Homeschool Mom Tells All

That is the hardest question to answer I think. Why do you send your kids to public school? In many states, homeschooling is not considered "rebellious" anymore.

When we decided to homeschool, we lived in Texas where we were surrounded by hundreds of families that chose the same path. If I had to list some reasons, they would be

1) our Christian faith

2) being in the military, moving around so much, at least our kids have a stable education (the curriculum/grade level/teacher doesn't change!!)

3) the areas we have lived in did not have the safest schools

4) I love to teach!

If you asked me today why we continue to homeschool, I would refer you to the above list and add a few other philosophical reasons. Basically, the original source of education was the family, and my husband and I believe that is where children belong. We also believe that school is focused too much on academics and cognitive skill and doesn't provide for the development of a holistic self.

Both my husband and I graduated high school. We have both taken a couple college-level classes. My husband has been through 3 military schools, and I have also taken a couple Christian courses through various churches.

Do you feel this has an effect on your teaching (both limits and abilities)?

Not really. I have always loved learning. My husband and I are both avid readers. But even without that, we have a deep interest in the education of our children. There are so many resources out there now, that I think educational level has little to do with the success of your homeschooling. Who else is so dedicated to making sure a child has the best education than the loving parents?

It depends on the day, but when we are officially 'in session', our actual sit-down time is usually only 2-3 hours in the afternoon.

The rest of the time is art, gymnastics, gardening, playing, reading, listening to audio books, computer time, etc. ( I also have a household to run, so we run errands, clean, do chores, work outside, work at church, etc)

When we adjusted from a strict schedule with a curriculum to a more relaxed approach, the lines between 'school' and 'home' virtually dissipated.

My kids read and learn all the time and are usually up for any activity I suggest that sounds fun and meaningful.

Um, whose kids are always polite and ready to learn? I would like their phone number and personal diary please. Kidding aside, we have to encourage both of them to have good attitudes, and to respect their elders. That only seems necessary at our house though, when we are in public, they seem to behave themselves fairly well.

There are days when we are all frustrated, and those usually occur when I am trying to impose my agenda on their already passionate lives. I have learned to ask rather than tell- because they are individuals and I want to respect their own interests and goals for education as well as my own. I also have to look at what I am asking them to learn and be engaged in- is it just busywork? Does it mean anything to them.

We most often apologize, have a little talk, and have a re-start (we pretend we are sleeping, then wake up and start the day over with a better attitude). That usually helps.

Sometimes frustration comes from not understanding or not being ready to understand a concept. That is good frustration if used correctly. When one of my kids gets frustrated or grumpy about an activity, we immediately take a break and evaluate what it was that upset them. 99% of the time if we come back to that task at a later point (sometimes much later- as in years), they are at a better developmental and emotional point to easily overcome the challenge.

Homeschooling has affected my parenting in a few ways. In some ways, it is good because I am able to see where my children have struggles, and where I have struggles.

I realize that I have to be an example for them to follow, and that makes me watch my actions a lot more. When we are home and the phone rings, I am conscious that my kids are there, listening in on me.

It is also the kind of thing that before you start homeschooling, if you have any discipline issues or anger issues or any kind of family struggles, it will be magnified tenfold.

Some people believe that homeschooling can solve all their family problems, and though it can lead to a greater family bond and better behaved kids, it is not a magical solution. It takes a lot of work.

When your kids are at school all day and you are at work/home/fill in the blank, there are issues that are put under someone else's authority, on both sides of the dynamic. When you are parent/educator/principal/provider for your children, all those issues are on your shoulders now. All the emotional, mental, spiritual, and social issues are now contained within your family unit.

Quite a bit. Our afternoons and evenings usually are pretty scheduled, most of the year.

Mornings and late afternoon are left pretty much open. They use that free time to play, do crafts, ride bikes, do normal kid stuff.

But, I also try to encourage them to use their time wisely, as it is not good to be idle.

They help me keep house, read books (good quality books), do puzzles, build with legos, things that will encourage creativity and hard work.

I guess I would say organization and comparison.

I have never been a very organized person, my husband either. I struggle to keep things in order, and stay on track. We have learned to live and work around that.

Also, I have gotten myself all in knots because I started comparing my homeschool experience with the "supermoms" that do it all. Unit studies, field trips, classical learning, they make me seem like a country bumpkin. But, my husband has reminded me ever so lovingly that we must do what works for us.

One of the goals we have as parents is to spend time with our kids- just good quality time. I have realized over the years that stress and activities and schedules do very little in the way of just growing and learning as a family.

Being together as a family when my husband gets leave time. Not having my kids in school the day that daddy came home from Iraq.

Seeing those aha moments when the kids learn important concepts about God, math, science, etc.

Learning right along with them! Having them say "Mom, you're the best teacher!" (although they are a little biased!)

We serve in our church mostly.

We give rides to the elderly, visit nursing homes, take meals to sick people.

We give 5-day clubs (mini-VBS type camps) for our neighborhood kids.

We volunteer to help in our FRG group (military Family Readiness Group), we babysit neighbor's kids, at other military stations we have volunteered at the local library to read, organize books, etc.

At church, at gymnastics, playing with the neighborhood kids, in Chuckie Cheese, at the park, at family gatherings, at VBS, at military family functions. I would say 80% of kids we interact with are not homeschooled.

Would you like more of these opportunities?

Actually I don't really notice or ask when we get together. I know families from both sides of the camp and every point in between and generally everyone gets along just great. This is one stereotype of homeschooling I wish would go away- that we don't socialize outside our kind. It makes us sound like elitists. I don't automatically assume anything about a family until they wish to provide the information of their educational and parental choices.

How can they be created?

I think just interaction in any community will bring you into contact with people from all backgrounds, educational and cultural.

That we are some fanatical sheltered group that never lets their kids talk with "the public school kids" and teaches them all these crazy dogmas.

My husband and I teach our kids about our Christian faith, and that permeates what we teach, yes.

But we don't hide our kids like a cult from thinking for themselves about issues or beliefs.

We teach them what we feel is right, but they are their own being and have to choose themselves one day.

We can't force them to be just like us, and we can't shelter them forever.

But, we can teach them to think critically instead of buying into to what they are fed, from any source.

THE HOMESCHOOL CLUB is real parents and kids sharing their best resources for great homeschooling. Each day we celebrate learning by opening doors to a world of creativity, knowledge and discovery. In the car, at the kitchen sink, and down by the frog pond - the whole world is our classroom and we explore it with creative projects, games, and activities. This club is a place to share, organize, and discuss how and what we learn in the world. Make a free page to tell your own homeschooling story and share your favorite resources. We can't wait to hear from you!