Did I just say that? Did I just reveal my innermost thoughts that may discourage others to home school when I should be encouraging? YES I DID!
I thought it best to start with reality rather than a wonderfully painted story of butterflies and children leaping in fields with laughter everyday. Truth be told, I get tired of homeschooling. Although I LOVE homeschooling, I am human. I still have my doubts, fears, and weaknesses. EVERYONE DOES! This normal feeling should not hinder or stop your family from reaping the benefits of homeschooling. Soon, I will create a list of the "Advantages" of homeschooling. Everyone embarking on a journey uses discernment when also listing "Disadvantages". Today, I decided to reveal the bad news first and later overwhelm readers with good news :). Disadvantages do exist to homeschooling. The most overwhelming proves to be the lack of motivation on the part of the "EDUCATOR". This untold secret can halt any progress and cause an educator to place the children back into public school. Overcoming such feelings are not as hard as it seems. Whether it is "I don't want to" because, 1. "I don't want to cry over the tadpoles that die while transforming into frogs." 2. "Do we HAVE to drag out handwriting everyday?" 3. "We could have a financially easier life if we had two full time income."" 4. "I need some ME time." 5. "I could get more housework and errands finished if they were in school." 6. "I seem to run in circles without accomplishing anything." 7. "I don't like the messes that science experiments make." Trust me, every homeschooling parent has thought at least some of those ideas. I have thought them all. The TRUTH IS THOUGH, THIS FEELING CAN BE OVERCOME AND THE BENEFITS FAR OUTWEIGH THE DISADVANTAGES! I can make that statement truthfully from experience. How then does an educator overcome the hurdle? Here is my list: #1 This is the most important...enlist a person close to you that wholeheartedly supports your decision to home school. This person will be needed to give you "pep talks" when necessary. A spouse, a family member, or a dear friend can fill this role. #2 Make a list of the reasons why you began this journey and post them where they are visible to your family. These reasons will serve as reminders and encourage everyone to continue. #3. Attack the reason why the feeling has resurfaced. Does everyone need a change of scenery? Take school to the picnic blanket at the lake or just the backyard. Do you need some ME time? Buy out the time for a bubble bath or quiet dinner alone (remember your support person ;) ). Are you not interested in raising butterflies? That is okay. A National Geographic video with some worksheets still teach them about butterflies. The house is a mess? Make a plan and enlist the help of everyone in the house. Need a break from routine? Decide to learn and new subject and take a field trip to investigate it. Feel overwhelmed? Reevaluate your schedule and readjust it. Once you address WHY you began to feel the "I am done with homeschooling" thoughts, you can overcome them. They will resurface and will again need to be addressed. BUT, overall, I KNOW wholeheartedly that his path fits our family and has benefited our family better than public school. So, just because I may not WANT to home school all of the time, I know that I NEED to. Everyday, a benefit manifests in my family and reminds me of why we continue this course. After all, I did not WANT to change their diapers all of the time, but I DID. So, now that you have decided to home school, perhaps you need information to withdraw children from a public school. This information pertains to Texas.
The North Texas Home Educators Network has information concerning the laws regarding withdrawing your children from a public school, including a "Letter of Assurance and Intent to Homeschool "that needs to be completed and sent to the school. Also, print out the quick "Texas Law Education Code" document for your records. NTHEN Getting Started Page http://www.nthen.org/Resources/GettingStarted/tabid/95/Default.aspx "Letter of Assurance and Intent to Homeschool" http://www.nthen.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=%2fgGJAGtQFAo%3d&tabid=58 "Texas Law Education Code" Document http://www.nthen.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=7uPj8u7uy78%3d&tabid=58 The HSDLA has law information here: http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp?State=TX Once the steps are completed, that is it. You can begin to educate your children at home :). Many people, once I answer the previous questions, say, "that sounds great, but...". That "BUT" is followed by many other questions stated as objections. In this post, I will try to address those issues.
I don't think I CAN home school. I am not qualified. The biggest qualification you need is ... DO YOU WANT TO? If you have a firm desire and really WANT to home school, you can home school. There are not many real secrets to teaching. One secret exists and I will reveal it now...zeal and passion. Think back to your schooling years. Which wonderful teachers do you remember? Personally, I remember the ones who had a passion for learning. You may not know all subjects. That is fine, many teachers do not. Resources exist for you to learn and teach a subject or have someone else help your child. Libraries full of books, websites, community classes, private tutors, co-ops, college classes, and the untapped knowledge of friends and relatives are just a sampling of resources available to help you. Teachers, after completing their degree, readily admit that it really takes five years to master the ART of teaching. This ART develops through on the job training. At first, you may have many questions and fears. But, after a few years, those fears subside and you realize that you have gained confidence. As an adult, I spoke to a teacher once about her experiences. She stated this, "I told them that their job was not to learn, it was to make me happy." If she is "happy", she takes the time to do more to help them to learn in a fun manner. But, do YOU want your child's teacher making that statement? I understand her plight in the system she has to work in. BUT, with a low student to teacher ratio in a home school setting, the system is much different. Read common questions and answers now: If you WANT to, you CAN. I can't afford to home school. Isn't it expensive? The direct answer? No. See, many people have a "public school" mentality when their first start homeschooling. They imagine children sitting at desks for hours on end with tons of supplies surrounding them. Or, they think they must send off for curriculum that costs hundreds to thousands of dollars or believe they must pay for classes. I actually spend less on homeschooling than when my children attended public school. Supplying uniforms, fundraisers, lunch money, gas, supplies, lost supplies, extra class supplies, doctor bills, and extra curricular classes, for example, cost us more than homeschooling. We recycle clothes with friends, supply a healthy lunch for much less, do not have a daily commute, carry over our class supplies from the previous year, do not get sick as often, buy books once, and invest in extra curricular classes wisely. What are some examples of frugal homeschooling spending? 1. We bought a violin off of Craigslist for $25.00, repaired my clarinet, repaired a gift clarinet, bought a keyboard off of Craigslist, and cleaned a free trumpet we received off of Craigslist. This was a one time investment we CHOSE to make as a family for music. I teach the children basic music theory. Any instruments I feel uncomfortable teaching, we can hire a tutor or teach ourselves with resources. 2. I love thrift stores! Many times I found our school books at thrift stores. Sometimes they have been brand new. Konos, A Beka, Scott Foresman are just SOME publishing names I have picked up at thrift stores. Online shopping can be exciting too! On Half.com I bought the entire Science Explorer set for around $15.00 in excellent condition Another time, I found The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia for under $10.00 in almost new condition. 3. Since we recycle clothes with friends, I rarely buy clothes. 4. Our community recreation center has a basketball gym, games, and equipment we can use for free. A gymnastic center nearby holds classes for homeschoolers for $5 per child. 5. We go with a group on free or cheap field trips. 6. We use free loaner materials from resources such as the library, National Gallery of Art, or other programs. 7. We trade off teaching skills with friends. 8. This list does not include the many free resources on the internet or other ways to save. There are some times which I have invested in buying new curriculum. I fell in love with the curriculum and I knew I could expand them to last many years. For example, I did buy the entire book set of Story of the World by Susan Bauer with the activity books and test books. I pulled them out, put them in sheet protectors and only use copies. In their elementary years, the total amounted to about $100 for all of the children. We reused crayons, stocked up on construction paper wholesale and hit the clearance on supplies once schools had started. As they approach the higher grades, the cost does increase. Depending on family choices, the cost can range from $100 to $2,000 per CHILD. It will be more expensive if you buy a boxed curriculum. Your child will not receive an inferior education by frugally using materials and seeking out community resources. Educator diligence, passion and dedication determines the quality of education. Why do some public schools perform better even though they receive the same allotment of money? Many times, the determining factor is the faculty. In your home school, you and your support system form the faculty. Surround yourself with others who support your decision. On doctor visits alone, we have saved a tremendous amount homeschooling our children. How much time does it take? I have a busy life outside my children's school. Quality concentrated education obtains very effective results in a short amount of time. Kindergarten may only need an hour or two of a school day, with no more than an hour of written work total in a day. Higher grades may need up to three to five hours of written work. Even when the child is in higher grades, an educator needs to devote at least two hours a day to the home school. Although many children self educate some subjects, they will need interaction, assistance, and support. Whether it is to help them to stay on topic, answer questions, or assist in research they will need help. In addition, the educator keeps records and makes plans. Someone, at least part-time, will need to be home with the children for schooling. This does not imply that single parents do not successfully home school, they can also. It does mean that time perhaps spent making money elsewhere may be lost. Get creative, perhaps recruit trusted family members to help. Rather than money, time is a much more valuable investment for your children. Interacting and learning under the loving oversight of a caring adult enhances their brain and character. Each day, when children spend a majority of time with their peers, they discover the world around them. Is that what they really need? Can they derive the best quality learning time from a 40 student to 1 teacher ratio? It is said that "time is money". Where do you want to invest? Do I have to have a computer and internet? No. Many wise people have received a quality education through the use of books and community resources. Computers, used as a tool, are valuable. Yet, many times, they serve as a distraction. Children may need to learn computers in today's world. For this, you can turn to someone who has a computer or your local library. The library also contains volumes on how to use the computer, programming, typing, software tutorials, and much more. Also, many libraries offer free internet access. If you do use a computer in your home school, you must ensure that it does not ensnare the household as a distraction. What about socialization? A common misnomer concerning homeschooled children is that they are socially inept. Homeschoolers, usually more confident and less peer dependent, socialize with people of all ages. By not sitting behind a desk all day, many homeschoolers have more time for extra curricular activities and volunteering. Thus, they socialize with many different people in the community with varied interests, ages and genders. This socialization of varying ages and interests renders a "real world" experience. Homeschooling children are not limited to school walls for seven hours a day with only a teacher and many more their age. College and the work force do not follow the public school system set up, the home school system does. Also, homeschooling children develop group cooperation, compromising, and self discipline skills amongst family members and others within the community. This nurtures positive relationships and close siblings. Many times, my children have received commendation on their behavior. Are they perfect? No! Many times, I wonder if this is the right course. After all, we would have more income if I worked and put them into public school. Other times, I feel as if "the grass is greener on the other side." Then, we go to the store. The one pushing the basket runs into the heels of another. The injured one cries and the other apologizes. A lady follows us through the store to commend the one who ran into the other and apologized. She said that she was impressed by the warm affection and sincere apology he conveyed. After her commendation, she admitted that her own son would not have done the same. Experiences such as these remind me that we are NOT perfect, but that the course we have chosen is the right one. What about High School, college or a special needs child? You can still home school. These topics will be discussed more in depth at a later time. In the meantime, you may find help by researching these topics. Disclaimer: This blog consists of what I have learned in homeschooling my children. I am not a professionally trained teacher. I have stated my opinions and experiences. Please make decisions concerning your family under careful consideration. I am not responsible for outcomes. |