Homeschooling!

Angela - posted on 12/30/2011

It's practically unheard of in the UK. If you want to educate your children yourself at home, you have to be assessed by Education Board Inspectors, show that you’re giving your children a National Curriculum education of equivalent standard to others their age in the school system. And what about when they reach the age of 16 when others their age are doing their General Certificates of Secondary Education? Can you guarantee you can even teach ONE subject to GCSE level (and get the child successfully through the exams & assessments? Never mind around 9 or 10 subjects!



All this and free state education is still paid for by your taxes – there is no reduction in tax for those who “opt out” of State education for their own kids. They still have to pay their taxes!



Of course, you won’t have to pay for a School uniform – but then again, if your children are entitled to free school meals, they can’t get them when they’re home-educated!



There are some advantages for the children though in “home-schooling”. They are spared the petty politics of school life which has got to be a huge plus.



Frankly, if my youngest son (who’s 24) was going for a job interview where the other candidates had all been “home-schooled” I’d be jumping for joy! He’d be sure to secure employment!! So with that in mind, I’d say home-schooling is a good thing – for MY kids who were schooled in the normal UK school system in a competitive job market!

Bernadette - posted on 12/29/2011

I homeschool my sons ages 9 and 6 and babysit sometimes, blog, and starting up my own chemical free/ eco-friendly home cleaning products. It is not easy but in this day and age what is:). What keeps me motivated is all the resources we as parent/educators can pull from in order to keep our kids learning in an engaged and really fun way. I take it one day at a time depending on the boys moods but at the end of he day I feel content and so do they and it is truly a blessing to have the option to homeschool

Stephany - posted on 08/30/2009

Im a homeschool mom as well. 4 kiddos 13-boy, 11-girl, 9-boy, 6-boy. I love it. We are in louisville Ky anyone else?

Krista - posted on 08/30/2009

I have 5 children and I am taking up the joy of homeschooling again after my school aged children spent 3 years in a private school. The LORD has convicted me of my responsibility to teach my children. I am very excited for me and my kids :) 13, 11, 10, 9 and 3 1/2....it'll be a blast!

Kimberly - posted on 08/29/2009

I homeschool also. I have two boys 9 and 12. I have been doing it for 6 years now and love it. I would not have it any other way. It is very amazing that you can watch other children and do it. My boys had a sitter that home schooled her 3 children and ran a home daycare. She is amazing. She just had all of the children doing things. Each and every child there learned something everyday that had them doing well when it was time for school. My youngest learned to write his name so that when he did go to school one year, he was the only one that could do a good job at it.
They have some good books for children that aren't yet school aged on www.rainbowresources.com. Children are schooled from the time they are born really, cause we are teaching them something all of the time.
Good luck with all that you delve into. What a great mom you are.

Joanna - posted on 08/28/2009

Yup Darcel... sad, but true!

Darcel - posted on 08/26/2009

Quoting Joanna:

 ... my husband and I are both very shocked and horrified at what has happened with the Public school system here in CA.

Funny but true! CA is in such dispair!

Trina - posted on 08/26/2009

Years of public school teaching made it easier. :) And, God gifts each of us differently!

Rebekka - posted on 08/26/2009

I also homeschool my 4 children Grades 6,5, 1 and a pre schooler. I am in awe of you being able to watch other kids at the same time. I watched my brothers child for 3 years (after school), but quit when I started homeschooling my own - I still feel so awful that I made that decision, but we all have our limitations! You must be a saint!

Joanna - posted on 08/25/2009

I have 2 boys (too young to start school yet) - but my husband and I are both very shocked and horrified at what has happened with the Public school system here in CA. I myself have gone through Homeschool, Private Christian School and Public School all throughout my upbringing and by far Homeschool was the best. We have decided that's the route we'll be taking - any suggestions for curriculum or lesson plans?

Trina - posted on 08/24/2009

Satan loves to divide! As Christian mom's who fear the Lord and love our children - the best we can do is to follow the Lord's leading for our families. The best place to be is in His will. I love our homeschooling lifestyle. (Being a teacher by profession, I teach other children as well so, it's a bit different than some homeschoolers.) But, each of us is called to do what is best for our family! Isn't God great to allow such variety?

Tam - posted on 08/24/2009

Natalie, I just wanted to say thanks for your kind words. (And you too, Heather!) All too often, those who don't homeschool are not kind or generous, but think it might be that whole "fear anything different" aspect of our flesh. It's not for everyone, that's for sure, but it's been a big blessing.

Natalie - posted on 08/23/2009

I don't homeschool my girls. I think that you are doing a wonderful thing for your children, just make sure you keep them involved with other children their ages and you will do wonderful !!!

Lora - posted on 08/22/2009

This is my second year of homeschooling my son. He is in the 7th grade this year. I am so glad that we made this decision. This was the best option for us! He is doing great. My two grandsons also live with us. At times it can be challenging with a 4 yr old grandson running around. I like the flexibility that we have. We are using Accelerated Christian Education...School of Tomorrow! We love it!

Cheryl - posted on 08/22/2009

Quoting Heather:

There are several home school groups on Circle of moms, even one for Christian Home schoolers. If you go to the join community page, search for homeschool and it should pull them up.

Thanks for the info, Heather!

Heather - posted on 08/22/2009

There are several home school groups on Circle of moms, even one for Christian Home schoolers. If you go to the join community page, search for homeschool and it should pull them up.

Cheryl - posted on 08/22/2009

I used to be the mom who stood on the front porch the 1st day of school and called after the children, "Goodbye, see ya next summer!" I didn't have a clue what I was missing out on, but my focus obviously wasn't there nor did we know anyone else who homeschooled. Praise the Lord He intervened in our lives in 1997! We've been homeschooling for 11 years now and I can't imagine ever sending my children away again. We've graduated one thus far and this year will be schooling ages 17, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, plus are expecting baby #10 any day (we have a 25 yr old and 20 yr old as well). This yr we are doing the Little House Primer. Anyone here experience with this curriculum? I agree...we do need a group for homeschoolers!

Trina - posted on 08/22/2009

Hi, I'm a public school teacher turned homeschooler. I have 4 children. Two by birth and two by adoption. I've homeschooled for about 15 years, now! Wow. It has been a great educational adventure. I've learned soooo much over the years. I love the lifestyle that it has turned out to be for our family.

Samantha - posted on 01/14/2009

Hey Rachel. well first off if you go to church your kids will find plenty of friends, and look for a homeschool group in your area that you could get involved with!

We use Abeka, but when i was homeschooled I used ACE in high school. Those are packets and would be my next choice to use if I wasnt using abeka. There is also Alpa Omega, and that is packets also. I like the idea of packets, I know when I was in school, i really liked packets, it helped me to feel so overwhelmed!

hope that helps!

Rachel - posted on 01/13/2009

I homeschooled last year for the first time and think eveything really went well. We moved to alabama from virginia and thought it would be a good idea to stick them in school and to find some friends....Boy were we wrong!!! I have a teacher who is nitpicky or anal about handwriting. Anyway, won't bore with stories. I have 4 children in all but only 2 are in school or schoolaged! Thinking about using sonlight or pace's or k-12 online. We are Christian's but don't want our childern to learn about legalism or a certain denomination. So if you have ideas or cirriculum suggestion let me know

Samantha - posted on 11/15/2008

yeah, I found a couple

Juli - posted on 11/15/2008

There are at least a few homeschool circles in circle of moms- you have to search for them though...

Kimberly - posted on 11/14/2008

I'm also a mother of two. My son is 2 1/2 and my daughter a year. I'm planning on homeschooling. Planning on using Abeka at this point. Very excited to start.

Mandy - posted on 11/14/2008

I LOVE homeschooling. I have 2 boy's 8 and 2. I started homeschooling my 8yr old starting kindergarten. It is such a blessing to our family to be able to do this. I also use a christian curriculum and it is refreshing to be able to use the Bible in all courses.

Samantha - posted on 11/14/2008

if you stay at home with your kids and do things with them, you are homeschooling! they learn the most by everyday living, and at this age they just soak it all up!!!

Carrie - posted on 11/14/2008

we should definitely start one - i mean i currently 'dont' homechool but will be in 3 years ;) its always great to have a support group like this!

Samantha - posted on 11/14/2008

looked, but didnt see one. we should start one, I am looking into that! =)

Carrie - posted on 11/14/2008

is there a site in this 'circle of moms' that is for homeschooling?

Juli - posted on 11/14/2008

After 3 years and dissatisfaction with the public school experience, we were at the point where I wondered what my kids would be like in 10 years and didn't like the possibilities.

I didn't want to look back from 2008 and wish I had done something different or made better choices. I had my kids and I wanted the BEST for them. So we decided to home school our kids and did so for 6 wonderful years.

I really feel for teachers(God BLESS the teachers!), as I was a substitute teacher at the time- they do their very best, but school is mass education, and kids pick up a lot of negative behaviors and ideas from other kids. Any teacher would tell you she wishes she had more one-on-one time with students.



So we homeschooled from 2 - 7 grade for my son and 5 - 9th grade with my daughter, and they were extremely active in 4-H, church activities, raising chickens and goats on our farm, and more.

They got the Christian education I wanted for them, were able to progress at their own speed (we were extremely discilplined), and we got back the family time we had been missing. I loved home schooling them, and when I look back on the curriculum we used and talk with other homeschool moms I realize how much I miss teaching my kids. The years spent at home gave them a strong foundation for the future in more ways than one.

I think what was most important during this time was the cementing of our Biblical family values without the constant peer pressure eroding them.

Anyway, we knew that going back to school was always a possibility.

Three years ago my husband went back to school to finish his bachelor's and we needed money to live (money can be helpful that way :) LOL)so I found a position that stimulates and challenges me with Cooperative Extension .

So our daughter went back as a HS sophomore, and our son in 8th grade. It was a smooth transition. That being said, it was really clear that a large percentage of the girls from her 3rd & 4th grade class had changed a lot. I don't know WHAT happens to girls in public schools between grades 5 & 9, but something happens that isn't good.

In school, teen conversations revolved around whose divorced parent would be the parent who would help them obtain an abortion if they got pregnant from sleeping with the boyfriend du jour.

Lovely. Not what I wanbted her exposed to. But being homeschooled gave our kids the sense of self without worrying about what their peers thought of them, and the courage to find friends who shared their values.

Going back to school when they did gave them a chance to handle what the world throw at kids today while they were still at home to talk with us about their experiences and what they were hearing.

I've really enjoyed my career in Cooperative Extension since they went back to school, (I do in-school nutrition education programming, and adult nutrition programming as well) but still do feel very pulled in different directions.

Our daughter is a freshman at Liberty university now (where my husband graduated last May). She graduated 33rd in her class of 450 last spring + 20 college credits to her name.



Our son continues to do well, and with the political climate is seriously considering pre-law at Liberty, then Liberty Law school (80% of its first year graduates passed the bar on the first try- a percentage higher than Harvard Law school!) as God lays on his heart the deep need for Christian lawyers to champion the cause of Christ and to defend the rights of Christians.



What's husband doin with his degree? Youth pastor and pursuing his masters.



So for those who are thinking about homeschooling?

Go where the Lord leads you.

Now I can look back over the past 8 years and gratefully praise God for all his blessings. He blessed my children's education in spite of my many imperfections and failings.

He is faithful! He is Good. I've never regretted following Him when He led us to homeschool.

Samantha - posted on 11/14/2008

wow, I like meeting other homeschool moms! I was homeschooled all my life. and I love being with my kids, we school 2nd and 1st grade. it is very hard at time watching kids and homeschooling, but we manage, and hopefully I will only have to do it till the end of this school year, and I can stop!! =)

Carrie - posted on 11/14/2008

Hi - i am a mom of 2 boys Dominic will be 2 next week and Derek just turned 9 months. My husband was homeschooled and i went to a christian school. I will be homeschooling our boys when they are old enough. I have been looking into different curriculems and i believe i will go with Abeka Books through Pensacola Christian. Nice to meet you!

Charity - posted on 11/14/2008

Hi! I'm a mom of 4 girls (9, 7, 5, and 3) and 1 boy (10). I love homeschooling my kids (most of the time)! I'm amazed how quickly they learn and excited I'm part of that process!

Keely - posted on 11/14/2008

Good for yoU! i myself was homeschooled from kindergarten to the 11th grade and intend to homeschool my son when he is old enough!

Paulette - posted on 11/14/2008

I am a homeschooling mom also. Right now it is just my 5 year old in school (I have a 3 year old also). I am impressed that you can watch other kids and still get school done. There are times when I struggle to get school done with all of our other responsibilities. But, I love doing it and my daughter is doing great.