Are there any home schoolers amongst us?

[NASTY]

So my youngest is about to start school in September. She's going to be 5 and most likely going to my old primary school. Although, I have no problem with the school, it will be a big hassle for my household dropping her off and picking her up. My job has me working round the clock with really no set hours and sometimes calling me in on my days off. Forget the cheese bus, the designated spot for her would be about 5 blocks away. I've thought about home schooling for a while and never really looked into it. Time is ticking away and I need to make an informed decision about this.

Are there any home-schoolers here on CP that can help me make a choice here? I need to know what to expect if I decide to go this route, like time consumption, curriculum --- basically the works.

Thanks

Los

 

[bfreebern]

Personally, I don't think I'd ever home school my kids. I think the interaction with other kids, is just as needed as the education.

That and I don't think my wife would be the greatest teacher, LOL.

 

[MadMonk]

Home schooling has come a long way.
Go to one of the home schooling headquarters in your area, and take in as much information as you can. Tell them your concerns, and
see if the answers sit right with you. In my area, the have networked beautifully, and the children do get a nice amount of interaction with other children.

We have decided to home school my 5 year old. For many personal reasons, I feel that it is my best way to help him develop to HIS full
potential. I also plan on having him involved in other activities, such as martial arts, cub scouts, music, etc.
Whichever way I see the fire in him, that way we will go.

 

[Not A Nice Person]

Many cities have homeschooling "co-ops," which gives homeschooled kids PLENTY of peer group social interaction with other homeschooled kids. My best friend and his wife belong to one in San Antonio, and both their children have tried the public schools, for special advanced programs, and returned to homeschooling by choice, because even the advanced/special focus classes moved at such a slow pace and spent so much time on remedial material that they were bored out of their minds and felt their time was being wasted.

There are plenty of curriculum out there, standardized online testing, the works. But it's a major investment in time, and you have to commit to it as a household if you want to make it work.

I'm a public school teacher, btw. And a good one. But even I say if you have ANY other alternatives, from homeschooling to private schools . . . you should do that. Seriously.

~Boar

 

[NASTY]

Thanks for the advice and feedback. I guess my first step would be to contact the state office for the rules and regulations regarding home schooling.

Mad Monk, I will be PMing you soon regarding your progress and maybe some tips.

 

[sonuvabum]

We've homeschooled all our kids (oldest 24 now). Much is made of the 'socialization' issue, in fact it is the running joke amongst homeschoolers. Everyone says that, and it's really a non-issue. I've known hundreds of home taught children over the years and I dare say, I've never met one who I considered under 'socialized'.

With that said, others have brought up good points. Get all the info you can and preferably from support groups in your area rather than directly from the state, especially in NY. They might not be as willing to help you as you might think.

Also, what Boar says about committing as a household is true. It has to be a lifestyle. It can't be simply a whim and you can't do it casually. You have to go 'all in'.

I would also add that it is true there is some help to be had from the state but with that often comes a different kind of price. Texas has very favorable Home School laws but even here, you can become more accountable to, almost beholden to the state if you accept certain kind of 'aid' from them. We've managed now for many years to do it completely on our own with virtually no interference from the state. We have been members of a legal defense fund in the event we ever needed it.

There are so many issues to cover it is impossible to do it within these confines. Suffice it to say, it is a very large undertaking. Find a local support group. Do your homework. Ask a lot of questions. Ask for other sources of info. It is indeed much simpler now than ever before, but it still a mammoth undertaking.

Best of luck to you.

 

[sporkd2]

I had always wished I was homeschooled. I grew up in a small town with a small school. We didnt have any honor classes. I think the best statement that describes this is you can only go as fast as the slowest person. If I had been given the opportunity to learn at my own pace and actually challenged myself it would have been a good experience. Instead I entered college behind the curve and had to catch up