O/T Homeschoolers?! I need advice....

[tknelsen]

I need advice from those of you who homeschool as to how you made the decision to keep your kids home. In addition, do any of you have any suggestions for resources/support groups/websites that might give me some direction? And how do you manage to schedule it all (I have two younger ones not ready for school yet)? I am struggling with this idea - my oldest is enrolled in public school right now, and both she and I are very unhappy. I am so confused and conflicted about this I don't even know how to start!

Thanks in advance for any input.
Tracy

 

[Calico]

Hi Tracy,

It needs to be a joint decision between both you and your husband. We made the decision early on, public school wasn't a choice(dh had gone to private school and I went to public school) and private school was too expensive. We have homeschooled since the beginning. We also homeschool because we want our boys so not be bombarded with the things of the world that they are too young to know about. When my sons were younger I would homeschool during naptime or give the youngers ones busy work to do, ie.. coloring, puzzles, video to watch. In the early grades homeschooling doesn't take that long so that helped also. I workout in the mornings before we start, we don't start school til about 10 so I exercise before that.

I use Christian Liberty Press' Curricullum Kits for my kids and only replace the workbooks for the other 2. I buy one complete kit for the oldest then just reuse the textbook and buy new workbooks but never a complete kit again.

You can go to www.teachingmom.com for info and different message boards where you can get support and info.

What state are you in? You will need to find out what the rules are in your particular state.

I am in PA and it is one of the more strict states to homeschool in but it is not impossible to follow.

I hope I have answered some of your questions.

My boys are 12, 10 and 7.5.

You can always e-mail me too at [email protected]
:7

 

[Dml]

Hi Tracy,

I would start at your local library. They have plenty of books on homeschooling there. Look for Mary Pride or Debra Bell books. Both are seasoned homeschool moms. I would go to www.hslda.org (homeschool legal defense fund). They have the laws for each state and I believe homeschooling groups for each state. I'm also in PA (where are you located Annette?). We have awesome homeschool activities in our county. My kids belong to a homeschool bowling league with approx. 75-100 kids on it. My teenage daughter went on a "formal" dinner boat cruise (basically a homeschool prom of sorts) at the Balto. Inner Harbor complete with gowns, tuxedos, DJ (it was awesome, I was able to chaperone and had a great time). In the Spring many states have homeschool conventions where there are lots of curriculum vendors and you can look at books before buying. I would take your daughter and venture to a used homeschool bookstore to "leaf through" the different types of curriculum available so you can see if there is something that might work for you. The nice thing about homeschooling is you can tailor your child's education to his/her learning style. They have everything available now from traditional textbooks, to computer programs, online classes, cyber schools, hands-on unit studies, co-ops, satellite dish classes, etc. The possibilities are limitless. I would also request a homeschool catalog from Christian Book Distributors (I believe it is www.christianbooks.com). They have tons of materials at a discounted price. For our family it was the best decision we made. I know most families who "take the plunge" never regret it. Not to say that there aren't days when you wake-up and think "WHAT IN THE WORLD AM I DOING?!?!?!" They are very few and far in between. I know of a few families who did it for several years, some for a few, and some all the way through high school. I hoped I helped you a little instead of confusing you more! God bless you. I know you and your husband will make the right decision for your family.

Blessings,
Denise

 

[Calico]

Hi Denise, I am in Waynesboro, PA, South Central near the MD border. Where are you? I did notice that Tracy is in MD which is a fairly easy state to homeschool in. I started out homeschooling in MD. Denise, how old are your kids? Small world isn't it.

Glad to meet another homeschooler that likes Cathe,LOL!!:7

 

[Cid]

Hi Tracy! I'm like Annette...3 boy ages 12, 9.5, and 8. My eldest was in private school for first and second grade, but other than that we've only homeschooled. When the boys were younger it was easier for me to tailor-make our curriculm. christianbook.com is a great resource, especially for bargains. I used them almost exclusively in the beginning. Now that the boys are older I'm using A Beka DVD school and I love it. I've discovered I like having a curriculum tell me what is on the schedule for the day rather than orchestrate it myself...I know others would disagree, but having my books, keys, lesson plans, etc. handed to me ready-to-go has been great. It's more expensive than devising your own plan, but less expensive than private school. We also go to the YMCA homeschool group twice a week for P.E. There are homeschool support groups and co-ops in the area (some of my friends do the co-op on Mon./Wed. and the Y on Tues./Thurs.) but between homeschool, the Y, church, and baseball in the spring we're jam-packed! Your school district may have info on support groups, so you may want to start there.

The decision was agreed upon by both my husband and I, but I do the majority of it (I knew that going in...he's a small business owner). When I first started we had just moved to a new area and many of my new friends homeschooled...it was kind of the "thing" at my church at that time, yet I felt drawn to it. Now there's only a handful of families still homeschooling, but my friends who have put their kids in school are still some of my biggest cheerleaders! I know this is God's will for our family...for now What He may ask of me next year I do not know, but I will know when decision time comes. We take it year by year. I'm grateful that I can do this. My kids are close and like our life. They know someday they will be in a school of some sort, but none of them are asking to be put in school even though many of their friends are.

Hope this helps, and God bless you and your family richly!

CinDee

 

[Dml]

I'm right on the MD line in York County (Delta). I'm about 1/2 mile from Maryland. I didn't notice Tracy was in MD. I also belong to the homeschooling group in MD, Christian Home Educators Network (CHEN). They would be a SUPER group for you to check into Tracy www.chenmd.org . They have EXCELLENT co-ops, etc. They even do a yearbook, which is quite nice. My kids are 16 (we're dealing with the Learners Permit now) 13 and 11. We use the Bob Jones University HomeSat program. Love it. It is a small world. I used to live in Baltimore. Where did you live in MD Annette, and where do you live Tracy?

Blessings,
Denise

 

[MSJ]

Hi Tracy,

I just wrote you a huge post and it got lost when my dial up knocked me off the netx(. Oh well, I will respond again if I get the chance. I think you got some excellent advice from these other ladies.

best of luck with your decisions and keep us posted.

Maggie

 

[Calico]

Hi Denise, we lived in Washington county, in Boonsboro, my dh still works in Frederick and he is from the Pasadena, MD area originally. How's that for a run on sentence,LOL!!:+

We both seem to be on the MD border, we still do most of our shopping in Hagerstown. We are 15-20 min. from MD, smack in the middle between Hagerstown, MD and Chambersburg, PA.

We only have one vehicle so I can't do co-ops at this point in time.

Have a great day!! or rather evening!:7