Need Advice About Homeschooling!

This is my first year to homeschool my kids and I have to say that I'm loving it! Although there are age differences between yours and mine...I trully plan to do this through the high school level. Since she is already in school, why not begin to research (there is a lot of information out there) and read, read, read. I wouldn't neccesarily tell her that I was contemplating this so she won't just "give up" where she is at. But take this semester until ....say...Christmas break to research it. I have NEVER read so many books in my life as I did this past summer but I dedicated my entire summer to prepare for this and I have to admit I'm not a big reader but I felt God's hand in preparing me. I read everywhere I went :) One of the best books I read that really didn't have anything to do with homeschooling but more for behavior issues was "Teach them Dilegently" by Priolo it is a great book and shows you how to teach and train your children by the Bible scriptures. There is a Bible Scripture for EVERY thing our children do...good and bad. I highly recommend you start there. ALL of our kids are sinners and we don't teach them how to be sinners but we teach them how to be more like Christ just as we are learning that ourselves everyday! Ok this is getting long...can't help it! I'm fired up! I love having my kids (2 gilrs ages 7 and 4) at home and teaching them....I'm not a "smartie" and never have been. I had NO problems with my daughter in the elementary school as far as discipline...loved our school, teachers, staff. That was never a reason to school her at home. But I love sitting next to her, learning, reading, talking, eating lunch with her, taking walks while we learn our spelling words, flexibility, etc. It has been a blessing for our family....just the closeness. I have to tell you that I'm getting smart! hahaha I feel like I have a "second" chance at my own schooling and I'm learning more than ever. Can you imagine how smart I'll be in high school on the 2nd chance? hahaha Seriously, research! In North Richland Hills there is a store called The Bookcover. It is a used book store that sells used curriculum, a lot of things. You walk in and I guarantee you there will be people who work there who will become your immediate friends. They are not there because they are getting rich selling used books :) but they are there because they believe in what they are doing. Soooo helpful. I know homeschooling isn't for everyone, so my next advice (and possibly should have been my first) is to pray. Pray, pray, pray and ask God for wisdom and how He wants you to handle this. What else? I know post is longer than anyone elses....I'm wordy! I'm here for you....I love mamasource. There are a ton of co-ops to do PE with, tutors, classes. I'm in a group that is starting cooking classes each Thursday in September, we are doing elections in October and November to learn about presidential elections, Christmas around the World in December.....PE every othere Friday, field trips, parties, so many things that I'm going to have to make sure I get our academics in :) LOTS of socialization. That used to be my concern but I've since learned...why not guide our children in the socialization process. Helping them choose friends that will help them instead of sending them to school and hope for the best. They will have plenty of time to choose their friends from the vast majority of the world soon enough. I personally enjoy helping her through that. Please email me personally if you have any other questions. Right now your job is to research, study, don't know how to teach Algebra? Me neither but plenty of homeschooling moms do and they volunteer to teach yours. You may have to trade to teach their kids bowling but that is how it works. We all help each other. If you "reply" to me personally I'll give out my email and I would love to know what happens and what you decide to do.

Best to you, (hugs)
M.

I am no fan of public school. I have had kids in public school and I have also homeschooled since 1997. In the middle of that my son went to publc school for 7th and part of 8th grade. I can honestly say that was not the best thing for him and he didn't grow in knowledge in very many ways. I also had my other son in public school for K and part of first grade. I had to pull him out because he was miserable in FIRST GRADE! He would storm up the steps each morning because I was making him go. I felt terrible. I tried talking to the teacher to find out what might be causing the anger issues. She had no clue. He hated it there, it wasn't fair that all the kids couldn't do something because one or two kids acted up and messed it up for the whole class. That was just part of it. So I took him out in October of that year. I should have taken him out sooner. Those were the most misrable 2 months ever! I took my older son out of 8th grade at the same time. He was learning nothing and was falling between the cracks.

They went to a private homeschool type school for two years and it was great. They are back home this year and I am thrilled, to be honest. My older daughter homeschooled from 5th grade through 12th. She is in college and working full time, she is 21 now.

I am a member of a homeschool support group and we do sports with them and other things. Homeschooling is not for everyone but if you feel that God is calling you to do it He will equip you with what you need to do it. It is a definate "calling" that is for sure. Some would not want to or be able to do it. I have heard it from many friends that say they could never teach their child. But we start teaching them the second they are born. I have my older son going to the private school for Algebra 2 this year because I can't do it. There are classes to help you that the kids can go to for those subjects you can not see yourself teaching. I would be happy to answer any other questions you might have. Just email me anytime.

Hope I helped.

T.

This is my 10th year to home school in Arlington, We love it!

I think you would love bringing her home. IT is so nice to be able to tailor my kids school needs to their nature bent and work with them when they have a problem and move fast when they are getting it. I love the time we spend together and how well I know each if my 5 kids because I am with them all day.

There are severeal support group in the D/FW area, so be sure to find one you guys can join so you don't feel too alone and as far as putting her out here is a link to a form letter you cn submit to the school.

http://www.thsc.org/Getting_Started/LetterOfWithdrawal.asp

and just frequently asked question

http://www.sahomeschool.com/Texas/FAQ.asp

Good luck and go for it you will never reqret it!

K.,
I know how nervous you are! It is a big commitment and undertaking! First off, I want to commend you on taking an active interest in your child's education! I see so many Moms who don't listen to their kids! My sister home schools the kids in our family and works in a home school store in Lewisville. She loves to help new homeschoolers and she will answer your questions and help you with understanding what the curriculum and studies will be like.

http://www.homeeducatorsresource.com/

is the store's website. Her name is Karen. I don't know what area you are in, but why don't you pop in and take a look. The store also has "homeschool classes" for those subjects you might not be "up" on or if you need a little helping hand!
Good luck!

I have many friends who homeschool and have had sucess, as well as some who have not followed any type of structure or program and the children are suffering from it. The ones who were successful had a very invigorating educational routine, very structured, lots of field trips, very motivated children and parents to learn.

So long as she maintains hobbies and activities to keep active and social, and she is on a good structured program that is her age level and interesting, it can be rewarding. Also, if she already has a problem with late work at school and keeping the time table of her teachers and those in an authority position, do you think she will be able to maintain a schedule with you, and learn the importance of timeframes and those in authority positions?

You have to ask yourself though, are you ready to be a teacher, and to enforce the learning schedule and seek out the best program for her, as well as provide her with the type of educational and social stimulus that public school can?

I know there are homeschooling groups that provide field trips and get togethers and such, just don't know much about it.

On a side note, my mother pulled us out of school in middle school as well to homeschool for about 2 months. We hated it and begged to go back to school!

It has only been one week give her more time. My only thought is if you pull her out just because she does not like it (who did?) then what example are you setting for her? Now if after the first six weeks end and she is failing then I would look into home schooling. Also how do you think she will do with you being her teacher? I was a 7th grade math teacher and my nephew who was in 7th grade needed Math tutoring so I thought no big deal I will help him. Well it did not work out that great he would start talking about other things and just could not stay focused. He finally had to get help from another teacher so you might want to consider that too.