Homeschoolers

[oholycheerio]

oholycheerio :wave:
<snip>
Recordkeeping is my biggest concern these days with our impending move to a state with more restrictions. Any tips?

Sounds like you keep your kiddos well occupied... that's great! :)

As for record-keeping, I don't know what the best route would be, but something's better than nothing, and the more official and complete it is the better, too... I would imagine!

It amazes me that those pioneering parents did the impossible and kept their kids home from school when it was looked on as "strange" in the best case and "illegal" in the worst!

There are so many homeschool groups, co-ops, classes, bands, sports....we actually have to pull back next year because my kids will not be home enough to do their studies.

Thanks so much for offering your suggestions. I hope that this helps you -- when I worked in the public school system I came across many kids who didn't have good social skills or know how to interact with others. Some people are just born social and some are not. I went to public and private schools and was not at all prepared for the strange social aspects of college. NOt due to shyness at all, but more how to deal with thousands of people all the same age and for the most part self-centered and immature. It's a strange world out there no matter how your raised. :ohno

Good points, and I agree that some kids are just naturally not as social as others. I do think that environment plays a large part of it as well, though, and should not be underestimated. I've had to work really hard at it ("fake it til ya make it"), but by forcing myself into social situations my shyness has been greatly diminished. I can only imagine if I had been socialized from a young age where my social anxiety would be, but I bet it would be slight or non-existant. Just my .02. :)

[all things]

:heythere Even though my 2 daughters are grown and starting their own families, may I tell of our experience in homeschooling?

We started homeschooling in '92 when it wasn't very common in our area. I learned about it, went to meetings and became convinced it was what I wanted to do. We used a variety of sources, but really liked the Lifepacs supplemented with life experiences. One daughter figure skated, and because we weren't tied to the school schedule we went many times when the adults were at the rink. We met many good friends of all ages, and to this day, she is respectful to everyone, is especially polite to older folks, and works well in people oriented jobs.The other did horses, including their complete care, saving money to buy her own, and also hobnobbed with people of all ages. She too is wonderful with all ages, and has won many awards for customer service (hotel industry). They joined 4-H, attended youth group, desired Bible Study with older people, volunteered at the hospital, and so on. In addition to the Lifepacs we watched Rush Limbaugh, LOL when he was on TV, plus Christian TV, certain Discovery, History and Learning Channel programs (gotta be careful with them). Field trips, vacations..I could go on and on. They tested in the 98% for college entrance. We had a blast, and we are extremely close...they are my best friends. They became lovely young women and I can't sing Homeschooling praises enough.

It all started because the older daughter went to a middle school that was showing all the signs of trouble, and I simply didn't want them in that environment one more minute. The freedom we had to do other things was invaluable, and I wish every parent could be in a situation to try it for themselves.

[funmudder]

All things what a great testamony Whoot!

My boys, even now tell me how much they prefer homeschooling. The two oldest did outschool at first, and want nothing to do with going back. They talk with me instead of at me, they listen to our reasons for being different from the world, instead of rolling their eyes and doing whatever they want when we are not looking. Our relationship with our kids is just so vastly different from what our relationships were with our own parents.

A very good friend of mine at church astounded me last Sunday. She works in public schools and made the statement "well what about lining up and that kind of self control, homeschooled kids wont learn that as well as public school kids" and then it was time for worship to start. She just stunned me speechless. To date, every single outlet we go to in groups, like a nature study at the science center, every single time, the instructor comments on how much more they prefer the homeschool groups to the public schooled kids that are bussed in. How better behaved, and how they will actually line up the first time they are asked and not fidget. I'm going to talk with her on that this weekend. I mean really, even if her comment was true, how is lining up a life skill worth exposing your child to all the other balonga? :sigh

[lisaann]

A very good friend of mine at church astounded me last Sunday. She works in public schools and made the statement "well what about lining up and that kind of self control, homeschooled kids wont learn that as well as public school kids" and then it was time for worship to start. She just stunned me speechless. To date, every single outlet we go to in groups, like a nature study at the science center, every single time, the instructor comments on how much more they prefer the homeschool groups to the public schooled kids that are bussed in. How better behaved, and how they will actually line up the first time they are asked and not fidget. I'm going to talk with her on that this weekend. I mean really, even if her comment was true, how is lining up a life skill worth exposing your child to all the other balonga? :sigh

I hear ya! People can just be plain rude. I would never assume to question someone on their choice of education for their child. It is none of my business and between them and God. I'm not sure what makes people think it's ok to be so rude in their questioning of our choices. :scratch If someone is truely questioning politely I am more than happy to answer them but that condesending rudeness just makes me mad. When I get the ever-popular "what about socialization" question anymore I just: " :doh! Wow! Socialization! I never even gave that a thought."

[funmudder]

lisaann yup!

I don't think she was trying to be rude, I think it's just what she honestly thought. She regularly tells me how impressed she is with my childrens manners and behavior. I dunno. Perhaps, maybe, she is trying to find reasons to keep her 9 year old in public schools now that yet another family of homeschoolers joined the church. :idunno

[christianmom]

Freedom!

We can go and do whatever we want when we want. No more ridiculous PTA fees that go towards nothing that I could ever see.

I've also found out that universities are really preferring home schooled students because the majority are more advanced than their public-school taught counterparts.

Enjoying the fact that I am the one teaching them and they learn at their own pace. My kids don't have to learn things from their classmates, things that I feel are too "mature" in nature for them to know about yet. KWIM?

[funmudder]

Anyone remember "School House Rock (http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?page=proframe&prod_id=608894&IID=prod608894)" ????

We got the dvd's and I can't recommend them enough. I was tickled to pieces when they used Noah's Ark as the background for teaching multiples of 2. Repeatedly we hear Christian themes and backgrounds and its been great! Now we have this whole dvd set for playing to the younger kids when I'm working with the older boys, Whoot!

[Librarian]

"School House Rock" = Best. Show. Ever. Period!

Conjunction Junction forever!

[Lorren]

We played Schoolhouse Rock all the time when dd was a baby.

I guess I should get it out again. I do break it out sometimes when we talk about a concept in one of her classes, but they would be good just to go over all the time. And I know that she likes them.

[funmudder]

Today my 13 and 12 year old asked if they could put on a certain one after they were done with school work. I think they are trying to learn how to play them on their instruments :lol: