Wow, I posted some questions in the different homeschool groups I'm apart of and the feedback has been awesome! It makes me so excited about homeschooling and I really feel that is what I need to do. The more I think about it, the more I realize that instead of sending my kids to learn in an artifiacial environment...an environment where they are not free to learn on their own schedule or decide what they should learn....they could be home learning as freely as they want.
I think about my own experience....and I loved school. But every time they assigned a book to read...I would find some way to get around the assignments and I wouldn't read the book. I read the books as an adult, on my own time and I loved them! But something about forcing me to read a book just really turned me off. What I was missing out on! But I think that is how school is. It isn't on your time table...what you are intersted in. They force things upon you and move you ahead before you are ready.
I look at my sisters and see where they were left behind. Unfortuatly homeschooling didn't work with them. But they have an entirely differnt family situation than our family. I want my girls to love learning and have thier minds opened up to all the possibilities out there! I love that they will be friends with kids of all ages. I am just so excited.
I think we are done having kids. I can just see us 10 years down the road as a homeschooling family. My girls will be so close. I won't lose that relationship with them when they turn into teenagers. Homeschooling requires so much personal sacrifice (as I am sometimes a very selfish and lazy person). But isn't that what being a parent is all about? I would rather sacrifice what I want (initally...because I think over time it won't be a sacrifice) and really give my kids everything and let them learn and explore on such a greater level than ever before. And I know that watching my kids learn and being able to learn and explore with them...how AWESOME!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Why Homeschool??
So I've been battling this decision since Brielle was BORN!! And now is the last year where I have to DECIDE. And granted I have a whole year. A year to try out homeschool preschool (daily). A year to see if I can discipline myself to stick with something for a whole year and not fizzle out. I get sooooo excited at the prospect of homeschooling. I love education. I love teaching. I love learning. I love watching my kids learn and grow. Here is what I'm struggling with though...
I will need to be incredibly disciplined in how I spend my time. While this will be a challenge for me initially, I believe that by homeschooling and practicing this discipline it will help me and my family thrive in general.
I will be criticized. I'm sure that there will be people who will think that I'm taking something away from my kids. I'll have to work each day to make sure that I am doing the absolute best for my kids and making sure that they are getting a stellar education and also many opportunities to socialize with other children.
Time to myself will be limited. This is a fact of life for me right now that I am learning to deal with. I do have very little time for myself. But I've learned that I need to get the children to bed very early and also leave them with Robert in the evenings so I can go to the library or the store. I know there will be days where I wished my children were in public school. Bu I know that they will be able to learn so much more, be nurtured so much more and that they will be able to thrive at home.
Brielle is excited to start kindergarten and go to school like Kelsy and Breanna. I worry that she will feel gypped by not getting this experience. This is my biggest fear. My hope is that as she gets older she won't feel like this and be happy that she is homeschooled. I've heard from several moms who's kids say they feel sorry for kids who have to go to school and the neighborhood kids are jealous of the homeschooled ones.
Homeschooling is going to take some major self-discipline and sacrifice. It isn't always going to be easy. I will have to remain patient, organized, happy and not squander as much time on the computer or phone. As I'm looking into myself I feel like using my children as a motivator for me I'll be able to push through my tiredness and create this lifestyle that I so very much want. I know that it will be worth it.
I will need to be incredibly disciplined in how I spend my time. While this will be a challenge for me initially, I believe that by homeschooling and practicing this discipline it will help me and my family thrive in general.
I will be criticized. I'm sure that there will be people who will think that I'm taking something away from my kids. I'll have to work each day to make sure that I am doing the absolute best for my kids and making sure that they are getting a stellar education and also many opportunities to socialize with other children.
Time to myself will be limited. This is a fact of life for me right now that I am learning to deal with. I do have very little time for myself. But I've learned that I need to get the children to bed very early and also leave them with Robert in the evenings so I can go to the library or the store. I know there will be days where I wished my children were in public school. Bu I know that they will be able to learn so much more, be nurtured so much more and that they will be able to thrive at home.
Brielle is excited to start kindergarten and go to school like Kelsy and Breanna. I worry that she will feel gypped by not getting this experience. This is my biggest fear. My hope is that as she gets older she won't feel like this and be happy that she is homeschooled. I've heard from several moms who's kids say they feel sorry for kids who have to go to school and the neighborhood kids are jealous of the homeschooled ones.
Homeschooling is going to take some major self-discipline and sacrifice. It isn't always going to be easy. I will have to remain patient, organized, happy and not squander as much time on the computer or phone. As I'm looking into myself I feel like using my children as a motivator for me I'll be able to push through my tiredness and create this lifestyle that I so very much want. I know that it will be worth it.
Unit Studies
So I am researching the different types of home schools. The one that stands out to me is called Unit Studies. They say it is a hands on way to learn. Also it encompasses all areas of learning on different topics. That is what I'm for sure going to do this year for preschool.
The other thing about Unit studies is it is good for teaching multiple children. Each child studies the same topic on their own level. I love the idea of giving my kids the control of what they want to learn. What interest them the most. The ideas are endless and that is exciting to me.
I've requested info for K12 online curriculum. I'm hoping to get a live presentation next summer. I'm also going to go to the home school conference. But Unit studies I think is the philosophy that seems like the best choice for us. I guess I need to research it more...
The other thing about Unit studies is it is good for teaching multiple children. Each child studies the same topic on their own level. I love the idea of giving my kids the control of what they want to learn. What interest them the most. The ideas are endless and that is exciting to me.
I've requested info for K12 online curriculum. I'm hoping to get a live presentation next summer. I'm also going to go to the home school conference. But Unit studies I think is the philosophy that seems like the best choice for us. I guess I need to research it more...
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