To Homeschool or not to homeschool… THAT is the question.
Homeschooling was never in our plan when OAO and I planned our family. The plan was for me to stay home with them until they are old enough for school and then I get a part time job – or be a teacher so that my schedule would have me off when they are off of school (summers, etc.)
When the Princess was 2, our very-pro-homeschool-but-we-didn’t-know-it-at-the-time Pediatrician suggested we look into it. Being the anal planner that I am, I decided to start investigating immediately. Hell, we only had 3 1/2 years to figure out what we would do. We quickly learned that homeschooling is a lifestyle choice and we’re still trying to figure out if that lifestyle choice is the right choice for our family.
We joined an AMAZING homeschool family. I love the energy of those ladies (and gent) who make this group work. I love the support of veteran homeschoolers. I love the variety of activities for the kids and the depth of knowledge available to help. But I’m terrified of the responsibility of educating our children.
The Princess doesn’t get to go to school until the Fall of 2008, thanks to a late birthday. I’m going to do Kindergarten with her at home this year – because she’s ready, and it’s really neat to teach her to read. Math and handwriting could be different. Teaching her to count to 100 while pushing her on the swing was cool. Listening to her tell me that “4 and 1 make 5 and so do 3 and 2″ has been cool too. Especially when she just says them at odd times.
Reading “A Thomas Jefferson Education” and “The Well Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home” has been enlightening, but is only making the decision harder.
I’ve been home for 4 1/2 years now. I love my children dearly. But I’m starting to feel sending them to school so that I can get a break from them isn’t such a horrendous idea.
Something I finally admitted yesterday: there’s a part of me that wants to homeschool to protect them from being picked on, unpopular, and feel like they have no friends. But, I can’t protect them from that at all… mean people are everywhere. Teaching them how to deal with mean people is what matters most.
Keep watching to blog. I have a feeling this will be a very popular topic in the year to come.
Sorry, but you are part of the club! It is no longer your choice – we have decided you are homeschooling those sweet babies! Just kidding (SORT OF)! P.S. Are you coming to Mom’s Night Out????
Kris is right – no decision for you. Who would my babies play with if you send them to the slaughter house? I mean the fine, fine Maryland educational system. (just kidding!) Howard county has a good track record. We would just miss you terribly.
hey! i’m going to cali this weekend and won’t be back until september…here is the website i was talking about where i made extra summer cash. Later! the website is here
This year is trial year… I’m 100% actually homeschooling this year as we continue to ask questions about he school they’d go to. As KC and KH say: We do this 1 year at a time