I am just bursting . . . with information and posting subjects! I could go on all day at this point but first I’m going to answer a question from a reader.
HOW TO GET OVER YOUR FEAR OF HOMESCHOOLING
I agonized over whether to homeschool for at least a year before I decided to do it. I was terrified of what I/we faced. You see, I always pictured homeschoolers as a group of people who wanted to shield their children from anything outside a tightly prescribed ideology, or slightly crazed intellectuals who thought their kids could learn simply by osmosis. I had no idea that there was a vast community out there of ordinary, unremarkable people who simply wanted the best for their children, people just like me.
Social Interaction
I have learned that the “social interaction” so widely touted to be the best thing for my kids is a joke. Would you turn your children lose everyday with a bunch of kids whose parents you did not know, who you might not like, who include bullies and cliques and who knows what right along with the ”good” kids if it were not a public school classroom?? Of course not!! Would you trust someone you barely know to manage this social mileu in a way that’s best for your child if it were not their teacher? No! You wouldn’t!
What a ridiculous situation! We’ve all been brainwashed into thinking this is appropriate!
The best social interaction my son gets is at his Boy Scout troop. They engage in productive activities which are well supervised and there are high expectations for them as far as their personal conduct. Parents are always welcomed and help teach badges and skills. The scouts make plans between themselves for activities outside the troop. He loves it. He does not miss the nonsense at school one bit. BUT, by maintaining a cordial relationship with our neighborhood school he obtained an invitation to join their ski club once a week. With these activities, plus just making plans on his own, he get plenty of good, healthy, appropriate socialization. He’s happy.
My daughter loves school and wants to be an elementary school teacher. After a dismal experience in public school we put her in a private school and she is doing better. It’s extremely expensive and requires sacrifice but it’s worth it. However, if I need to I will pull her out and homeschool her too before I will let her receive an inferior education. We chose not to homeschool her for a couple of reasons. Both my children are 7th graders and the competiton between them would be intense and possibly more than I’d feel like handling and because with his emotional issues and learning disabilities my son needs all the attention I can give him in the area of schoolwork.
If I ever pull her out here is what will happen. She is already in competitive gymnastics plus she swims and skis. I would either find a Girl Scout troop for her or she would join more sports teams. She has always wanted to be a Girl Scout but her athletic activities take up so much time outside of school there just hasn’t been room in her schedule. Girl Scouts these days sure is different than in my time (the 1960s). Today they go rock climbing and spelunking and orienteering. I’ve seen them beat the Boy Scouts.
But I really haven’t addressed the subject of how to get over fear of homeschooling. As they say, Just Do It. That’s right! Just jump on in. Homeschooling does not need to be a permanent situation, you can ALWAYS put your kids back in public school if it doesn’t work out. The schools have to take them back at any time!
I did not “get over” my fear, it gradually went away as I saw my son learning, relaxing, and enoying his life. The fact is homeschooling is not right for every kid or every family and there is no way to know unless you try it. There is no shame in deciding it isn’t your cup of tea either! I’ve seen people try it and decide it’s not right for them, and re-enroll their child in school. Nobody at school gloated or offered any comment, they simply welcomed the children back.
Don’t be afraid of the opinions of friends and relatives. Mine have been mostly supportive, if a bit surprised. Some think I’m a saint (Who, me?) Some think I”m nuts and that’s ok. I really don’ t care if they approve. When it comes to my child other people’s opinions mean nothing to me if I know what’s right in my heart.
Yes I was afraid to homeschool and I stressed out terribly about whether to homeschool or not and it was needless stress. I don’t think that stress can really be avoided though, do you? It just means you really care. I say give homeschooling a try. The majority of us find success and better relationships with our children.
Well, I’ve gotta go. My son is working on magnetism experiements and I have to help him out. It’s a fun day today!
