Homeschooling parents

[Living for Him]

I am new to the boards.I am looking and would like to offer some support for parents homeschooling their children. I am finding more support as time goes by,but it is hard in the beginning. I still have some questions of my own too ! Any body out there want to help me?

Living for him,Lori

 

[mistygail]

Lori,

don't know how much help I would be but we too homeschool our kids. This is the first year we have done it. I really don't have much support...yet...but I do have a friend who homeschools and it looks like she is going to get me some info on getting started with some homeschooling groups. I am looking forward to it! I think it will be great encouragement!

 

[Living for Him]

Well,then we'll just have to support each other! This is also our first year.I have truly loved it,and am so thankful for the time I've had with them.

May I ask ,what made you decide to homeschool? Is your family supportive?

 

[mistygail]

We decided to homeschool because we honestly don't like the idea of the public schools teaching our kids. There is just too much that they don't teach and too many other things that they teach that we don't believe to be true. We wouldn't mind putting them in a private christian school, but as it stands we really can't afford it. And with #4 on the way I don't know when (if ever) we'll be able to!

Our family is supportive, but they are 3 1/2 hours away. Eric's family is all for it, and my mom thinks it is a good idea and works for us (but she still sometimes thinks I am nuts for keeping them home constantly)

How about you? Does your family support you?? What do you use?? We mostly use ABeka and I suppliment that with different things that I find that I think would be good/fun and work for us.

 

[Martin]

I'll move this thread to the Fellowship Court, which is a more appropriate forum......

Blessings

 

[Living for Him]

Oh,well.Kind of a long story.MY family is very supportive.My ex-husband and his family,are the total opposite. It's been confusing at times for the kids I know,but inspite of that ,they have done so awesome.

Will you pray for me please? He has made me second guess my decision to homeschool Emily and Nathan.So I enrolled them in a Christian school for next year...I still feel I am to have them home with me. I love the school,we go to church there...I just have such a peace about having them at home with me.Have truly felt God with me through the whole process.Oh trust me,I've had my days when I'm going"aaaargh,why did I ever think I could do this !!!!" And now,I should feel ok about them going into the Christian school.How do I know if it's God,putting a check on my spirit,telling me to keep them home,or if it's just me,being a mom,and wanting to keep them home with me.Selfishness on my part?

I have used alot of different materials this year. Some Abeka,some Bob Jones,I have gotten alot of worksheets and materials online ! I have found so much...my hubby jokes alot ,and says I'm the online queen ! Emily is 1st grade and Nathan is kindergarten.They both started at 6,so they are a little older,so therefore,could be why they are both just flying !

Thankyou for taking the time to chat !

Lori

 

[pstroke]

The children and I are just finishing up our first year of homeschooling after getting a late start. I found that the public school system had completely lost all focus on what should be their goal, education.

I found what I think is a great curriculum at www.robinsoncurriculum.com .

For math the Saxon books are used. The kids are finally getting into math. Matthew (the oldest) has already finished his first math book and is half way through the second. Previously he was getting away with doing near zero in any subject. The curriculum allows them to work at their own pace, so no pressure and no boredom from having to wait for others.

Language arts, history, social studies are all learned from reading the very best classics as well as autobiographies from the people who made history.

A one page essay is written every day. Vocabulary is studied every day.

Children are taught to teach themselves (a very useful tool)

I am quite excited about the curriculum and it's possibilities. Beware though, it is a somewhat radical departure from current thinking. Check it out.

My ex-wife does not share my enthusiasm, though. We have both committed to writing down the pros and cons and back up our arguments. I would apreciate any ideas one would have in this matter...I heard that recently Dr. James Dobson urged Christians to remove their children from California's public schools. Anybody have more information on this?

 

[Dewjunkie]

My children are not quite of school age yet, but this is something my wife and have discussed. She teaches at a private Christian school now, they use the Abecka program, and she really likes it. I work for the National Park Service, so moving is part of the job and remote locations are a probability. We've decided if there are no private Christian Schools wherever we move to, then she will home school. Public Schools are far too concerned with political correctness and enteraining. Some of the products of public schools I have had contact with in my job leave me completely faithless in the ability of public schools to truly teach. (When a 17 year old can't read the citation he's being given for being drunk at 1:00 in the afternoon on a school day, there are issues.....) I wish you all the best in your homeschooling, never doubt your decision, you're doing what is best for your kids. Just make sure to get them into other social activities!

 

[Living for Him]

Thankyou for the support ! And if you choose to homeschool yours eventually,I wish you all the best !It will be a blessing like none other !