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beenwashed
Guest
My husband and I are thinking of homeschooling. What do you like/dislike about homeschooling? Why are you homeschooling? Any other words of wisdom?
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hsmomforlife
Guest
We have been homeschooling almost 11 years now. My oldest is a freshman in high school (home high school) this year, and we kept him home after spending a year + in preschool. My two other children have never attended school and they are almost 10(4th grade) and 11.5 (6th grade).
What I love most about homeschooling is the freedom it allows us to pursue interests to the level that the kids want. I also love the fact that I can stop and marvel at how amazing God is multiple times during the day (when we wonder why God created mosquitoes for example!)
I would be lying if I said it’s all peaches and cream! It’s a lot of work and you really have to dive in and learn along with them. It’s definitely not a part time job!LOL!
Without more details about your family (ages of kids, schooled before or not, number of kids, reasons for wanting to homeschool, fears about homeschooling, etc) it’s really hard to answer your question without writing a multi-volume tome!
What I love most about homeschooling is the freedom it allows us to pursue interests to the level that the kids want. I also love the fact that I can stop and marvel at how amazing God is multiple times during the day (when we wonder why God created mosquitoes for example!)
I would be lying if I said it’s all peaches and cream! It’s a lot of work and you really have to dive in and learn along with them. It’s definitely not a part time job!LOL!
Without more details about your family (ages of kids, schooled before or not, number of kids, reasons for wanting to homeschool, fears about homeschooling, etc) it’s really hard to answer your question without writing a multi-volume tome!
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beenwashed
Guest
Well my kids are young right now. I have a 6 month old and a 2 year old. However, we have pretty much decided it’s for us.
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bz5
Guest
I homeschool. Some of the advantages I see:
–Home values carried throughout school. There’s a lot I could say about that, but I’m sure you can understand those advantages without a lot of examples.
–Consistency: As a military family,we move a lot. Anyone’s kid probably changes teachers and expectations every year, but homeschooling gives more consistency
–Flexibility: You can work your subjects around your child’s passions and ability. You can take field trips, days off, vacations around your family’s needs instead of around the school’s.
More customization: If your child’s academic level is well below or above the average in the public school, your child may be left behind. You know and love your child more than anyone else and can adjust the pace, style, and curriculum to fit him. He can get a lot more attention from you than the best-intentioned teacher can possibly give to one of many students
Good education: Homeschooled children do well on standardized tests, can certainly go to college, etc…
Help: With as popular as homeschooling is now, there are countless resources out there in terms of curriculum, homeschool groups, conferences, co-ops.
Disadvantages: It’s a heavy responsibility. You’ll have to work hard at it and probably have some serious doubts at times. Some communities are more willing than others to let your child take classes at the school, participate in extracurricular activities. At our last town, for example, my child ran track and got free private cello lessons as part of being in the school orchestra and was able to ride the bus to the school for the morning practices. Here, nothing. He is on a homeschool sports team, though, and we’re in a homeschooling group that lets us find field trips, fellowship, other kids to celebrate holy days with…
My kids are from kindergarten through late high school. It’s hard, but you can do it.
–Home values carried throughout school. There’s a lot I could say about that, but I’m sure you can understand those advantages without a lot of examples.
–Consistency: As a military family,we move a lot. Anyone’s kid probably changes teachers and expectations every year, but homeschooling gives more consistency
–Flexibility: You can work your subjects around your child’s passions and ability. You can take field trips, days off, vacations around your family’s needs instead of around the school’s.
More customization: If your child’s academic level is well below or above the average in the public school, your child may be left behind. You know and love your child more than anyone else and can adjust the pace, style, and curriculum to fit him. He can get a lot more attention from you than the best-intentioned teacher can possibly give to one of many students
Good education: Homeschooled children do well on standardized tests, can certainly go to college, etc…
Help: With as popular as homeschooling is now, there are countless resources out there in terms of curriculum, homeschool groups, conferences, co-ops.
Disadvantages: It’s a heavy responsibility. You’ll have to work hard at it and probably have some serious doubts at times. Some communities are more willing than others to let your child take classes at the school, participate in extracurricular activities. At our last town, for example, my child ran track and got free private cello lessons as part of being in the school orchestra and was able to ride the bus to the school for the morning practices. Here, nothing. He is on a homeschool sports team, though, and we’re in a homeschooling group that lets us find field trips, fellowship, other kids to celebrate holy days with…
My kids are from kindergarten through late high school. It’s hard, but you can do it.
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beenwashed
Guest
I don’t really have any fears about homeschooling per se. I think if I had to name something it would be that I’m an introvert/homebody. I would do just fine staying at home all the time. However, I want my kids to have opportunities to meet other kids, and be in out of the home activities, etc. I just wouldn’t want my “introvertedness” to hinder my kids. My husband is an extrovert so I’m sure he would help in that department.
And maybe another one is that you’re never away from your kids.
Homeschooling seems very daunting when you look at it from afar.
And maybe another one is that you’re never away from your kids.
Homeschooling seems very daunting when you look at it from afar.
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ahs
Guest
We homeschool! 
The negatives can be where the kids are ALWAYS there…no break. (Not a problem for me since I work…but my wife is there with them all day long.) However, we know exactly what they are learning and we never have to worry about our child getting left behind in class, so to speak, and can devote 1-on-1 attention where the need arises. My wife loves the freedom of being able to take field trips whenever and wherever she wants to go…and there is never a need to worry about “sick notes” and there is a tremendous amount of freedom in being able to just take a day off when needed.
The negatives can be where the kids are ALWAYS there…no break. (Not a problem for me since I work…but my wife is there with them all day long.) However, we know exactly what they are learning and we never have to worry about our child getting left behind in class, so to speak, and can devote 1-on-1 attention where the need arises. My wife loves the freedom of being able to take field trips whenever and wherever she wants to go…and there is never a need to worry about “sick notes” and there is a tremendous amount of freedom in being able to just take a day off when needed.
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TheRealJuliane
Guest
Well, the current model of kids being out of the home for 7-8 hours during the day (at minimum) is very recent in human history. In most of human history, children have been with the parents all day, every day, pretty much until they marry and leave home to make their own family. I really always missed my kids and loved it when they were home for long periods of time. I didn’t really consider home schooling when they were small, and my husband wouldn’t have supported it anyway, but I definitely support parents who want to keep their children out of institutionalized schooling.
I wouldn’t worry too much about being a homebody/introvert. Kids don’t need as much “socialization” as we’ve been brainwashed to believe. What they need even more is the love of their family around them and the guidance and direction that only parents can give them.
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midori
Guest
I’ve had experience in public school, homeschooling, private school, and more homeschooling. In addition to some experience with it during elementary, I also did it for four years of high school. My youngest brother never went to public school, and my other siblings had varying degrees of public school vs. homeschooling.
For me, I was always pretty self-sufficient. I was always happy in my own head and comfortable in my own skin, if that makes sense. I enjoyed the opportunity to learn at my own speed, instead of having to slow down for the rest of the class. The reverse was true as well-- when I had a horrible time grasping a concept, it was nice to be able to slow down until I was able to get a grasp on it.
My sister enjoyed homeschooling, but regretted the loss of the social aspects… not sharing classes with friends, not having the relationships that you pick up from spending six or seven hours a day with your peers, not having the commonality of shared experiences. We always tried to make up for the “isolation” in other ways-- soccer at the Y, active in church youth groups, participating in 4-H, etc-- but the relationships aren’t the same. That was okay by me, but for her, it wasn’t the same.
I have a brother who was just as introverted as I was, but without the confidence and the self-sufficiency, I suppose you might say. He’s still very bitter towards my mom for imposing homeschooling upon him. (All but first grade.) He’s under the impression that he might have been better rounded if he’d had the opportunity to grow up “normally”, ignoring that his lifelong tendency has always been towards introversion, and yes, some homeschooled kids are able to fit in anywhere easily, and some public school kids don’t fit in without a lot of work. And the flexibility of a homeschool schedule allowed him a massive number of opportunities to develop his own unique talents to a degree that never would have been possible in a public school situation.
Will I homeschool my boys? I’d love to, but I live in a teeny rural (elderly!) town where everyone knows everyone. And I’m genuinely concerned about him not having that opportunity to grow up with friends and acquaintances he’s known forever, since there’s no real neighborhood kids his age. DH and I never had that opportunity ourselves, so it’s something we don’t want to deny him. Right now, I’m getting my oldest (3 yo) around other kids by giving him some extracurricular activities, because I’m recognizing some of my own introversion in him.
For me, I was always pretty self-sufficient. I was always happy in my own head and comfortable in my own skin, if that makes sense. I enjoyed the opportunity to learn at my own speed, instead of having to slow down for the rest of the class. The reverse was true as well-- when I had a horrible time grasping a concept, it was nice to be able to slow down until I was able to get a grasp on it.
My sister enjoyed homeschooling, but regretted the loss of the social aspects… not sharing classes with friends, not having the relationships that you pick up from spending six or seven hours a day with your peers, not having the commonality of shared experiences. We always tried to make up for the “isolation” in other ways-- soccer at the Y, active in church youth groups, participating in 4-H, etc-- but the relationships aren’t the same. That was okay by me, but for her, it wasn’t the same.
I have a brother who was just as introverted as I was, but without the confidence and the self-sufficiency, I suppose you might say. He’s still very bitter towards my mom for imposing homeschooling upon him. (All but first grade.) He’s under the impression that he might have been better rounded if he’d had the opportunity to grow up “normally”, ignoring that his lifelong tendency has always been towards introversion, and yes, some homeschooled kids are able to fit in anywhere easily, and some public school kids don’t fit in without a lot of work. And the flexibility of a homeschool schedule allowed him a massive number of opportunities to develop his own unique talents to a degree that never would have been possible in a public school situation.
Will I homeschool my boys? I’d love to, but I live in a teeny rural (elderly!) town where everyone knows everyone. And I’m genuinely concerned about him not having that opportunity to grow up with friends and acquaintances he’s known forever, since there’s no real neighborhood kids his age. DH and I never had that opportunity ourselves, so it’s something we don’t want to deny him. Right now, I’m getting my oldest (3 yo) around other kids by giving him some extracurricular activities, because I’m recognizing some of my own introversion in him.
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777rak
Guest
I was homeschooled for high school.
I liked it because it was at home. In other words glad I did not have to go through all the high school drama.
I liked it because it was at home. In other words glad I did not have to go through all the high school drama.
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Sarah_Margaret
Guest
I’ve been homeschooled my whole life (I’m now in 8th grade.) I really enjoy it most of the time because we are more flexible and we can also have more time for other activties. Homeschooling is not for everyone, you just have to see what works. Pray about it and God will show you the way!!
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PennyinCanada
Guest
In my area the homeschoolers met at the pool when it offered a free hour on Thursdays. Each family arranged some kind of outing or field trip for the group to go to, did Christmas concerts together. What I saw was that the kids knew how to nicely interact with kids older and younger then themselves. I didn’t see it as all that isolated. What’s going on in your area? You might have some local families that you can talk with and spend time with. Good luck!
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InJesusItrust
Guest
I enjoyed elementary, but middle and high school were hell for me. Socialization is overrated when kids are cruel socially. The scars I have have severely impacted and will continue to impact me until I die. College students are less cruel.
Academically speaking, self-study (and home-schooling probably) seem superior to formal instruction.
Academically speaking, self-study (and home-schooling probably) seem superior to formal instruction.
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prettygirl711
Guest
I’ve got three little ones (baby and a couple of preschoolers) and we have been doing preschool and homeschooling this year. My best suggestion is to just try it. Have a little routine and introduce lesson time from an early age so they’re just used to it. You can try the Little Saints curriculum which is $50ish and has lesson plans for 3x a year for a school year and is very involved, or there is also Catholic Icing’s book for $35 which is more craft based. Seton also has a curriculum for preschoolers that’s around $150 I think. It’s new this year. I know one family who uses it and loves it. Right now my 4 year old is the most interested so I rotate doing reading lessons, cutting, crafts, religion, and whatever workbooks we have 4-6 days a week.
We are really considering homeschool for next year but we’ve also applied to a private school so we’ll see where God takes us. We happen to have a charter school down the street that several friends from our parish use that allows the kids to go to school 2 days a week and homeschool 3 days. Check your neighboring parishes/cities for co-ops as well. Many have programs for little ones so you can check it out and just try it for the next few years.
We are really considering homeschool for next year but we’ve also applied to a private school so we’ll see where God takes us. We happen to have a charter school down the street that several friends from our parish use that allows the kids to go to school 2 days a week and homeschool 3 days. Check your neighboring parishes/cities for co-ops as well. Many have programs for little ones so you can check it out and just try it for the next few years.
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TheRealJuliane
Guest
Yeah, same here. Every day in junior high was torture. I honestly cannot remember one good day. My sons hated it too, although their experiences were different in private schools than mine in a public school. High school was just boring, and I cut so many classes…I just didn’t see the point. I did have some fun times in high school but I never really fit into the cliques, was an outsider the whole 3 years.
I tried to keep my younger son home for middle school but he and hubby both fought me so the whole point was lost. He had a hard time and went through a lot of rebellion that I don’t think would have happened if he’d been at home with me.
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beenwashed
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I went to Catholic school until 8th grade. Went to public highschool. I hated highschool except for being in band. I really don’t like public schools, and at this point we can’t afford a private school, so homeschooling seems like our only choice. I dont’ want to make it sound like we’re being forced into this. The more I hear about public schools, etc, the less i want to send my kids to one. Private schools, although being better, still don’t seem to hold a candle to what I know I could accomplish with my kids if I homeschooled them.
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TheRealJuliane
Guest
One other suggestion - you need to check into your state homeschooling laws. And join the Home School Legal Defense Association. If you have any trouble at all with your local or state school districts, they will come to your aid. Their website is a great resource for homeschoolers or those who support home schooling. Do not assume that you will be left alone to educate your own children - parents have been harassed in many ways, all over the country.
Your State Laws page
HSLDA main page
Home schooling is part of the larger scope of PARENTAL RIGHTS, so it’s very relevant to ALL parents, not just those who want to educate their children themselves. As the government interferes in our lives more and more, our rights are lost. In other countries, parents can be IMPRISONED for attempting to educate their OWN CHILDREN!!! Shocking but very true. Do not minimize what you are doing - it is, in a way, very dangerous to a government that treats its children like property of the state.
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hsmomforlife
Guest
- there are multiple ways to get a ‘break’ if you need one, including finding another homeschooling parent who needs the same break and swapping a little time every week or two OR asking DH to spend some time with the kids while you do something alone for a little while. Besides…at their ages they still NAP!
- don’t look at homeschooling from afar!LOL!!! What I did that kept me sane when they were younger and I was just starting out was to not look too far into the future
You still have little ones. Relish them. Commit to take it a year at a time and re-evaluate your decision to homeschool each child each spring…that’s what I did and it worked pretty well.
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SGTTOM
Guest
I am not a parent, however I was homeschooled from 1st grade to graduation. All I can say is I am extremely glad my parents decided to homeschool me and I hope to do the same for my future family.
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ilySHJ
Guest
Homeschooling! :extrahappy:
Homeschooling was our favorite. My children also did stints in Catholic school and public school.
Do’s:
Homeschooling was our favorite. My children also did stints in Catholic school and public school.
Do’s:
- make Daily Mass the focal point of your school day
- use Catholic curricula whenever possible.
- maintain high standards
- take advantage of activities through a Catholic homeschool group.
- involve children in the community/local parish … chores/jobs, visiting nursing homes, …
- visit museums & science centers & planetariums …
- develop a support group … fellow homeschool moms/families
- don’t buy into criticism/derogatory remarks from family
- don’t forget 't to save! $600 for younger child - $1200 for an older child
- don’t be afraid to teach calculus & physics or Latin.
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TheRealJuliane
Guest
Excellent advice! I would add:
DO train your children to be independent workers - you don’t have to teach them every single subject - as soon as they can read, they can start learning on their own. Every day should include some form of independent learning.
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