Post by Charity on Jun 6, 2005 11:29:04 GMT -5
Old Article:
Well it has been a wonderful Christmas break but beginning tomorrow it's back to the books. Public school kids are mostly not looking forward to this. Homeschool kids are excited because they know lots of fun and learning is upcoming.
This week alone, I have had three new families call me wanting to know how to begin their new homeschooling adventure. You would not believe some of the things that happen in public schools which send these parents "over the edge" and push them into seeking an alternative to the pathetic school systems they seek to escape.
I tell ya, it's a madhouse in the PS these days. I have been the coordinator of my HS group for five years now and every year at this time of year, a whole group of families are seeking refuge. It never fails. It is wonderful that these families are going ahead and getting their feet wet. They have no idea that what starts out to be a decision just to homeschool, turns into bringing their families closer together than they ever bargained for. Every mom or dad who calls me is always nervous yet determined. I gear them in the right direction and answer all the questions they have. The neat part though is seeing them a year or two later and hear them say, "man I wish I had done this long ago. Why did I stay in the PS system so long. If only I had known then what I know now, I would have been doing this from the start".
In all my years of doing this, I have only seen one or two give up and put their kids back in PS. The very first thing I always tell any new family is to FIND A GOOD HOMESCHOOL GROUP. One who has the same values as they do. This is one of the most important things a new homeschool family can seek. With the fellowship and experience of other homeschool families, there is always someone there to calm fears.
To any first time homeschoolers out there just getting started tomorrow. You have made the most wise decision you will ever make for your family. Do these things in this order.
1. Make sure both parents agree to this and try to seek support within extended family members.
2. Pray, pray, pray. Seek the Lord's will in this.
3. Check with www.hslda.org click on your state to find out the laws for your state and what you need to do.
4. Have a family meeting to discuss goals and rules in your school.
5. Pick a good cirriculum that is well suited for you and your kids. Many HS'ers use ABEKA AND SCHOOL OF TOMORROW OR ALPHA-OMEGA, When starting out.
6. Seek out a HS group near you. Go to the meetings. Ask about field trips, co-ops and other activities they have.
Good Luck new Homeschoolers and God Bless. Be sure to see the Homeschool section of this site for lots of good links and helps.
Many parents would love to give homeschooling a try, yet they have many fears. Let me calm your fears right now. It is always a little scary doing something you have never done before. I was so nervous when I got started. I wanted to make sure I had all the bases covered. I mean we are talking about our children, the most important people in our lives.
Looking back now I laugh because not only did I have nothing to fear, but it has turned out to be the best things we (my whole family) have ever done. All that money we spent on private Christian schools could have paid for college. Now I spend a fraction of that cost and I get to pick the cirriculum and share with my child all that I know. I am still learning myself, which is the case for all homeschool parents. One thing our kids learn in homeschooling is that we never stop learning.
Not to fear if you did not get algebra yourself in high school. There are so many good affordable media out there now. Even in the public schools, most high school classes consist these days of kids sitting in front of a computer generated teacher online.
Homeschooling is growing so fast these days. We have overcome the old "socialization" stigma. Our time is now.
Give it a try. I promise you will never be sorry of the time you get to spend with your kids and the bond that grows. They only stay young for a short time. Grab it and don't let go until you have to. Children are our gift from God.
Charity
Well it has been a wonderful Christmas break but beginning tomorrow it's back to the books. Public school kids are mostly not looking forward to this. Homeschool kids are excited because they know lots of fun and learning is upcoming.
This week alone, I have had three new families call me wanting to know how to begin their new homeschooling adventure. You would not believe some of the things that happen in public schools which send these parents "over the edge" and push them into seeking an alternative to the pathetic school systems they seek to escape.
I tell ya, it's a madhouse in the PS these days. I have been the coordinator of my HS group for five years now and every year at this time of year, a whole group of families are seeking refuge. It never fails. It is wonderful that these families are going ahead and getting their feet wet. They have no idea that what starts out to be a decision just to homeschool, turns into bringing their families closer together than they ever bargained for. Every mom or dad who calls me is always nervous yet determined. I gear them in the right direction and answer all the questions they have. The neat part though is seeing them a year or two later and hear them say, "man I wish I had done this long ago. Why did I stay in the PS system so long. If only I had known then what I know now, I would have been doing this from the start".
In all my years of doing this, I have only seen one or two give up and put their kids back in PS. The very first thing I always tell any new family is to FIND A GOOD HOMESCHOOL GROUP. One who has the same values as they do. This is one of the most important things a new homeschool family can seek. With the fellowship and experience of other homeschool families, there is always someone there to calm fears.
To any first time homeschoolers out there just getting started tomorrow. You have made the most wise decision you will ever make for your family. Do these things in this order.
1. Make sure both parents agree to this and try to seek support within extended family members.
2. Pray, pray, pray. Seek the Lord's will in this.
3. Check with www.hslda.org click on your state to find out the laws for your state and what you need to do.
4. Have a family meeting to discuss goals and rules in your school.
5. Pick a good cirriculum that is well suited for you and your kids. Many HS'ers use ABEKA AND SCHOOL OF TOMORROW OR ALPHA-OMEGA, When starting out.
6. Seek out a HS group near you. Go to the meetings. Ask about field trips, co-ops and other activities they have.
Good Luck new Homeschoolers and God Bless. Be sure to see the Homeschool section of this site for lots of good links and helps.
Many parents would love to give homeschooling a try, yet they have many fears. Let me calm your fears right now. It is always a little scary doing something you have never done before. I was so nervous when I got started. I wanted to make sure I had all the bases covered. I mean we are talking about our children, the most important people in our lives.
Looking back now I laugh because not only did I have nothing to fear, but it has turned out to be the best things we (my whole family) have ever done. All that money we spent on private Christian schools could have paid for college. Now I spend a fraction of that cost and I get to pick the cirriculum and share with my child all that I know. I am still learning myself, which is the case for all homeschool parents. One thing our kids learn in homeschooling is that we never stop learning.
Not to fear if you did not get algebra yourself in high school. There are so many good affordable media out there now. Even in the public schools, most high school classes consist these days of kids sitting in front of a computer generated teacher online.
Homeschooling is growing so fast these days. We have overcome the old "socialization" stigma. Our time is now.
Give it a try. I promise you will never be sorry of the time you get to spend with your kids and the bond that grows. They only stay young for a short time. Grab it and don't let go until you have to. Children are our gift from God.
Charity