Incredibly, we found out this weekend that my niece (my husband's, actually) is expecting the birth of her first child in January. That means my sister-in-law will be a grandmother, and my husband and I will be great-uncle and great-aunt! :O Ack, I feel old.
Getting geared up to start school this week. I have a deep, dark confession to make. If there was a school out there (that we could afford) that gave the kind of quality education we want for our daughters, I don't know that I would homeschool. In some circles, this is something approaching blasphemy, but I don't think I am always the best teacher for my daughters. I often read, for example, about how each child has a certain learning style. No one seems to mention the parent's teaching style, and what happens if they don't mix! However, I do think homeschooling is the best option for us at this time, so I struggle on. At least it is getting easier with more experience.
I am sort of thankful that the summer is winding down. Not that it wasn't enjoyable for the most part, and not that I am looking forward to inches and inches of snow in the winter, but I feel I could use a little rest and hibernation just like the earth. I like fall anyway. The colors, the smells, pumpkins, craft fairs, a new season of clothes! A new season, with new plans and hopes, and nothing messed up yet.
9 comments:
well I know of some parents who homeschool their children threw 8th grade and then put them in high school. It's a thought
September is such a hopeful month for homeschooling. It's seems we're regenerated from the summer break. We have such positive plans for the upcoming year and we can only imagine the great things we will accomplish. Save the depression for later in the year when we realize we are not getting everything done that we wanted!! 2 weeks from tomorrow is when we start. I like to start after Labor Day and finish as close to Memorial Day as possible.
Hey, sometimes kids need to learn how good they have it at home that hard way. I'm hoping we do not need to do that in our house, but it has crossed my mind.
I start school the day after labor day and I push really hard on the schedule for the first semester. There are some subjects my school-ager is good at and she cruises through a year's material in a semester. Then in the second semester we have more days off and a little more relaxed pace.
And I love Fridays. We always end the school day at lunch time on Friday.
Do you have any of these little stress relievers built into your schedule?
Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something.
but seriously, Barb, i find it as intense as you a lot of the time. and i feel as though i need to justify my existence to other moms..
you know the question, "and where do you work?"
and i'm tempted to answer:
"i just sit at home and drink cups of coffee and talk on the phone.."
but instead i launch into a huge tirade that we're home schooling and how it's not like the classroom.. ad nauseum.
and yes, the pattern seems to be that my kiddos go to *real school* when they're around 13 yrs.
i give the excuse that it's because there's so much opportunity (ie teachers who are experts in physics, french, and maths) when really it's because i can't really excuse all our beach days lol..
peace and hugs and dark dark chocolate to you.
Hi Kate,
When other moms ask me where my kids go to school and I tell them I home school I usually don't have a chance to say much more about it. They either give me reasons why they could not home school or they tell me they admire me. Occasionally they will ask how I like it. Unless they catch me on a bad day, I love it!
Every time I get a haircut my hairdresser mentions outsourcing her boys' education to me. And yesterday the Quipper told me his boss asked if I'd teach other kids :-o (!!!) I joked with the Quipper "It would cost A LOT of money."
Seriously, I can't imagine teaching someone else's kids in my home school on a long term basis.
Thanks to all of you for stopping in! I'll probably post more later today after I formulate my thoughts a little bit more. Kate, thanks for the chocolate!
Barb, I have felt that off and on at times. I think it is a normal feeling, but I bet you are doing a MUCH better job than you think!!! Just keep on relying on Christ to lead you step by step in teaching them and understanding yourself as their very special teacher!!! And remember that when you are weak then you are strong in Him!!! I will continue to keep you and your family in my prayers!!
And, if there ever does come a day when you do find another opportunity for them for school, then that's great too! Maybe people will be more understanding than you think. :)
Barb, I was wondering if you had any moms (or dads) in your homeschooling group who offer classes for different subjects to other homeschooling families. Also, sometimes there are classes given in the community (such as a children's museum, etc.). In addition to that, have you heard of Switched on Schoolhouse, computerized software for different subjects? We use a lot of A Beka books but also use the SOS for subjects that are harder for us to teach. They are with Alpha Omega and seem to be a really good homeschooling resource. :)
hey marie
we have the exact same response when people ask my *kids* where they go to school. my kids have started answering, "we don't!"
i wonder what people think homeschoolers *do*??
we eat lots of chocolate cake and go to the beach. and sometimes we make bead bracelets..
that's the unschool-y days.
and then some days the "mom-from-hell" emerges and insists the kids fill in all sorts of boxes with numbers and words and we all wonder what on earth mom was thinking, and then we get back to reading our fave books and eating more cake.
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