I'm Done Homeschooling... Or Am I?
I took a little time off from homeschooling. I've actually thought I was "done" twice. The first time lasted two months. The second time was longer, but I learned a lot during the time off. I learned that when I sit in my kid's classroom, silently critiquing the teacher's methods, I am probably not the most supportive classroom parent, and I am lacking Christlike qualities of humility and grace. The time wasted on transitioning from one activity to another baffled me. The time wasted dragging out learning basic letter sounds and names was astounding, since I had taught several children to READ in the time it took his first grade class to learn all the sounds the alphabet makes! But it was the attitude of the teachers--the blatant, uncaring attitude, that really upset me. No matter what her degree, or how long she has taught, she's not me: The Homeschool Mom.
Why do I homeschool? Because I love my kids more than anything, and I want to give them an education on their terms, where they are. I want to raise them to love the Lord, learn Biblical principles, and appreciate family values. Those teachers will never do any of these things for my kids.
Meet me... meet 5 Kids and a Dog
My blog
I started it as a homeschool blog, changed it a bit when I stopped homeschooling, and have recently added back in all my homeschool stuff. I post frequently on a number of topics, ranging from struggles with homeschooling, struggles with NOT homeschooling, raising teens, raising a special needs child, and all the craziness all this entails.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byIt's a Momma's Life
What I do and who I do it For
I'm a stay at home mom who works very part-time as a CNA in a long term care facility. I try to get in two evenings a week, but some weeks I take 3 shifts and some weeks I don't have any. My kids and my family come first! I have 5 kids at home and 1 grown, and a baby grandson. Our kids at home are sons 6, 8 & 17 and daughters 14 & 16. Our younger sons are currently VERY into Star Wars, and fancy themselves of the Jedi variety. We have several "light sabres" and they practice regularly.I love to digital scrapbook, and blog, and read. I took a couple college courses to learn how to make the most of Photoshop CS2. I like to hang out at Scrapbook Bytes, to get new ideas for scrapbook layouts. I enjoy researching topics, and I'm having fun learning all about Squidoo!
Homeschooling is Great, Because...
2. I enjoy being around my kids, and they aren't embarassed to spend time with their family.
3. When teaching "Family Comes First", it actually does.
4. I can teach school subjects and life from a Christian worldview.
5. My special needs son is able to do his work, at his pace, in his way.
6. When we're done with school for the day, there's no homework!
7. I don't have to teach fuzzy math.
8. If the kids are really into their new science kit, we can spend the day using it.
9. There is no lining up or waiting in line for anything, unless we take a field trip with a group.
10. My children will never be shot at school...except maybe by Nerf guns... or possibly paintballs. :)
Homeschool Books to Get You Started
Or Re-started!
Software for Education
and a Little Bit of Fun
The Teacher
by Leslie Pinckney Hill (1880-1960)
To little children day by day,
So prone myself to go astray?
I teach them KNOWLEDGE, but I know
How faint they flicker and how low
The candles of my knowledge glow.
I teach them POWER to will and do,
But only now to learn anew
My own great weakness through and through.
I teach them LOVE for all mankind
And all God's creatures, but I find
My love comes lagging far behind.
Lord, if their guide I still must be,
Oh let the little children see
The teacher leaning hard on Thee.
I love this poem! I had it printed and slipped into the cover of my lesson plan notebook for years when my kids were little.
P.S.
Reader Feedback
groovyoldlady wrote...
Hey...I guess it's true that Mama knows best. Welcome to "Happy at Home" and to Squidoo. There are many fabulous resources for us homeschool moms and our squids...um, I mean KIDS.
Posted December 27, 2008
dc64 wrote...
I also homeschool my son, who is 6. I've homeschooled my 3 daughters during the military transitions from one city to another, but I like the way the Department of Defense Schools were, so I would put them in school on the base. If that wasn't an option, I homeschooled. I've tried the Public School system many times, and I was always disappointed. My daughter, Sabrina has attended the local public school for the last 4 years, and she is a Senior this year, but she was so grounded and intelligent, that she didn't fall prey to the system. She found friends with her morals and good attitude, and they are a great asset to her. There are some really good teachers in the public system, and I applaud them. i hope they don't become disenchanted.
Posted December 24, 2008
Evelyn_Saenz wrote...
Having homeschooled my children for years and then becoming a mom of kids in school I can throughly identify with the way you feel about teachers. You put into words the way I feel when I go to parent teacher's conferences. Why is it that organization of worksheets is more important than learning? Reading through your lens I long to homeschool again.
No one will love to teach your children as much as you do.
Posted December 22, 2008
MommaKnows wrote...
in reply to Jimmie Thank you Jimmie! That means a lot. :)
Posted December 20, 2008
Jimmie wrote...
This is a wonderful glimpse into your life and your homeschool journey. Welcome to Squidoo!
Posted December 20, 2008
by MommaKnows
I have 5 kids at home and 1 grown, and a baby grandson. Our k... (more)
