New Here!!

Nicola - posted on 07/27/2009

we pulled our 13yr old out in june as a temp thing due to been builled and no-one doing anyhting it got to the stage where no matter what happend she was punished so we had no other altrenative.
we then pulled our 9 yr old out in july as the kids broke up for the summer, our 9 yr old is staying at home but our 13yr old is going back to a new school where she as friends
who will suport her.

Elizabeth - posted on 05/14/2009

Not all families are the same. My inlaws have been praying we would change our minds TO homeschooling! They did for their kids and think it's the only way. My parents sent me to school but my mom was very relieved when I told her our oldest would not be going to school this year. She said she knew that meant she would get to stay the same sweet girl for longer. That was one thing that really pushed me towards homeschooling, just protecting who my kids are and not pushing them to be more than that or something different. So, we have had a fairly good response from family. I haven't really told anyone at work yet, we'll see how that goes...... Good luck!!!

Emily - posted on 05/02/2009

Ha! I totally understand what you mean Stacey. We have three also... all girls though, and we just found out that we're expecting twin boys. My oldest will be 4 the end of this month, and the twins are due mid-September... so for 9 months I'll have 5 kids under 5!

I have never been a fan of preschool though, so even if I didn't choose to homeschool, I'd still have 5 kids at home with me for a full year before my oldest can go to Kindergarten, so I figure I might as well try to teach some stuff. :)

I definitely need some better management skills, and some better motivation (it's really hard while pregnant)... though, we're actually moving to a smaller house, which I'm excited for because I'll have one less bathroom to clean, and less floor space to vacuum, etc... basically easier maintenance. :)

Stacey - posted on 05/02/2009

Hi everyone. I'm so new to this that I haven't totally decided yet. (Trying to order my defence so I can completely turn my husband to this as I refuse to do this on my own). I have a 4yo in kinda at the local primary, a 2 1/2yo, a 1 yo (all boys) and one on the way (apparently not a boy). Home schooling would suit us best just because of the family dynamics and just the fact that the school that my son does attend has quite a few challenging kids, (a parent stopped me and was surprised that my son knew all his colours, number and the alphabet, as well a being very well behaved and well spoken). I have nothing against the schooling system other than it is not developed to suit every child (which it couldn't be) but I have this intense feeling that home schooling is the best decision for all of my kids. I feel excited about this and extremely enthusiastic but very apprehensive in regards to managing so many children of a young age, (4 under 5 for a while). I am in need of some good management skills (and possibly a bigger house).

Corri - posted on 04/22/2009

Quoting Jessica:

We are homeschooling our 5 y.o. in the fall.  I also will have a 3 y.o. and newborn!  When we have told our family about our decision to home school we have received such missed reactions.  Most of them quiet or a little negative.  How do others handle these responses from your families?  I have a hard time not being defensive about it and know a lot of it is just from not knowing enough about homeschooling or having biased opinions from their perceptions. 

Any Advice?

thanks - Jessica

I would just calmly explain your reasoning behind your choice, and if they still want to be negative, then just ignore it. I have had more then a few people tell me it is the worst thing I could do for my kids, and I just explain that I disagree with so many of the things they are required to learn in public school (Obama passed a law saying kindergarteners will start learning sex ed to some degree), as well as the fact that I know my kids would not get the attention they need. The ones who are still negative I just tell they are welcome to their opinion, but that it is not going to change my mind, so please stop being nagative to me. Hope it helps!

Corri - posted on 04/22/2009

Quoting Jessica:

We are homeschooling our 5 y.o. in the fall.  I also will have a 3 y.o. and newborn!  When we have told our family about our decision to home school we have received such missed reactions.  Most of them quiet or a little negative.  How do others handle these responses from your families?  I have a hard time not being defensive about it and know a lot of it is just from not knowing enough about homeschooling or having biased opinions from their perceptions. 

Any Advice?

thanks - Jessica

I would just calmly explain your reasoning behind your choice, and if they still want to be negative, then just ignore it. I have had more then a few people tell me it is the worst thing I could do for my kids, and I just explain that I disagree with so many of the things they are required to learn in public school (Obama passed a law saying kindergarteners will start learning sex ed to some degree), as well as the fact that I know my kids would not get the attention they need. The ones who are still negative I just tell they are welcome to their opinion, but that it is not going to change my mind, so please stop being nagative to me. Hope it helps!

Jade - posted on 04/15/2009

Hi! I have three kids, two girls and one boy. They are ten in two weeks, seven, and six next week. I had planned on homeschooling them starting next year but then we moved to a smaller town during the school year so we started in the beginning of March. It has been a little rough since they are so used to school. My oldest daughter really misses her friends but she wanted to be homeschooled. My son really struggled and got behind in kindergarten so this has really helped him. We go day by day. They do some workbook stuff from books we bought at a school supply store. We read and play educational games. The internet has really helped them learn some of the things that they really don't enjoy making it more fun. They help go grocery shopping and cook. We spend our day learning about making good decisions, about working together and helping others and cleaning up our own messes!

User - posted on 02/18/2009

http://homeschooling.about.com/cs/faqs/a...

Great link for tips!

User - posted on 02/18/2009

http://homeschooling.about.com/cs/faqs/a...

Great link for tips!

Susan - posted on 02/08/2009

I am new too! I have a 5 yr old daughter and 3 yr old daughter. I also have gotten mixed reactions about homeschooling even from my husband who has agreed to give it a try. I purchased a used pre-k curriculum from Sonlight to give it a try and see if I could stay on a schedule. I started in July so that I could be almost done when my third child arrives in March. So far it is going well! I also have some rough moments but it is usually with my 3 yr old. My 5 yr old loves the stories (most of them!) It is all reading and I have purchased some fun pre-K workbooks at Walmart. I am going to use the same curriculum next year but add to it and hopefully get my 3yr old involved. Right now she just wants to intrerupt our reading time even though we ask her to join us! They are just completely different children! :) I am hoping the new baby will be easy going and that homeschooling will go well for the next year! As for advice on negative reactions...I feel like I am doing what is right for my children. I don't trust that all of the school teachers out there are safe or the schools. I would rather my child be in a safe and loving environment and know what they are learning. I like that they will have the one on one encouragement they will need in areas that are difficult for them to learn whether it be reading or math or whatever. I tend not to bring it up to certain people I know that have negative opinions about it and discuss it with the ones who are supportive. Keep your chin up Linda! It takes time to discover what will work and what won't. I think the first couple years are going to be trial and error trying figure out what will work best for us and our children. I still don't know what will work out best for us but so far I am enjoying this precious time with my children. I wish you all the best!

Jessica - posted on 02/06/2009

We are homeschooling our 5 y.o. in the fall.  I also will have a 3 y.o. and newborn!  When we have told our family about our decision to home school we have received such missed reactions.  Most of them quiet or a little negative.  How do others handle these responses from your families?  I have a hard time not being defensive about it and know a lot of it is just from not knowing enough about homeschooling or having biased opinions from their perceptions. 

Any Advice?

thanks - Jessica

Jennifer - posted on 01/02/2009

Hi there, Im going to be homeschooling my 6 year old son as from 5th of January, I pulled him out of school as no1 he hated it and no2 he just didnt seem to be learning anything as does not concentrate with noise and people around. If anyone has any advice please let me know. Im in the uk. Im extremelt nervous about this but also very excited as i know it is the best thing for my lad. thanks Jenni

Jenni - posted on 12/19/2008

Hey Y'all...My Brett (4) is asking to go back to Pre-school with his friends. When I ask him if he likes school at home he always says yes, but that he misses his friends every day. We just have to talk about it and remind him that he sees friends at playdates, our MOPs group, and at church. We are not yet trying to get involved in any local co-op programs. I think i might try to pake a picture calendar with him showing dates where he sees his friends. I want to laminate pictures of his friends and symbols for MOPs and Church and put them on the fridge with magnets... That way he can see how much he really is with his friends.

Daven - posted on 12/19/2008

i started homeschoolin my daughter (6) this summer after a bad year in pre k last year. she came home knowing less than when i sent her! we are having to redo pre k and just now getting going on kindergarten...we're using the hooked on phonics program (they have an entire curriculum for up to 1st grade) she really loves it, but sometimes says she is sad because she doesn't have alot of friends. i have pointed out to her that last year she didn't have alot of friends either because those kids were mean and that she really does have quite a few good friends. i think it is just hard for her to be different and have to deal with me everyday all day! poor kid! we are pushing through though cause i know that this is what is best for her! i'm sure you wouldn't be doing it if you didn't that too!

Emily - posted on 12/17/2008

Hi! I'm also new here. I have three girls (3 1/2, 2 1/2, and 11 months) and we're planning to homeschool for a couple years at least. Right now we're trying to get into a preschool at home routine. Not super scheduled, just some good deliberate learning opportunities every day. :)