Well, there are a couple of reasons...
1) I was homeschooled until 7th grade so I had the first hand experience and knew that I could do it (I also was a prime example that homeschooling does not make you socially inept).
2) Homeschooling now is different than when I was growing up. When I was a homeschooler, I didn't know anyone else who was. Now, there are so many homeschool groups, homeschool schools and other kids that are homeschooled that my kids have tons of friends they can hang out with during the day.
3) Because I did go to public school from 8th - 12th grade, I know the education level of Florida's public school system (I know this might step on a few toes). I had a couple of classes that I actually had to study and learn, but mostly I read Cliff Notes and learned very little from 8th grade on.
4) Have you read the news?! Every time I hear another report about guns at school, teachers molesting students and so on, I cringe at the thought of having my child there. I know, I know, eventually they will have to face the world. I would just like for it to be when they are ready to face it.
5) I have the incredible privilege to be able to stay home with my children.
6) I have such a great support group at my church where I can learn from those ahead of me and help those coming behind. I love living in community!
I am looking forward to this blog being a place for homeschooling moms to have a place to ask questions, give advice and have confidence in their teaching abilities.
22 comments:
ery cool, this will be fun...it will!
You? a prime example of NOT socially inept? I'm not so sure about that one! ha ha!! Love you! I knew you'd join the fun eventually!
Bran
I like number five on your post and agree with it. In this age it is a great privilege to be at home if you home-school or not! (I home-school!)
Well done!
You are lucky to have a commuinity of support. I have great Christian friends, but only 1 homeschools...most are not thinking of it or are even against it. My church does not have a ton of homeschoolers and even the pastor is against it. They believe that this is the world we live in and we have to teach our children how to live in it. I agree with that...to a point. Isn't it too young to expect an 8year old to know how to live in this world?
You know I struggle with this decision. To be honest, if I ever did homeschool, I would probably really question if I should continue. If we had a homeschool school, I would seriously think about that.
I too went to public school all 12 years. I did turn out ok (with many ooops along the way), but things are different now (even though each generation has said that). It is so hard to know what is my fear vs. God's voice.
Thanks for your blog and your advice...I always enjoy reading it.
It's funny but I teach in the district I live in and am considering homeschooling when my kids get to the black hole (our middle school) - it's what we call it at the high school. What a wonderful thing getting to spend so much time and energy on the important things in life. Good luck!
My word! You are an inspiration - I can see all the reasons why you homeschool, I just can't see how you manage it all. lol - but yet, I think I might know. :)
I love counting our blessings - have a wonderful day!
Hi there! Just fyi, I was homeschooled all the way through and it was a great experience. I plan on homeschooling my own kids as well. I had a happy, well-rounded childhood with an innocence that is rare these days. I commend you and just want to encourage you to never stop! And don't listen to the haters, they're just jealous. ;)
Stacy,
Thanks for the encouragement. I would love to leave a comment on your page, but it doesn't look like it is ready yet.
Cassie
I'm with you, we live in polk county and I think the schools here seem to be worse than average! I'm homeschooling dd 11, (she's never been to public school). Step-dd 11 who spent 3 years in p.s. getting passed every year even though she didn't know her alphabet. Step-ds 15 is in public school, so I get to know first hand how awful it is--I know there are some great school, just not in my zone ;-). I could go on but I'll restrain myself ;-). I got her via your comment on Money saving Mom, I'll be checking your deal page often,
Thanks, Kelli
Hi, I live in Polk county as well. Our second grade son is currently attending a Christian school but we are not satisfied. We are thinking of home schooling next year. I would love to get in contact with the other Polk county mom who posted here yesterday.
Misty
Kelli and Misty,
If you want to get in touch with each other, feel free to leave your e-mail addresses here or to e-mail me from my profile page and I will get you in touch with each other.
Cassie
Thanks so much Cassie. I'm looking forward to meeting like minded moms in our area. Kelli can reach me at mistymc77@hotmail.com
I am the home school mom of 3. Our oldest leaves for college in August. We love it and so do the kids. We believe it is our responsibility to educate our children academically and spiritually.
Lisa Q.
lifewiththequeens.blogspot.com
i too am a homeschool mom of 4. i sent 3 to school this past year for a trial. they had a blast...they didn't learn ANYTHING!! so all the girls are coming home again - their choice, and i'm thrilled.
why do i homeschool? not to seclude them from the world, but to better prepare them to be in the world as stronger, more confident individuals!
lisa
www.studiojewel.blogspot.com
Hi, My name is Rachel and I am a mother of 3 (just had a baby 6-4-08). Can anyone hook me up with Homeschool moms in Winter Garden, Fl? Do they have groups that meet for the kids to play, field trips, etc? Thanks!
gabbyrae@hotmail.com
I have been homeschooling for 2 years now, and am just now learning to embrace and enjoy it. Thanks for your post. It's a nice encouragement to those, like me, who have chosen this route as our way to raise our children.
I'm a public school 1st grade teacher ... 3 days a week...
AND, I home school all 4 of my boys.
We've paid $2900 a month for them to go to private schools up until this year...
what a journey.
amazing to read others thoughts and ideas.
The one thing I'm sure of, ONE size doesn't fit all.
4funboys,
That is amazing! I know a lot of people are switching from Private school to homeschool now. The economy is sure changing a lot of things. I don't know if you have a homeschool group as support, but that has made a world of difference for me. I also love teaching 1 day a week at our homeschool school. My kids love it, too.
You are totally right about not one shoe fits everyone. I'm not even sure I know which shoe is mine anymore!
I love how God works. I came across your blog in the contest (Nicks Parent's Pick) I am up for Party Entertainer. I also am a homeschooler and love and feel blessed because of it. I look forward to reading your blog and voting for you. I pray that God uses you and this contest to bring glory to him by your God honoring life and sharing it with the world.
God bless.
P.S. I will be voting for you everyday!!!
Hi there Cassie, just found your blog and love your comments. We also live in Florida (Orange County) and this is our 4th year homeschooling. Our son went to private Christian school for Kindergarten while I taught there. Boy, he got a great education because of the teachers but the Administration left a lot to be desired. He went to public school for 1st grade and I subbed there. TOTALLY AWFUL for all kinds of reasons. I wish I had known that I could have pulled him out mid-year. So we made him suffer through it and started homeschooling for 2nd grade. We just finished 5th grade and love it. Of course we are in several large groups here in Orlando and have a lot of friends. Homeschooling rocks! Sue in Orlando
I homeschooled mine until highschool. My youngest graduated Validectorian of his high school went on to Cornell and is there on two scholarships. My oldest is a honors grad from NYU and currently doing Law school at Cambridge in the top 1/3 of her class. The comments from their counselors at College and high school these are the two most well rounded children I have ever had the privledge to meet. I love that they are both independent and not turning to Mom all the time for a hand out of cash. Homeschooling is the best when they are young and sometimes for the entire time. The answers are not one size fits all as the Public school system believes. I graduated from public school and I still don't know a thing. The things I have learned I have learned on my own.
I totally agree with every reason you decided to home school. My oldest son went to public school from kindergarten to 5th grade and my youngest son went from kindergarten to 2nd. I homeschooled them both last year (6th and 3rd)because they both were subject to bullying and emotional abuse from teachers. This year against my better judgement I let them go to a new charter school that was supposed to be a green school and based on computer learning and robots. My oldest was picked on so bad he now hates his self again (I spent all of last year convincing him that he wasn't an outcast). Within a week he improved considerably. My youngest has been locked in a bathroom and thrown down on the playground but still wants to stay at the public school. We are playing it by ear but I doubt he will be in there much longer. I think it's truly awesome when moms can home school their kids. Call me old fashioned but I think a mother's place is at home with her kids. I feel so sorry for the kids that have to go to public schools and suffer from countless abuse from other kids.
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