Messages By: tynabsmom

I just wanted to post to encourage everyone who is considering homeschool.  I was a substitute teacher part-time for 2 years & my oldest was in public school.  I really believed that this was best.  After-all, I knew most of his teachers, I worked there some, and I was a PTA officer.  However, after a while my eyes were opened to what was really going on.  The bullying, fighting, favoritism, etc.  was too much to bear.  When I was a happy volunteer at the school, I saw what they wanted me to see.  After becoming close with the administration, I saw that there were so many problems from unconcerned parents down to misappropriated funds.  I just couldn't see keeping my son in there any longer.  The thought of sending my precious little daughter to kindergarten there was horrifying. 

I came to looking into homeschool.  I got most of my information on the internet.  Then I found a local homeschooling group.  What a whole different world was opened up to me.  After gathering all of my information, I took it to my husband.  With a bit of hesitation we began on August 2, 2004.  My son doing 5th grade work and my daughter doing K.  After about a week, a sense of peace came over me & we have never been happier.  I know this is what our family is suppose to be doing right now.   

There are many different curricula to use.  My favorite catalogs for it are Rainbow Resource and Rod and Staff Publishers.  We tried a few different things last year, my favorite of those was Five in a Row.   This year we use Rod and Staff for my now 1st grader for Phonics, Reading & math.  My now 6th grader uses Rod and Staff Math, English & spelling and Pathway for Reading and we all do Apologia Astronomy together.  Also if you are studing something you can go out and actually explore, touch, taste, etc whatever it is instead of just reading about it. 

There is much more learning going on at our house now other than just academic.  My children are learning very important life skills.  My son knows how to balance a check book.  They both know how to do laundry, clean properly, and cook.  Most of all they are learning to take responsibility for their own actions.  There are many people in their 20's who cannot do some of that!   

There are many different books available on homeschooling and I would encourage you to check your local library.  One of my favorites is Life Skills For Kids by Christine Field.    Another good author is Charlotte Mason.  There are also many different websites and message board out there.   

  My main point is if you want to homeschool, you probably can.  If you are willing to put in the time & effort.  I was told by some of my fellow school employees that I was crazy for trying this and that my children would have low test scores & be unsociable.  Well the opposite has happened.  Test scores are great and with our homeschool group he actually goes on more "field trips", park days, etc.    But, guess what.....many other of my fellow teachers (even ones that have been teaching for years) Congratulated me quietly and told me that they think homeschooling is wonderful.     

We also live on strictly one income now.  That can be hard for some, but I assure you, it is possible.   And we don't have a dumpy home or broken down cars.  We live on a machinists salary and with careful planning and budgeting it CAN be done.  We have lived like this for several years now and if we can do it, anyone can.   

Of course not all days are roses and sunshine, but most are!  If it's storming and cold outside I no longer have to go sit in my car with my shivering son waiting to get on an unheated bus.  We can just opt for school at the kitchen table with hot cocoa!