Homeschooling?

Carla - posted on 10/05/2012

Just an fyi, ladies. There's a report button to the right of each post. I would strongly suggest we use it. Whoever posted as Carla (1) isn't me, and (2) is offensive. I have reported her/him, and I strongly urge we report all these posters who are too immature to be on our community in the first place.



God bless, all

Candyce - posted on 10/01/2012

People said that about my son constantly from 2-5. He's VERY bright, has an incredible vocabulary, but he does still have a slight "baby accent" and will often only speak in monosyllables if he isn't interested in the other person. I say go on and homeschool your child. He'll probably learn better from you, especially at this age. And he'll be more comfortable exploring new things without the added pressure of a teacher who thinks he's behind.

MaryEllen - posted on 08/01/2010

I started homeschooling in January of 1993. After 2 breaks this year will be the start of our 11th year.

For the younger grades, you really don't need to spend a lot of money. Many of your needs can be found on-line -- for free!
Look at "Letter of the Week" for free ideas. (I think she asks a lot of her kids and only did a few of her suggested weekly activities.) Also, check out the Yahoo group EEaH (Early Education at Home)

Another great place for info and support are the discussion forums at www.theSwap.com.

Good luck!

Tonya - posted on 08/01/2010

My son is 4 and starting kindergarten this year. My husband and I decided it's best to homeschool him because the elementary school in our district is not a very good school. A friend of mine live in the area and warned us not to send our child there due to bullying and other things. (I was bullied as a child so I know the effects it causes)This will be my 1st experience as his teacher, but I'm excited and also relieved that he's in a safe environment.

Deanna - posted on 07/30/2010

I am homeschooling 3 girls at home. I love it and yes it can be stressful but I think the rewards far outweighs the few stress issues.

Ginger - posted on 07/30/2010

Hi I think it´s great that you are going to homeschool your kids. I started homeschooling my kids 2 years ago and don´t have any regrets. I have a 6 year old 5 year old and a 3 year old who will be starting preschool with me this year. I currently live in Mexico and use a system from the U.S. called School of Tomorrow they are in almost every country. it is Christian based educations and along with teaching your child important skills it also teaches Christian Character. If you are interested they have a web site its www.schooloftomorrow.com. I definately agree that the most important part of homeschooling is sticking to a strict schedule because being at home it´s far to easy to be distracted with the everyday stuff. Good luck!

Cara - posted on 07/28/2010

Congratulations!
We have been homeschooling for about 7 years now. My girls are 12 & 14, and one thing I get complimented on is their ability to hold a conversation with someone of any age.
There are so many types of homeschooling, from 'school at home' to no textbooks, no curriculum, and no schedule. All types have their successes, and their failures.
Find a homeschool group near you, and talk to lots of moms :)
Everyone will have their opinion on the 'right' way to do it. lol
I am happy to answer any questions that I can :)

Carla - posted on 07/28/2010

Melissa, just saw a great website k12.com/teach. They have free homeschooling, tuition-based private schooling, special needs or gifted courses. Thought you might want to check it out!

Shelley - posted on 07/18/2010

Hi Melissa I live in Australia and have a lot of friends who home school and find it really effective mine are 1 and 3 so a little young for homeschooling yet. I know that some of the private christian schools run alongside their programs, you can buy their curriculum and then if you want you can send them to school like 1 day a week to learn for example science with a class if you feel uncomfortable teaching science this is just an option you don't have to do this also they can take your childs assignments and exams and grade them along side a class ect and you get an idea of how your child is going. some mums like this others prefer to do it on their own. I think its a good idea to get your child involved in something during the week like a sporting activity drama group ect so that they get used to socialising. I was just wondering why you would put your 14 month old into childcare? wouldn't homeschooling give you the freedom to look after them both.

Tammy - posted on 07/17/2010

HI I'M TAMMY AND I HAVE THREE KIDS... AGES 1, 3 AND, 7. THIS NEXT YR WILL BE OUR THIRD YR OF HOMESCHOOLING! MY DAUGHTER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH PUBLIC SCHOOL.. HER BIRTHDAY WAS 6 DAYS AFTER THE CUT OFF FOR PRE-K SO I ENROLLED HER IN GEORGIA CYBER ACADEMY FORMERLY GVA! I LOVE THE FREEDOM IT GIVES OUR FAMILY...NOT TO MENTION THE ONE ON ONE WITH MY CHILDS' LEARNING! I WISH YOU WELL IN YOUR HOMESCHOOLING ADVENTURES... MY ADVICE STICK TO IT AND HAVE FUN WATCHING YOUR CHILDREN BLOSSOM BEFORE YOUR VERY EYES!

Sharon - posted on 07/15/2010

Hi, Melissa, I'm a home-school retired Mom. :-) My oldest is 31 and now teaching her 4 children. I have 2 boys - the youngest is 20 and graduated high school in 2008. When he graduated, I retired!
All of my children have attended college. My oldest received a full scholarship to a recognized small private college. She kept her scholarship and graduated. My youngest in now in college.
I agree with above comments that you need to have a support group of other families. We were also registered with a covering school so that I had to keep up with records. The school was already established, so the diplomas from there were accepted by colleges. I picked the curriculum that worked best for us.
I thoroughly enjoyed our schooling, but I will confess that there were days I thought longingly of a few days all by myself. Then I thought about the attitudes, redundant homework, and waste of time and decided that what I was doing was right.
I taught public school for a few years before I had my kids, so I knew that I preferred another atmosphere for them. We are Christians, and it bothered me that I could not even answer questions my students asked me about my faith. My faith determines every part of my life. I felt it was important to teach my children a world view based upon our faith in God. That doesn't mean that we ignored science or anything else; we learned the different theories and their strengths and weaknesses.
I LOVED the time I spent with my kids and the relationships I have with them now. It was worth all the time and effort.

Stephanie - posted on 07/14/2010

I'm right there with you. I'll be starting with my oldest this year for pre-school. Should be interesting :) Good luck to you!

Chrissy - posted on 07/11/2010

Dear Melissa,
I am a 42 year old mother of 7. My 2 oldest were in public school for some time. I later homeschooled them and they are both now graduates. I have 3 that I currently homeschool and 2 more on the way to homeschooling!
I encourage you to homeschool. I think it is wonderful! I was scared at first and didn't think I could do it and got alot of negative responses from people but in the end it is worth it all. You are in control of what your child learns, what they see, what they do, and how they act. They are molded by what they see in the home.
My oldest son was kept in IEP classes and made to feel like a dummy. at every meeting with his teacher they kept saying he still can't catch up with the rest of the kids. When I took both him and his sister out they tested alot lower than their grade level. But after homeschooling only a short while my daughter was up to grade level. It took my son a little longer but I truly believe if he had been homeschooled it wouldn't have taken him until age 12 to learn to read well.
I have a 7th grader, a 5th grader, and a 2nd grader and they do well in every thing I teach them so far because I can spend the time to teach them until they really know it and not go on to another subject until they do. In public schools all the children are expected to know everything the same as the other kids. Not all kids learn at the same pace. Each of mine have been different.
Also your little one if he/she is around while you are homeschooling the older one(they love to be like big bro/sis) they learn so much when you go to homeshool that one someday you will be amazed what they know just from seeing and hearing(even when you think they were not paying attention) My youngest ones know things I never sat down and taught them. It is a real blessing! I am very passionate about homeschooling and doing it God's way. Most of my curriculum is christian based. They get a little of God in everything! It makes all the difference! I hope I have helped you in some small way. take care

Jordan - posted on 07/08/2010

I was homeschooled (my mom pulledme out of the public system for better education) and will be homeschooling our children. It is the experience that you make it. So make it a good one!

I would recommend that you put your child in other activities as well as his academics at home so that he can learn social, communication, leadership, and many other valuable skills as he grows! If you have any questions feel free to message me. Be Blessed!

Natasha - posted on 07/06/2010

my mom homeschooled me and my three other siblings. after I graduated I taught my siblings. now that Iam a mom ( son 9 months) Iam thinking of homeschooling! I loved it only because I learned more at home than I ever did at a public or christian school. my mom found some very creative and fun ways to make school fun!!! everyday was a school day!! it does take a lot of dedication, but soon you will find that you yourself will be learning new stuff along with your child! all so your youngest will learn early too! my little sister was reading and doing simple math at 3 years old!! she ended up skipping two grades later on and graduated college last year top of her class!! so dont be afraid to include your youngest either! good luck!!

Kimberly - posted on 07/04/2010

I've been homeschooling over 10 years. My advice to you is to be accountable to another group. It is easy to get slack in the actual work. Keep yourself & your kids connected. Get involved in a local group that you fit it with well. Take this time to explore your child's gifts & hobbies. Have structure but have fun! I love being with my kids, & they will always be close!

Jeanette - posted on 07/03/2010

Hi Melissa, Congratulations on deciding to homeschool your kids. It may take a fair amount of effort starting up and getting used to your routine, but it is definately well worth it!! I started homeschooling my 2 kids this year (year 4 and prep) and it is going great so far. We are in Qld and have connected into a wonderful homeschooling group for support and my kids have made new friendships. We have opportunity to do swimming lessons, choir, basketball, excursions, cross country, athletics and sports carnivals throughout the year with the group to name a few. Check out online to see if you have a group near you too. We are homeschooling by distance education and are registered with christian school. There are many options available to suit your personal needs. Message me if you want to know more. Bye for now, J

Tara - posted on 07/03/2010

We are starting home schooling (kindergarten) in August through a virtual school. I live in the U.S. so I don't know if Australia has anything like what is provided here. Everything is done through the internet. Our reason for home schooling is because we feel he will get a better education. The virtual school also provides outings a few times a month that we can get together with other home schooled kids so that they get the social aspect of school.

SHIRLEY - posted on 07/03/2010

Home schooling is great,,, as long as you keep them on a schedule and not be slack about letting them not do their work. Ass far as learning... I personal feel they get a better education at home, because you can give them the one on one, as with public schooling it is about 2o to 26 to one. My grandson went to preschool because he needed the social skills. He would not have anything to with anyone but me, my husband, his mom dad and sister. They did teach him how to play with other kids, but as far as learning nothing more than what he already knew.

Carla - posted on 07/01/2010

Hi, sweetie! So glad you are taking on the responsibility to home school your son. My grandchildren are in Christian school and the next batch will be in charter school. Public schools are becoming breeding grounds for global communities, the re-invented history of the world and unsound science.

I would recommend you network with local moms who are homeschooling for interaction. The biggest drawback there is to homeschooling is no other peers. In America the homeschoolers can be on the school athletic teams, or if there are enough grouped together, can play as teams against the schools.

God bless your efforts, sweetie, you will not go unrewarded.