Re: off topic: homeschooling

[Guest guest]

Tori,

We all know you are nuts. Just kidding, I think you rock!!! Good luck homeschooling. I'm thinking about it too. Seems Ethan may have a touch of ADHD and I would rather not put him on medication. I'm having lunch on Friday with a friend who homeschooled her three. I know she wouldn't have done it any other way.

Ann

off topic: homeschooling

I know there are home schooling parents here. I would love it if you could email me about why you decided to home school, how hard it is, where I could go to look for recourses, etc. Any helpful advice. Am I crazy to consider it with 4 young children?Thanks everyone!Tori, mommy to Ana (6 years), and Nick (4 years) and Shane (8 months)

[Guest guest]

Tori,

I homeschool my 4 young children. Feel free to email

me with any of your questions at

cogden2002@...

Christie

--- Ann wrote:

> Tori,

>

> We all know you are nuts. Just kidding, I think you

> rock!!! Good luck homeschooling. I'm thinking

> about it too. Seems Ethan may have a touch of ADHD

> and I would rather not put him on medication. I'm

> having lunch on Friday with a friend who

> homeschooled her three. I know she wouldn't have

> done it any other way.

>

> Ann

> off topic: homeschooling

>

>

> I know there are home schooling parents here. I

> would love it if you could

> email me about why you decided to home school, how

> hard it is, where I could

> go to look for recourses, etc. Any helpful

> advice. Am I crazy to consider

> it with 4 young children?

>

> Thanks everyone!

>

> Tori, mommy to Ana (6 years), and Nick (4

> years) and Shane (8 months)

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I homeschool my oldest and have for several years. In our state we have charter schools which make it a little easier but still leave the parent in control. Our childs tax money is used for his computer, books and curriculum.

Tammy

off topic: homeschooling

I know there are home schooling parents here. I would love it if you could email me about why you decided to home school, how hard it is, where I could go to look for recourses, etc. Any helpful advice. Am I crazy to consider it with 4 young children?Thanks everyone!Tori, mommy to Ana (6 years), and Nick (4 years) and Shane (8 months)

[Guest guest]

Hi Tori,

I'm a Homeschooler. The boys started out in public school and we brought them home several years back. We love the difference it's made for them and the entire family. )

There are oodles of reasons people may HS. In my home alone we have many different reasons. lol

There are also many ways to approach HSing. There are tags such as "Classic" and "Unschooling" and on it goes. Many agree the best approach is to "deschool" when you begin. That is, to allow time for all to adjust to the change and to, well, de-school. lol Some take six months to a year, depending on the situation and the child. Then begin slowly, determining the style that best fits you and each child and being prepared to change everything over to something else. lol

I would suggest starting with http://www.hslda.org/ and finding your state's regs. If anything there is confusing, or if you have any questions, some of us might be able to help directly or might be able to help you find someone who would be able to offer more. )

I don't think you're crazy to consider HS. LOL You just have to find what's best for your family. Ya know, I have friends with several children and each learns in a different setting. One is in PS, one HS, one may be at a private or charter school. <shrug> Not for me, but it works great for them. )

I can tell you, for us, homework in PS was harder than any day (or week or month lol) I've had with HS.

There are ways to determine how each child learns, as well. I'd be happy to email you that short bit of info, if you'd like. There are many curriculum companies, and so on. I can share what I have, adding to your growing pile. lol Personally I find the thrift stores to be great suppliers! LOL There are also sales on eBay, and Fleamail lists, local support groups, etc.

I'm more an Unschooler, I suppose. When asked, I often describe myself as an "Eclectic Unschooler". lol For me, this means taking what works for each child, each day, and running with it. lol We don't stick with one curriculum, one set of books, etc. We remain very flexible, understanding that each day is not going to be as good/not-so-good as the last, or that certain things are better learned at different times. I am a firm believer in school not being life, but life being school and that anything and everything is a learning experience. This is reflected in our every day life. lol

One important thing about HS, no matter beliefs or approach, is that it isn't as hard as it may seem from the outside. It is very easy to adjust and change as needed. To start, to stop, to take a break, etc. When I began considering bringing the boys home to learn, a wise and respected woman told me with a shrug that "if it doesn't work out they can always go back in a year". I thought this was insane. Loose a year of schooling? Take that chance??! Now, after having been a HSer for a while, I understand how easy that is, how much is not "lost", and how wise those words were. )

I don't know that any of this helps at all, but I'm with the other parents here... if I can offer anything, I'd love to try! )

Challis

~ "Eclectically Unschooling" Mother of five (14 months to 18 years). )

I know there are home schooling parents here. I would love it if you could email me about why you decided to home school, how hard it is, where I could go to look for recourses, etc. Any helpful advice. Am I crazy to consider it with 4 young children?Thanks everyone!Tori, mommy to Ana (6 years), and Nick (4 years) and Shane (8 months)