Just can't decide...

[MidwestMama]

Hi ladies!!

I'm Cris, I have just started posting in this forum. I have a 5 yo DS who is to be starting kindergarten this fall. It's really in my heart to homeschool him but I just can't decide what path to take.

First of all, we tried it at the start of this past school year... I wasn't committed and he missed preschool, so back he went. Good Christian pre-K program, so it was a good environment, even though he didn't learn a lot. (He's very academically advanced so chances are for the first few years, he's not going to learn much whereever we send him!!) But I'm afraid I'll flake out again.

We'd started considering hsing because we were in a lousy school district. We now are in a better one, so DH thinks we should send him to the half day K program. (He's not totally against me hsing, in fact thinks it would be best for DS and knows I'm perfectly capable intellectually... just wonders if I'm capable of sticking it out and handling it emotionally.) I'm trying to decide if we should do that and continue to supplement him at home, then decide what to do from there after K. But part of me just doesn't want him in the ps system AT ALL!! We are still pretty mild here as far as what's taught, none of the strong agendas like you're starting to see in some areas. But I know the curriculum is dumbed down, the supervision is lax, and the Christian value system just isn't in place - just like everywhere else.

There are some good Christian schools in the area, one is where he went for preschool, but financially we're trying to get our house in order, including paying down some debts, and it just wouldn't be responsible of us to send him to one right now... it'd be terribly hard on us.

I'm in an area where hsing is not very popular, so I wouldn't have a ton of IRL support. There are a few support groups but most people think I'm nuts.

Anyway, just some random thoughts. Just wanted to introduce myself and tell you a little about our situation. I've been praying very strongly for clarity on this topic and that DH and I would be of one mind, so additional prayers would be welcomed!!

Cris

[acceptedinthebeloved]

I will definitely pray for you as you seek the Lord's will for you and your family, in this matter. :)

:pray


(By the way, I understand the "little support" thing... Back when I began homeschooling 18+ years ago, there were very few folks doing it. At least in my area. And there were no "online communities" either, at that time. Things are much better now. :) )

[funmudder]

Have you done a quick internet search in your area of home schoolers?

I ask because I once thought I was the lone weirdo home schooling, when lo and behold there were hundreds of us all around laying low. Even just knowing one other family is a support, you know?

My 2 oldest went to public schools at first, my youngest 3 never had to endure it. Lord willing never will! :aha

I would totally recommend you give it a try. Public schools are pushing some crazy things on kids, unfortunately even kindergarten is no longer safe. I commend you and yer hubby on paying down your bills and not seeing it as a possibility to send to a Christian school. The unfortunate reality is that even Christian schools are coming out with weirder things all the time too. (Not all of them mind you, but how will you really know about any place you are not actually attending yourself?).

Kindergarten stuff is fun to teach anyway :nod Why have your child's funnest learning years shared with anyone that is not the people that love him the most?

[NewWorldOrder]

If you think you may need accountability I suggest a homeschool co-op. Co-ops offer classes for homeschoolers, and they meet once or twice a week and the rest of the work will be done at home. All co-ops are different, and they will range in price anywhere from all volunteer teaching (the parents are required to teach or help for their child to attend) to paid teaching positions. In a co-op your child will be in a classroom type setting, and have the opportunity to get involved in multiple activities, and you will have the support of other parents.

Co-ops are everywhere, but they can still be difficult to find because they don't advertise except by word of mouth. Talk to other homeschoolers in your church, and do an online search for homeschool organizations in your area. One thing I have noticed, which may help you find a co-op is they almost always meet in a church that has a large space. So try contacting the churches in your area as well, and ask them if there is a homeschool group that uses their space during the week. Our co-op meets in a church, and we use their facilities, but they are not affiliated with the church, we just use their facilities.

[DebJo]

I hear you about not always following through. I really have to talk to myself sometimes.:ohno My DH is very aware and supports me. He holds me accountable in schooling. He works at home and is here a lot. He is very good at not asking me to do things in the morning. School comes first in our home. I have to do school first thing or I get side tracked. I am not as effective in the afternoons.
If after prayer you decide to HS ask someone to hold you accountable. They don't have to be another HS parent. It could be your husband or an elderly neighbor, a relative, anyone.
Also find the time that you are at your best and when your child is at theirs. Do school then. If you are a night owl, fine. HS works because it can be tailored to fit your lifestyle. My best friend and I both HS we are a lot alike but school slightly different even though we use a lot of the same materials.
Our children show us what we need to do listen to them.
So coming from one who is very unorganized and gets off track at the drop of a hat, it can be done. I don't think I'm messing my kid up worse that the schools would have done.:heh
Let this board be some of your support. There are some very wise HSers here.
Good luck with what ever you decide to do.

[lisaann]

K isn't too hard at all to do. You could be done in less than an hour each day with one child. The best thing I can recommend is set a reasonable routine and stick to it. For us that would be:
breakfast
chores
devotions
school

I am a terrible self motivator and a year ago prayed for the Lord to help me get going 1st thing in the morning so we could get done at a reasonable time. Well, it wasn't a week later that a friend called and asked if I could get her girls on and off of the school bus everyday. :yay That was exactly what I needed because it boxed me into a "school" time. This year went much better than others in the past. :thumb

[MidwestMama]

Thanks for all the encouragement. I still haven't made any decisions, but have been praying about it daily and talking with my DH. I keep asking God for a big rock to drop at my feet with a note attached - just a simple "yes" or "not so much" would be fine. :D Unfortunately, I'm not getting that clear of any answer.

If any of you are led to continue to pray for me it would be much appreciated. We do have a few groups around (unfortunately they're mostly "off" for the summer) so I could get to know a few people, but hsing is just not very big around here compared to some areas. Most people have the perception that our schools here are still "good" so why would anyone want to do that?? :rolleyes Plus it's hard to talk about it with most people I know IRL, because of that perception, plus it doesn't help that I started on it last year and ended up putting DS back in school. *I* understand that things may change year to year, but to most people, I'm now just wishy-washy. Oh well.

Thanks again!
Cris

[mom211]

Hi ladies!!

I'm Cris, I have just started posting in this forum. I have a 5 yo DS who is to be starting kindergarten this fall. It's really in my heart to homeschool him but I just can't decide what path to take.

First of all, we tried it at the start of this past school year... I wasn't committed and he missed preschool, so back he went. Good Christian pre-K program, so it was a good environment, even though he didn't learn a lot. (He's very academically advanced so chances are for the first few years, he's not going to learn much whereever we send him!!) But I'm afraid I'll flake out again.

We'd started considering hsing because we were in a lousy school district. We now are in a better one, so DH thinks we should send him to the half day K program. (He's not totally against me hsing, in fact thinks it would be best for DS and knows I'm perfectly capable intellectually... just wonders if I'm capable of sticking it out and handling it emotionally.) I'm trying to decide if we should do that and continue to supplement him at home, then decide what to do from there after K. But part of me just doesn't want him in the ps system AT ALL!! We are still pretty mild here as far as what's taught, none of the strong agendas like you're starting to see in some areas. But I know the curriculum is dumbed down, the supervision is lax, and the Christian value system just isn't in place - just like everywhere else.

There are some good Christian schools in the area, one is where he went for preschool, but financially we're trying to get our house in order, including paying down some debts, and it just wouldn't be responsible of us to send him to one right now... it'd be terribly hard on us.

I'm in an area where hsing is not very popular, so I wouldn't have a ton of IRL support. There are a few support groups but most people think I'm nuts.

Anyway, just some random thoughts. Just wanted to introduce myself and tell you a little about our situation. I've been praying very strongly for clarity on this topic and that DH and I would be of one mind, so additional prayers would be welcomed!!

Cris

Hi Chris!

Are you sure you haven't answered your own question?

1) Dh thinks it would be best for your son and knows you are capable.
2) You don't want him in the ps system at all.
3) The curriculum is dumbed down.
4) The supervision is lax.
5) The Christian value system just isn't in place.
6) You are trying to pay debts and tution at a private school would be hard.

The only negatives of homeschooling that you mentioned is concern over your ability to stick with it and people thinking you are nuts.

All you need IRL is ONE good friend to help you along the way. Check out the support groups, you only need one to be a good fit. If the one you pick doesn't work try another one. You could call a leader from one of the groups and ask them if there is a member who would take the time to tell you about the group. God may have a most amazing friend already picked out for you in one of those groups.

Kindergarten is not all that hard, I bet you could commit yourself to hsing your son one to two hours a day four days a week.

Have you been reading some books about homeschooling? Linda Dobson's book www.amazon.ca/First-Year-Homeschooling-Your-Child/dp/0761527885 - is fantastic. The Old Schoolhouse magazine is very encouraging too. If you are a regular reader here at RR, you know the time is short. Give your son the best ~ yourself :)

[Dedee]

As long as you have the Lord you have all the support you need! He will lead you and guide you! I've been homeschooling for 7 years. And it's not because I'm all that smart. But, I follow a great God who loves me and my children and knows what help I need and what they need to learn. Just trust in the Lord.
Mathew 7:7 Ask and it shall be given you: seek, and ye shall find, knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

[My Abba's Child]

Hi ladies!!

I'm Cris, I have just started posting in this forum. I have a 5 yo DS who is to be starting kindergarten this fall. It's really in my heart to homeschool him but I just can't decide what path to take.

First of all, we tried it at the start of this past school year... I wasn't committed and he missed preschool, so back he went. Good Christian pre-K program, so it was a good environment, even though he didn't learn a lot. (He's very academically advanced so chances are for the first few years, he's not going to learn much whereever we send him!!) But I'm afraid I'll flake out again.

We'd started considering hsing because we were in a lousy school district. We now are in a better one, so DH thinks we should send him to the half day K program. (He's not totally against me hsing, in fact thinks it would be best for DS and knows I'm perfectly capable intellectually... just wonders if I'm capable of sticking it out and handling it emotionally.) I'm trying to decide if we should do that and continue to supplement him at home, then decide what to do from there after K. But part of me just doesn't want him in the ps system AT ALL!! We are still pretty mild here as far as what's taught, none of the strong agendas like you're starting to see in some areas. But I know the curriculum is dumbed down, the supervision is lax, and the Christian value system just isn't in place - just like everywhere else.

There are some good Christian schools in the area, one is where he went for preschool, but financially we're trying to get our house in order, including paying down some debts, and it just wouldn't be responsible of us to send him to one right now... it'd be terribly hard on us.

I'm in an area where hsing is not very popular, so I wouldn't have a ton of IRL support. There are a few support groups but most people think I'm nuts.

Anyway, just some random thoughts. Just wanted to introduce myself and tell you a little about our situation. I've been praying very strongly for clarity on this topic and that DH and I would be of one mind, so additional prayers would be welcomed!!

Cris

Cris,

Home schooling DOES take as much effort, work and commitment on your part as it does your child's... sometimes MORE! I would suggest praying, asking hubby to pray too, asking anyone you call on as an accountability partner or whom you look up to spiritually, etc... to pray about the matter as well, and see what God says about it. If you go into home schooling on your own strength, then yes... it's going to be an IMMENSE struggle; just like any ministry (yes, I consider home schooling a ministry). You have to rely on Christ's power for it to work. I, too, have had a couple of false starts where I just wasn't committed and was trying to do it "in the flesh" so to speak.

Once you've been guided as to whether this is God's will for you and if you find out that it is, then I suggest starting each day, before you begin school, in your OWN quiet time with the Lord, your OWN devotions, your OWN prayer, giving your whole mind, heart and strength to Him and He will give you the commitment and energy, etc... John 15:5. =)

In His love,