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Homeschool? HELP!
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Question:
I am seriously consdiering homeschooling my children. My problem, I don't
have a great amount of patience. I really try, but, sometimes they drive me
crazy. I realize my three children are the greastest gift that I have ever
received! I think I could teach them myself, I definitely DO NOT want them to
go to public school. My eldest daughter (4 1/2) goes to a preschool program
three mornings a week at a private christian school and loves it. I would love
to keep her there but next year her younger sisiter (3 1/2) will be going and
I don't think we could afford the tuition for both. I have been told that some
public schools are okay and I am wondering how I as a parent am supposed to
know if the one in our district is okay? I was thinking of maybe sending them
to kindergarten and once they have their letters and numbers down them I could
start with 1st grade?? I am so confused....I plan on attending a home-schooling
extravaganza in Richmond, VA in June but I am not sure if that will confuse
me anymore. What should I do?
Answer:
-Please don't second guess yourself. (Been there) Last year was
my first year to "formally" homeschool. I started with a 5 yr.
old and pulled our 11 yr old out of public school. I agonized
on how I was going to teach my little one. I'd start to play the
second guessing game. I thought I might need some extra "special
super duper teaching aids or need something extra other than what I
been teaching her in the past. I found that I was doing the
bulk of the teaching naturally, even before I introduced any
prepared curriculum. When I did finally introduce something
formal, I didn't spend more than 1 hour to two
hours a day on any formal subjects. Subjects such as math,phonics
and writing. The only reason my daughter spend so much time
on these subjects is that she wanted to keep up with big
brother. You are so right when you say to take it a day
at a time. I found that the transition barely noticeable
when I started to "homeschool" my daughter. Now as for my son,
that's a different story.
-Homeschooling, like parenting, takes lots of patience. If you don't have
it try to get it (meditation, counseling, excercise). Some people need
more time away from their kids than others. If you need more time away,
why not work ouside the home to earn money to pay for a private school?
2. I'm not sure that the fact that your child loves her christian school
should be the deciding factor. Most young children really love public
school. The question is are they learning what you think is important. Is
the teaching effective. Consider what they are learning other than what
we call curriculum. I would look at issues like self direction, how they
are taught to regard and react to authority, what are they learning about
the value of cooperation and helping others. Obviously if your motivation
for homeschooling is religiously motivated, you may have another agenda.
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