homeschool insights

[The Edge]

Perhaps I could use this thread to get some insights on homeschooling; pro or con. My wife wants to do it, but I question it because I think it'll overwork her and not give us the break we can get each day by sending kids to school.

Discuss, please :)

[The Edge]

Talk amongst yourselves....

[Nineveh]

I moved your thread into the Homeschooling Forum :)

Personally, I like it :) I like the freedom of time off when we need it and I like being able to slow down or speed up depending on where my daughter is having trouble or excelling.

I go with an ABeka (http://www.abekaacademy.org/) accredited DVD program. My "duties" include grading tests, helping her out when she doesn't understand a concept and recording grades.

There are a few curriculums out there. I've also heard good things about Alpha Omega (http://www.aop.com/Cultures/en-US/default.htm). They have a few different ways to go about homeschooling.

That's about all I can think to add right now, but I'm sure the homeschoolers will be more than happy to offer you all the info they got on just about any question you might have :)

[the Sibbie]

Originally posted by The Edge

Perhaps I could use this thread to get some insights on homeschooling; pro or con. My wife wants to do it, but I question it because I think it'll overwork her and not give us the break we can get each day by sending kids to school.

Discuss, please :) The Edge, you should be proud that your wife has a such good attitude towards it. :thumb:

I recall a woman at my church comment on how her husband worked night shifts and her son hardly ever got to see him and that once her son started kindergarten, he would see his father even less. I suggested that she homeschool so her son could spend a little more time with his dad. She scoffed, "I'm against homeschooling." Then said how she cannot wait to get him out of the house during the day so she had more time to herself! :( I wondered if she later realized how selfish that sounded. :nono:

I think if your wife is physically capable of taking care of herself, then she probably can handle it. My mom has ten kids and homeschooled all of us! :)

[Crow]

Originally posted by The Edge

Perhaps I could use this thread to get some insights on homeschooling; pro or con. My wife wants to do it, but I question it because I think it'll overwork her and not give us the break we can get each day by sending kids to school.

Discuss, please :)

I went to a series of public schools, but most of it was just going over what I already knew because my father spent literally thousands of hours teaching his kids, in addition to holding down a full time job. To him, teaching his kids was more fun than work. It was great for us too, as we seemed to learn faster from Dad than we did in public school, and it was just a heck of a lot better to please him than to please a teacher.

I learned far more from my father than I did cutting from up and being a class clown in the presence of my like-minded peers.

If your wife is truly interested and willing to homeschool your kids, I would suggest that you let her try it. If it's too much for her, there's always the option of sending them back to public school.

[The Edge]

The Sibbie said I think if your wife is physically capable of taking care of herself, then she probably can handle it. My mom has ten kids and homeschooled all of us!
She is physically able, but I hope it does not overburden her ir mentally tire her out so much paying so much attention to the kids that she has no "husband/wife time" which I value very much.
I am not trying to sound selfish, but a wife who gives to the kids so much that she can't give to her spouse is neglecting her biblical duties as a wife. I hope my wife doesn't do that. If she can keep the balance, that is work with the kids but also be cool with the husband that would be boss! :)

[The Edge]

Crow,
I am going to let her try it. I hope my fears are not realized. I hope it goes well. Must make sure the marriage stays healthy. I think it would be very difficult to be consentrating on homeschooling a 5-6 year old with demanding little babies and toddlers still running around the house. It seems intuitive to me that home schooling will work better on children that are more spaced apart. Any insights on doing it with close in age children like I have?

[Granite]

Try it but when and if your kids want to go to a private/public school, don't necessarily fight it.

[BillyBob]

Originally posted by The Edge

The Sibbie said
She is physically able,

You bet! Women are built for this kinda work. They can homeschool the kids, make the meals, do the shopping, clean the house, do the laundry and take out the garbage without ever feeling tired or overburdened.

but I hope it does not overburden her ir mentally tire her out so much paying so much attention to the kids that she has no "husband/wife time" which I value very much.

Eh, that whole thing is overated. You'll get sick of it soon enough and will be thankful your wife is busy doing her chores while you lay on the couch and watch a football game.


I am not trying to sound selfish, but a wife who gives to the kids so much that she can't give to her spouse is neglecting her biblical duties as a wife.

She'll have time for that! What are we talking about anyway, 2 minutes a couple nights a week? I'm sure she can squeeze it in.



I hope my wife doesn't do that. If she can keep the balance, that is work with the kids but also be cool with the husband that would be boss! :)

You just gotta put your foot down once in awhile and remind her who her master is.

[Then say 'Fetch me a beer, I'll be on the couch'.]

[Servo]

Originally posted by Crow



I learned far more from my father than I did cutting from up and being a class clown in the presence of my like-minded peers.



I still learn more from my father to this day than I ever learned in public school.

[The Edge]

Originally posted by BillyBob

You bet! Women are built for this kinda work. They can homeschool the kids, make the meals, do the shopping, clean the house, do the laundry and take out the garbage without ever feeling tired or overburdened.
Billybob I don't believe women are "built" to slave in the house.

Eh, that whole thing is overated. You'll get sick of it soon enough and will be thankful your wife is busy doing her chores while you lay on the couch and watch a football game.Quality time iwth my wife is never overrated. I hope you are joking here; women deserve more respect than to be thought of as a house slave.

She'll have time for that! What are we talking about anyway, 2 minutes a couple nights a week? I'm sure she can squeeze it in. I'm talking about more than that; I'm talking about quality time together, just cuddling on the couch watching a movie, going on a "date" alone every couple weeks or so, doing stuff together adult time without the kids.

You just gotta put your foot down once in awhile and remind her who her master is.
[Then say 'Fetch me a beer, I'll be on the couch'.]
I don't buy into this, and I don't drink beer. I am glad to help her our with chores around the house. They get done faster and leaves us more time to enjoy eachother's company. I usually do dishes, vacuum, and cut the grass, and do about half the laundry. It's only fair.

[the Sibbie]

Originally posted by The Edge
I usually do dishes, vacuum, and cut the grass, and do about half the laundry. It's only fair. Wow! Your wife is spoiled! She should have plenty of time to homeschool! :chuckle:

[The Edge]

She should have plenty of time to homeschool!
Thanks Sibbie. I also hope she doesn't get mentally fried by it. She gets tired very easily because her health isn't that great. She's always either pregnant or nursing and that takes a lot out of you, and also she had her gall bladder out last summer and has intestinal issues.....so she's tired a lot and my kids don't have the respect yet to take it easy on her so sometimes she's just very tired by the time we put them to bed. That is part of why we put the kids to bed by 7pm, which some would consider early.

[Nineveh]

Sounds like you guys have plenty of time to look through the options to see if any fit your family (how old is Ian?).

btw... You have earned some cookies for helping out right now :)

[Turbo]

Originally posted by The Edge

...so she's tired a lot and my kids don't have the respect yet to take it easy on her so sometimes she's just very tired by the time we put them to bed. That is part of why we put the kids to bed by 7pm, which some would consider early.
The Edge,

A few months ago I read a book called To Train Up a Child by Michael and Debi Pearl. It's around 100 pages and it sells for around $5. I highly recommend checking it out. You can read chapter one (http://www.gospeltruth.net/children/pearl_tuac.htm) online.

[The Edge]

Nineveh

Ian is going to be 4 in June...but sometimes he acts like he's less than 2.

[BillyBob]

Originally posted by The Edge

I don't buy into this, and I don't drink beer. I am glad to help her our with chores around the house. They get done faster and leaves us more time to enjoy eachother's company. I usually do dishes, vacuum, and cut the grass, and do about half the laundry. It's only fair.

Sucker!

[Sozo]

Originally posted by BillyBob

Sucker!

:chuckle:

http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/tiere/animal-smiley-030.gif

+

http://www.durov.com/smiles/M/Whip.gif

[Yorzhik]

The Edge, you will be amazed at all the time you can arrange with homeschooling. But that doesn't matter. Quit worrying about time between you and your wife. You are both adults, you can arrange it. Don't make some excuse akin to no being able to get blood out of a turnip - you're smart enough to work it out.

It's your children that should take precedence. They need the superior education. But that isn't important. What is really important is the superior training they will get in their character because of homeschooling. Anything else is less efficient - and all you really need to do is want to homeschool to be successful. Since she is already willing, you already 90% successful.

[Sozo]

Originally posted by Yorzhik

The Edge, you will be amazed at all the time you can arrange with homeschooling. But that doesn't matter. Quit worrying about time between you and your wife. You are both adults, you can arrange it. Don't make some excuse akin to no being able to get blood out of a turnip - you're smart enough to work it out.

It's your children that should take precedence. They need the superior education. But that isn't important. What is really important is the superior training they will get in their character because of homeschooling. Anything else is less efficient - and all you really need to do is want to homeschool to be successful. Since she is already willing, you already 90% successful.

:BRAVO:

Children are safer spending the night at Michael Jackson's house, then they are in public schools!

[BillyBob]

Originally posted by Sozo

:chuckle:

http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/tiere/animal-smiley-030.gif

+

http://www.durov.com/smiles/M/Whip.gif


:darwinsm:

[Nineveh]

Edge,

Originally posted by Turbo

The Edge,

A few months ago I read a book called To Train Up a Child by Michael and Debi Pearl. It's around 100 pages and it sells for around $5. I highly recommend checking it out. You can read chapter one (http://www.gospeltruth.net/children/pearl_tuac.htm) online.

Awsome book! Good advice :)

Yeah, since he is 4 you have some time to decide :) Most places will send you freebie info you and your wife can look over.

[The Edge]

is home schooling more expensive?

Is it really better than real school? I mean, I and my wife don'tknow math and history and all the grammatical rules of english and stuff. am i missing something here?

[Lucky]

Originally posted by The Edge

Is it really better than real school?
Uh... home school is real school. Care to rephrase that question?

[tomedward]

Followers of Christ are to raise their Seed in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The sorry alternative is that strangers will train your children in the fear and adoration of the State.

[The Edge]

i like the idea of homeschooling, but what if you don't know all the stuff you have to teach them?

[Ninjashadow]

First of all Edge, there are pros and cons of both homeschooling and public school. I have been in both. My mom used special homeschooling curriculum in my case, though she didn't know a whole lot. And I turned out ok (although that is really a matter of opinion). I enjoyed it.

[ebenz47037]

Originally posted by The Edge

i like the idea of homeschooling, but what if you don't know all the stuff you have to teach them?

Curriculum can be expensive. But, you can buy used books, make your own curriculum, or look around on the net for freebies. One of my favorite sources, both to buy and sell curriculum, is www.vegsource.com/homeschool. Click the Homeschool Resources box and go down to Swap Boards. Select the appropriate category (buy, sell, grade level). I've bought some curriculum through that site before. I've also sold some through there.

As to knowing what to teach them, the teachers' manuals are pretty self-explanatory. I was afraid when I first started homeschooling. I never thought that I would be able to teach my daughter. That was seven years ago now. And, with the exception of a semester right after Steve passed away and a semester where I taught Spanish in a private school, we've homeschooled all the way through.

[Nineveh]

Originally posted by The Edge

is home schooling more expensive?

Is it really better than real school? I mean, I and my wife don'tknow math and history and all the grammatical rules of english and stuff. am i missing something here?

Along with the info nori provided, on the first page of this thread are links to ABeka and Alpha Omega. Check them out :) There are also local homeschooling networks you can get involved in.

One of my friends who homeschools her 6 children sets her own curriculum and only purchases teaching aids. While another homechooler I know makes extensive use of the library.

In the curriculum I use, the teacher on the DVD delivers the daily lessons. If my daughter has trouble with a concept, she comes to me. I have all the answers ( :D ) and if I should fail to be able to find the answer, there is a 1-800 # to contact the school for help. Just so you will know, ABeka is a school in Florida, ( with a building ) . In fact, my daughter told me the other day one of her friends is using Abeka curriculum at her public school.

The curriculum we chose is DVD based and accredited. The lessons are given by the teacher. All of the books, test books, answer keys and the lesson plans are included. It costs $1025 year until the 9th grade (with a $25 rebate if ordered by a certain date). They also offer non accredited DVD, accredited non DVD and non accredited non DVD curriculums at lower costs. (they also have payment plans available).

Please don't think I'm trying to push ABeka on you, I'm just sharing the info I am familliar with :)

Alpha Omega also has many curriculums to choose from. From computer based lessons to traditional workbook stuff. ( I'm thinking about ordering one of their foreign language courses this summer. )

You and your wife have some time to look through what's out there to fit your family and your budget :)

[swanca99]

We homeschooled our three children, who are now 19, 21 and 23. They are all now in college, and have done well.

We used curricula from Bob Jones, Alpha Omega and A-Beka. My wife and I both have strong math-science backgrounds, so we helped out the famlies whose parents didn't. You will find support groups to help wherever you feel inadequate.

My wife had a lot of fun with it. One memorable event was when she went to the Hormel packing plant down the road and got some pig hearts, and even a whole heart-lung assembly, complete with trachea (I guess an assembly is what you would call it?). We have some really cute photos of the event.

The only downside is that since I never had a really high-paying job, we are now playing catch-up to try to prepare for retirement.

[Zakath]

The only downside is that since I never had a really high-paying job, we are now playing catch-up to try to prepare for retirement.I can sympathize with that... we homeschooled our four (all now in their twenties) and I decided not to travel so I could be home to help as much as possible.

Now they're out on their own and we're working like :dog:s so someday we won't have to... ;)

[beanieboy]

As much as I love my parents, they simply weren't that smart, and I think that would have truly limited my education. They also had ideas from the church that they insisted were fact (the earth is 4000 years old, Adam rode dinosaurs like horses, etc. )

But what I learned the most was socialization - how to get along with others.

[philosophizer]

Perhaps I could use this thread to get some insights on homeschooling; pro or con. My wife wants to do it, but I question it because I think it'll overwork her and not give us the break we can get each day by sending kids to school.

Discuss, please :)


If parents have the time, energy, patience, ability, and desire then homeschooling is wonderful, and probably the best option for the child. But no parent should feel pressured, obligated, required, or (certainly not) destined to do it. A bad homeschooling parent can be almost as dangerous as a bad public school teacher (I've seen it). Bottom line, it's not a calling, it's a choice. It might be a good choice, but you gotta examine your circumstances, your feelings, and your prayers, because it is one choice among other options.

[The Edge]

If parents have the time, energy, patience, ability, and desire then homeschooling is wonderful, and probably the best option for the child. But no parent should feel pressured, obligated, required, or (certainly not) destined to do it. A bad homeschooling parent can be almost as dangerous as a bad public school teacher (I've seen it). Bottom line, it's not a calling, it's a choice. It might be a good choice, but you gotta examine your circumstances, your feelings, and your prayers, because it is one choice among other options.
Philosophyzer,

Well said. I agree. My wife has been excited about it since before we got married. If it's her dream, and she has the teaching ability I've seen it, then I support her. If it looks like she's getting fried I'm going to ask her to reevaluate the decision. I hope it goes well....she would really like to do it. I back her up but I'm going to look out for her sanity as well. I kind of look forward to teaching science.....I like science. After all, I am a scientist....a meteorologist to be exact ;)

[The Edge]

I can sympathize with that... we homeschooled our four (all now in their twenties) and I decided not to travel so I could be home to help as much as possible.

Now they're out on their own and we're working like :dog:s so someday we won't have to... ;)

Z man if you don't mind me asking, I thought you were atheist; I haven't seen (in my limited expereince) any non-Christians home school. Why did you do it? I'm just curious.

Edge

[Zakath]

Z man if you don't mind me asking, I thought you were atheist; I haven't seen (in my limited expereince) any non-Christians home school. Why did you do it? I'm just curious.

Edge
From my POV, homeschooling never had anything to do with religion. It was about quality education... My wife and I were both practicing Christians when we homeschooled our brood, about 15 years ago. Though, were we raising kids today, we'd probably homeschool them, regardless of the fact that neither one of us practices religious activity of any sort.

I'm just not partial to institutional education for gradeschoolers... :think:

[Delmar]

is home schooling more expensive?

Is it really better than real school? I mean, I and my wife don'tknow math and history and all the grammatical rules of english and stuff. am i missing something here?
My wife uses switched on schoolhouse which is the CD rom version of Alpha Omega. She got this years 8th grade curriculum for about $300. I think she got the 7th grade used for a little less. It's way cheaper than privte school and probably less than you would spend on lunch money for a year in public school. Let alone book fees etc. Assuming your wife is resonably bright and loves your kids I relly recomend it!

[The Edge]

zakath,
your answer is understood.

deardelmar,
Ok so I hear there's several good cirriculums out there that seem to be popular, and bettern than private school. If we as parents are not masters of the subject matter (e.g. not everyone is good with dates, history, english grammatical rules, etc.), can we still effectively teach the material? Aren't most public school teachers well educated in their fields? i mean, doesn't a science teacher have a degree in physics or chemistry, or an english teacher have a major in english? Can we be effective teaching that to our kids, with me being a meteorologist and my wife not finishing her college degree?

[Delmar]

zakath,
your answer is understood.

deardelmar,
Ok so I hear there's several good cirriculums out there that seem to be popular, and bettern than private school. If we as parents are not masters of the subject matter (e.g. not everyone is good with dates, history, english grammatical rules, etc.), can we still effectively teach the material? Aren't most public school teachers well educated in their fields? i mean, doesn't a science teacher have a degree in physics or chemistry, or an english teacher have a major in english? Can we be effective teaching that to our kids, with me being a meteorologist and my wife not finishing her college degree?
Some school teachers are well educated! Plenty of them are dumb as rocks. I'm sure your wife can handle it!

[ebenz47037]

deardelmar,
Ok so I hear there's several good cirriculums out there that seem to be popular, and bettern than private school. If we as parents are not masters of the subject matter (e.g. not everyone is good with dates, history, english grammatical rules, etc.), can we still effectively teach the material? Aren't most public school teachers well educated in their fields? i mean, doesn't a science teacher have a degree in physics or chemistry, or an english teacher have a major in english? Can we be effective teaching that to our kids, with me being a meteorologist and my wife not finishing her college degree?

The Edge - One thing that I've made use of, when I didn't know the subject at hand, was a tutor. They can be expensive. But, imho, our childrens' educations should be one of our top priorities.

[swanca99]

deardelmar,
Ok so I hear there's several good cirriculums out there that seem to be popular, and bettern than private school. If we as parents are not masters of the subject matter (e.g. not everyone is good with dates, history, english grammatical rules, etc.), can we still effectively teach the material? Aren't most public school teachers well educated in their fields? i mean, doesn't a science teacher have a degree in physics or chemistry, or an english teacher have a major in english? Can we be effective teaching that to our kids, with me being a meteorologist and my wife not finishing her college degree?

This did not seem to be an issue. My wife did, by far, most of the teaching, and learned right along with the kids in subjects that she had not been familiar with (and SHE would not have used a dangling preposition like I just did!).

The subject that really put me in awe of her abilities was reading. She used a book called The Writing Road to Reading to teach that, and she said it was the best system of the ones that she tried. She even had other homeschooling moms over at times to teach them how to use it. But it still seems amazing to me that somebody can teach somebody else how to read. I think of it as a sorta human equivalent to a "bootstrap program."

The better they know how to read, the easier it will be for them to do everything else.For example, we had no intentions of teaching music theory, but my oldest son was interested in it so we took him to the library and he checked out books on the subject and learned it on his own.

You and your wife's educational backgrounds sound adequate to me. I've seen mothers with no college at all who have effectively educated their kids. A good curriculum and a little common sense should do the trick. And I would also recommend seeking out a homeschooling support group in your area, especially when you are first starting out.

Also, if you haven't already done so, you might want to find out what the laws are regarding homeschooling in your state. And the local school board is often not the best source of that kind of information. The Home School Legal Defense Association is a good source. Their web site (hslda.org) has information on that (select "In your state" in the "quick menu" on the left).