Hi there! DH and I are already discussing educational options for our baby girl and agree that the current public school system is not for us. The topic of homeschooling has just come up as our neice has been pulled out of kindergarten by a frustrated SIL b/c neice already knows way more than they are teaching, SIL feels the expectations are way too low, and so it's a waste of time. I decided to check this forum to learn what I can about home- and unschooling. I admit to never knowing anybody who was homeschooled and I'm very ignorant about it. I've read some great stuff here today, particularly the long unschooling thread, but some of my thoughts are this:
First, am I up to this? I'm lazy by nature!! But then I also thought I'd be too lazy to be a SAHM with a baby (too boring and unstimulating, I thought, ha ha) and now of course I love it and take such intersest in everything she does. So homeschooling doesn't seem like such a stretch anymore. I even have a PhD and yet find myself wondering if I'm worthy - you know, like do *I* know enough to prepare my child for the world? Am I worthy of taking on this responsibility? Do any of you feel this and how do you struggle with this?
Also, what about your own hobbies/interests? I departed from my passion for riding (horses) to be a mom. I have no regrets, but also feel that my dedication to being a SAHM is in part due to the expectation that when the "kids are in school" I can get back into my riding (I was training and competing and miss it alot sometimes). We all say "this too shall pass", but the idea of homeschooling makes me worry that it will never pass, IYKWIM. If I devote myself to homeschooling, can I kiss that dream goodbye?
I also come from a very academically-driven family and while I loved learning and it was never pressured on me, I know that I have my own issues regarding the importance of intelligence and academic success as they relate to self-worth. DH and I excelled at school, read from a very early age, and so on and we both worry that we have unrealistic expectations already and what do we do if DD is a late reader, etc? I'm wondering if I can get past this, and also ease my fears that I'm setting DD up to never get into University. Can anybody help to ease these fears of mine?
I guess I'll start with these questions, though I have tons more. TIA!!
First, am I up to this? I'm lazy by nature!! But then I also thought I'd be too lazy to be a SAHM with a baby (too boring and unstimulating, I thought, ha ha) and now of course I love it and take such intersest in everything she does. So homeschooling doesn't seem like such a stretch anymore. I even have a PhD and yet find myself wondering if I'm worthy - you know, like do *I* know enough to prepare my child for the world? Am I worthy of taking on this responsibility? Do any of you feel this and how do you struggle with this?
Also, what about your own hobbies/interests? I departed from my passion for riding (horses) to be a mom. I have no regrets, but also feel that my dedication to being a SAHM is in part due to the expectation that when the "kids are in school" I can get back into my riding (I was training and competing and miss it alot sometimes). We all say "this too shall pass", but the idea of homeschooling makes me worry that it will never pass, IYKWIM. If I devote myself to homeschooling, can I kiss that dream goodbye?
I also come from a very academically-driven family and while I loved learning and it was never pressured on me, I know that I have my own issues regarding the importance of intelligence and academic success as they relate to self-worth. DH and I excelled at school, read from a very early age, and so on and we both worry that we have unrealistic expectations already and what do we do if DD is a late reader, etc? I'm wondering if I can get past this, and also ease my fears that I'm setting DD up to never get into University. Can anybody help to ease these fears of mine?
I guess I'll start with these questions, though I have tons more. TIA!!