I find I am having a hard time making the final "jump" into full time homeschooling, mainly because it is such a dramatic paradigm shift in my way of thinking about education.
That said, I have read (and read, and read, and read) about homeschooling...and the *idea* of it (as well as the specifics) is compelling. I have no issues with wondering about 'socialization' or my kids getting a decent education, or any of the usual objections. I am a professor, and see the (unfortunate) results of mainstream education all the time: not pretty, generally speaking.
We are already homeschooling for our religious curriculum (which is actually rigorous, consisting of language immersion, textual study, and history studies). My older children are in a public Montessori charter school, but it has become increasingly obvious that this will be untenable in short order -- my oldest daughter, although in 4th grade, is actually over a year younger than some of the other 4th graders (discrepancy in state 'cut-off deadlines' from our inter-state move); next year she would be in the middle school and in a 5th/6th classroom. A 9 year old in a class with 12 year olds is not a good idea, for a lot of reasons, and especially for our family it is unacceptable.
So...to homeschooling we will go. Although I may pull my 6 year out before the end of this school year (she wants to school at home very much), the 9 year old will likely stay until this academic year is completed (she loves the school).
I have the curriculum/general guide already underway (although some of the specific choices elude me, but that's another post).
I am just having so much difficulty breaking out of the 'school is normal' paradigm and it is hindering my ability to commit fully.
Sigh...I guess I'm just looking for a pep talk.
That said, I have read (and read, and read, and read) about homeschooling...and the *idea* of it (as well as the specifics) is compelling. I have no issues with wondering about 'socialization' or my kids getting a decent education, or any of the usual objections. I am a professor, and see the (unfortunate) results of mainstream education all the time: not pretty, generally speaking.
We are already homeschooling for our religious curriculum (which is actually rigorous, consisting of language immersion, textual study, and history studies). My older children are in a public Montessori charter school, but it has become increasingly obvious that this will be untenable in short order -- my oldest daughter, although in 4th grade, is actually over a year younger than some of the other 4th graders (discrepancy in state 'cut-off deadlines' from our inter-state move); next year she would be in the middle school and in a 5th/6th classroom. A 9 year old in a class with 12 year olds is not a good idea, for a lot of reasons, and especially for our family it is unacceptable.
So...to homeschooling we will go. Although I may pull my 6 year out before the end of this school year (she wants to school at home very much), the 9 year old will likely stay until this academic year is completed (she loves the school).
I have the curriculum/general guide already underway (although some of the specific choices elude me, but that's another post).
I am just having so much difficulty breaking out of the 'school is normal' paradigm and it is hindering my ability to commit fully.
Sigh...I guess I'm just looking for a pep talk.
