear children w/ :LOL

i don't really know how i came to the hs conclusion.... my brother and i were both hsed for a few years.

it just seems like the right thing for me. who knows my dd and her style better than me? and schools just arent the way they used to be when i was in them. not where i live anyway.

[lilyka]

Your as smart as most of the teachers your child will have if not all of them. Generally they are just a chapter ahead of the students. I used ot teach high school (nothing more than a high school diploma mind you and I was teaching the subject I had the most trouble with through out school) and I know tons of people who teach. Average intellegence at best. So don't let that slow you down.

I grew up surrounded by homeschooler and was always so jelous of them. i knew I wanted to give my children those oppritunities. I remember considering private schools and charter schools when dd was about 4 but can't remember why. Once I really started researching I relized I could never send her off to a classroom setting.

It is good that you are thinking about this now rather than when your child is 4 1/2. Our homeschool group is just launching a toddler pre-school sub group. It is best of parents can make firends, get questions, get answers and get connected before they take the plunge. that way the first day of kindergarten (or better what would have been) is just another day in the life of a homeschooler.

[phathui5]

I also decided to homeschool before I had kids. I wanted to be homeschooled myself, but my parents wouldn't let me.

It's good for you to look into this now, it gives you time to research all your different options. Also, I don't think that any lack of intelligence on your part would contraindicate homeschooling your dc, you're going to know more than her for a long time, and when you need help you can always call it in (whether in the form of learning new things yourself or hiring a tutor for your child).

[boobear]

I'm going to assume I'll be homeschooling by the time my 2.5 year old dd is ready for school. It seems to be the best option but since I'm not sure where we'll be living I'll go check out all my options before I decide.

Right now I try to incorporate some sort of homeschool activity into her play in the am and pm. I am really liking the results!



My only research into homeschooling has been The Well Trained Mind. It's schedule is pretty rigid and looks tough to maintain but if it works the results could be wonderful. I need to check into other options since it will mostly depend on how dd learns.

I'd say just go for it since they learn so much the first 3 years!

[Openskyheart]

Boobear - even the author of the Well Trained Mind doesn't follow the schedules included in the book! The publishers requested them, and the author reluctantly included them.

I decided to homeschool when I saw how miserable my son was in school. He decided to homeschool after long and careful consideration of his options when he was in the 2nd month of 2nd grade. My daughter, now in the 4th month of 2nd grade, is going to stay home from school this coming week to see if she wants to homeschool. I guess 2nd grade is when the drudgery begins to outweigh the fun! LOL!

Deciding to homeschool, and developing a network of support before your child is even old enough to think about schooling is a great idea! I often wish I'd done it myself.

Laura

[sweetpeasmom]

Thanks for the insight ladies I appreciate it. I know I hated school so much, not because it was school but for one I don't think I was properly motivated. I loved to learn but got bored. The other thing was the other kids. At some point I got teased cuz I was smart, then it turned into all around teasing. This really got me down and as a result I didn't want to learn and be smart. I was constantly trying to fit in and all the while my learning suffered. I just don't want to see my daughter go through this. Not saying she will but I know how rough other kids can be.
I've talked to hubby about it. He's not too keen on the idea of homeschooling. He keeps saying "oh she'll love school" I'm like how do you know? At least we have some time to continue discussing it.

Laura

[dancingwolf]

Homeschool

I have a daughter who is just finishing her journey through public school and I have a 2 1/2 yr old. After what my first went through, I dread sending my little one through public or private school. I'm still just learning about homeschooling and a friend refered me to books by John Holt. I haven't read any yet, but just the titles reflect my concerns. I've NEVER in twelve years of school met a teacher that I would call above average intellegence. Sadly, it's their love and care for children that disturbs me. My first daugther had ONE teacher (her 3rd grade) who seemed to like and respect children. My oldest last day of school before Holiday break and she told me one of her teachers tells the girls, if she finds them applying make-up, "You can't pollish a turd!" I was appauled and my daughter said all the teachers talk like that to their students. I can tell you many stories like this and how schooling quickly destroyed my daughter's desire to learn and create, but this is the first time I've posted and I don't want to take up too much space.

[boobear]

I'm curious how many people are using TWTM out there.. I'm also trying to find a good site that compares homeschool programs (is there such a thing?). I try to look into other programs but find it hard to compare since I haven't done it yet.

Laura - I know what you mean about TWTM schedule and going with what works for each of parents/kids very true! I guess it's my way of aiming high and hoping I don't fall too short. I should pop in and read the boards at TWTM web page (thanks for the reminder!!).

[MamaMonica]

I'm still on the fence about HSing. My dd is in a lottery to get into a local coop charter school. I am not convinced this is the best- even though as far as schools go it is a great school. We have a slim chance- one in ten or so- of actually getting in. I have a very creative, self-motivated 4 yo an she is a joy to be around- learning constantly everything from her letters (which she drew dressed in clothes when she was three!), to sounding out words, to adding and subtracting just by doing everyday things. I would love to continue- am still not sure I am social enough to build the social network I will need to HS. I'm fairly introverted.

[aimcar]

Originally posted by monnie
I would love to continue- am still not sure I am social enough to build the social network I will need to HS. I'm fairly introverted.

MY ds is two, and we're fairly certain we want to homeschool, but the socialization aspect is a big concern of mine for the reason you stated. I'm fairly introverted as well, and I worry that I will not be able to find and build a social network, not only for ds, but for myself as well.

As for what prompted us to consider HSing... I have known since before ds was born that I did not want him in public schools. We live in an excellent school district, but that doesn't change the fact that he would be crammed into a classroom with 20+ other kids and forced to learn things in a way and at a pace that might not work for him.