I Am Thinking About Home schooling...need Advice!

B.,

I have a 5 year old boy too. He will be starting K next year and will also be homeschooled. I have been homeschooling my other children for 9 years now. My oldest will be graduating June 1st. My children are far from being sheltered. That is a huge myth about homeschooling. Studies have shown that homeschoolers are equally, if not more involved in outside activities than public schoolers. My 16 year old daughter was a competitive gymnast for years and traveled all over with her competitions. My youngest 3 boys play soccer in the local soccer league. My daughters have both attended prom and one of them even went to the local high school homecoming. Both girls have gone on a missions trip with our church. There is not a bubble around homeschoolers sheltering them from the others unless a parent puts that bubble there.

Here is an article on socialization: http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/144135.aspx It is from a Christian source so its perspective is pertaining to the Christian aspect, but the points on morals and socialization are valid whether you're Christian or not. We happen to be a Christian family and that is how I came upon the article (it was sent to me). I hope it helps some.

As far as having patience, that is an area both of you will grow in. Kids DO require patience whether you have them home or not. I have one extremely strong willed and defiant son that really put me through the wringer over the years (I even put him in public school for a while). I just kept on doing whatever I could with him and learning a lot of patience through it all. He turned 13 last summer and is doing amazing. He is so much calmer and making much better choices. Things did get worse when he was in school which is why I brought him back home. I really credit just being there and persevering through it all that he has turned it all around. I never gave up (even though I felt like it at times). With 6 children, I would say that we cover a lot of the various types of personalities out there. None of my children are alike so it has been an experience parenting them all. Not everyone will have an extremely defiant child and not everyone will be blessed with an extremely compliant child. Just take the time to get to really know your child and when you do, parenting will become a lot easier. You will learn what is effective with your son and what isn't.

As a parent of 3 teenagers, I can tell you that not everything they all say about teens is true. I love having my teens and they are NOT driving me crazy. I think that a lot of that has to do with the fact that we really know each other well and have built a solid relationship over the years. My oldest 2 teens are both girls and they have been a breeze! I will really miss them when they go off to college!

I just wanted to let you know that teaching your children is an extention of parenting. It isn't any easier or harder than parenting is. The resources out there to help you help you with homeschooling is amazing. There are so many groups and co-ops in the dfw area.

Let me know if you have any more questions. I would be happy to answer them for you.

M.

I'm a Christian and also posted a thread about my son who is in Kindergarten but going to public school. I have no intention to HS, but was deciding between public vs. private (christian). It is scarry and kids ARE different these days.

Anyway - I tried my hand at HSing during his pre-kindergarten time ... BOY I think it's hard .. I mean it is a job - you're a teacher. I was NOT cut out for doing that .. however, I've got 3 kids ... since he's an only child - that should help, in that you can devote ALL your time to him and his schooling needs. Plus, if that's what your heart desires, then you can do it ... it is fairly easy as there is a wealth of information and instruction for you to HS.

If you decide to ever go the PS route, feel free to e-mail me through mamasource - I've been though this same thought process and still have to TOTALLY trust God in our decision!!!!

Read Homeschool for Dummies..it is so helpful and tells you everything you could know.

B.,
Much of it depends on your son and how well he deals with things... We are a Christian family and are trying to teach our children those values. BUT we are also trying to teach them/show them how to love their neighbor. For us, at this time. that means public (DISD) school.
We had a child who lived w/ 2 grandmas last year in the kindergarten class- while I knew what that meant, my child had no clue she just thought the little girl was lucky to have 2 grandmas to love on her- and that is where we left it! There was no need to go into anything else.
My son is in 4th grade this year and we are just now facing the evolution debate. We have used that as a stepping stone to research on how different theories have come about- and to look at science to back up the Bible.
Our kids are all very involved in AWANA at church- that gives them a chance to memorize some scripture and work on Christian principals during the week.
Honestly, every year I re-examine our school, our choices, our kids... I don't think it is a decision you make for all 12 years in one sitting. Nor do I think there is one right answer for everyone!
Pray- you'll get your answer :-)
Feel free to e-mail me!

D.

I was homeschooled (4-12) and for a long time I thought I would definitely homeschool my children. Then my husband and I worked with the Jr. High kids at our church, before we started having our own kids, and I realized one thing: PS, Christian school, or homeschool...it doesn't guarantee results with your child, that he/she will 'turn out right'. This was huge for me when I learned this. It is more about your parenting and family life at home more than anything...and this is what makes the difference in how our children will turn out.

So now my son is 3 and is in PPCD, preschool program for children with disabilities for severe speech delay, and is going to Gisd. I would have never imagined having my 3 yr old in public school but this is where God has us for right now. And I am totally fine with it. We love his school and his teacher is wonderful. Right now we are just taking one year at a time, like my husband likes to say about how many kids we will have...'one at a time'. :-)

If you are already thinking about homeschooling, you should check out a few homeschool groups in the area. I would love to do it as well, it isn't in my family's budget for one person to stay home. Kindergarten is pretty simple, if you think of how much time is actually spent with each child on academics, not behavior management, and how to glue and cut it is very little, there are several social groups, pe classes through the city and local gymnastics companies and Michaels even offers art. Check out the book written by Lisa something she was Blair on THE FACTS OF LIFE. There are many more good books on homeschooling and a lot of free stuff on the internet. I would say go for it and I work for the Garland School District.