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Originally Posted by heatherdeg  But I get what the OP is saying and we have a similar problem. Mine won't sit in front of a computer to watch a video. We've tried. We've even tried copying the videos online to a DVD for him to watch on the larger screen but it's very hit or miss. That being said, we've gone back to a "no electronics" rule so this is less of an issue for us. But I understand the problem.
That being said...
I do agree with this. It's probably more work than anyone realizes, but once you get your free resources and systems lined up--it's not an ongoing battle or drain (time/effort wise or financially).
My ds must. be. busy. If he's not engaged at a constant, it's a horrifying behavior problem. He's been flagged for possible ADHD and I wonder if this is part of that (although admittedly, that's a new thing for us to consider--so I haven't done enough research on it yet  ).
For us, we just budget. We've found other things to cut out to create a larger homeschooling budget and we work within the homeschooling budget that we have. That's really all you can do. And yeah, you get online and get creative with where to find stuff.
Check with your local homeschooling groups (or Holistic Moms, or foster parent association) for book swaps. You can coordinate them. You can also talk to local zoos & museums about hosting a "homeschool day" once/year where admission is reduced or free. I'm in NJ and we actually have a few in the area that do this. In fact, one of our favorite zoos does free admission from 2pm-close (5pm) every Tuesday in the summer (for everyone). Dig for that kind of stuff, and if it doesn't exist--approach them about doing it. The museums tend to do it on school days (when non-homeschoolers wouldn't be home  ).
Also see about coordinating group outings. Often, the group rate only requires 5-10 other kids. We've done this for theater outings. |
DD is just the opposite - she will sit all day and watch videos on the pc. The issue is that I work from home to keep her out of daycare, and need my PC. Eventually I plan to get her one of her own, but not for a few years at least.
Only book swap in my area is through FEAST {Protestant group & must sign a membership agreement I'm not comfy with}. We've used paperbackswap in the past, but postage was eating me alive.
I do sell some to other home schoolers and the occasional teacher through yard sales, but mostly they end up in boxes in my garage. I try to buy ones that we will pull back out later for recommended reading in K-2nd grades.
DD is the same with being constantly engaged. I wonder at times if she wouldn't be classed as hyperactive.
We are very lucky that our metro area does do group outings {and at great prices} but they restrict the ages to school age - normally starting at age 5 or 6. DD is 3, and acts 3 even though she is on a K-1st level academically. I can't wait until this is open to us {and yes I've tried getting her in by saying she's X grade - they go by age only}.
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Originally Posted by daytripper75 If your local library isn't ideal, see if you can drive a bit further to a better library and still have privileges. For the time being, don't allow your dd to have unrestricted access to library books. Make it so they are read in one part of the house (on the couch, at the desk but just in one spot!) and that they are stored in one spot (on top of the fridge, top of the bookcase) to keep it under control.
Check and see what libraries in the area have used book sales and make plans to visit those regularly.
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The nearest library with slightly better options is 50+ miles away - we live in a large metro area and all the libraries are in one system for the entire county.
The one thing I will not do is restrict access to books - I had it done to me when I was a child {and I craved books} by my grandparents, and I want DD to be relaxed enough to read where ever she wants - not just the "reading spot"
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Originally Posted by HollyBearsMom I was unhappy with our library too so I started volunteering in a small way. Gave me way more access and most late fees were waived. 
Are there any moms groups, homeschooling groups, etc in your area that would be up for a book swap or a book share so you could split the cost?
I second trying to find a used book store. Or better yet if you are buying 50+ (really? 50??) a month that is over 600 books in a year!!t Why not start your own used book store on line? you could use craigs list or ebay.
or I assume that you have room to store them all, right? You could start an in home business and open your "store" to the public once a month,week etc. Advertise online or w/ flyers, etc.
the money you make back will help fund a 50 book a month habit or if that is already in your budget could help fund musuem passes, etc
Another option-Have you tried talking to the local school or even daycare, youth center, etc? There might be teachers/caregivers who would love to buy used books.
Lastly you really don't "need" things like videos and other educational items. Sure they are nice to have/own but you could save a lot of money by going online. You have a computer (I assume unless you use public?). There are thousand of free videos on line, thousands of free math, science, geography, and other "educational" sites too.
It might take a lot of work and resources but you can still educate a child w/o going completly broke! |
Yes, 50+ a week {I actually bought 130 last week at my thrift - a pre-school had donated their entire library!}. I already buy 95% used from thrift shops and the library book sales - the only new I buy is with gift cards from Amazon, and only if DD requests that particular book and I haven't been able to find it locally used. Dd can easily read 50 a week, and I was the same as a kid. I expect it to only get worse as she gets older. I used to bring home 150 a week when I was a kid.
I tried selling kids books online, but all the rules & laws regarding selling kids items {even used}, it just was too much hassle and I was losing money. I do sell some in my yard sales {see above reply} but not much - maybe 20% of them I manage to sell.
Videos buy me sanity and alone time - DD is VERY visual, and videos work well for teaching her concepts. She also uses them to learn proper behavior {we strongly suspect her to have asperger's - almost everyone in our family does}. I work from home and am a single mom, so every bit of alone time is precious. We have one computer that I use to work from home, so her watching videos on it is out most of the time. I do plan to get her a pc eventually.
On museum memberships, while it's not free, getting a membership to the 
) We also get in free to most museums when we vacation. My boys are eagerly anticipating our trip next month to the natural history museum.
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