home school, Does anyone teach their own kids school???

Dawn - posted on 06/17/2012

I want to start home schooling my soon to be 7th grader. Middle school was such a rough start.
The elem.school he went to was great, but now he goes to a middle school where 4 other elem.schools are now going and the pressure and new friends he has me has had him make some bad decisions. He's always been an honor roll child, very smart, lots of friends - this last semester of school he really dropped in attitude and in grades and not making honor roll for the first time. I hate to blame other kids because he has his own choice and he said if he's home schooled he wont have any friends.
Do I give him one more chance to see how school goes or do I take him out and take charge.
Hard decision.

Krissy - posted on 08/25/2011

A friend of mine where we used to live is a single mom, and she home schools her youngest daughter as well as runs daycare.

It can be done, but it is harder. I would look specifically into the state laws where you are and see what exactly you are required to do and then pray and decide if you can do that. Meet with a home school group if you can, even if it's just for their first meeting of the year..

Other options, if you have a little extra funds, is to spend the money on online schools... (in some states there is a free one called connections academy which is a virtual school attached to K-12 curriclum) It's completely free because it's paid for like public school is in these states. Ours doesn't have it, but we did once when we lived in Ohio. Very good set up... they even reimbursed for internet access and loaned us a computer, color printer, and gave us all books, manipulatives, etc...

Anyway, it's do able... but in my case, my kids have focus issues and won't pay attention to a computer like they will to me, so we have to do everything together and in short bursts. I used to babysit 30ish hours per week between four kids aged 3-10... plus had my own 2 yr old at home. I managed it, but JUST barely! However, I had absolutely no help... my husband just never helped...

Michelle - posted on 07/14/2011

Hi, my name is michelle and I have a daughter who is 6yrs old called Jessica, I have been home educating since january 2011 and its the best thing I have done. I love it and my daughter loves it even more. I live in Croydon, London, UK. And don't think much of the schools round here. The deputy head teacher was my daughters classs teacher and she bullied her from the moment Jessica started Year 1. So I withdrew her. Im a qualified teacher and gave up working to do it. If you want to get in touch here's my email michellefarley30@hotmail.com. And that applies to any other mums aswell, would love to have a catch up. xxxx

Jane - posted on 07/08/2011

I love your story/experience...I had homeschooling my oldest son for one semester due to a transition of having my third baby and moving. However, I loved it...I'm considering homeschooling him and his brother, who is entering kindergarten soon, but I'm a little worry about my infant being the interruption.

Lynn - posted on 06/21/2011

I am in Australia and I have been home educating five children for 26 years. My eldest is 30 and my youngest is eight. My youngest is my foster daughter who is disabled and currently at a "special school" and I am working on getting her out by the end of the year. Red tape makes it a slow process ; ) None of my children has ever been unemployed and the older three are adults, two married with children, one a stay at home Dad who works at night, another has her own hairdressing business, the other works in hospitality, my younger two are 17 and 16 and still studying. Homeschooling is not just an educational option for me, it is a lifestyle. I am a single mum and I know I have given my children many advantages that have enabled them to live their best lives. They have all been involved with different sports, my son played at State level in hockey and cricket, my girls did Irish dancing, karate; my 17 yr old daughter just graded to black belt, they have all learned piano and some have learned guitar as well. We have a large circle of home schooling friends so there has been no lack of social contact with a wide range of people of all ages.

I started off in a structured way but ended up unschooling, once I learned my children could and would enjoy learning and direct their own studies when they were older.
It's a wonderful life, the only negative I have had has been the rude and ignorant remarks of some of the people I have come in contact with, the actual lifestyle of home educating and listening to and learning with your children has been the adventure of a lifetime.

I have a close and loving family, four grandchildren so far and I know the person who has learned the most through it all is, you guessed it, me : )))

Erica - posted on 02/23/2009

I am home schooling and ilove it, there are times when, i don't want to do it but when i get started i'm totally fine. And my son loves it too. I was even able to advance him a year. And i'll be staring my almost 4 year old and He'll be 3 at the end of the year i decided to start them both in jk.

Cherie - posted on 02/23/2009

Yes, I do. I was a middle/high school science teacher, but after having children of my own we decided to home school. We began last year, and we do not regret it for one minute. The stats show that home schooled children out perform their traditionally schooled counterparts in all categories, including SOCIALIZATION.
Since I am teaching preschool and kindergarten, I am a little out of my comfort zone, but I am enjoying the challenge of learning to teach a much younger age group. We've ironed out a few wrinkles this year, so I know that next year things will go that much more smoothly.
If you are considering home school, I recommend checking out HSLDA'S website, they have a lot of good research/statistics that are eye-opening.
Best Wishes,
Cherie

Jaime - posted on 02/22/2009

I want to homeschool ever so badly - I run a preschool from home as well. My kiddos are 5 and 6 and are also 17 months apart.

I have seriously been debating about homeschooling but my husband is still hesitating

Jeanne - posted on 02/20/2009

Hi there! I used to homeschool, and now I regret putting them back into public school. So, I plan to homeschool them again next year! I thought I "needed a break" like so many moms say. But, I would rather be with them all day and know they are learning well. We frequently visit the public school to check on them, and we are becoming more and more discouraged with our findings. Homeschooling is the best option for parents who choose to take charge of their childrens' education.

Enjoy them while they are little. I thought it would be hard to homeschool them during the early years, but I have found that it is much easier to teach them when they are young. It gets a bit difficult when they approach the junior high years. I know I can handle the curriculum, but it's dealing with the hormones that are difficult! :) Good luck to you, Erica!