Homeschooling Questions (lots of them)

[Kat Kanning]

It sounds like she's an experienced homeschooler.

[Braddogg]

It sounds like she's an experienced homeschooler.

An experienced homeschooler who's getting resistance from her kids, which may mean that they weren't exactly satisfied with their experience.  I think homeschooling and grouped schooling carry a lot of the same problems as far as freedom goes, and it's that lack of freedom that, in my opinion, leads children to dislike education.  Of course, this is extreme inferences from afar, knowing nothing more than the information in the three or four posts she's made, and not having too much hands-on experience in any field of schooling (other than being on the receiving end of 17 years of "traditional" schooling).

[Rosie the Riveter]

You may want to consider unschooling: http://www.unschooling.com/library/faq/index.shtml

The basic idea, in case you aren't familiar with it, is to allow your child's natural curiosities roam freely without the structured boundaries and requirements of a curriculum.  Restricting a child's curiosities through structured curriculum, even at homeschool, restricts a child's desire to learn and teaches them undue respect for authority, which often translates into undue respect for the state.  Instead of making learning a chore, it makes learning something they want to do.  It's what I plan to do with my (not-yet-existent) children.

Unschooling was my favorite years thus far. I love happy stress-free kiddos. I would go back to unschooling anytime my kids want to.

[CNHT]

Hi Kat, I got your PM and I emailed you. Believe me I'm hooked on the net, I just took a break to watch a movie. 
Thank you everybody for your info and it's great hearing from you Cathleen and Jane!  I'm getting alot of resistance from my husband and kids when I bring up homeschooling them again, I wish I never stopped when we moved here. I thought I was doing the right thing for them, I temporarily forgot about all the beauratic (sp?) BS in the school systems.
I have to wait and see what's gonna happen here, I just wanted all of the info I can get first.  If I can convince my husband and kids they will actually have a "life" with homeschooling here I have a better shot at them agreeing with me.  If I can get my husband on board with me again we will put our feet down and make the decision.
Thanks and I'll let you know what happens!

Well it sounds like you might use it on an 'as needed' basis. For example, if one child is happy in school and does well in that environment, you can simply stay involved and monitor what he is learning and all this other stuff like the candy bar flap, and still stay on top of any political propaganda they might be fed and such. As any good parent I am sure you would talk to your kids about things they are bringing home to see what the slant is on it. But for another child who doesn't do so well in that environement home schooling and your willingness to do it is invaluable. There may come a day when this is reversed.

When kids are not happy in school, it may interfere with the basics that everyone needs (reading, writing, math) and you can provide that I'm sure.

I think I remember you said you had 4 school aged kids, so this rotational thing might be less overwhelming than all of them at once.
As I said, you are a thoughtful person and I'm sure you will find the way that is right for you.

Kids who don't like school are either way too bright for their class or much slower. They are the ones who fall through the cracks. Or a child who is hyperactive and can't sit still might be able to give you a few hours on the important stuff , then they can do other more active things to learn that would be impossible in a classroom of 25.
A teacher with 25 kids can only do so much!

[Raineyrocks]

Hi Braddog, I did unschool them, somedays we sat down around the table and worked on certain subjects, then most days I would let them call the shots on what they wanted to do or learn.  I have plenty of workbooks we worked in and fun learning videos they would watch, ect, but your right they were not satisfied and it was more of a social thing for my daughters and they said they wanted more structure and hours of "real school" type learning too.  I know a few homeschoolers where I used to live, bought Abeka (I think) dvds, for over $1000 a year and put their kids in front of the tv, computer and workbook all day long trying to get further ahead than other schools.  When I was new to homeschooling I mentioned the computer curriculum stuff they sell to my sister and she said, "if your going to stick them in front of a computer all day just send them back to school."  I agreed with her opinions on this so I never did that but I tried all kinds of things to keep all 4 of my kids interested in homeschool, I seemed to have failed somewhere because after 3 years they all wanted to go back to public school (expect my son, he's 18 now and going for his GED).  So I'm left with the question in my mind, was if something I did wrong or wasn't doing or do they just really like the school environment? I don't know. I do know it was awesome homeschooling my son, he was only 5 and I taught him how to read and write (he's 8 now), hubby taught them all math (I suck at math).  Anywho, I appreciate your comments on the subject.
Hi again Jane,  I agree so much that if a kid is miserable in school they won't learn or have a happy childhood either.  My 18 year old son fell through the cracks through elementary school, he liked school and was happy (most times) but couldn't sit still and he would lose his homework, throw it away, blah, blah, blah.  I didn't even know anything about homeschooling back then though, when I learned about it was he was out of 8th grade.  I really wish I would have known about homeschooling when he was younger, he's one I definetely would have homeschooled.  The schools in Maryland do not keep students back, he passed 4th - 8th with almost straight F's. Rick and I tried every way we know to help him, that story would take up 100 pages, so I won't even go there.  My neice hates school, she's so sad all of the time and I wish my sister-in-law would do something to help her, I've made suggestions, but she is her parent.
I now only have 3 school aged kids now, well my daughter is 16 but she wants to keep going to high school. I actually had a blast homeschooling all 4 of them, the first year I was so scared, the "4 of them and only 1 of me fear" but as I relaxed and got into the swing of it, I thought we had a blast.  Then last year it dropped down to only 2 of my younger ones and it was so quiet and boring, the teenagers, with their silly jokes and sarcastic comments really filled up our "school" with life.
Anyways, I have to go clean the house now, wow, what fun!  I will let you know if Rick gets the job he's interviewing for this week and then maybe if nobody minds the cold we could have the party I want to have.  Do you remember the way our back yard sloped down a real steep hill? I think sledding will be awesome when the snow gets here, just have to watch those trees or else "Smash".