How did you know: Homeschooling

[Deepcallstodeep]

I am just curious: how did you moms out there who are homeschooling, know that it was time/the Lord's will for you to do so?

My kids are still young, 6 and 4. But I have been praying that if it's something the Lord wants me to do (I have a teaching degree, but am a stay home mom now/volunteer employee for a Christian non-profit), that He will make it clear to me.

Was it something you always knew you would do, or something you were lead/called to do at some point in your kids' education process?

Did your kids have a hard time with the transition? Did you? :)

Thanks for any insight.

[Leialoha]

SORRY so long.. I realized I wrote a short book here!

No, it was not something that was ever in the beginning clear to me. I had a small interest in homeschooling right before moving to our current state of residence (while my daughter was in school) because of an amazing family in our neighborhood. The kids were so close to each other, very well mannered, and spoke to adults like no kids I've ever seen before (I've always worked with kids professionally) I thought so much of the family I asked the mom to show me how she homeschools. Overwhelmed after that meeting, I decided that homeschooling was not for me. I also falsely bought the lie that I wouldn't be able to provide the "socialization" for my very active daughter.

We started homeschooling because my daughter was miserable in school (daily stomach aches and nightmares). We tried 2 very good Christian schools and it was not any problem with kids or mean/bad teachers, or anything like that. She just hated leaving home and being with all those kids and having to sit in a desk for long periods of time. She stressed out that she had to work at a certain speed or she would not finish her work in time and miss out on some free time. She was upset when she would have marks on her papers -- it all stressed her out.

Anyway, we still figured we would keep her in school and just hope that she would soon acclimate like many people said she would: it just takes time for some kids to get used to the school life. When we thought we were moving again across the country (we had just moved 6 months earlier) and it would mean switching schools 2 months into the school year we thought homeschooling her until we moved would be a better decision.

I started reading books immediately in August and pulled my daughter from the roster 2 weeks before school started. I started panicing and praying. I didn't know what I was doing, and my husband wasn't sure I could pull this off. That was 6 years ago, and each year I learned a little more the amazing benefits for our family with homeschooling. I could make a list, and honestly say that without the experience of homeschooling I never would have believed that our family would benefit in the ways we have.

The first 2 years were tough and exciting at the same time. Life throws detours on my "plans" often: sick kids, child not cooperating, curriculum not working, neighbors needing help, new baby.... and there are moments when I think, "why am I doing this???" (especially if the kids are being cranky and I see a group of moms my age enjoying a leisure lunch laughing together).

How did I know God wanted me to homeschool? I didn't. I tried it and saw the spiritual changes in my family and knew that God was blessing it and giving me the strength to continue. I've learned more though homeschooling about leaning on God, following Him, and the importance of daily obedience then my bible degree taught me.

Whatever educational decisions you make, one thing is clear: biblically we are commanded to oversee the education of our children. So if you take it on yourself, or have a school teach your children, the repsonibility in the end lies with you, the parent. So, in any situation (public, private, tutor, homeschool) there is no passing the buck where God is concerned.

My advice would be to read the bible, pray, make a decision and if your family is able to serve God and grow in His grace then it is the right decision for your family. You may never have a lightning bolt moment.

[topekaclark]

Ok, I may be writing a short book too, sorry

I'm kinda new to homeschooling, I started last year with our then 7 year old. All of our kids attended public school, our oldest is 15 now, he was diagnosed learning disabled in 1st grade and received an IEP. Fast forward to last year, our 7 year was showing same signs as our 15 year and the school wanted to retain her. I have always been a parent to work with the kids at night and summer on expanding their skills. I pushed the school to have her tested. It became more of a battle, I found myself caught up emotionally regarding the school and then I realized every day I kept fighting the school to address learning issues was every day she was falling farther behind, her self-esteem was low because she knew compared to other kids she wasn't able to read books like her classmates in 2nd grade. She was on a preschool level of reading. I prayed and prayed on it, I never dreamt of homeschooling, then one morning I woke up with the thought I can start from the beginning and work our way up in homeschooling. I prayed on it some more and felt at peace with it. I withdrawal her from school before 2nd semester, she has blossomed. Yes, she does have a different learning style but one I'm learning to adapt.

Now I am getting reading to home school our 6th grader too, she has been on the honor roll in public schools but school work wasn't showing honor roll material. I had an assessment test done, she was behind too. Plus, we worried about her because she is a follower and very emotional. In public school she exposed to so much (innercity school). One of her best friends had two moms, we put our foot down and it was a fight because she didn't see anything wrong staying at her friends house. Husband and I talked and one of our worries as she got older that we would loose her to the world (hope that makes sense). So beginning last spring, I prayed on what to do with her. I ask God for a sign and I had one.

Starting out homeschooling, I learned I HAD TO LOOSEN UP. I was so set on a schedule and doing things "as the public school" does it was causing me stress and stress on my child. Once I started to relax and taking out time to make sure she had a new concept down (phonics rules) things went smoothly. It's a time commitment, they are days I miss working because of our income but I know right know this is God's will.

My advice is the same as Leialoha, study scriptures, pray and make a decision as an husband and wife.:pray
In a nutshell I love homeschooling and am excited to do both of my girls.
Plus, I researched homeschooling vs public school.

[Deepcallstodeep]

Thank you both so very much for your excellent responses! I don't have any "red flags" yet as my kids are still little, my oldest son starts 1st grade this fall (the little guy starts preschool). Right now they will be in a wonderful school in our town that is just preschool-1st grade and we love it. Small classes, great teachers. It's kind of what comes after this that I'm already thinking about. And topekaclark, I totally get what you're saying about "losing" our kids to the world.

The very fact that I've begun to think and pray on it, seems to be saying it may be something I am supposed to do at some point. I would just like the opportunity to present lessons to them from a faith-based perspective.

Thank you Leialoha, too, for everything you said about being responsible for our kids' education... in Christ and otherwise. As a teacher (I taught HS English) I generally found that my students who were struggling most had parents who for whatever reason (work, single parenting, etc) could not spend much time with their children on schoolwork. Being an involved parent is so important.

I've never bought into to the whole "socialization" issue. I got this same argument when I opted to be a stay home mom, that my kids would never get properly socialized! Well, we joined mommy groups and church playgroups and we have lots of kids on our street, and my kids are socializing just fine!!!

Anyway... will keep praying about it... and I am so blessed by the resources I've found already on the RR board.

Thank you, sisters!! :hug

[all things]

This is the short version, but believe me I could say so much more: :yeah It's been many years since we finished up our homeschooling. We started when my girls were 15 and 10. The schools were teaching things that I didn't approve of (the gay agenda, sex education with condoms, etc.) and there was certainly violence at the middle school. The ten year old begged to be allowed to homeschool as well despite being "popular" and excelling in band and chorus. So after seeing some Christian TV programs, talking it over with my mother and husband, and ordering some material, we made a leap of faith. We loved it from the first day. What a breath of fresh air. We had plenty of socialization, only with the "right" kind of associates and friends. We have never regretted it, and the girls turned out to be the most lovely young women. Both just recently presented me with my first 2 grandchildren 7 weeks apart.

[Hope]

I wonder which curriculums you all find work best. I am going to homeschool this year my 10 and 9 year old. PLUS, I have a home business ... YIKES! What am I doing? No, seriously, I am happy about it, just a little scared, such an awesome responsibility. BUT, my kids have a good start, can read well and find there way through math .... sort of!

Like Leialoha, my daughter also had the upset stomach, all kinds of symptomatic aches and pains. And my son, though he is NOT ADHD, is just a typical hyper kid that would rather be doing ANYTHING except school work. I have already found with him that if I have him burn some energy first, he has a much better time at concentrating. Even if I have do that once an hour, it's worth it.

I have been using Schoolzone just for the summer and will go with Abekka this fall. Anyone have any input on that?

Pax!

Hope


Hope

[wife]

I wonder which curriculums you all find work best. I am going to homeschool this year my 10 and 9 year old. PLUS, I have a home business ... YIKES! What am I doing? No, seriously, I am happy about it, just a little scared, such an awesome responsibility. BUT, my kids have a good start, can read well and find there way through math .... sort of!

Like Leialoha, my daughter also had the upset stomach, all kinds of symptomatic aches and pains. And my son, though he is NOT ADHD, is just a typical hyper kid that would rather be doing ANYTHING except school work. I have already found with him that if I have him burn some energy first, he has a much better time at concentrating. Even if I have do that once an hour, it's worth it.

I have been using Schoolzone just for the summer and will go with Abekka this fall. Anyone have any input on that?

Pax!

Hope


Hope
If you work then I would find a curriculum that doesn't require much planning on your part. I love ACE or CLE. They are student directed. I can help them with the new instruction and they can usually do a few days without me hovering over them

[wife]

How did I decide to homeschool?


Well, my mom always wanted to homeschool, but it wasn't something that you did back in the 70's. So she sent my brother and I off to school. Well when I was in HS, I was 1/2 a year behind so she pulled me out and homeschooled me and I actually finished school 1/2 a year ahead. So I was hooked on homeschooling. I loved the idea. Well, dh and I tried for 9 years to get pg before we adopted our first baby. We talked a lot those 9 years about homeschooling and we were both in favor of it. Well, when my boy was 4 everyone was asking where I would send him to school and I would look at him and think "I cried for 9 years for this child, I cannot imagine sending him to someone else for 8 hours a day. This is my child and God gave him to me to teach and train" so..... I started homeschooling. My (ex)SIL was homeschooling at the time, so I had a bit of support.

When my son turned 9 this year I told him it was time for him to go to school full time...:pound He was not amused.:idunno..

I now homeschool my 3 kids and I love what I do..

[Hope]

Yes, I looked at ACE. I was wondering that very same thing, whether it could be done more independently.

I may have to look into that more.

Thanks!!

Hope

[funmudder]

I always wanted to from my own years in high school. I never thought I was capable. Then my oldest son was threatened with a gun by a kid that had bullied him the year before and the school behaved like I was overreacting...he was in second grade.

We pulled him out that moment and have never looked back. Now we have 5 kids, and Lord willing, none of them will be outschooled :nod

They regularly test above their ps peers, and what is more, they retain things that on a level that just blows our detractors away. Many of our biggest opponents to homeschooling are now our biggest supporters. :nod

And as a side note, their social life is far better rounded than mine has ever been :lol