For Stockmama

    Hi there-

We LOVE homeschooling! Right now we have one in 8th grade level, one in 5th, one in 3rd, and one in 1st. When we had more than one child we decided private school was out and public school wasn't an option for us. Don't get me wrong, there are days that I want to pull out my hair! For the most part though, we have a good time with it. And yes, we plan on schooling all the way through. I can't imagine going to all this work to let the kids loose in a public high school. If you have any questions, I'll do my best to answer them.

FYI- We made the decision to homeschool when our oldest was 3 1/2.

I am too. How do you get your curriculum, or decide what to teach? Do you have a support system?

How do you handle socialization issues? I'm really torn on homeschooling verses school, and that's one of the biggies. I know that there's a lot of morality issues to homeschooling, but as I was a former HR manager, I saw firsthand the struggles people face in the real world when they're lacking real world people skills. Getting through school for some folks is bad, but if they can't learn to cope with the in-fighting, backstabbing and just plain meanness of folks in school, then they're learning it sometimes for real at their first jobs. At the same time some of them are learning the whole thing of love, or lack thereof and the desperateness of that, freedom, etc. So I'm lost a little in the "let them sink/swim now, while I can be there to help them float" and making it easy for them now by sheltering them and keeping them in my "sane" world VERSES sending them to school and just letting them cope with it all.

We're active in church, but as my kids are still pretty young, there isn't much socialization other than Sunday School. Playgroups don't do that much good either, as it's a natural selection process on my part - if the kids are mean to my kids, then we don't play, period. (I'm a hard#$! of "don't bite/kick/hit/push/grope/curse at my kids!!!")
    
    

I worked in the private Christian school environment for many years.  The younger two boys of ours went through that same school from 4th & 5th grade through graduation; while our oldest boy went through public school through graduation.  The oldest boy was already a freshman in high school and did not want to leave when the others started private school.   This past year I helped to homeschool  my 5th grade grandson.  Having seen some of it all I can say that if I had it to do over again, I would homeschool in a minute!  I love the interaction of teaching/learning with the kids and love the Abeka Christian curriculum.   We did use another math curriculum (Saxon).  The local homeschool group is very active; field trips are held as well as a science fair.  Homeschooling is so rewarding, but does require a strong commitment as well as good organizational skills and discipline.

I must say it's so nice to see pro-homeschooling people on this site.

When we first started homeschooling, we had desks, chalkboards, posters, you name it. We were going to make sure we had everything by the book. After a few years we figured out that we were simply copying what someone else's book said. The kids now, sort of, start out at the kitchen table and migrate from there. Some are flopped on the couch, some seek solitude in their room and (I love this one) the favorite spot is sitting on the deck on the outside swing in the sun. So much for desks!

We have tried many curricula over the past years. At this point we've settled on Abeka for reading and phonics (early grades), Saxon math, and everything else from Seton. A bit of a conglomeration. It works for us, but not necessarily for everyone else.

The biggest thing I'd say is try not to be overwhelmed. There's a lot of information out there. Try to find a family that's homeschooling to your style and ask questions. You've taught your children all of their lives up until they turn five (CA rules) and then the state comes along and say "We'll take it from here." I don't think so! You have the abilty. It's as it was intended.

As far as socialization goes, it can drive you to an early grave trying to keep up with the opportunities. Our kids have a choice of two things they can be involved in. Considering we have four in school years, that's a lot of choices. Luckily, we've combined a few. My oldest has Boy Scouts and trapshooting. The next in line has trapshooting and art. The two younger ones take the same art class.

Ask yourself how much "socializing" your child(ren) get in school. It's my understanding they are in school to learn things. They have two short breaks and a lunch-time. Pretty much the same thing as the average adult who goes to work everyday. All of their socializing is done "after school." If you become part of a group there are always opportunities for park days, outings and get-togethers. Good luck finding time to get the actual schoolwork done!

As it was mentioned, your relationship with your kids will definitely be different than anything you can imagine. All of a sudden you're the one they will seek advice from. They will learn they can rely on their parent to be the one there for them. Talk about a solid foundation! It doesn't get much better than that.

From the responses here it looks like you've found a great place to start with the questions. I'm personally enjoying all the answers as well.

Thanks so much all for the help!! I knew I could count on the knowledgable people from this site to point me in the right direction!! Thanks so much, and blessings to you all!
    

Ann,

My son struggling with math right now is in the 5th grade and it just getting everything solid and memorizing multiplication tables that he is struggling with.