I Have to Say is hosting Back to Homeschool Week to share why we homeschool and other fun tidbits - I thought it would be fun to play along, so here we go!I taught before we ever had children so when we did first get pregnant Joe said right away that he hoped I would consider homeschooling our children. When we lived in G.R., the school we would have have to send our children to was "inner city" so we were hesitant to send them there AND we knew we could not afford private school so again, we felt tugged to go the "homeschool" route. Before we ever really started school with the kids, we moved to where we are now - we had to laugh because the first thing people said to us here was, "Oh the schools are so good - you won't homeschool here!!" You know, though, "schools being bad" is not the real reason we choose to homeschool - we want to spend time with our kids, we want them to have time to "be kids", and God gave me boys right off the bat - and sadly enough, having been a teacher, I do not feel that schools do well with boisterous boys in the classrooms! So, we began our homeschooling journey that is still going to this day. My boys have never known a traditional classroom (take that as a good or bad thing!!) and they are now going into 4th, 5th and 6th grades. Not everyday is a "walk in the park" but I do love being with them, watching them mature, and knowing where their strengths and weaknesses lie and then working on those areas daily. I love it that they can get their work done, practice their instruments, AND play hockey without getting to bed at midnight! I love it that my kids are content just to be with each other and have a bond that I prayed for for years.
As I always tell people that ask me about homeschooling, "Is it for everyone?" No - I do not believe it is - I believe everyone can do it, but you have to be disciplined and committed to the whole process - AND some days that is hard!!! "Do I sometimes wish my kids were leaving at 8 am and going to school all day??" Yes - it sounds wonderful to have some peace and quiet. "Will I put the kids in school this year?" No - I feel God has called us to this and it is so rewarding to me to watch them make progress both educationally and spiritually.
Do I think homeschooling is THE ONLY way??? Nope, not at all - I taught in the schools and I feel strongly that there are lots of great schools out there. This is just working for us right now so we'll keep going until it doesn't "work" anymore OR they graduate!!!! (Whichever comes first!!)
21 comments:
Thanks for sharing your homeschooling story. I keep praying for guidance for my babies as we start this adventure of school next year..... one more year to pray through it all! Oh by the way thanks for the blogglines tip ... I'm loving it. Very addictive! I think it's saving me time :)!
My children started school today also..
Have a great week.
Kim
Stopped by to say hi i love yur5 blog. THAT is so amazing that you are getting the blessing of going to china again, What advice would you give to a couple if they wanted to adopt from their, Char
I have 12, 10 and 3 1/2 year old boys! We are also thinking of adopting...great to read your post and look through your blog.
Yep! I homeschooled Peter for 3 years and last year it didn't work for us. Caroline needed attention too and Peter was bored and dying for playmates to come home from school. He is excited about starting school (and our local one was checked out thoroughly by me!) We will do that until it is no longer working and then we will go back to homeschooling since Caroline will be schooled too.
I do think I will be praying for him a lot more now that he will be in school and out of my care for a few hours a day.
Teresa
Hi Becky. Thanks for visiting my blog today. I really enjoyed your blog and reading Chloe's story. Congratulations!
Becky, I have always been curiuos and wanted to hear your thoughts on homeschooling, thanks for sharing them! We have also considered this route for Olivia; I just don't think I would have the patience or motivation. What a blessing though that you can see firsthand the maturity in them through the years with homeschooling.
By the way, Olivia was fine on the ride home from TN. Had I not pushed fluids so much we definitely would have had a problem. ( Thanks for asking).
Thanks for sharing your familie's story of how you came to homeschooling. I agree that boys seems to have trouble in classrooms, especially boys who are loud and wild. LOL My boys would never survive sitting at a desk all day.
Our local schools are OK too, but homeschooling is the best way for us. the longer I do it, the more I am convinced that the time spent with my kids is invaluable. My oldest is graduated and I cherish those years at home!
Becky-I had no idea you homeschooled. That is awesome! We're thinking about homeschooling in the future so it's great to read other people's stories. Thanks so much for sharing. I'm curious if you have curriculum for Chloe? I'm asking because I feel I need to work with Hannah more. :)
you already know that I am thinking about this for the last bunch.....thanks for sharing your story.
Becky-So nice to hear your homeschool story. I have been homeschooling for 7 years now. (Wow...That is hard to believe) When people ask me, "How do you do it" The only thing I think to say is,"It just WORKS for US" If the Lord was not behind (IN) this journey...I know in my heart it would NOT work.
There are days...I wish there was a zoo my monkey's could go to. However, this monkey trainer will stay the course.
Hey maybe if my mom had home schooled me I would not have hated it so much.Never heard of it way back then,maybe was not even allowed in the 60's-late 70's!!!!
Yes I am that old people.
I also did not know you homeschooled. I think that is great. I have always admired people that did that.
I think it is wonderful that you homeschool. You have a precious family. I totally admire you and will keep you in my prayers as you begin a new year.
You are doing a wonderful job with your boys. They are sweet, polite, respectful, smart, and social. Hope you have a wonderful school year! You really do ROCK, Becky! I don't think I could do it.
you have fabulous children and i love to hear your heart on homeschooling ...enjoy the new year ... what will be the kids favorite subject ???
Thank you for sharing your story. The public schools had nothing to do with us homeschooling, either. I taught for two years before moving up here...but I never really wanted to homeschool. I am glad I consented, however!
Love your heart in this post - I completely agree with your thoughts on homeschooling.
I LOVE that I get to spend these precious years with my children, teaching them, molding them - all throughout the day.
We pulled our kids out of private Christian school 2 years ago and have NEVER regreted it. They are each others bestest friends - and that makes my heart smile.
We just started our homeschool year yesterday....a 7th grader and a 3rd grader (and our youngest too, he's loves to 'homeskooow') - woo hoo !
What a ride, huh? :o)
Love it.
Blessings to you ~
I LOVE your blog. It's so cheery!!
(I also love the book "Fancy Nancy" - but that's just a side note).
I wanted to thank you for your entry today. It was fantastic to read! Thank you for sharing so much!
Love your thoughts, Becky. I don't even know exactly why we started homeschooling in the first place (11 years ago)! I guess God just planted the idea in our heads and it went from there. I know why we homeschool now though - it's not that the schools are so bad (though there is SO much going on there I don't agree with) but it's that homeschooling is so GREAT! Learning along with my kids, spending time with them, those are the primary reasons I homeschool. With Ben being a teenager, working or out with friends often, I wouldn't get to see him nearly enough if we didn't homeschool.
I sent Ben to PS for K and 1st, so I didn't get the privilege of teaching him to read, can't wait to do that with the girls!
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