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I am guessing you aren't happy with the schooling your kids are getting, for whatever reason. You've suggested homeschooling to yourself. But you can't imagine yourself doing it because you aren't superwoman, able to juggle lessons and other mom duties.
by PhyllisWheeler
I am guessing you aren't happy with the schooling your kids are getting, for whatever reason. You've suggested homeschooling to yourself. But you can't imagine yourself doing it because you aren't superwoman, able to juggle lessons and other mom duties.
Guess what the main qualification is: it's love for your kids. You CAN do it if you are dedicated to them. You can learn the skills you need gradually, as you need them, the same way you learned mothering skills. Jugglers start this way, first juggling just one item, then two, then later three.
And here's another secret: homeschooling can actually be easier than the standard soccer mom routine. Soccer moms are everywhere but home, juggling same-age activities that are different for each kid (unless you have twins). In contrast, when you homeschool, you focus on what you can all do together.
The evening homework tussle will go away too. Instead, you'll spend mornings working on academic subjects. Your evenings will be available!
Here's one option for larger families: study topics, such as ancient Egypt, that their kids can share, working with the fact that their ages are different. For example, you could all read the book Mara, Daughter of the Nile together. Then each child could write about it. You could study some math related to pyramids. You can do art projects that look Egyptian. This unit might last a month or so, and then you would move on to another. This structure is called a unit study. You don't have to invent them, either--plenty of moms who have invented one have published it.
You can expect to use workbooks and curriculum made for homeschoolers, to make sure your child learns what he should for his age and grade. Typically these curriculums include an answer key--you don't need to be the expert. In fact, homeschoolers become adept at learning from the book, rather than from a teacher. Their reading skills are well prepared for college.
Correspondence schools will teach your child, too. These can take the form of videos, workbooks, or online.
You probably wonder what homeschoolers typically do during the course of a day. Many do the studying in the morning, and spend the afternoon playing or doing projects. Sometimes they sign up for daytime classes for homeschoolers, which are becoming more popular these days. You can even send your kids to organized sports with the local school teams in the late afternoon. But be careful about signing up for too much. It could lead to burnout.
How about socializing? Staying home all the time may be easier for you, but it may not make your kids happy. You may decide they need to get out and about for socialization. But here's the best part: you get to choose whom your child socializes with. You don't have to worry about bullies. You can make sure that socialization is well-supervised. You can choose adults, too. Homeschooled kids are usually very comfortable talking to adults, unlike schooled kids, I have observed.
A homeschool co-op will help you get your kids out and about. You can meet other homeschoolers for classes once a week, or for field trips. Social interactions are well-supervised, so kids learn to act appropriately with one another. Finding a co-op is as simple as asking around. To find other homeschoolers, the local homeschool convention may help you. Network with other homeschoolers till you find the co-op that's right for you, or start it.
Lastly, how will you find support? Homeschooling is not for the faint of heart, and it's not for the unsupported parent, either. You will need to find someone to share your challenges with. Many homeschooling parents support each other online. There are plenty of discussion forums attached to homeschooling Web sites, such as at www.welltrainedmind.com . There are plenty of e-mail groups for homeschoolers also.
Can you homeschool? The answer is, "Absolutely!"
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