Isn't it interesting...?

[Nickarolaberry]

Hi Mamas!

I posted a couple months ago that I am a homeschooling failure. With the birth of a new baby, a very needy 2 year old, and trying to sell our house, I just could not provide what my 5 year old daughter needs. She's really active, really social, and wants to be doing "schoolwork" constantly. After a couple weeks really at odds I ended up putting her back in school.

Our circumstances haven't changed much but things have calmed down a bit. We are still trying to sell our house, and the 2 year old is still very needy. Dd1 is pretty happy at kindergarten (private religious school, on scholarship) but complains it's "Too Long". (day is9-2:30).

On our horizon is a move, and then another school decision. Interestingly though, even though she's in school right now, I still feel philosophically committed to homeschooling. Especially because my choice next year is either a private religious school where the day is 8:30-4 (!) for FIRST GRADE or public school, which I have my doubts about on a whole lot of levels.

So I guess what I find interesting is that when I come to the education forums, I go straight to the homeschooling one. I feel like I'm going to be a homeschooler. Just not right now.

Weird, right? I'm not even homeschooling right now! (well, at least not my 5 year old...)

[zonapellucida]

I Just want to say good luck in your endeavors! If you feel like you are going to be a homeschooler then you will be

[phathui5]

Wow. 8:30 to 4 does seem really long for a first grader.

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by My3Kids'Mama

She's really active, really social, and wants to be doing "schoolwork" constantly. After a couple weeks really at odds I ended up putting her back in school.

I have to wonder it she really means "schoolwork" so much as activities beyond those she thinks up. There are some people who are like that their whole lives - "active." I've never been one of them, so I didn't even used to realize that when people refer to themselves as "active," they often literally mean that they're always on their feet doing something. Sounds like your daughter's idea of activity might involve using her intellect and imagination constantly too. A real advantage of that is that she'll be able to teach herself so easily - a perfect candidate for unschooling, in that all you'll need to do is provide books and materials, films, ideas, resources, software, conversation and support, rather than feeling you need to plan lessons and all that...

If you should homeschool again, I wonder if she'd be happy with lots of those big discount store workbooks to fill in between freeplay, crafts, and other ongoing activities you'll eventually be able to get into. Maybe she'd be happy, too, with helping you read and measure recipes, doing grocery store math with you, and all that kind of everday thing. Maybe you could get someone to teach her to knit a little bit - something she can do alongside the things you're doing with your other little ones. And there are those cool computer reading programs - Starfall and Study Dog.

Being social, she would probably need to have frequent playmates. Lots of homeschoolers are able to find playmates for multiple members of their families through homeschooling support groups. If you create playdays, craft days, holiday celebrations, special interest groups, little field trips, etc., lots of others will be delighted to come with their children and contribute in small ways - and some will even be delighted to contribute in larger ways ...

Well, whatever - I'm sure you're going to be keeping on top of your alternatives as you go. Best of luck with whatever you end up doing. Lillian

[Nickarolaberry]

Originally Posted by Lillian J

I have to wonder it she really means "schoolwork" so much as activities beyond those she thinks up. There are some people who are like that their whole lives - "active." I've never been one of them, so I didn't even used to realize that when people refer to themselves as "active," they often literally mean that they're always on their feet doing something. Sounds like your daughter's idea of activity might involve using her intellect and imagination constantly too. A real advantage of that is that she'll be able to teach herself so easily - a perfect candidate for unschooling, in that all you'll need to do is provide books and materials, films, ideas, resources, software, conversation and support, rather than feeling you need to plan lessons and all that...

If you should homeschool again, I wonder if she'd be happy with lots of those big discount store workbooks to fill in between freeplay, crafts, and other ongoing activities you'll eventually be able to get into. Maybe she'd be happy, too, with helping you read and measure recipes, doing grocery store math with you, and all that kind of everday thing. Maybe you could get someone to teach her to knit a little bit - something she can do alongside the things you're doing with your other little ones. And there are those cool computer reading programs - Starfall and Study Dog.

Being social, she would probably need to have frequent playmates. Lots of homeschoolers are able to find playmates for multiple members of their families through homeschooling support groups. If you create playdays, craft days, holiday celebrations, special interest groups, little field trips, etc., lots of others will be delighted to come with their children and contribute in small ways - and some will even be delighted to contribute in larger ways ...

Well, whatever - I'm sure you're going to be keeping on top of your alternatives as you go. Best of luck with whatever you end up doing. Lillian

YES YES YES! I am exactly like that -- active, always need to be doing "something." I have a very hard time just sitting down, unless I'm reading.

I agree with your workbook/activity book assessment. She LOVES those. There is a great homeschool group in the area where we're planning to move to (not one here, unfortunately) so that will help in the social arena.
Thank you for this post, it really clarifies things and puts them in perspective. Also makes me feel like I can really think about doing this without failing again!

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by My3Kids'Mama

YES YES YES! I am exactly like that -- active, always need to be doing "something." I have a very hard time just sitting down, unless I'm reading.

I agree with your workbook/activity book assessment. She LOVES those. There is a great homeschool group in the area where we're planning to move to (not one here, unfortunately) so that will help in the social arena.
Thank you for this post, it really clarifies things and puts them in perspective. Also makes me feel like I can really think about doing this without failing again!

Wow! And that makes more sense out of why you still have the energy to be thinking about all this with a new baby and a needy 2 yr. old! I couldn't even imagine ... Lillian