About Homeschooling-Part 2

So We Began

When we lived in West Texas we were near a cousin of mine.  He and his wife homeschooled their children and I found much encouragement and advice (the good kind) from them.  I was introduced to an idea of raising life-long learners.  I saw first hand what a homeschool setting could look like.  I was warned against doing "school at home" as opposed to "homeschooling".  Of course I didn't follow all of dear Amy's advice.  For instance, the second Aidan showed an interest in learning, I plopped him at the table and started "teaching" him stuff.  It didn't take me long (although maybe longer than it should have) to figure out that all the reading, the talking, the playing we were doing, and the life we were living was the learning he needed.

I read every book on homeschooling I could find, and immersed myself in the culture of homeschooling as much as I could.  I loved what I heard about homeschooled children being able to connect with people of all ages, be ahead academically, be close to their families, etc... I had an ideal image of what homeschooling was.  Even though it was a bit idealistic, my vision of homeschooling helped to direct what we wanted for our family.

Below you will find a list of my pros and cons of homeschooling.  I've tried to stick with the actual pros/cons that I've noticed in our experience not the supposed pros/cons of homeschooling.

CONS

* This takes time, and a lot of time.  Right now, most of my time is focussed on creating a learning environment for the kids and helping them along the way.  The house still needs to be cleaned, the laundry done, and every one still has to eat (tried to experiment with that last one, nope...still need to eat).  I'm personally not one who needs a lot of "me" time as a mom.  This is good because at the end of the day, there's not a lot of time left for anything.

* We are together all the time.  All...of...the....time.

* It can get pricey, especially if you spend the first handful of years flitting about from one set of materials to another, to another, to another, to another.  You get the picture.

* It can be easy to let the flexibility of homeschooling get out of control.  When you have a late night and no one wants to get up in the morning, it's very tempting to let every one get up when they want to and not demand work to get done.  Also, it's easy to let life's interruptions become excuses to not "do school".

* It's hard to not get emotional involved when teaching.  There have been times that I get very frustrated at a child's inability to "get" something and then I get upset.  Not cool.

PROS

* I know my children's learning styles and can accommodate accordingly

*We are together all the time.  We've worked to raise our children to be people we enjoy being around (and hopefully others enjoy them as well).  Sure, we get sick of each other at times, but we truly love being together.

*Homeschooling is much, much cheaper than sending a child to a private school.

*Having the flexibility to say "no school" when I need to is wonderful.  New baby?  Trip?  Illness?  Sometimes we just need a break.  I've discovered that most of their learning (surprise, surprise) has come from an unexpected event.  My kids have learned that life and learning are not two separate events.

*My kids are great friends.  Do not mistake this for "my children always get along".  I love the relationships that have developed between all the siblings.  They get to be around one another in a way that they wouldn't if the oldest group was in school all day and the younger crew left at home.

*My kids are not influenced by pop culture.  No, they are not social misfits either.  I want children who can see something for what it is and be able to form their opinion without being influenced by what "every one else is doing".  I realize that my kids are young yet and this will probably change somewhat.  However, so far I'm impressed at how my children can be individuals and yet still relate to people of all kinds.

*My kids truly can communicate/relate to people of all ages.  I love that!

*I get to pick what my children learn, and I know them better than any one else, so I also get to decide how they will learn it.

*Our faith is central to our schooling.

*If we are in the middle of an excellent read-aloud (which we often are) and the kids want to hear "just one more chapter, please!" we can continue to read.  We've spent countless hours sharing good books with one another and if nothing else gets done that day, I still count it as a school day done well.

*When Brett is home, we can be together as a family.  We schedule our school year around the university calendar so we can optimize our time together.

I'm sure I'll think of more pros (and cons) to our specific homeschooling experience.  We have days where I want to flag the big yellow bus down and tell the driver she forgot a couple of kids, but most days I cherish the time I get to be with these little (and not so little anymore) ones.

(Next up...what our homeschool looks like)

About Homeschooling

I was recently asked by a few people about our decision to homeschool.  Instead of responding individually to each one I thought I would just write a post in case someone else might be curious about this crazy thing we do.

I always feel the need to add some disclaimers:

a) We choose to homeschool our kids, but that doesn't mean that I think I'm better than those you don't homeschool.  I might think my kids are better behaved, but that's a topic for another post completely.

b) I'm not afraid of the "real world".  We are a family who is very much a part of the world, although we choose to keep a lot of the garbage out of our home.

c) I love homeschooling, except when I don't.

d) I know there are great teachers and great schools.  I still think that homeschooling my children is the best option for our family.

Okay, on with the point of this post.

Why We Began Homeschooling

Before we had children Brett brought up this notion of homeschooling.  I thought he was crazy and dismissed the topic.  The homeschooled children I had been exposed to when I was in school were socially awkward or really behind the rest of us academically or way ahead of us academically.  They weren't easy to be around and were just strange.  Sorry if that sounds awful, but that was my perspective as a kid.  I didn't want "that type" of kid.  No way.  Case closed.

Brett's main professor and mentor in college homeschooled his children.  He liked what he saw and he thought that looked like a good plan for his (future) family.

I don't really know when I changed my mind.  It was somewhere between being pregnant and taking "education" classes in college.  I wasn't impressed with how my classes seemed to contradict one another. One class was telling us that tests were overrated and should never be given.  That students should not be motivated by grades.  Yet, other classes were focussing on the latest tests that students were required to take and how to help them score well.

After I graduated college I became an official stay-at-home mom.  Our oldest child was 18 months and baby #2 was on her way.  I loved being at home and interacting with these two little souls all day long.

Our Catholic faith (which wasn't always "our" faith, but became "ours" shortly after Aidan was born) is important to us.  I desire to have our faith so much a part of our family life that our kids can't see even a seam to where our lives and our faith connect.  I love that we start our school day with a prayer and the daily readings.  Homeschooling allows me to weave our faith into our learning each and every day.

(to be continued....)

My Birthday Post

 

See these smiling faces?  All of them, minus the two youngest are celebrating my 33rd birthday together in Disney World.

Felicity is absolutely lost without her friends and keeps asking where they are.  

Do you have 2 little ones at home?  4 little ones?  7 under the age of 8?  If you don't have any ''big" (10 and over) kids in your home, regardless of how many, it is hard work.  I've been thoroughly enjoying the time I'm getting with my little girls, but I'm definitely exhausted by the end of the day (and it's only been 1 full day)

Are you here from Margaret's blog?  Imagine my surprise when I checked blogs this morning!  Thank you!!!!  

On a Gloomy Saturday in November

I'm hearing...An obnoxious toy in my ear, being played by the 2 1/2 year old.

But, it's keeping the baby happy so I can blog.

Outside...The sun has gone into hiding.  I don't think it's particularly cold outside, but it sure doesn't look too inviting.  The girls went outside and the "men" (1 man, 1 not-quite-there-yet little man) went out into the woods to shoot guns.  Maybe I'll have to take a stroll down to the chicken coop just so I can say that I went outside too. *Update:  I guess there was no gun shooting as the menfolk got lost on some back roads.* Insert grumpy men.

Inside...It may have taken longer than it should have, but every one finished their "morning chores" this morning so the house isn't a complete disaster.  I'm ignoring the stagecoach covered wagon that is in the schoolroom.  The kids have assured me that the blankets will get folded and put away. 

My kitchen...I made oatmeal for the kids this morning and scrambled myself an egg when I was making Felicity her breakfast (the only kid who gets a hot breakfast every morning, little stinker).  My children love old fashioned oatmeal with a little cinnamon and sugar.  I, honestly, can't stand the stuff.  I used to choke it down with them when I made it, but now I find something else to eat.  Lunch was pancakes and bacon and dinner didn't quite go as planned.  We said "yes" when the kids asked for some Halloween candy for dessert, and "yes" to seconds. 

I'm grateful for...A second weekend in a row with Brett home!

                           A bazillion guests who have bopped over from Margaret's blog.  Wow, she has quite a readership! 

I'm feeling...A bit sorry for myself.  Never did get outside today.  I will remedy that tomorrow.

I'm excited for...The game of "Dominion" that is about to take place. We were introduced to this game by our pastor and it has been a favorite ever since.  I'm horrible at describing it, so I'll just say that it's a lot of fun and Brett and I have been known to play a round when the kids are in bed. 

The rest of this week...Mass bright and early tomorrow morning.  Then, unless our calendars aren't lining up I believe that we have a full week without any extra evening obligations!  This is the calm before the "end-of-the-semester-and-my-husband-is-a-music-professor" storm. 

I'm reading..."33 Days to Morning Glory".  I think Brett is going to join me.  Can't wait.

In the schoolroom...Well, besides the covered wagon?  I'm hoping to get some planning done this evening.  This semester has been sorta thrown together more than usual, but next semester will be better.

A Picture:

I love this snow outfit.  I bought it the first year we lived here in blue/red, thinking we would have it around for awhile.  Little did I know that the first girl who wore it would be followed by 3 more girls!  I believe Felicity does "snow elf" very well.

 

Recharged and Redirected

*I began this post on Monday, oops.

First, our weekend!  Saturday brought sunshine and a fabulous family up from the Cities.  You already know Margaret and her family, I'm sure.  If you don't...please meet them.  What a blessing it was to get to spend the day with them.  We officially met at the Catholic Homeschool Conference a couple of years ago, but Margaret had been blessing me through her blog for many years prior to that.   Our visit was filled with yummy food (note to self: get that recipe) a lot of unfinished conversations and activity of children.  Just the way it should be!  The husbands hit it off, but with great guys like we have that was hardly surprising.  The kids hit it off, and I could go on and on.  We had a great day and I went into the rest of the weekend feeling refreshed and recharged.  Nothing beats spending time with a like-minded, faith-filled, fun family!  Can't wait until next time!

Tuesday brought a great conversation with a great friend.  God spoke through her as we spoke.  I think what was said was "Meghan, get over yourself and stop worrying so much about what gets done and what doesn't.  I got this!"  Okay, so I paraphrased.  And thus ends my "series" of lists.  You're welcome!

Have a great weekend, eat something yummy, and spend time with someone you love!

Break it Down-Part 1

Okay, this whole postpartum, self-reflection stuff.  Not for the light of heart.  Or for the hormonal, postpartum mom.  Oh, wait.

It dawned on me after I wrote my "ideal day" post that my day consists of 3 parts.  Not morning, noon, and night.  More like personal stuff, school stuff, and household stuff.  I thought it would be a good idea to break those sections down so I have a clear idea of what would be a "successful" day.  Ideal, perfect days would be, well, perfect, but probably not going to happen around here for awhile.  Realistically, we live in a fallen world, and a perfect day would be hard to come by...and the end of the world would be here so we wouldn't be able to enjoy it anyway. 

Alright, moving on.

I think if the following is in place I would consider myself having had a successful in the "personal" category.

-Time spent in prayer (at least one of the "Hours" and the daily reflection from "In Conversation with God")
-At least 20 minutes on the treadmill
-Drinking water throughout the day
-Make some connection with the "outside" world
-Read something not online

This is a bare bones list.  This list could also be called "survival mode".  I would love to accomplish more in my personal life (like go hiking every day, spend more time in prayer than online, sit and write a real letter to someone, sew, knit, crochet, solve the healthcare problem in the country, raise my own livestock, garden something other than weeds, etc...).  However, if the above is in place I could go to sleep at night and know that I have lived a day instead of letting a day tick by.

*I feel the need to add that I don't usually work like this.  This whole "write out a list to measure personal success" thing is new to me.  I guess, in this season of raising medium and little ones (11 and under), something that I don't often see in "real life", I need a concrete vision of what in the world I'm doing here.  And...being a list person, I thought a list would be great! 

Had to throw this in here because a post without a picture of sweet people just didn't seem right.

Gift

John Paul II is credited for stating that the best gift you can give your child is that of a sibling.  That JPII guy, smart dude.