I will be homeschooling 3 kids
Posted By: MTMOM on 2006-08-04
In Reply to: POLL - Are you read for your kids to go back to school? (sm) - AzMT
Last year I homeschooled 2 and this year my daughter will be homeschooled as well. They are excited but I'm still trying to get ready. We do have a lot of fun and our days are more structured which helps me get my work done.
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Before considering homeschooling, I would
ask a lot of questions such as What is going on to cause the trouble?, Does he have an inadequate teacher?, Bad atmosphere?, Other children picking on him? I truly do not believe in homeschooling and feel that it should not even be an option. Children need social interaction. They do not need to depend on us moms for every little thing. They need to learn to stand on their own 2 feet even at this age if they are going to make it in the real world later.
You certainly don't know much about homeschooling. sm
Homeschooled kids are more socialized than you would or could ever imagine. Just because you bring them home doesn't mean you take them out of the world! Homeschoolers these days have SEVERAL groups in EVERY area who plan events TOGETHER and help each other as well as LET their kids soialize. These parents, YES, get to pick who their kids socialize with during these times. BUT, then you'll find almost all homeschooled kids are also involved in social activities, i.e. community soccer, baseball, football, bowling leagues, ski groups, etc. They don't have to be sheltered just because they're brought home to LEARN.
You WILL find that most homeschooled kids are more RESPECTFUL of adults than other kids, can INTERACT with adults more easily, and DON'T get away with any excuses as to why their work didn't get done or blame their problems on someone else. They actually don't have a choice but to take RESPONSIBILITY for their actions.
How could I possibly know all this? Well, I homeschooled both you youngest children, now 25 and 18. Both are obviously out in the world now. Both have good jobs where they work hard to make their livings, the second just as an interim to going to college out of state and the first with his degree and working a very satisfying job. Both deal with adults in a world where they have become adults and are truly amazing men! Homeschooling life is certainly a busy one, but I'd not trade back any second of what I was able to help them accomplish in life without ALL the crap that kids get in the public school those days or these days, they actually LEARNED.
YOU obviously know NOTHING about homeschooling and this is a
THEY DON'T NEED to be in school, it's a choice by the parent. This is a very narrow-minded opinion.
BIG YES to HOMESCHOOLING
I have homeschooled my children since Kindergarten and I encourage anyone to try it. I am not what you call a very educated person, high school grad + one year of college, and I have had no difficulty. The A Beka program that someone else mentioned is superb! Use the DVD program.
My daughter is a sophomore in Spanish and Algebra II and we are experiencing no problems. My son is in the eighth grade. He is a typical boy in that he rather play than do school but even with that attitude, he has all A's and B's.
Yes, you do have to be committed! A HOMESCHOOL parent cannot be running around shopping all day. The DVD program does allow the child to work a lot on their own, frees the parent from a lot of responsibilities, but I know that I am giving my children the best education I can possibly give them. That has been proven time and again when the kids in our local area are asking them how to do their school work or spell this for them. One college kid even asked an English question and at that time, my ninth grader, answered their question. He said how do you know that. She replied I have already had that in my schooling!!
Your state probably has a homeschooling organinzation and get in touch with them for guidelines. The public school system will have you jumping through all kinds of hoops that may not be necessary. That is a proven fact over and over again. Get in touch with Home School Legal Defense Association (they have a website) and confer with them before you jump through all the legal hoops. They will tell you what you have to do in your state and what you legally do not have to do. This can save you a lot of heartache in the future, especially if you are pulling out of public school system. You can join this organization for $85 a year and they will provide all the legal assistance that you need, even those who have to go to court over issues. It will also give you peace of mind if someone confronts you of why your child is not in "school." Just show them your "legal defense card" and say they can talk to your attorney. It really is that simply. Never answer their questions, always put them in touch with your attorney. Once you answer them, it makes your case more difficult. This is a great investment.
Someone said it in another post, but NO ONE knows what their child needs better than the parent. You can homeschool and do a great job! If I can do it anyone can!!! It does not hinder with my transcription work either!!
Homeschooling
By the post below, I have noticed that there are a few people here that homeschool. I am curious how you approached this and what steps you took to get started?
I have a son (five-years-old) who is in the public school system at the moment with a developmental delay. I don't feel that his needs are being met at the moment academically or socially for that matter, so I am interested to learn about homeschooling, as I think this may be an option for me to approach given the particular situation.
Any information that anyone who homeschools could provide would be wonderful!
Thank you very much and have a wonderful day!
Homeschooling MTs in GA!
Hi, I am a single mom through adoption from China homeschooling my two girls! I live on the south side of Atlanta. Email me if you want to chat! Jan J.
MT and Homeschooling
Hi I also have two small children and MT full time. I have a son age 4 and a daughter, almost 3. I read your post and we seem to have similar views on things. I am also hoping to homeschool my children. Was wondering if we could keep in touch via e-mail. Please let me know if that would be okay. I've never posted on this board before but I read frequently. I hope I'm doing this right...
Homeschooling is the best
I have homeschooled for 12 years now. I started out because I knew I did not want to put them in public school, couldn't afford private, but absolutely am so glad I made the choice to homeschool. I'm from the state of Indiana. In our state, you do not want to go with charter school. That still allows the state to control you education and that is what you want to get away from. In our state, if you have little ones who are not in the school system, you do not even want to register with the state. For the best information on your state's homeschooling regulations go to Home School Legal Defense Association website. You can depend on their information. If you choose to join their organization (I wouldn't be without them) it is well worth the money and gives you the support you need. Many, many curriculums out there that are good -- my favorite, A Beka. I know that I'm giving my kids an excellent education!! Could share much more info. Email me if you would like to.
I tried homeschooling
hated it. I think it is all about being involved with the school. My daughter is in public school and doing GREAT! Good luck to you. Don't let anyone bully you into thinking that all public schools are no good -- it is NOT true.
The down side to homeschooling
I have personally seen kids that have been home schooled and become "out of touch" with society. These kids ultimately end up having "culture shock" when they are out in the real world and around lots of people.
I know of several kids that were home schooled and when the parents decided it was too much and they sent them back to school the kids were "THRILLED!" During the home schooling process, the kids became disengaged from friends and became loners.
Again, this is my own personal experience that I have witnessed through friends.
DON'T FLAME ME this is just what I have witnessed first hand!!!!!
Homeschooling x 5 years
I have 3 boys. The first we homeschooled for two years. It did not work at all. He is very social and loved being in school around other kids. He is now in high school and is thriving. We homeschooled him for 4th and 5th because he was having so much trouble keeping up with work.
Sons #2 and 3 are in 4th and 5th and we have homeschooled them all the way from kindergarten. They are wonderful little boys who are not half as social as their brother. My youngest is very shy and introverted. My middle one talks all the time, very much an auditory learner.
But all along they have been involved in a group that teaches twice a week in a class setting. For us, this gives us the best of both worlds. They take history, PE, Spanish, geography, and science in this group. I teach the rest of the curriculum using Bob Jones satellite for grammar, reading, and math. So essentially I don't teach. I am the "overseer" of scheduling, supplies, and grades. It requires a tremendous amount of time and committment though from me. We start at 9 a.m. and finish each day about 3.
My husband worried incessantly at first too that the boys were going to be social freaks or something. Then when the social stuff kicks in, Cub Scouts, co-op, gym at the YMCA, plus a library reading group, he starts saying now, You need to stay home more!
It's not really homeschooling for us. It's independent learning/modified private school. A lot of co-ops are spring up like this. It helps with those of us who want the social aspect without dealing with public school traumas, like homework!!!!
The only problem for me is really the time - it is so tiring. But I do it for the kids and have to remind myself of that a lot. My youngest, being so shy, has the same group of friends for the last four years and has been so happy and settled. Being in a new class each year would be very traumatic for him.
Anyway, good luck. It can be done but research, research, research. The options are endless out there anymore. My recommendation is to start with a really good support group if you can find one and talk to people there. Remember, not all support groups are the same. Many have started based on different educating or parenting beliefs. We dropped out of several due to some problems with bratty kids or uncaring parents who just let the kids run wild. The group we are in now is small but dedicated to teaching and playing time. They are all well-educated too and such a source of information.
God Bless.
Maybe not related to homeschooling, but...
whatever happend to kids just going outside to PLAY??? I don't think these structured lessons and sports are quite the same thing. Kids are so micro managed anymore that they wouldn't know how to go outside with the kid next door and just climb a tree. If they did, they'd have to wear a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and carry a cell phone to call for help once they got up there. I guess being a kid in the 1960s was just so different. We went to school, made our friends, lost our friends, read at our grade level (and that was OKAY), and for the most part we're smart successful people. Oh well, off my soap box.
Homeschooling mom in GA...What part of GA
I'm in Waycross. I didn't think there was very much homeschooling here. I'm planning on home schooling my daughter before junior high. I was just curious what part of GA you were in.
Need help on possibly homeschooling a 9th grader
Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
A story about homeschooling.....very long
First of all, please know that this post is NOT to say that homeschooling is not as good as public or private school, because that is not my belief at all. I have 2 nieces and 1 nephew on my husband's side of the family who are absolute geniuses because of being homeschooled. I don't have a strong opinion one way or the other about this subject, and I had not even heard of it when my children were young. But this is what happened on the other side of my faily.
My nephews, now ages 14 and 10, were homeschooled by my SIL (my brother's wife). Their 1st son started out in first grade in public school, but they had trouble with the teacher at the very beginning so they pulled him out because they thought the teacher thought the child was not advanced enough to be in first grade. I don't know the whole story because they were always so "private" that they never really shared a lot with us, or maybe just me, I don't really know. Anyway, they decided to homeschool. Honestly, we as the family around them did not feel this was the right thing to do (1) because my SIL was sooo protective, (2) we didn't feel she really had enough education herself to do this (even though I do understand the the cirriculum really "tells" you how to teach, and (3) the fact that there is not a homeschool group close by where we live and my nephew was already showing signs of some kind of social "something" where he didn't interact with other children well - I don't know, just somehow kind of off socially.
Anyway, trying to make a long story somewhat shorter here, they did homeschool hime and his younger brother when he became old enough. Everybody like it well enough, but I could tell that these nephews did not thrive on it nearly as well as my nieces and nephew on the other side of the family, who had really great parents and a really geat support group. Then....my SIL came down with cancer -- melanoma with brain mets -- and for the 14 months or so before she died, the boys used videos and the help of my mother and their other grandmother to continue to homeschool. After their mother died last September, they homeschooled with a friend for the remainder of the calendar year, at which point the friend bailed on them and my brother enrolled them in a Christian school in our area.
Now they are both having MAJOR trouble in school, math particularly. The oldest one has tons of homework and obviously really does not know "how" to study. Sometimes he gets long assignments early and has a few days to work on them, but he "forgets" to start on them, or "forgets" to look at his agenda where he has it written, etc. The kids at school make fun of him and he is almost a complete social misfit - really just because of his personality and, I think, because he has only had 1 or 2 friends all these years, and those were children of a friend of his mother's who has now pretty much dropped out of the family's life so ... poof! - there went those friends. The younger one is having trouble also but not so much socially. But the older one is completely miserable - here he is, beginning his teenage years and no friends at all, his mother gone, living way out in the country where there is not much to do since he "doesn't play anymore" as he puts it, and homework lots of night from 3:30 or 4 p.m. to 10 or 10:30 - plus, on top of it all, he has developed a smart-mouth which is driving his overloaded dad absolutely crazy!
My brother now says that maybe the homeschooling experiment wasn't such a good idea after all. :(
Homeschooling High Schooler
I, too, am thinking about homeschooling my 9th grader. He goes to a school that is akin to a public zoo. The boy who sits next to him in Algebra is very proud of the fact that he has amassed a record-breaking 275 referrals already this school year. As you can imagine, my son is failing this and all of his other classes as the teachers do absolutely nothing to discipline the disruptive students. My son has struggled with ADHD all of his school career and this is a horrible situation for him. He is begging me to homeschool him and I am tempted, but do you who have homeschooled a high schooler think it is a good idea? I have investigated private schools (none affordable in my area) and also after school tutoring but that was not successful. I am at a loss as to how to help my son, but don't want to "lose him." My oldest son dropped out of high school in the 10th grade because he was so disillusioned.
I'll be homeschooling for the first time
NM
Sounds like you need to educate yourself on homeschooling. nm
nm
Yes. And I'm thinking of homeschooling next year...
so I'm sure it will just get worse, although I hardly talk to any of the other moms at school anyway. It's more of a drop off at school, pick up from school thing. Other than that, I'd say I basically have no friends. We moved up here about 8 years ago. I made good friends at my job, but then my surprise baby came along, had health issues, and I ended up quitting, studying MT, and have been working at home for the last 5 years. I've fallen out of contact with my friends from work. I do have one that we e-mail back and forth from time to time, but it's just not the same when you're not with them for 8 hours of every day.
Approach homeschooling with knowledge. sm
I have family in California that homeschool their children, and it is wonderful. The mother has an education, sets up great courses, and the support network there is absolutely fantastic. Sports, music, field trips, clubs, they are all available. They couldn't get a better education anywhere, and the socialization is absolutely great.
However, I had to homeschool my son last year for health reasons, and there can be real problems. He is an only child and was left out of all the school social activities. Unfortunately, there is no homeschooling network in my area, the nearest one is 150 miles away, so there were no field trips, sports activities, etc. We live in a small town, and not much is available outside school. It took him 2-3 months to get back into the social swing in high school. Fortunately he is very well adjusted, and turned out fine. Be sure the pieces are in place before you homeschool. Otherwise, you will be the only support your child has, and it can be almost a full-time job, especially if you have to start your own organization. I highly recommend homeschooling if you are in an area to do so. It can be a great experience and children can learn so much faster than in the public school. Good luck.
I'm in my 9th year of homeschooling. Have worked
FT the entire time. I work a split schedule, half morning hours and then the rest evening hours. That allows me time to homeschool, fix meals, do housework, etc.
My comparison of homeschooling to MTing at home.
"A full-time job isn't finished in 3 hours (like the abbreviated day many homeschoolers boast about). It's about being there on time, sticking to it even though you may not feel like it, and getting along with people you may not care for, and avoiding those who are not good for you."
DANG! And that's why I got into medical transcription. LOL I didn't want to work fulltime or stick it out in an office. And that whole getting there on time thing, oh, I've never been good with that one.
GEEZZZZ!!!! What a heated debate about homeschooling!...
Man, this is surely a hot topic! Everyone certainly has their own opinion. In the end, you just have to do for your child what you feel is right. Each child is so different, and you are the only one who REALLY knows YOUR child. Some children flourish in the public school system. Some do not for whatever reason. My first two childen went to public school.
My third (ADHD) WANTED to go to public school, but just couldn't handle it, no matter how much medication and how much counseling, and ended up being homeschooled through the internet for 6,7,8, and begged to try the 2,000 kid high school, so she did. Total disaster. Constant phone calls from the school (same as in grade school) and a 1.6 GPA. She then went back to homeschool through the local alternative school, got a 4.0 GPA. Begged to try the high school again for Junior year. Even worst disaster. 0.6 GPA. She flunked everything she couldn't bring HOME to do. Flunked floral design, basketball, swimming, ceramics, band. Passed all the academics, English, history, science. She is now back to homeschooling through the alternative school, but is allowed to go to the high school dances and walk down the isle for graduation, so she is not too unhappy with that. Good luck to you, whatever you choose.
We view homeschooling from opposite spectrums.
But that is okay. What you describe would never work for me -- that is why there are so many different curriculums out there because we are so diverse with different needs. A Beka is a very advanced program and I am satisfied that the education my children are getting will serve them for life in no matter what situation they find themselves in -- from a doctor to the President! They are excelling above most or all of their friends and to me that speaks well for A Beka.
Do little kids like caramel? My big kids won't even eat it! We make the basic Baker's chocolat
s
I never said you shouldn't have kids! Feeling guilty? I asked WHY you had kids.
You clearly stated in your post that you ship the kids off to camp all day, and they're TIRED AT NIGHT!! You know exactly what you said. You said it as a PERK - AS IN GREAT! They're gone all day, it wears them out, and so I shovel dinner in their mouths and off to bed! You can try to paint it any way you want, but YOU SAID IT. Again, I only hope your kids never hear you speak that way or write that way. Shame on you. Why have kids at all? Just another parent who has them, gets rid of them for day AND night, BRAGS ABOUT IT, and then calls ME wicked! Give me a break! Camp is fine - its WHAT YOU SAID AND YOU KNOW IT. Your own words showed your heart. Period.
Kids are demanding and so is MT work. My question is how CAN you do this with kids, rather than how
When you have two young kids, 11 months apart, (like I stated they are now 4 and 5) and have been doing this since they were born with no help from their father and no family around, YES, the kids get neglected. Part time might work but living on one salary, part time, is not an option. How can you possible tell me that anyone with two young kids can stay at home and work a full-time, 8-hour shift, and still give their kids the attention they NEED. I dont care how good you are at multitasking and how great your organizational skills are. It is a very difficult thing to do. And I am offended by your post making it sound as if it is easy to do.
I do agree that it can depend on how well your kids behave and how well they are able to play on their own. But my kids were not able to play well on their own. They needed constant attention.
So please take the time to realize that there are people out there in different situations than your own.
Reading our posts should help you to understand that everyone has a different situation. I believe everyone should have the right to shares their experiences as it might benefit the original poster in her questions and concerns.
I dont think anyone should be bashed for taking the time out to write about their experiences. I dont usually come on here to argue but you really ticked me off with your post. And try reading the post correctly. I said next time around I would have put them in day care. What I DID do with them was set them up to an activity like art or put on a movie for them. Geez.
Stayed "because of the kids?" I say "leave because of the kids"
You're in no position to buy right now. Keep saving, keep paying down your bills, and for heaven's sake get rid of that dead weight of a BF you're living with. You can do better.
So, should I return the $75 (x2 kids) in music cards I got the kids for x-mas...sm
My son has been telling me about free music sites and I was very leary. How do they skirt the law Radguy?
I don't have kids, but my Mom was from the "old school," and still had everyone, kids inclu
call her by her first name. The little neighbor girl next door from the time she could speak called her Aggie (my mom's first name), and they were great buddies until the day my mom pased away.
I don't think there really is much in a name, but more in the respect you are given and the way you are treated. Personally, I kind of cringe inside when someone calls me Ms. Anything or God forbid, "maam" (makes me feel like Methuselah!) ... I'm always just plain Merrie. :-)
But, as someone pointed out, to each his own. If you want to be addressed a certain way, you have that right, and people should respect that. I'm glad you corrected the child ... hope it "sticks." 
Please do not simply give up, kids or no kids!
Talk with a professional. This can be worked through if he really puts forth the effort and you participate. The right counseling can truly make your marriage even better than it was before, if BOTH parties are willing to be honest. Give it a try. Nothing to lose at this point and everything to gain!
No I said thank God I do not have kids
I think the wrong point is being taken here. Yes he does not worry about money and is used to that. I am afraid of not making ends meet if I stop working my day job and I refuse to stop working either MT jobs as we all know it takes a lot of education to make it.
I am my kids mom
My children are lucky to have their mother taking care of them, not a stranger. I work my butt of taking care of my kids and have made many sacrifices to be able to live this life of working PT and being a full time mother. I know that I am my kids mom.
I know that it must be hard for you to look at your kids and tell them that you don't want them to be with you everyday. The sacrifices could be made.
Thank God you have no kids. NM
x
How much can you get done with 2 kids?
I haven't done transcription for a few years and would like to get back in. My question is--if you don't mind me asking--how many lines a week can you get done with kids? Is 1000 reasonable or way out there? I have 5 kids, but 3 of them will be in school during the day and the other two nap...any advice?
For kids
Tacos, as son to work and daughter off too, and me and hubby home made wedding soup, ummm ummm good, and sweet italian sausage on hard rolls, not stale, just good.
28 WF, M, 2 kids. nm
nm
Kids come first for both of us, then each other, I don't think I'd want a man who
and catering to me constantly. I like the fact that he does all the cooking, and most of the grocery shopping and gets me things I like w/o me having to ask him to buy them. I do the same for him. We don't get much alone time but enjoy what time we do get together. My man does a lot other men don't but doesn't act like a doormat either.
Same here... kids come first, then each other. sm
Our kids are still at home, and the kids come first. I've seen lots of other parents who put themselves/each other first, and the kids always seem to be second thoughts to them. That's not how it works in our family. We're all equally important, but the kids' needs come first. If I only have $30 and we all need shoes, the kids get them first. I wouldn't have it any other way.
How old are the kids?nm
We have three kids.
x
DH does his own. So do the kids.
I used to have Mount Everest on the basement floor every single day and then I just got fed up and stopped doing laundry except for my own and household items, i.e., towels, etc. Half of the pile was clean stuff that I had folded and put in the kids' rooms that they just put back in the pile when they "cleaned" their rooms.
It took them a while to adjust, but the youngest was 8 and the older ones were 12 and 17 and I left their stuff in the mountain until they realized that they couild actually work the washing machine AND the dryer. They also know if they put the washer on the extra small cycle for only one pair of pants, one shirt, one pair of socks and one pair of underwear for themselves, and I actually find it, it gets hauled out of the washer and thrown back on the pile wet.
And don't even think about not scraping AND rinsing your plate. You won't get fed.
hee hee 
I
yep and even KIDS..........nm
xx
How many kids do you have?
x
My kids are now in their mid-20's and
we always had them save their money. I'd give them $20 of their paychecks and put the rest in high-interest CD's for them.
My son recently used the money from his childhood savings as a downpayment on his house.
My daughter is using hers to pay off her student loans from college.
They are now very responsible savers/investors.
Teach them young. It's a great learning experience that can be applied to the rest of their lives.
We pay our kids...
to watch the baby, but it works like this. They are 14 and 16 and the "baby" is 4. They watch her for more than 2 hours, they get $6 an hour. Those first 2 hours are considered just being part of our family.
It would be the end of it for me. Not something I would want as an example for the kids, either.
x
Do you have kids?
x
Your kids will be gone before you know it.
sound like an experienced MT and I'm sure if something happens to the job you have, you can find another one with no problem. And there are ALWAYS hospital jobs open. When the time comes that you need it, a job will be there. Don't stress out over it and enjoy the time you have with your family. That time goes by so fast. We really are lucky or blessed or whatever you want to call it to be able to do what so many people would love to do - bring in some income and still stay home with our families. MT has served me well over the years. I never tried to work with little babies or toddlers, but have ever since they got a little older. AND - so many kids are own their own between the time that school is out when a parent gets home. I saw my kids' friends through middle school and high school just run wild after school, cause there was no one to know they weren't home or to even care. I realize my kids would have been running with them if I had been at work - and I'm glad I was at home!
I have kids to think about
I'm a single mom. No way am I dragging my kids around the country constantly for any job.
Yes, I do just like most have kids but
I used to work in an office and do not let them or others interfere with my working. It is called teaching your kids, I believe. Same works for all outsiders I know. Oh, for your info, I mostly was telling the person above how to save on costs (they mentioned about how much more it cost working from home, things you can take off on taxes and the like. I saw nothing wrong with it myself. Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?
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