Hi all. this is probably a little premature since my ds is only 5 months old. i would like any tips on homeschooling. my dh and i have decided we will homeschool or send him to private school if we can afford it. when we mentioned homeschooling to my inlaws my mil said "what about solicialization?'

we have friends with small kids and there are plenty of organizations that my kid can join. how many of you have come across nay sayers?

i want to teach my child self reliance and give him the best education that he deserves. is there anything wrong with that?

I have a degree in Elem. Ed, and I substitute teach a lot.  I have also worked in a job where I went into homes that offered home daycare to preschoolers.  I worked with them on organization and curriculum.  I have observed quite a bit of homeschooling in these daycare homes.  I applaud your thoughts on homeschooling your child.  You may want to think about your abilities in teaching.  Do you have patience?  Are you very organized?  Can you take the time that is needed to do this?  Can you put together a curriculum and gather the materials that you may need?  Will you be strict enough to make sure your child is on task and engaged in learning activities? Is there an area in your home that can be used as a classroom with no other distractions?  It doesn't work as well to have your child study at the kitchen table while the TV is on and you are cooking dinner (for example).

I have seen some wonderful home school situations, and some children who thrive in this environment.  I have also seen some horrible situations---like the day care mom that "home schooled " her older children----and they were spending their day taking care of the day care children, rather than studying.  I know you will not do that!  Still, you need to access your skills and how you will meet your child's needs before you decide to do this. 

I am a stay at home mom and i plan on being one when my ds gets older. i have an associates degree in human nutrition. so i have some college under my belt.

I see where you are coming from. I have found a great amount of patience when it comes to my child. My mind is always thinking about things that i could teach him. If it becomes to difficult we will send him to private school. We will find a way to pay for it.

Our school system in our city is horrible. We have several "F" schools. these are schools that are failing. some are "B" schools but most are "D".

I don't want my ds to be lost in the shuffle of 30 students.

lala:

how many of you have come across nay sayers?

I began homeschooling our oldest child twelve years ago. It was not an educational choice that most people were making at the time so few understood it. I had little support from my family. My children are second generation homeschoolers so I had a great support system with my in-laws.

It has not been the easiest path to take but I don't suppose life with children is ever easy. I don't regret homeschooling and I intend to have twelve more years ahead of us.

Brandy:

 

lala:

how many of you have come across nay sayers?

 

It has not been the easiest path to take but I don't suppose life with children is ever easy. I don't regret homeschooling and I intend to have twelve more years ahead of us.

 

isn't that the truth. ever since our little angel arrived our lives have changed. there isn't anything that i wouldn't do for my little boy.

gailewis:

Do you have patience?

 I think many parents have the capacity for the patience required to homeschool. The question is do they want to take that extra step, do they feel confident they can dig deep and find it on those hard days when it wears thin. 

gailewis:

-and they were spending their day taking care of the day care children, rather than studying

I think hands on experience with life and learning the skills needed in adult life is a great thing for all children. It has to be part of a full and sound education though. Does the mother you know think she is offering a good education?

lala:

Our school system in our city is horrible.

 That was one of the arguments I used for homeschooling. I didn't feel I could do worse than a public school. I have lived and schooled in two states that consistently remain at the bottom of the educational system. My husband and I consider ourselves victims of those systems. We wanted something better for our children. 

 I'm guilty of my own children looking as if they're 'doing one thing and not another'.  Our homeschool day starts fairly early and ends before noon - our youngest dd sometimes has to be at work at 10:30 a.m.  As my children moved thru grades and (finally!) took on the responsibility of completing 'x' amount of work over the course of the quarter, they became more efficient at completing the work in a timely manner - shortening their school day considerably.  

It could be that children seen 'not studying' have indeed completed their work for the day...just a thought.  Liz

TizzyLizzy:

 I'm guilty of my own children looking as if they're 'doing one thing and not another'

I think you know my oldest has worked since she was sixteen and the middle child went on a shrimp boat with his Dad for a month. They were both active in helping when my husband had a martial arts school as well. I am sure we look as if we don't spend much time on studies but our average day is four hours and we school all year long including some weekends.

 That is so true. And the older they get if they have learned to study, they are self motivatied to do it theirself. Then there is the aspect of learning being hands on. Math is learned in the kitchen or sewing. science is learned in the garden. It may not look like school but it is learning. I started homeschooling in 1981 and will finally finish with my kids this year. DD wants me to help with her kids next year. lol Babs