re: Homeschool

Quoting Bangtail:" I decided to post this because I basically got thrown into homeschooling my sons, for lack of a better ... [snip!] ... Before doing it, I thought it was strange and even slightly irresponsible. Now, of course, my opinion has changed greatly."

It may be your calling, though. I just know I am not comfortable doing it. BUT, if push came to shove, I may dedicate myself to it if the right situation arose.
I am very anti-medication (especially when it comes to ADD meds), so I understand where you are coming from.

OP, what curricula have you been looking at? I love looking at them.

Quoting SAFFY™:" I've looked at the required courses. What I will probably struggle with most is anything having to deal ... [snip!] ... Whatever.   If I can impart my knowledge onto a new generation of thinkers, I won't consider my potential wasted."

I originally was getting my criminal justice degree and wanted to continue my education with law school. So mine is totally different than originally intended too! but it's a much better fit for me!

<blockquote><b>Quoting Destinite:</b>" I should have been more detailed in my original post. I want someone with years of experience and qualifications ... [snip!] ... school within our district, then charter school that will eventually add all of the other grades so it is a one stop shop. "</blockquote>



My husband and I make a pretty good team on this because he's an IT consultant and a math wiz, where I have always been a voracious reader and a grammar nazi. Of course, I say that as I'm typing on my phone and can't figure out how to go back and read what I'm typing, so I may sound like an idiot!

I didn't know if I could do it, but I knew I could do it better then the teacher who stuck my son in a desk facing the wall so he could learn to concentrate.

Quoting Bangtail:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Destinite:</b>" I should have been more detailed in my original ... [snip!] ... but I knew I could do it better then the teacher who stuck my son in a desk facing the wall so he could learn to concentrate."

I can see why you're not too thrilled with the school.   You don't isolate a child to teach them to concentrate.  

I keep reading all these stories and know plenty of what NOT to do when I'm finally teaching.

Quoting Bangtail:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Destinite:</b>" I should have been more detailed in my original ... [snip!] ... but I knew I could do it better then the teacher who stuck my son in a desk facing the wall so he could learn to concentrate."

I would NOT be happy about that tactic!
I think with the right dedication from both of you, it can be a successful endeavor. Homeschool isn't what a lot of people think it is when it comes to isolation. As I'm sure you are finding out, people connect and have field trips and other social interaction amongst homeschool students.

<blockquote><b>Quoting sassy chef:</b>" OP, what curricula have you been looking at? I love looking at them."</blockquote>


I've actually got three that I work from. I started with horizons and it wasn't a good fit for anything except spelling. So, now, I use noescience, time4learning, and a history one that I can't think of right now! We also do PE and Spanish at the Y. We live somewhere that has a HUGE homeschool group and that helps us a lot. I also have a copy of my school districts requirements at each stage so I can make sure that they are ready to go back if that comes up.

<blockquote><b>Quoting SAFFY™:</b>" I can see why you're not too thrilled with the school.   You don't isolate a child to teach them to ... [snip!] ... them to concentrate.   I keep reading all these stories and know plenty of what NOT to do when I'm finally teaching."</blockquote>



Oh this lady was awful. I went in for a parent/teacher conference and she said the fact that my husband and I were young and worked too much was the reason my son couldn't concentrate. Literally every time he'd make a peep, she'd send him to the office. Honestly, I have so many horror stories I can't even type them all. Then my youngest got to kindergarten and they started the same crap. My kids got to the point where they thought they were stupid because that's how they were made to feel. I just figured that I needed to do something before they lost all love of learning.

Quoting Bangtail:" <blockquote><b>Quoting SAFFY™:</b>" I can see why you're not too thrilled with the ... [snip!] ... because that's how they were made to feel. I just figured that I needed to do something before they lost all love of learning."

I've been blessed. My daughters have AMAZING teachers and have had them. My oldest is 6 and when we moved, we transferred her to the school a block away. She hated it there but her teacher was good. We transferred her back into her old district along with her 5 year old sister and I adore their teachers. I honestly love the entire school.

I come in next fall to help out in classrooms and such; to get my toes wet for teaching and to make sure it's something I truly want to do.

Perhaps my experiences with my daughters' teachers thus far is why I'm fairly ambivalent to homeschooling and why I say I'd never do it.

Quoting sassy chef:" I don't feel like I'm raising my kids in a bubble. *shrugs* Different strokes, different folks. A ... [snip!] ... to whomever.) We do co-ops, sport activities, and clubs. It's the right choice for us, and we'll re-evaluate if needed. "

Oh, I didn't mean to say all kids who are homeschooled are 'raised in a bubble'. I just know that if I were to homeschool them, they probably wouldn't get out much.

I have met some homeschooled kids who are exposed to a lot of extracurricular activities and are very well adjusted, and then I've met some kids who are extremely socially awkward because they just aren't exposed to the outside world very much.

<blockquote><b>Quoting SpaceCowgirl:</b>" Oh, I didn't mean to say all kids who are homeschooled are 'raised in a bubble'. I just know that if ... [snip!] ... and then I've met some kids who are extremely socially awkward because they just aren't exposed to the outside world very much."</blockquote>



I was scared of that when I started and then broke my right foot and can't drive until march! Luckily, my mom and some friends are helping get us around.

My daughter's kindergarten teacher is a man about my age. People think it's weird.  

<blockquote><b>Quoting SAFFY™:</b>" I've been blessed. My daughters have AMAZING teachers and have had them. My oldest is 6 and when we ... [snip!] ... experiences with my daughters' teachers thus far is why I'm fairly ambivalent to homeschooling and why I say I'd never do it."</blockquote>


I can definitely respect people that wouldn't do it. We are teaching them so that they can go back to school one day once we have gotten over this hump. I do want them to experience the fun parts of school.

<blockquote><b>Quoting That-Girl:</b>" No. I would not, my sister was homeschooled and it ended up being incredibly detrimental (Socially, emotionally, etc)"</blockquote>



I can see how that could happen. My cousin is a junior and has been doing everything online and he's very withdrawn. My oldest sister's daughter finished her school online and that poor girl can't read or spell to save her life. I'm using them as examples of what NOT to do!

Quoting SAFFY™:" My daughter's kindergarten teacher is a man about my age. People think it's weird.  "

Every male teacher I have ever met has been phenomenal. I wish more men would go into teaching.