You Can Homeschool Too!

If you read my last post, “So, about Homeschooling…” then you’ll remember that I grew up without a mom. She passed away when I was 5 but I have only a few memories of her because she was a career woman and left me with baby sitters and then put me in school. That led me to look for ways that I could raise my own kids. And I swore that when I had kids, no one, and I mean no one, was going to be my replacement; not grandma, not auntie, not best friend either.

I remember one day when I was driving my kids to school, praying for a way that I could be there for them, raise them. I was tired of working. I was tired of dropping them off to school. Little did I know where that prayer would lead me but I know now that God was preparing me for just that. He set me up to hear about homeschooling through a friend but of course I was skeptical just like most people are, especially about the socialization thing. So I shrugged it off and didn’t think about it again. Still God heard my prayer that day and since I didn’t listen, he set me up again, to meet not just 1 other person who homeschooled, but a bunch of people.

But in this post, I want to talk more about how you can homeschool too! First, you might want to ask yourself why? People homeschool for different reasons and that reason is what will keep you moving forward. For me, I wanted to raise my own kids, teach them my values, and I realized then that schools can’t do that. Or they can, but it won’t be my values. Public schools, even private schools are not the same as before. I hear it all the time, the horrors and the things kids have to deal with nowadays. Kids are different too. Many families spend little to no time together anymore. In most families, both parents have to work, the kids are left alone,with their friends to just hang out, in after school programs, with someone else that will tend to them that they pay for, or not. My kids fell under the after school programs. And I hated that. They were left with more “school” after school ended only to go home and do even more school (homework) if they didn’t finish it during the after school program session. And I don’t blame them! Who wants to work, then get off, then go home and work again? They were worn out and so was I. So when I really got it stuck in my head that God was leading me to homeschool, I went for it!

I really don’t know what’s the big deal (I mean, I do know but I don’t understand it?) that public schools have a problem when we withdraw our kids, except for when they’re going to transfer. I mean, they’re my kids! And one less student for them to have to worry about in those crowded classrooms! It’s ME who’s taking care of them. I’m not depending on teachers or the public to do it. So what’s the problem? Could it be money? I’ve heard that said before but I’ve never researched it for myself. With the way things are nowadays, I wouldn’t be surprised and if it’s true, then for sure, no one cares for your child/children like you do!

Which brings me to my next point. You don’t have to be certified. But you will need to be committed. If nothing else, it’s commitment. Believe me, your kids or at least one of your kids will test your commitment! They’ll want to see if you’ll stick it out because they’ll probably want you to. I don’t know how many kids told my kids (or me) that they were lucky to homeschool or the they want to. AND it’s not for wimps! It’s hard work. You’re going to have to get used to having them around and dealing with their personality/ties (I feel that’s the hardest thing), and dealing with it when those personalities clash. And you will have to learn with them! I mean, some don’t. They just enroll them in an online school, under an umbrella school, or a co-op. To me that’s not homeschooling. In my opinion, those are meant to be supplements and helpful but it shouldn’t be their actual schooling. You will have struggles but isn’t that life anyway? I guess it just depends on whether or not it’s worth your time. But it’s also not for everyone. Some parents just won’t deal with it for whatever reasons they have and that’s okay too (for them, not me). That’s when teachers come in. But I know many teachers too that even though it’s their job, they don’t understand why parents can’t handle their kids or don’t want to deal with them! I find that to be very puzzling as well.

So once you decide why, and your convictions are strong, and even if you just want to try it out, check out the homeschool law in your area. They do vary. And this is a very important step! You don’t want to be breaking any homeschool laws! You should also check to see if there are advocates and/or support groups as well, and plug into that group. Next, take the steps to withdraw your child/children from the school they’re attending. If they aren’t in school yet, then just choose a curriculum. This may be the hardest part of starting because of the MANY curriculum choices out there! If you narrow it down to their learning style and yours as well (just meet somewhere in between), then you can look up what curriculum works like that and purchase it. Warning! You may (as in my case and many others) have to go through different ones to find a fit, meaning that this year you buy curriculum but you or your kids had a hard time with it or didn’t like it for whatever reason so the following year you try a totally different curriculum. I’ve done that many times because of the different learning styles. Also keep in mind that even though this curriculum didn’t work this year, and you try another, you might switch back to that one you started with because you might find it rather easier. And sometimes you’re going to mix curriculum. Maybe you like the math here but the science there. It’s all going to depend on how your year is going, what they want to learn, what you want them to learn, how the curriculum is presented etc., because we go through seasons in our lives. The easiest ones to determine are preschool kids. I would start with just using the library. No need for fancy, expensive curriculum unless you’re clueless as to where to start them which most aren’t! Just in case you are, there are apps and FREE online curriculum you can plug into. For all ages and grades, actually.

As for testing, (standardized) I don’t do it. As long as it’s not a requirement, I don’t do it. If they don’t “do well” then that just brings doubt to my mind, and that transfers to my kids. If they “do well”, then that’s according to whose standards? Why should I base their schooling on a test that I don’t know who made? I believe that although it gauges where a student is at, even though they don’t measure to that standard, so what? They will learn what they need to learn when they’re good and ready. It doesn’t mean they’re dumb just that they aren’t interested in the standard things in life and I don’t want them to be! With everything to learn about and all the resources there are, why keep it to 1 standard? Aren’t they (all of us) unique in every way? I know of some teachers who don’t like it because they are held accountable for their scores! Besides, there will always be gaps. Your child might be very good at math but struggle with language arts. So when you teach, you will already know where they’re at and what they need to work on. Sometimes you will see that it might just be something their mind needs to mature on in order to grasp it. You don’t need a test to know that. Besides, there’s just too much to learn! And a lifetime to learn it!

So once you find a curriculum, just dive in! Have fun with it, don’t be too hard on them or yourself. Find time to clear your mind when you need to. Get with other homeschoolers so you’ll know and feel that you’re not alone but don’t do too much with that either because the opposite might happen and you might get burned out or discouraged especially when you see that their 5th grader is already doing algebra 1 and yours is struggling with multiplying. Not a good thing, believe me!

Like I said above, and it’s worth repeating, HAVE FUN! These are your children! That’s a very special relationship. They grow so fast and before you know it they will leave you to have a life of their own. Enjoy them. Build memories. Make them want to keep coming home. Live. Love. Laugh. Keep the faith and press on! Repeat.

Oh and one last thing…I’m learning now about something called, “Unschooling” which is pretty cool! If you want more information you can look for Sue Patterson-Unschooling Mom to Mom on Facebook. She offers courses and answers questions to help you through it, or you can sign up to read her blogs.

HAPPY HOMESCHOOLING!

Oh and btw, if you have time check out the things I have for sale in my Ecwid store! Click on “store” on the menu above.

THANKS FOR VISITING!

By admin

Hello! I'm Cecilia and I'm from the beautiful island of Guam. I am married with 6 grown kids. In my spare time I like to read, write, cross-stitch, journal and write to penpals. But my first love is the Lord and I'd like to share my life's journey with you.

1 comment

  1. What great advice. Ryan had wanted me to “homeschool” because of you & your kids. He actually asked me when he was five before I enrolled him in school at Carbullido. I told him no (cause I really didn’t think I could do it, not working & couldn’t purchase the Curriculum). He ended up really liking School & had perfect attendance most of his years. He loved his friends the most & had good rapports with his teachers. But things changed through the years with the way things are today. Even through the shutdown with Covid, most parents had to have that quality time with their children until online classes started up. For the reasons of the radical change today & the Pandemic closing down the schools for 2 years, I wish I homeschooled.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *