Comments on: Deciding to Homeschool http://www.themomcrowd.com/deciding-to-homeschool Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:20:45 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: FireMom http://www.themomcrowd.com/deciding-to-homeschool/comment-page-1#comment-119875 FireMom Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:07:47 +0000 http://www.themomcrowd.com/?p=2015#comment-119875 This post was very informative. We haven't yet made any decisions but I thank you for taking the time to share all of this information and your experience. This post was very informative. We haven’t yet made any decisions but I thank you for taking the time to share all of this information and your experience.

]]> By: Eleanor http://www.themomcrowd.com/deciding-to-homeschool/comment-page-1#comment-119869 Eleanor Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:22:53 +0000 http://www.themomcrowd.com/?p=2015#comment-119869 I think that the key to educating children is that it is the parents job and responsibility. Now that does not mean everyone needs to homeschool. I actually have my 3 older children in public school. However, I am responsible for their education. This means that I am very involved in their school and in communication with their teachers. I also supplement their learning when I feel that they need extra help, or are ready to move beyond what they are being taught at school. Right now this works well for me. I think that the key to educating children is that it is the parents job and responsibility. Now that does not mean everyone needs to homeschool. I actually have my 3 older children in public school. However, I am responsible for their education. This means that I am very involved in their school and in communication with their teachers. I also supplement their learning when I feel that they need extra help, or are ready to move beyond what they are being taught at school. Right now this works well for me.

]]> By: Amy Moore http://www.themomcrowd.com/deciding-to-homeschool/comment-page-1#comment-119867 Amy Moore Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:23:44 +0000 http://www.themomcrowd.com/?p=2015#comment-119867 I so agree with your husband, and I am really glad that you guys talked about challenges faced by homeschooled kids once they graduate. I was homeschooled and I wrote about the repercussions of being homeschooled in my life at <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/homeschooling_disadvantages" rel="nofollow">The Disadvantages of Homeschooling</a>. I think when parents do as you are apparently doing (with one child in public, one at home)by making educational decisions based on the child and the child's wellbeing in the future it has the best chances at success. I cringe when people talk about their "family" decision, and how they are a "homeschooling family" when it's not the family that will have to live with the education - it is the child. I so agree with your husband, and I am really glad that you guys talked about challenges faced by homeschooled kids once they graduate. I was homeschooled and I wrote about the repercussions of being homeschooled in my life at The Disadvantages of Homeschooling.

I think when parents do as you are apparently doing (with one child in public, one at home)by making educational decisions based on the child and the child’s wellbeing in the future it has the best chances at success. I cringe when people talk about their “family” decision, and how they are a “homeschooling family” when it’s not the family that will have to live with the education – it is the child.

]]> By: Sharon M http://www.themomcrowd.com/deciding-to-homeschool/comment-page-1#comment-119864 Sharon M Fri, 16 Oct 2009 07:26:57 +0000 http://www.themomcrowd.com/?p=2015#comment-119864 One of the wonderful parts of homeschooling is that you can do it as long or short as you want to. The kids don't have to be homeschooled for their entire lives -- but they can if you want. I was homeschooled for kindergarten and 1st grade, then went to private school in 2nd, before entering the public school system in 3rd. One of my dear friends from church started homeschooling when she was either in 9th or 10th grade, and finished high school that way. Great tips for those who are thinking about homeschooling. I even knew a mom over here who homeschooled her four kids, and it worked really well for them. They had an Arabic tutor come once a week to help with the language acquisition, but they mostly stuck to an American curriculum. Which turned out to be very fortunate, b/c they're back in the States now! One of the wonderful parts of homeschooling is that you can do it as long or short as you want to. The kids don’t have to be homeschooled for their entire lives — but they can if you want. I was homeschooled for kindergarten and 1st grade, then went to private school in 2nd, before entering the public school system in 3rd. One of my dear friends from church started homeschooling when she was either in 9th or 10th grade, and finished high school that way.

Great tips for those who are thinking about homeschooling. I even knew a mom over here who homeschooled her four kids, and it worked really well for them. They had an Arabic tutor come once a week to help with the language acquisition, but they mostly stuck to an American curriculum. Which turned out to be very fortunate, b/c they’re back in the States now!

]]> By: Amy http://www.themomcrowd.com/deciding-to-homeschool/comment-page-1#comment-119863 Amy Fri, 16 Oct 2009 05:16:04 +0000 http://www.themomcrowd.com/?p=2015#comment-119863 I've been "officially" homeschooling my kids for 3 years now (2nd grade, Kindergarten, preschooler and toddler). I absolutely LOVE it! We decided to homeschool for several reasons. The first reason: I would miss them too much. Secondly, I felt like I could teach them in a way that was tailored to each child's learning style and specific needs. And, most importantly, our faith plays a huge role in their education. It's certainly challenging (like, when do I do the dishes and laundry!?!?), but being there for all of those "ah-ha" moments is just priceless. I love having the freedom to take our "school" on the road, or do math in the kitchen (making cookies!), or take a week off because family is visiting. My biggest concern is having to teach something I know nothing about. Hopefully that won't happen for many, many years! Thankfully there are co-ops and videos for chemistry and physics :) I think one of the hardest things about homeschooling - for me - is putting aside my selfish desires and the "me time". The kids and I are together all day, every day. I do get a weekly break every Thursday night, thanks to my wonderful husband. I thank the Lord everyday for the opportunity to be mommy and teacher to these 4 awesome kids. Homeschooling is hard work, but it is so very rewarding! I’ve been “officially” homeschooling my kids for 3 years now (2nd grade, Kindergarten, preschooler and toddler). I absolutely LOVE it! We decided to homeschool for several reasons. The first reason: I would miss them too much. Secondly, I felt like I could teach them in a way that was tailored to each child’s learning style and specific needs. And, most importantly, our faith plays a huge role in their education. It’s certainly challenging (like, when do I do the dishes and laundry!?!?), but being there for all of those “ah-ha” moments is just priceless. I love having the freedom to take our “school” on the road, or do math in the kitchen (making cookies!), or take a week off because family is visiting. My biggest concern is having to teach something I know nothing about. Hopefully that won’t happen for many, many years! Thankfully there are co-ops and videos for chemistry and physics :) I think one of the hardest things about homeschooling – for me – is putting aside my selfish desires and the “me time”. The kids and I are together all day, every day. I do get a weekly break every Thursday night, thanks to my wonderful husband. I thank the Lord everyday for the opportunity to be mommy and teacher to these 4 awesome kids. Homeschooling is hard work, but it is so very rewarding!

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