Home/Unschoolers

[Rawkinlocs]

I just saw in a thread that AJ unschools and someone else (sorry, didn't pay much attention to whom wrote the post) is homeschooling little preschoolers.

I thought it'd be interesting to have a thread here for those of us who teach our children at home.

Here are a few questions to get the ball rolling...

1. How many children do you have and what are their ages?

2. Do you home school or unschool?

3. What made you decide to pull your children from public school or not enroll them in the first place?

4. Are you involved in homeschooling support groups locally?

5. Do you get support or flack from family and close friends? (feel free to also share experiences and/or how you deal with negative reactions)

6. What curriculum (if any) do you use, how well do you like it and what do you like most about it?

Extra: Any other tips, questions, or words of support/encouragement?


I'll start off answering my own questions:

1. I have 4 children ages 13, 12, 5 1/2 and 1 1/2

2. I currently homeschool

3. We decided to not put our children in public schools because the area in which we live has a very poor school system; I don't want my children exposed to a lot of garbage that the children around here bring and offer.

4. I am not involved in any groups. There are some here, but I don't drive and it would be difficult to attend functions, meetings, etc. On a sidenote: I'm working on the driving thing (a fear I'm trying to overcome).

5. I receive support and understanding from most of MY family and friends. It's my husband's family that seems to have the most problem with it, namely my mother-in-law and father-in-law. Their biggest thing is "Cherie doesn't have a degree in teaching" :rolleyes:

6. We are using the A.C.E. (Accelerated Christian Education) program. This is our second year using it and we really like it. I had the pleasure of meeting two of three brothers who's parents used this system for them and they used it up to 12th grade and have gone on to have gotten their PhD, Master's and one is currently at the University of Michigan getting his degree!

I like this program because it is geared towards working with children on the level they're at in various subjects. Unlike school, they don't lump you with a group based on age. If I had 12 year old twins, one may be at a higher level of Math while the other is at a higher level of Science...the program allows each child to work where they are (based on a diagnostic test to properly place them on the correct level for each major subject. And...they can also accelerate higher if they fill in learning gaps, do exceedingly well in a subject and indicate they are capable of handling a higher level in a given subject or subjects.

It also encourages the child to learn independently therefore, the parent doesn't have to worry about not knowing Algebra or what have you...they work on their own and it's parent/teacher-friendly! :)

I have no other things to add...but look forward to reading your experiences!

[Veganmama]

1. How many children do you have and what are their ages?

Two girls aged 2 and 3

2. Do you home school or unschool?
I'm notreally sure how to label myself as i strongly believe in child led learning but then i also identifie really well with Montessori also

3. What made you decide to pull your children from public school or not enroll them in the first place?

I won't be sending my girls as i feel strongly that the education system is very sick and that i don't want someone else raising my children for me

4. Are you involved in homeschooling support groups locally? I'm a member of a couple of AP playgroups and many of the parents there home/un school. There are also local group i can join when the girls are older

5. Do you get support or flack from family and close friends? (feel free to also share experiences and/or how you deal with negative reactions) I haven't really explained it to my family yet but they are never suprised at my "unusual" choices and are always supportive because they know i never go into anything with out a heap of research

6. What curriculum (if any) do you use, how well do you like it and what do you like most about it? we do most of our learning through games and reading but my girls are stil very young

Extra: Any other tips, questions, or words of support/encouragement?

I just think it's wonderful that more and more people are taking the power back and realising that they can raise there children to be well rounded, well educated people themselves

[Kristi]

What's unschool?

[Laurel]

1. How many children do you have and what are their ages? I have 4 children, ages- girl 10, boy 7, girl 6, and girl 2.

2. Do you home school or unschool? we do a combination of both

3. What made you decide to pull your children from public school or not enroll them in the first place? My oldest went to a public school for 3 mos in second grade. She was in a gifted program but the teachers were not receptive when we wanted to talk to them. My daughter got beat up on the school bus and a child threatened to kill her. She got disiplined in her classroom for telling another child santa was not real. It was horrible. I had homeschooled her until then, but that year I had 2 miscarriges in one year and was pregnant again with morning sickness, but back home she came and didn't leave. All the rest have never been to school.

4. Are you involved in homeschooling support groups locally? No, but my mother lives nearby and is homeschooling my youngest sister now and we go on fieldtrips with them, she has a 15 passenger van and I don't drive.

5. Do you get support or flack from family and close friends? (feel free to also share experiences and/or how you deal with negative reactions) I did for a long time, until my parents saw the wisdom of my ways and decided to try it themselves! lol I still hear, how brave of you from my sil and sisters and brother, and how they could never do it, let alone stay home with their kids, yadda yadda yadda. I always say anyone can do it and then I just ignore it.

6. What curriculum (if any) do you use, how well do you like it and what do you like most about it? I use alpha omega curriculum and I love it, when I use it I use the cd's, everything is graded for me and they can't go on to the next question until they figure out the first one correctly. Other than that, we use our library, a private school I went to as a kid got rid of their books and gave them all to us so we have tons of books about everything, even history books etc for them to go thru as they like.

Extra: Any other tips, questions, or words of support/encouragement?You have to make everything fun! If it is fun, they will want to learn, and you will enjoy teaching them and they will teach you.

[Rawkinlocs]

What's unschool?

thanks for sharing so far ladies!

Kristi: Unschooling means that you deprogram yourself and your children from the "traditional" school ideals. No set, structured curriculum...the children learn by doing and just from life and everyday experiences rather than pulling out a book and saying, "okay, time for Math, Science, English..."

Unschoolers, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong about it! :)

[Rawkinlocs]

BEAUTIFUL experiences Veganmama and Laurel!!

Laurel, I can't believe how we have so many things in common! 4 children, non-drivers...

I actually looked into the Alpha Omega CD's a couple of years ago, but our finances wouldn't allow us to get them.

But I like what it sounds like!

[AJ Bodine]

Rawkinlocs,

Thank you for starting this thread. I'm going to post my reply to this and would love to continue chatting about homeschooling. However, this week, I'm helping my Mom prepare for a major estate sale as my Grandmother was put in a home and we need to get rid of her things. I'd say when this week is done, I'll be a regular contributor here! :)

AJ

[Laurel]

I know Rawkinlocs! lol It is fun to find a person who has alot of the same interests as me and doesn't drive! It is a rarety you know. I know about the finances, my mom bought it this year wout asking so that was nice. But the other great thing about the cd's is you can use them for all the kids! Once I buy it in one grade, I forever have curriculum in that grade for the rest of the kids.

[AJ Bodine]

1. How many children do you have and what are their ages?

I have one son and he is 5.


2. Do you home school or unschool?

I'd say we 75% unschool and then we also do some phonics and math workbooks. But mostly we read about things he is interested in. We go to story hour every week at the library where it's all interactive and spend extra time at the library reading and doing puzzles on our own. We have memberships to 2 museums, and he's into Tae Kwon Do and swimming as well. We are going to get him into Scouts too when he's at that age.

3. What made you decide to pull your children from public school or not enroll them in the first place?

I'd met some fantastic homeschooling families. The kids were just so different. Vibrant imaginations and so easy to talk to. That was my positive experience and the reason I began considering it. Then there's the fact that we've moved 4 times since my son was born and we know that in a few years we are moving again. The forced dairy drinking by the school system is another reason. And just the fact that DH and I have worked hard for the past 5 years giving my son a supportive environment that's condusive to building high self esteem and I think at the age of 5, he's not ready to be turned out into a melting pot of dysfunction. And I don't mean to discount the fact that there are tons of wonderful kids in public school, because I know they are there. I'm just trying to give my son a strong foundation, so if the day comes he wants to participate in public school, I'll know he can handle it.


4. Are you involved in homeschooling support groups locally?

I've tried to be, unsuccessfully thus far. I had one group that I thought would work and then they changed their rules and didn't allow anyone under age 9. (Isn't that why we homeschool? To give our kids a chance to socialize with all ages?) The leader's son was 9 and he didn't like all the smaller kids tagging along behind him, I think was the problem. We don't have many homeschooing families around here though, this is mostly a two income family area.


5. Do you get support or flack from family and close friends? (feel free to also share experiences and/or how you deal with negative reactions)

My Mom thinks it's the coolest, I don't think my Dad does though, but he'd never say so. I've had one acquaintence/friend try to tell me that my son won't know how to socialize and that I'd better get him into school so he can have some friends. She irritating that way, as she tends to be a know-it-all, and I didn't defend myself other than to say, "we're going to try it this way". Although her son is a bully and is not very nice to my son most times and my son is friendly and outgoing with all kids. I'm thinking, I'm not the one with the problem.

6. What curriculum (if any) do you use, how well do you like it and what do you like most about it?

I don't use any particular brand name at this time, but I'd love feedback on what you've tried and had a good/bad experiences with.


Extra: Any other tips, questions, or words of support/encouragement?

I'd been a little worried that my son hadn't been interested in learning to read. He's been perfectly content to let me do all the reading. And the same thing with learning letter sounds too. Then another homeschooling Mom I met over the internet told me to back off and drop the whole thing with trying to learn letter sounds, etc... She told me to let him pick the subjects he wants to learn. So I did. The result is, we've learned a lot about space, weather, math and various other scientific amazing facts! Last weekend, I walked by my son's bedroom, and there he is sprawled out on the floor with some books, trying to read the words. He pointed to a word and said, E-N-D, that spells END. I flipped out and made a big fuss over his accomplishment. I'm so proud of him! What I learned was to let him be passionate about his interests and the rest will follow. He's becoming eager to read now because there are some things he's like to be reading for himself. We will just take it at his pace and keep giving the encouragement. :)

[Rawkinlocs]

Thanks for sharing AJ! :)

One more question to you ladies: What (if anything) do you feel is your biggest challenge with your child(ren) learning at home? Do you ever feel inadequate or that your child's education will lack (thinking about the college-thing) by them learning at home as opposed to in a traditional school setting?

I look at my children and I see they are very bright and intelligent. I don't have any doubts, but I sure used to. I believe it was the thoughts and opinions of others that caused me to question whether or not they were learning adequately. But now I see from how they are that they're just fine.

My biggest challenge is my oldest son. He is REALLY into the games (GameBoy Advanced, etc.) and my husband is now talking of taking those things away because he HATES to read, he seems to have lost his love of learning that he once had and I'm just kinda scared that this may affect him later in life.

Any suggestions, advice, words of encouragement?

[Shay]

Rawinlocs,

I'm amazed at the simiarities too, I have 4 children that I have always home schooled, my in-laws HATE it too. Although they say my 4 are the most well behaved of all the 20 some grandchildren!!!
The kids are....a 12 year old boy....VERY involved in soccer, premere teams, private lessons, he's a certified ref.....
a 10 year old girl, soccer, piano, art.....a 6 year old boy, um, all boy!
and a 3 1/2 year girl who gets to have friends over everyday because I also babysit 3 little ones to help with finances.
My oldest has plans to attend community college as soon as he is able to, 15 I think, so that he can get a 2 year degree and decide where to go from there, I've seen that that is a great way around the GED issue.
He goes in spurts, motivated, then not...much like his mom!!!

I'm the only raw one in the family, and sometimes that's hard.
I offer more and more fruits but unfortunatly have been on so many diets....well time will tell!!!

Shay

[Rawkinlocs]

Hey Shay! Yes, we DO have a lot in common.

Yep, my inlaws always go on about how mannerable the children are, how smart the younger ones are, etc. But they think my children are being disserviced by my dh and I not putting them in school. That's fine though, they'll see in the end!

[Helen Of Tennessee]

What a great thread.

My daughter has asked me to home school her son. He's only 1 years old so it will be a while until I officially start this, but I have started looking into the different programs available. This is pretty new to me and I want to make sure I understand the choices I have.

I do teach karate to a number of home schoolers for their P.E. requirements. It's through these students' families that I'm slowly learning about home schooling.

I really enjoyed reading your responses on this thread.

I was just reading an article where it says 1.1 million students in 2003 were home schooled. Home schooling is really growing. http://www.newhousenews.com/archive/melendez100804.html

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[Rawkinlocs]

Hi Helen and thanks for that article!

Wow, that is so cool! I wish I could bring my children to you for P.E....right now Tae-Bo and doing light workouts on our exercise equipment serve as their P.E. LOL!

I also think it's really cute to homeschool your grandson (I noticed you specifically said "My daughter wants me to homeschool her son"...shying away from the term "grand" are we? ;) :p

I'm just givin' ya a hard time...best wishes to you and please keep us posted on how it goes!

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi Rawkinlocs,

Boy, I just can't slide anything past you, can I. :p

Yep - I'm not called Grandma. Grandma sounds sooooo old. I think of little grey hair ladies. (by the way I will be 51 next month. My picture on here is almost 2 years old . . . I still look the same and just don't feel like a "grandma"). I have my grandson a lot and when we are out most people just assume I'm his mother. I give up telling them that he's my grandson.

I like being called Helen, but my daughter is having her son call me Gigi. In time we'll see what he end's up calling me.

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[ehartmanf]

I'm 51 and love being called grandma.... :) doesn't bother me at all. I don't think I look like one either.....

[Kristi]

Helen, you don't look like a grandma! That raw food is doing you good! Most grandmas don't eat raw that's why you don't fit the mold. Gigi.....love it. My grandma had my kids call her that but she wrote it G.G. for Great-Grandma. Boy, I miss her. The kids do, too. They were lucky to have been able to know her.

Home/unschoolers~
I very much admire you. I have often thought of doing this but I'm afraid on many levels. My son is so intelligent that I don't know if I could teach him. He's already surpassed me in math and many other things. His IQ is very high....only a couple points from genius. I think it would be a constant battle of wills between us. My husband said one or both of us would end up dead. I think my stress and anxiety would skyrocket. I very much admire you all.

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi Edda,

When are you going to post your picture here?

Edda is a beautiful lady, not only in outward appearances, but also inwardly.

Edda lives in my home town (in MI) but I have never met her. When I go home to visit family in December, I'm going to meet her! Aren't bulletin boards wonderful? I have made so many friends here . . . and those that think the same way about health and nutrition!!!!!

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi Kristi,

I hope home schooling works out for my grandson and me . . . but when he gets to the point of passing me intellectually, we will find whatever it takes to get him what he needs.

Since you mentioned it, I though I would share what I almost put in my last post. My daughter wants him to call me Gigi (Julia's spellling). I tell people it's G.G. which stands for the Greatest Grandmother or Gorgeous Grandmother :p

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[ehartmanf]

Helen,

My picture is in my personal profile, but I haven't been able to figure out how to get it to show up here........? :confused: technologically challenged I am....

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi Edda,

Okay, here is how you get your picture on here:

Look at the very top of the page and click on:

USER CP

Then look to the left and click on:

EDIT AVATAR

Honest, this is how you do it . . . sounds real logical, the words they use, doesn't it :D

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[ehartmanf]

Thanks, Helen. That was easy. My photo sure is small though.....

[rawal]

I have 3 children. All boys 5, 3 and 1. We use K12 curriculum and are enrolled in our state's virtual academy. So far, I LOVE IT! This is our first year also. My husband and I talked about homeschooling when we first got married so we were anticipating this the whole time. We wanted to homeschool because the public schools, in my opinion, aren't what they should be. K12's great because we can move at our own pace and the curriculum is FANTASTIC! I especially like the phonics program. Is anyone else using K12?

[corky]

It is soooo nice to meet all you homeschoolers!! I don't know how you paste the questions in to answer as this is just my 2nd day here but AJ Bodine summed it up fairly closely to me. I have 2 boys 5 and 3 and want 2 more...and since we are still youngins we are unschooling with some reading and writing practice and some phonics. There is a local group, but the leader tended towards 8 yr old activities as that was how old her son was so many things we could not do. So i have now joined the local Christian Homeschooling Group and that is where i met a real live mostly raw person!! It was soo cool. Of course we hit it off great--and her 7, yes 7 children are raw too! And she unschools them all--the oldest 2 being 18 and 16 and seem to be wonderful people. Her secret she said was to just read, read read to them. They will then learn. We also came to homeschooling because i met homeschoolers and they were the nicest kids i had ever met--then the research began--2yrs b4 i even had children i knew. The veg. thing came a year after my 1st was born. And as an aside, i can't believe you 2 are 51!! You both look wonderful!

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi Rawal & Corky,

I just started to look into the different homeschooling programs. I'll have to look into K12. I like the idea of being able to progress at the speed/level that my Grandson is able to handle.

Corky - I was reading your profile and see you have an interest in karate. Many of my karate students are homeschooled. They come to get their P.E. requirements. I know you are unschooling your children, but since you're involved with the local Christian Homeschoolers group, I was wondering if this is something you do or may do in the future. I teach free.

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[rawal]

Hi Rawal & Corky,

I just started to look into the different homeschooling programs. I'll have to look into K12. I like the idea of being able to progress at the speed/level that my Grandson is able to handle.

Corky - I was reading your profile and see you have an interest in karate. Many of my karate students are homeschooled. They come to get their P.E. requirements. I know you are unschooling your children, but since you're involved with the local Christian Homeschoolers group, I was wondering if this is something you do or may do in the future. I teach free.

<>< Helen of Tennessee
Hi Helen

K12's website is www.K12.com You can either use their curriculum as an independent homeschooler or if your state has a virtual academy you can enroll with them and they'll hook you up with a teacher for the whole year to help you when you need it. If you're part of a virtual academy there is zero cost to you. They'll lend you a computer, printer and all of the paper materials for the year. If your interested I would highly recommend going to a local parent/grandparent information seminar. You should be able to find out where one is on their website. I think they have a 1-800 number as well. We went to an Expo by us and it really helped clear things up. It's just amazing how they created the curriculum! Sorry-I sound like an infomercial!!!

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi rawal,

No, you don't sound like an infomercial. I'm looking for any program that anyone is happy with so that I can check it out. I greatly appreciate your input and am saving the website to "my favorites". I have a few years, but it's never to early to start checking out the different programs.

Thanks so much :)

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[corky]

That is wonderful that you teach the homeschoolers Helen! I pay to have my 5 yr old go 1x/wk. I trained 18 yrs ago for 4 yrs, then had a surgery and kept getting faint so i quit. Now i am trying again and am finding the same issues when i work out too hard so i am just starting goju ryu as a white belt. I have taught self defence in the past though and have thought of offering that for free to the teen homeschoolers. I will see if i continue that or try something new like dance. I want to take an african dance and drumming course! Lately we have been renovating the house, and about to sell and move to an acreage, and the kids have helped throughout the process and are learning what it takes to improve a home. Unschooling at its finest!! At their current ages it is just all working out.

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi Corky,

I should probably go back and read your other threads, but I was wondering how long have you eaten raw, are you fairly new at it . . . .

I wouldn't be surprised at all that once you have been raw for a period of time you will find you won't feel so faint when you work out. I know I found my exercise induced asthma improved when I was high raw.

I hope you are able to continue with Goju Ryu. I studied American Eagle Kung Fu for 4 years, getting my Brown belt. This was almost 25 years ago. I quit and never did karate again until 10 years ago. I started over, at the age of 41, as a white belt in Wado-Ryu and am now a 2nd degree black belt. One thing I found with the martial arts is you can start this at just about any age.

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[corky]

Hey, Wado Ryu is what i trained in for 4 yrs 18 yrs ago!! I really loved that style. Well good for you! Yes i am 36 now and started again because my 5 yr old is just starting. I am new to raw so my body has not adapted and i am still struggling--not there 100% yet but getting very close--best eating week i have had since my 7 day juice fast!

[Helen Of Tennessee]

How interesting that you studied Wado Ryu!!!! I think as you continue down your road of eating raw, you will find your workouts easier and you won't feel so faint. I think it's great that you are doing this with your son. I have 3 fathers who have started in my class with their children (all white belts) and one father who is a blue belt and his daughter & son are yellow/gold belts. I think it's so neat when parents and children do this together.

Take care, and I'll be watching for your posts and see how you are doing.

In Wa No Michi (way of Peace)
<>< Helen of Tennessee

P.S. You can see a picture of me and my grandson in our gi(s) at the end of my testimony: http://www.shazzie.com/raw/transformation/helen.shtml

[corky]

Thanks Helen and i did read your interview and you have been through so much and you look absolutely amazing--wow, what an inspiration!! What self discipline and committment! I had read that b4 but had no idea it was you. You inspire me to continue with karate! I guess i am off thread folks--sorry 'bout that! So is that the grandson you might homeschool??--and what a cutie--how'd he get his black belt so fast?

[corky]

Rawkinlocs,
I just wanted to go back about your post on your boy and game boys and ask what other interests he has and how old he is as well as your other children. I think, now this is from seasoned homeschoolers, that they go through phases as to what their interests are and as long as that doesn't take up all his time then i don't see a problem with it. If he spends hours with it then perhaps your hubby has a point in taking it away. My guys are still little enough to limit 'screen/game' time with and personally i am just not going to buy any video games--i figure the computer is enough of a challenge--well so i think until they beg me with their big blue eyes!!

I love the freedom of homeschooling but definitely have questionable days. Right now the biggest thing of course is the reading and just doing as much as we can. Just curious as to what percentage raw all these homeschooling mom's kids are. Any favorite dishes?

[vegbaby]

I've been homeschooling my older daughter from the beginning, but she started 2nd grade (equivalent) this year, and we joined a local homeschool co-op. I volunteer two days full-time, and the other three she is there with other parents. She loves it. Being in Mongolia where it's VERY cold during the winter, she wasn't getting the social time she desired with friends, so this has helped her a lot. My little one, age three, goes to a private, home preschool in the mornings from 9-12 because I work at home, so it allows me to get stuff done in a chunk of time and not be on the computer all the time with her sitting around going, "Mom, when are you gonna be done???" When we get back to the States we'll definitely continue to homeschool.

Right now we're following the book The Well-Trained Mind, which advocates a classical education heavy on history. It's worked great for us because it gives me the flexibility to pick and choose what materials i want to use, but at the same time I have a general outline to follow. We unschooled for most of Kindergarten and 1st grade, and it just didn't feel right to my hands-on, organized personality.

As for raw, my kids are vegan at home and have been from the beginning, though my daughter is now choosing to eat some non-vegan foods outside the home. Never meat, but cake, for example. I feel strongly that this needs to be partly her decision - she has to own it - so I've loosened the reins a bit. They both eat about 50% raw by choice, but my husband is dead set against them going all raw. I don't think he's as much concerned about nutrition (though that is part of it) as he just doesn't want to be the only one in the house not raw! LOL

Melanie

[corky]

Just curious as to what you do in your co-ops? And i have seen that book b4 and will have to check into it. I am at a point where my 5 and 3 yr old seem to be able to play hotwheels endlessly. I spend time getting them to read and write--not much on math yet. Our homeschooling board sets up different events like a wildlife center day or a search and rescue session, gardening, plays, etc. but no real co op stuff which sounds quite neat. Would love to hear about it.

[SimplyRawesome]

Hi everyone! I'm new to this board and this is my first post. I was suprised to see the number of homeschoolers here, of all places! How cool.

1. How many children do you have and what are their ages?
I have two sons (14 & 16) but homeschool just the 14yo.

2. Do you home school or unschool?
The best way to describe our method is "relaxed homeschooling".

3. What made you decide to pull your children from public school or not enroll them in the first place?
My son was in a Christian school and the principal suggested that he would be a "prime candidate" for homeschooling! :eek: LOL. :D He told me he needed "one-on-one" attention because he was so easily distracted. Well, he wasn't kidding! But this is our fifth year and he is now in 9th grade and doing great.

4. Are you involved in homeschooling support groups locally?
Yes.

5. Do you get support or flack from family and close friends? (feel free to also share experiences and/or how you deal with negative reactions)
I have been very blessed in that I have never encountered any criticism for homeschooling. My sister homeschools her two daughters, so on my side of the family, it's no big deal. Ex-husband's mother was a bit concerned at first but never interfered.

6. What curriculum (if any) do you use, how well do you like it and what do you like most about it?
We have tried something different every year. This year we are using Listen My Son which is a unit study that focuses primarily on living books. For English Composition, we're using Wordsmith. For Algebra, we're using Making Math Meaningful. For Science, we plan to use Apologia. For Geography, we're using The Geography Coloring Book for now.

My son likes diversity, so we change a lot to keep his interest up.

What (if anything) do you feel is your biggest challenge with your child(ren) learning at home?

Motivating my son to do schoolwork. He's very hands-on and would prefer to tear down the tractor or his go-cart and reassemble it, or mow the lawn, or do woodworking or clean out the hen house! Anything is better than schoolwork to him so that's been a challenge. I finally had to lay down the law and tell him ... school work comes first. Not until that is done can he go out and play.

Do you ever feel inadequate or that your child's education will lack (thinking about the college-thing) by them learning at home as opposed to in a traditional school setting?

I sometimes feel inadequate but when I consider what I know of my older son's "public school" education, I am reasurrred that my homeschooler is just fine. Also, since my son is not an "auditory" learner (proven by his score of 4th grade level in listening on his testing last year), I know he would not fare well in the traditional setting. We are working on improving his listening skills by me reading to him and asking questions.

Also, because of my concern that perhaps he wasn't learning as much as he needed to, I had him tested in 8th grade, partly to see his strengths and weaknesses enabling me to know where to place more emphasis in schooling, and partly to see what kind of job I am doing. I was surprised to see that he scored 9th grade level in English and Math, at grade level in other subjects. Phew! ;)

Extra: Any other tips, questions, or words of support/encouragement?

Don't be too hard on yourself. Try to have fun while learning. We cut up and joke around a lot. We try to keep a relaxed environment. We do a lot together and our neighbors have commented on the difference they see in my son as opposed to other boys in our neighborhood. He is not influenced by peer pressure to the extent the other kids his age are, and that alone is a huge blessing. He willingly helps out around the house (most of the time) whereas neighbor's kids won't even be involved with their family. He's responsible - at 14 he has a job and wants to buy a car the day he gets his permit (the day he turns 15) but he's in for a rude awakening! :cool: Just don't want to pop his bubble right now. The older kids in our neighborhood don't even have jobs nor cars! Don't get me wrong - he's not perfect. He's still a 14-going-on-15 year old boy! He has his moments, but homeschooling has been a blessing. It's a sacrifice and challenging for me, but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

Sorry to be so long-winded!

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi Nutrimom,

That's wonderful that you homeschool your son! I noticed that you don't live to far from me (I'm in Spring Hill) and would be interested in the different programs you have looked into.

My daughter attends MTSU and I watch her 1 year old son. She has asked if I would home school him when the time comes. I have briefly looked into one home school programs so far. I saved it under "my favorites" but who knows where it went :confused:

Anyway if you wouldn't mind posting some links to some different programs in this area, that would be great.

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[SimplyRawesome]

Hi Helen!

As for the homeschool links, our hard drive crashed about two months ago and I lost all of my links! :cool: Also, the links that I have now are all geared towards high school and I didn't start homeschooling my son until fifth grade.

However, if I were starting to homeschool from the very beginning and my child was blessed enough to not have been exposed to traditional schooling, I'd look into Lifestyle of Learning. It prepares the teacher's heart and focuses on living in a learning environment. I think this is ideal because it does not squealch the child's desire to learn as traditional school did for my sons. It's a natural flow of constant learning.

Case in point: my son called me into the kitchen earlier - he was making (of all things) Key Lime Pie! :rolleyes: He needed help with the meringue. I asked him why he tortures me like this! LOL. But, here he is 14 years old, and on his own made the pastry, made the key lime filling and was attempting to make the meringue. So, I explained to him the secret of making meringue fluffy! And also the drawbacks to eating that crap! LOL!! ;) It was nice to be able to share that moment with a teenage son. And he was learning (on his own) to cook. Actually, he's been cooking for quite a while and it has certainly been beneficial in helping him learn fractions!

Anyway, nothing like getting way off track ... I think the following link is a good place for you to start http://www.lifetimebooksandgifts.com/ltt_LOL.html (http://www.lifetimebooksandgifts.com/ltt_LOL.html)

If you are planning on homeschooling your grandson, my suggestion is to start reading and preparing yourself now. It's an incredible responsibility but so rewarding and worth the effort.

I hope this helps. I'll keep my eyes open for more information. I'm glad to help in any way I can.

Blessings,
Nutrimom

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi Nutrimom,

Thanks for the homeschooling link. I really appreciate it.

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[Rawkinlocs]

Nutrimom,

Just wanted to say WELCOME and thank you for sharing your story about homeschooling! I enjoyed reading your experience and your advice! :)

[SimplyRawesome]

Thanks Rawkinlocs! I appreciate the welcome. Glad to be here. I'm still roaming around the forum reading all the different posts. Very interesting.

Blessings,
Nutrimom

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi Nutrimom,

I'm printing out your posts for my friend. She has come a long ways with her asthma, but seems to be stuck right now. She home schools her 3 children.

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[SimplyRawesome]

Helen,

ROFLMAO!!! Well, let's see ... if the tractor is an antique, hmmm... (don't hit me) so are you! And I'm not far behind you as I was born in '59. OH NO!!! We're ANCIENT!! BUT in age only. Nowhere is it written we have to look or act our age. Right?!!! And trust me, I DO NOT act my age. My son will tell you. He's always saying, "Oh mom, you're so embarassing!" LOL. Hey, you only live once! :D

Thanks for the recipe. I can't wait to try it. Yummmm....

Let's hope and pray that the "former" Wild Oats employee was the only one that had the problem with Paul's testimony and trust that he'll be back. As a matter of fact, I need to make a trip over there some time soon, I'm going to ask them if they have plans for him to return. You are talking about the one in Franklin, right? Or Greenhills?

I noticed over the past few days that there have been a couple of days where my asthma has been bothering me. I've been trying to figure out what it was that I ate. Yesterday, I ate a few potato chips (my son was eating them in the truck next to me and I couldn't resist). I very rarely eat junk food, but on occasion I'll cheat - but I don't eat much at all. Just a few. Anyway, I also had a few pieces of Halloween candy, and some pretzels. Yesterday was a bad day for me because I ate a lot more garbage than normal. I guess it was the combination of toxic waste that kicked up my wheezing. :rolleyes:

I've noticed that since eating raw, I'm MUCH MORE in tune with my system than before and it seems whenever I put the slightest offending foods in me, whammo, my asthma rears it's ugly head. I can eat baked salmon or tilapia sauteed in olive oil with no reaction. What I miss the most is pasta. I LOVE pasta salads. But Doc Rawdon said NO WHEAT! No corn - my favorite. No dairy - no problem!! LOL.

Anyway, I'm rambling again. Sorry. That is what I've learned about my body in the last six weeks. I just need to get Alissa's book so I can keep busy trying new raw foods and I won't be tempted to eat any cooked food.

Oh, and about the blood pressure. I've had low blood pressure all of my life. When I was pregnant with my sons, the nurse would take my blood pressure and she'd stand there staring at me as if she was making sure I was still alive. Then she started slapping my forearm saying, "Come on, I know you're alive!" LOL. Even Doc Rawdon commented that for someone who just took a couple of puffs of albuterol, I sure had a slow pulse rate. The funny thing is, most everyone else in my family has high blood pressure. Thank God for LBP, because if I had HBP combined with the amount of albuterol I've inhaled in my lifetime - I wouldn't be here now.

I do reflexology and my chiropractor adjusts me and does accupuncture, so I'll have to ask him to check the adrenals.

Okay, I'll shut up now! :eek: Look forward to meeting both you and Lariane. :)

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi Nutrimom,

(all texted removed - nothing said about homeschooling).

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[SimplyRawesome]

I'm sure the potatoes - especially considering they were potato chips fried in partially hydrongenated oil - didn't help any! LOL. But that's a very good point!

I only recently discovered that there was a Wild Oats in Cool Springs and I was elated! I dread going to the one in Green Hills - it's such a pain (traffic-wise) to get there and so hard to get a parking spot and maneuver in their itty bitty parking lot. I LOVE the one in Cool Springs. I take the back scenic route from Arrington (252 takes me right to Moore's Lane) and it's such a relaxing drive. So, that would be my preference. ;)

I think the raw crackers are the way to go. I don't struggle with wheat cravings - I've never been a bread nor dairy person, BUT put sugar in front of me and I'll tell you anything you want to hear! LOL. I'm working on that though. It's gotten significantly better since I've been raw.

I look forward to meeting Gina too! :D

Thanks Helen.

[Rawkinlocs]

Ladies,

I'm not trying to be rude or anything remotely close (please don't think that I am) but can we keep this thread on topic of homeschooling and start new threads about recipes and get-togethers, etc.? I know that threads DO tend to go off topic without intention of doing so, but let's try and bring them back to where they were intiatially started.

Thanks! :D

[Helen Of Tennessee]

Hi Rawkinlocs,

Your so right :) Sometimes I get carried away when I meet someone with same interests, etc.

But thanks for keeping us in line. I know this is important so that those who are interested in homeschooling can retrieve the info without having to weed it out.

I'll go back and edit out everything not related to home schooling :)

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[vegbaby]

Just curious as to what you do in your co-ops? And i have seen that book b4 and will have to check into it. I am at a point where my 5 and 3 yr old seem to be able to play hotwheels endlessly. I spend time getting them to read and write--not much on math yet. Our homeschooling board sets up different events like a wildlife center day or a search and rescue session, gardening, plays, etc. but no real co op stuff which sounds quite neat. Would love to hear about it.

Corky, Here is a link to another thread where I describe what we do at the co-op. It meets every day, and while each child has his or her own program of learning set by the parents, there are lots of group activities, too, which you'll see.
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=536

I wanted to say, too, that I have never worried that my child will be lacking compared to traditionally schooled kids - just the opposite, in fact!

Melanie

[corky]

Welcome Nutrimom! Read your homeschooling post--sounds like your are doing quite well! My boys are younger almost 4 and just turned 6, and we haven't met many younger kids in the homeschooling group yet, so that is my biggest interest right now. I have no family where i live, and not much where i moved from last year, so i felt a bit sad when his b-day just passed and i talked to a friend who had all these kids over and did all these things and i only know a few neighbor boys who are older and not really appropriate for my boys. <sigh>, esp. since he wanted Sean, the boy who teases him for not being able to play his violent shoot 'em up games on video or play with a potato cap gun--him and another 4 yr old going on in front of him. Ugh. So, this is my mission. I joined the homeschooling group, but all older kids, I joined the Christian Homeschooling group, but only the parents meet because they have 5 or more kids of their own and don't need/want to socialize. We are in gymnastics, but in a town 30 min. away and all girls in the class and hard to meet, swimming but the people i met were moving. Anybody have any suggestions!??!? I seemed cursed trying to meet others. Actually, we did go to a Halloween outdoors party and i did meet another homeschooling mom who has 2 girls my boys ages but she has left on a trip for 3 wks. and we are going to get together when she gets back...there, goes to show i was focussing on the negative!! Oh, and i did meet a new neighbor (we are just moving 10 min away) but she just left for Mexico for 4 mos. I know he doesn't need LOTS of friends, but just SOME decent little friends would be soooo nice.

Now i went on too long. :rolleyes:
Shelley

[SimplyRawesome]

Thanks for the welcome Corky. Finding decent kids nowadays can be challenging. As for birthdays, I would just make a big deal of his birthday with your family - like making his day all about him. Taking him where he wants to go. Fortunately, my son isn't into big groups. He'd much rather me take him and a friend to the go cart track, but then again, he's older.

I notice that there is a Chuck E. Cheese in Langley. Is that anywhere near you? That was always a favorite of my boys' when they were little.

How about ScoutsCanada? I see Beavers start at age 5 so your older son can start going and meeting other kids his age!

If that doesn't work, you'll just have to move to the U.S.!! LOL. ;)

[corky]

Thanks for the warm thoughts Nutrimom. I am on the Island and the boys are veg. and i even made him a raw cake. I just want 1 or 2 little friends--he doesn't like groups either--It probably effects me more than him! We did try beavers last year twice, but there was a really bad leader--i should try again though--good thought!! We are in a junior naturalist group but when we go on the outings, you don't really get to know any one person well--i guess i should be more forward. Where in the States are you??

[SimplyRawesome]

I'm in Tennessee ... Country Music USA. I live in a suburb of Nashville.

We are fortunate to have a homeschool support group of about 300 families. They publish a monthly newsletter that lists local field trips, recreational activities, educational activities (like science fairs and international fairs) as well as co-op and tutorials. For us, the problem is too much socialization and not enough teaching/learning time. This year, we have not gone on one single field trip so far. With my son being in 9th grade, we have really buckled down and are focusing on schoolwork as opposed to recreation.

I'm sure your sons will eventually find friends. Let it happen naturally, don't try to force it to happen. I guess it's kinda like dating. When you're looking for someone, you never find the right person ... until you quit looking. I understand your frustration, you want your boys to have friends and develop relationship skills. Maybe the Lord has other plans for ya'll right now. Just enjoy the moment and everything will fall into place.

Oh, and remember, be careful what you ask for, you may get it! I can remember when we first moved into our subdivision there were lots of boys around. I was so thrilled and by the second week I was ready to blow my brains out. Kids were at the front door, side door, back door. The phone was ringing, kids were traipsing through the house. It was like grand central station. I had never experienced this before. I wanted my kids to have lots of friends and boy did I get my wish. Then I had to lay down the law. Fortunately, it's all settled down in the past four years.

:)

[Rawmommie]

Oh Yay! What a great place to find homeschoolers!

1. How many children do you have and what are their ages?
3 children~ 10,9, & 4

2. Do you home school or unschool?
We Unschool. This doesn't mean we don't use workbooks and such, but the kids choose to use them and we follow their lead when it comes to what they are interested in and would like to learn. :)

3. What made you decide to pull your children from public school or not enroll them in the first place?
I pulled my oldest boys when they were in 1st and 2nd. My heart had always told me that I wanted this, but I ran on fear. They were both doing so well in school, but bored to tears and it was starting to affect my oldest's spirit. It was crushing him. I could go on and on about the school system, but I will refrain. LOL. ;) After taking them out, I realized that all my fears were unfounded. They socialized MORE, they learned more, they were happier and so was I!

4. Are you involved in homeschooling support groups locally?
Yes, we moved this last spring but were in a large group and now have started one out in the country where we moved to. The kids have made some good friends and have kept a few friends from our old group too.

5. Do you get support or flack from family and close friends? (feel free to also share experiences and/or how you deal with negative reactions)
I've had lots of support in our homeschooling journey. I will say that my mom was worried when I started using the word unschool, but she's since been converted and see's how smart, thoughtful, and happy my kids are.

6. What curriculum (if any) do you use, how well do you like it and what do you like most about it?
We use LIFE as our curriculum. :D

Extra: Any other tips, questions, or words of support/encouragement?
Enjoy, love, play, explore with your children and they will learn. :)

I'm new to raw, and was looking for support b/c I don't know anyone else who is raw or even vegan. My sister is a vegetarian, but I only see her about once a year. It's very heart warming to see that not only are there many people to support me in my raw journey, but also homeschoolers, which is near and dear to my heart. :)

Sorry to get all mushy...I've found I'm floating and peaceful eating raw lately and seem to be rambling a lot about the beauty of life! :p

Karen

Oh and I can't get my picture into my posts b/c it's too large? It's listed in the gallery under Rawmommie, if anyone knows how to shrink a pic, let me know!

[Rawkinlocs]

Hi Rawmommie and thanks for sharing!

Hmmm...unschooling sounds very intriguing...I may have to reconsider it. I guess I just chicken out because of pressure from family members who already have a fit about HOMEschooling and would really have a hissy if it were unschooling. Do you personally ever fret over whether or not your children are lacking anywhere or anything like that? I'd really like to talke more with you about your approach because my oldest son (13) is becoming bored and uninterested and only does his work because he HAS to. I'd like to make it more fun for him, though. He's mainly interested in games, computers, Science, drawing and just recently, putting models together (cars, planes, etc.)

Oh...and I can assist you with resizing your photo. I can snag it from the gallery and resize it and then I'll send it to you in a PM (if I can) and you can just save it to your hard drive or something.

[Rawmommie]

That would be great if you could resize it! Thank you!

My oldest son is very much into gaming, computers, technology also. In fact, because I've let him follow his own intrest, he knows more than me and sometimes more than my husband!

The think about unschooling is that they will follow their intrests and those intrests will LEAD to other things in life that are related. For example: my middle son was very interested in guns. I know. Not the best thing to be interested in, but good things came out of it. He started looking, reading and finding info about them, then he became interested in war information, then the revolutionary war, then treatment of indians, and on and on...

Do my kids lack in some areas? Maybe. I haven't seen anywhere that they lack recently. Their handwriting used to be messy, but now they have spent hours writing down cheat codes for games, searching the internet, learning to type, and those skills have grown too.

I figure what I'm doing for them is what most of us don't get the privledge to do until we are grown. I'm letting them explore what really intrests them and I believe that as they get older, they will have a vast knowledge of not only what really speaks to their heart, but the other things will follow along. My son is aware that if he wants to program computers or make video games that he will have to know math. He also has a natural love for math and doesn't find it scary or difficult like many schooled kids do.

Another important thing about following their own intrests is that they really REMEMBER and retain the information if they are truely interested in it. How much do you remember from school that you weren't interested in? I don't remember much. :rolleyes:

I will warn you that if you let your son follow his own intrests, at first it will seem to you like he's doing nothing. He will most likely test you to see if you are still going to make him do workbooks and such. He might sleep a lot (especially at his age) play video games, and watch a lot of tv. BUT, this does not last forever. My kids have many intrests away from those things now that I have taken away the tabooness(is that a word? LOL) of them. ;)

Sorry to ramble on. It's one of the most passionate things I go on about, of course lately I'm being told that I'm the same way with RAW. :p

[Rawkinlocs]

Wow, thanks for that info! It's something I'm going to consider, even if I end up doing a little of both methods :p

[SimplyRawesome]

Another important thing about following their own intrests is that they really REMEMBER and retain the information if they are truely interested in it. How much do you remember from school that you weren't interested in? I don't remember much. :rolleyes: So true!!! Hi & welcome Rawmommie! My son is 14 and our style of homeschooling would be somewhere between unschooling and attempted homeschooling, so I call it relaxed schooling. Your comment, "if they are truly interested" certainly struck home with me! When my son was in school (k thru 4), the administration tried to get me to put him on Ritalin because they said he had ADD (proven otherwise thru testing). Baloney! This kid has NO PROBLEM with attention "when he is intersted" in what he is doing.

Also, as you said, I am ALWAYS saying to people... "I don't know about you, but I can tell you I don't remember a whole heck of a lot from what I learned in school and I can promise you that I haven't had to use hardly ANY OF IT since being out of school!" (Except for Reading, Math and English!)

Because my son is in 9th grade, I try to maintain some form of structure for the state's requirements; however, we usually end up with my son working on the motors of his go-cart, go-ped, scooter, OUR tractor!! He has expressed interest in going to the Nashville Auto Diesel College. That would NOT be my choice for him but that is obviously where his talents lie and I want him to do what he desires. Heck, if he knows already - at the age of 14 - what he wants to do, God Bless him! I'm still trying to figure out what I want to be and I'm all grown up! :rolleyes:

Another reward of homeschooling has been watching his transformation. Within the first year, I watched his self-esteem and self-confidence soar. He became very responsible, mature and displayed way more common sense than his older brother and most kids his age. We have a great relationship and I am always getting compliments from the neighbors about my son's character. My favorite comment; however, is "How do you get Randy to do all that stuff he does around the house?" Huh?! My response is, "Get him to? He tells me the lawn needs to be mowed and then he goes and does it!" I love the way he takes responsibility. Sometimes I think he thinks he's the man of the house. LOL. Blows the neighbors (who all have sons in his age range) away! Hee heee.... the rewards of homeschooling!

Bottom line: he's not influenced by peer pressure the way the other (traditional-schooled) kids in the neighborhood are. He doesn't mind spending time at home with his family, unlike the other kids. He shows respect for adults and authority, unlike the other kids. Yes, the sacrifice of that extra income is worth every minute of homeschooling.

Touching on what you said about, "He might sleep a lot (especially at his age) play video games, and watch a lot of tv. BUT, this does not last forever." Again, you hit the nail on the head. My son sleeps A LOT; however, in one year he has grown 3-1/2 inches!! He does play X-Box a little but mostly loves tearing down and rebuilding any engines he can get his hands on. Consequently, I spend most of my time guarding my truck (engine)!! LOL.

I could go on and on about this, but it will have to wait until next week! I've got to run; have a church retreat coming up this weekend for which I'm in charge of registration; thus, haven't been able to post much lately, so ya'll have a great weekend! :)

P.S. See, Rawmommie, and you thought you rambled on! HA! You've met your match. ;)

[Rawmommie]

Thanks Rawkin! I got it working! Yay!!!! :D I think most homeschoolers find a nice balance between unschooling and schooling at home. You have to find what works best for your kids and your family. That's what's so great about homeschooling. Our kids are treated like individuals and not cookie cutter images of what they "should" be in the schools eyes. (oh boy, here I go again!) :rolleyes:


Nutrimom, I've been holding myself back, so we'll see who the biggest rambler is when I really let loose! :p

[Wrecked Spark]

erm... I've been known to be a bit chatty myself.

Care to place a wage on the matter??

hee hee

:D

Just kidding.

[SimplyRawesome]

Hey Rawkinlocs,

LOL. You have your work cut out for you!! LOL!! :D

Our kids are treated like individuals and not cookie cutter images of what they "should" be in the schools eyes.
Amen Karen! ;)

[SwishTN]

I am not married, let alone a parent, yet I have always had a desire to home school my children, and have been researching for the past couple of years. So, this thread is fascinating to me, even as an instrument for research.

I must say, the idea of unschooling both fascinates and scares the junk out of me. It kind of reminds me of the Waldorf system in a small small way.... I like things about that system, yet am not crazy about it for others.

What do you do if you are unschooling, and your child never seems to kick it into gear?

Thanks!
Lauri

[Rawmommie]

Lauri,
That's great that you are interested before you even have kids! I was so behind, I wish I had thought about it before having them so I could have spared them the few years there.

I can't tell you about what to do if they never kick into gear. Part of unschooling is about seeing ALL Life as learning, instead of seeing just subjects. Your child would have to sit in a padded room for their whole life in order not to learn. We thrive on learning as humans, and even more so when the joy of learning isn't sucked out of us by school.

Ooops, there goes the soapbox again! :D

[SwishTN]

Well, Maybe I am a control freak, or just plain insecure in my ability to see the cues as to whether or not they were getting what they really need.... How do you gage that? Are there any types of guidelines you go by? Any "unschooling" format, or is that a contradiction in terms?
Thanks again!
Lauri

[corky]

Hi all,
been away for a couple weeks. Nice to see Rawmommie here! I love your approach to your life--it does take a huge leap of faith to trust in your children when unschooling and i find a bit harder to justify than homeschooling to my family--they would really flip as my sister is a teacher and already thinks i am loonie!! But with my just turned 6 yr old, we are still learning and always will be learning a style that works for us. I figure the 3 R's are a requirement, at their pace but still a requirement and the rest is based on his interests. Good for you in following your heart and unschooling!!

I had to laugh when Nutrimom commented on her son already knew what he wanted to do and you still don't--i hear you on that girl!! :p

[Rawmommie]

"Well, Maybe I am a control freak, or just plain insecure in my ability to see the cues as to whether or not they were getting what they really need.... How do you gage that? Are there any types of guidelines you go by? Any "unschooling" format, or is that a contradiction in terms?"

Yes, it would be a contradiction. The basic principle behind unschooling is that they will get what they need b/c they will see a value in learning certain things in order to do what they really love. If my son wants to be a graphic designer when he gets older, he will follow the path that will get him there. We'll find the resources and he will learn what he needs to know. I think we all work this way, but for some reason we buy into the fact that it takes 12 years of the same few subjects repeated over and over and over again to learn. The reason it takes so long is b/c there's no real intrest there. You don't retain and remember things if you aren't interested in them.

My kids learn things very quickly b/c they normally learn things b/c they have an intrest. My oldest son's handwriting is nice now when a year ago it was very hard to read. He had an intrest in writing out video game cheat codes for all his friends and it resulted in him spending many hours on his handwriting.

It does take a lot of trust, and I'm sure that my children will have things that they are not as good at, but don't we all? I just allow my kid to excel in the things that really intrest them.

We do have workbooks for grammer and math, they enjoy them and use them by choice when they aren't reading or learning doing something else. :)

Gotta run, I'm being summoned! ;)
Karen

[caramba]

Just reviving this one to say "Thanks for this thread". Shall be reading through it (and actually comprehending what I'm reading) when the kids are in bed tonight!

[Mishka]

Thanks for reviving this thread !!
I am a new homeschooler, and Karen I have been applying the unschooling method to my daughter who is 5 too. A friend introduced the idea to me, and it just soooo makes sense. I have just been focusing on whatever she is curious about. I heard this quote and thought I'd share it with y'all:

"True education is not the forcing of instruction on an unready and unreceptive mind. The mental powers must be awakened, the interest aroused. For this, God's method for teaching provided. He who created the mind and ordained its laws, provided for its development in accordance with them. In the home and the sanctuary, through the things of nature and of art, in labor and festivity, in sacred building and memorial stone, by methods and rites and symbols unnumbered, God gave to Israel lessons illusrating His principles and preserving the memory of His wonderful works. Then, as inquiry was made, the instruction given impressed mind and heart."

The last sentence really has stuck with me. I have sooo much to learn too! I guess you get more confidence as you go along?! It is hard with the pressure of family and friends who don't agree. Esp. when you don't vaccinate, and are eating the way we are...MAN talk about being labeled.

[Rawkinlocs]

I'm really intrigued by this "unschooling" idea. I intend to do some poking around on the 'net about it, but Rawmommie or others, do you have some favorite links you'd like to share that are dedicated to unschooling?

Thanks!

Sometimes I feel like the MAIN reason I tend to go with the whole structured way of learning is 1. That's what I've been conditioned with and 2. Because of feeling the pressure to prove something to the naysayers such as some of our family members.

But like now, my kids are studying HTML and coding little websites by hand! They're eagerly learning this on their own because they wanted to! I like this.

[glad_2beme]

I like the whole idea too. My son is in regular school, not because that what I wanted but the way it has to be. I had so many dreams of doing other ways. I teach him on my own too though. He is now in Taekwondo, and his self esteem is getting better and better..I also teach him computer at home ( since this was our business at one time), and other really great things.

If you have the means to do it from home I think it is wonderful, especially with siblings so that they have social interaction.

[Rawmommie]

Sure Cherie, I have some links!

unschooling.com
I read a lot there and have learned more there than any other website. I would suggest you read a bunch there before posting, some people can be turned off quickly by their matter-of-fact way of answering questions. It's not that they are mean, but the main focus of that board is to tell people what unschooling is and what it is NOT. No sugar coating it. ;)

another is:
http://sandradodd.com/unschooling

There is also an unschooling section at this board: (just scroll down a little and you will see it)
http://p080.ezboard.com/btheedgycatinmamas

[nickster]

[QUOTE=Rawkinlocs]I just saw in a thread that AJ unschools and someone else (sorry, didn't pay much attention to whom wrote the post) is homeschooling little preschoolers.

I thought it'd be interesting to have a thread here for those of us who teach our children at home.

Here are a few questions to get the ball rolling...

[b] 1. How many children do you have and what are their ages? We live in Mt and have 3 kids so far... 4 yr old girl, 2 yr old girl, 11mos boy.

2. Do you home school or unschool? I'm not sure I know the real definitions of the hschool, unschool lingo...we do a very eclectic version of hschooling, based on what our kids are ready for/interested in. We have to do things very differently because our kids are so young-I haven't heard of any curriculums that are geared toward such early learners. --If anyone is interested in what we are doing, I'd love to share with our successes.(provided you really want to know rather than argue philosophy.) My philosophy has been "If you can teach your 1 yr old that a cow says "moo", why can't you teach them that B says"b"? Hence, our just turned 4 yr old is in the 1st grade.

3. What made you decide to pull your children from public school or not enroll them in the first place? Is there anything good about the public school system anymore? I believe in education-but not public education. (By the way, I was an education major in college.)

4. Are you involved in homeschooling support groups locally?I wish-desperately-that I could be! Our town is very small and very pro-public school. The families that do hschool all have older kids, live very far away, or are simply not interested in being social. I've resolved that we'll probably have to go to Canada for socialization. (We live right on the border)

5. Do you get support or flack from family and close friends? (feel free to also share experiences and/or how you deal with negative reactions)To be frank, we have enough problems in our lives without having to tell our family members about our contraversial (I'm really having trouble spelling today...) lifestyle. They would be horrified to find out that we hschool!

Is there anyone else who believes similarly to us? I would love to hear from you!
Nickster

[nickster]

Hi Swishtn,
Having been a professional nanny for several years and an education major, I have seen that EVERY children has a natural love for learning. As a parent, it is easy to discern what our children are interested in and gear a curriculum about that. I'm horrified by some of the things I've read about teachers and their negative teaching styles. I've also met many people who have chosen to hschool because their kids had low self-esteem, learning difficulties, etc because of the way they were treated at school!
Hschooling is definitely not for everyone...but there is really an enormous amount of info about how to do it and what to expect, etc.
I hope this helps ease your mind...
Nickster

[Rawkinlocs]

Rawmommie, thank you for the links! VERY informative and I still have a lot to read up on.

Nickster, thanks for joining in! I'm really feeling more comfortable with schooling my children at home whereas I was kinda doubting. But I see so much in them that they ARE truly learning. I don't know HOW many times my oldest son has been seen walking around here with his dictionary out...on his OWN! :eek: :D They're really beginning to study up on things that interest them. My husband just got CD's to learn Japanese and Italian and my son has always expressed an interest in learning Japanese.

[Sharon in Colorado]

1. How many children do you have and what are their ages?

3 - 11 yo girl, 9 yo boy, 6 yo boy

2. Do you home school or unschool?

homeschool through a virtual academy - first time this year going through a 'charter school'

3. What made you decide to pull your children from public school or not enroll them in the first place?

we lived in Long Beach, CA when it was time to start school and the school systems there were just not an option. Only one of us worked so couldn't afford private school, and anyway we wanted to be in control of what they learned and we don't dig 'socialization'

4. Are you involved in homeschooling support groups locally?

COVA (Colorado Virtual academy) has support groups and activities available to us. We have participated in some but not all.

5. Do you get support or flack from family and close friends? (feel free to also share experiences and/or how you deal with negative reactions)

At first I could tell many friends and family weren't in agreement, but didn't really give me much flack. I do get an awful lot of "I could never do that, you have so much patience" and "Are you going to do this all the way up to High School?"

6. What curriculum (if any) do you use, how well do you like it and what do you like most about it?

We use the standard curriculum we are supplied with (you can check it out at www.k12.com) I like it for the most part, and it's very user-friendly. This is the first year we didn't actually have to fork out a lot of dough on curriculum and supplies. We were loaned computers, books, all the curriculum needed, etc. at no cost to us.

[Rawkinlocs]

Thanks for sharin' Sharon (sorry...corny I know, but I couldn't resist! :D )

[JustMe]

I would love to homeschool, but i have work full time and have three boys. They are 4-1/2, 3, and 1-1/2. my 4 year old didn't go to preschool for a number of reasons, but i taught him alot myself (which i was suprised i could do! lol). I was in a private and in public schools and i wish my parents had the funds for me to stay in private. there is a big difference. I would want my boys to be homeschooled. who do i find out who homeschools? Thanks so much! Rachel

[jill]

Hello everyone. I'm so happy to have found this site and thread. I've been an on and off vegetarian for years and feel like raw food is going to be just what I need to get healthy. :) Now on to this topic...

I have a 2 y/o boy and a 3 y/o girl. I've been somewhat interested in homeschooling but not sure if I could handle the task. Does it take being a supermom? I want to be one, but rarely FEEL like one.

I've actually been considering preschool for next year because it would allow me more time to work from home to increase our family income. But, after reading some posts here, I'm thinking how selfish of me. I should do what I know is right for them.

I just wish I had all this diet and educational stuff straight in my head prior to having children. I've already gone back and forth with them from veggie to semi-veggie. They have always had dairy and now I wish I could start over and do it right.

Bachk to education...

Sometimes, I feel like I couldn't handle homeschooling. I'm not sure if it is their closeness in age (14 months apart) or their current age, but they are very challenging at times right now (especially when they are together which is 90% of the time). Or, maybe its just me. :confused:

One concern my husband has with home schooling is the lack of socialization and not not being able to participate in school sports. We live in a rural area where homeschooling is basically unheard of. I know of one other mom in the area who homeschools her 3 older children. They live in a small town where basically everyone knows everyone else, except for them.

I don't want my children to not have other friends because they are not involved in activities with other children their age. Basically, if we continue to live where we are now there are very few activities for children outside of school.

I want the best for them and I'm willing to do whatever it takes.

Any thoughts/feedback is appreciated.

Jill

[SamL]

I'm really glad to see this thread.

1. How many children do you have and what are their ages?

3 kids 12 ds, 13 ds, 15 dd

2. Do you home school or unschool?

I use a curriculum A.C.E I enjoy the structure of the pace's (workbooks) my kids love it too. They really seem to remember what they are learning.
http://www.australianchristianacademy.org/
the kids spend half a day with this, and the rest of the day I take an eclectic approach, they are self directed, or at times there are unit studies we do together.
3. What made you decide to pull your children from public school or not enroll them in the first place?

I pulled them all from school when I realised how little they were learning, how awful they were being treated, and how low their self esteem was. I knew I needed to pick them up, dust them off (emotionally) and build them up emotionally, mentally, intellectually. I de schooled them for several months before we followed any structure. They are doing so much better, there's no attitude, they are self motivated (most times) enthusiastic.

4. Are you involved in homeschooling support groups locally?

no
5. Do you get support or flack from family and close friends? (feel free to also share experiences and/or how you deal with negative reactions)


6. What curriculum (if any) do you use, how well do you like it and what do you like most about it?
http://www.australianchristianacademy.org/
I think this one comes under a few headings "school of tomorrow" it's the A.C.E curriculum.

Any advice, read all that you can and enjoy yourself.
I'm in the process of reading The Well Trained Mind (Susan Wise & Jessie Wise)

[Mishka]

Hi~

I have 2 kids: dd 5yrs, and ds 2 yrs

I just started homescooling for grade K for my dd. So far we have been implementing unschooling more than anything. I've noticed her growth/learning spurts are larger if we do this. I'm trying to be flexible and just go where she has interest...and cover a variety of angles with her interests. I don't know that I will always teach like this..I'm taking it as is comes right now. I have a lot to learn myself.

I didn't want public school or private school to teach my child bad habits, or for her moral/value system to be shaped by her peers. I want her moral foundation to be solid, and to have healthy self esteem. Just like any parent would!

I'm not involved with any homeschooling group this year, but will probably connect with some in the yrs to come!:)

My family has been supportive so far. They are more concerned on it draining me I think. Right now they are just watching...and seeing how much my dd is learning.

I've been using the Adventist Home Educator Handbook.
http//:www.adventisthomeducator.org

I'm reading ,"Child Guidance" and also "Education", by Ellen G. White

[Idrial]

1. How many children do you have and what are their ages?

** One son, 14.

2. Do you home school or unschool?

** We do a combination. We use curriculum for math but other subjects are really unschooled. He's spends a lot of time studying ancient Chinese history after playing a video game about it. When he can't think of an interest we'll look things up in textbooks to get ideas.

3. What made you decide to pull your children from public school or not enroll them in the first place?

**He was reading proficiently at 4, doing division and multiplication (in the 100's) in his head by 5. We made the mistake of sending him to ps in 1st. and 2nd. NEVER again.


4. Are you involved in homeschooling support groups locally?
**No. We're in a rural area and have to drive 70 miles to take part in activities. There he takes choir, band, drama, football.

5. Do you get support or flack from family and close friends? (feel free to also share experiences and/or how you deal with negative reactions)
**not too much either way. My mom sometimes makes negative comments but she does that about everything so it really doesn't affect us.

6. What curriculum (if any) do you use, how well do you like it and what do you like most about it?
** for math we are using Math U See. It's ok, a little lacking in depth imho. We do have U.S. History by Joy Hakim and he reads that when he's in the mood, which is quite often actually, but mostly unschooling.

Extra: Any other tips, questions, or words of support/encouragement?
**This is the best decision we could have made for our family. I wish I could have been homeschooled as a youth.

[Rawmommie]

****Sometimes, I feel like I couldn't handle homeschooling. I'm not sure if it is their closeness in age (14 months apart) or their current age, but they are very challenging at times right now (especially when they are together which is 90% of the time). Or, maybe its just me.****

Your kids are really young, it will get better! My boys are 13 months apart and the most difficult years were when they were little. They are 9 & 10 now and very good friends. They used to fight all the time when they were in school. I think they didn't have to deal with each other all day long, so when they got home they would fight. I brought them home when they were in 1st and 2nd and we never looked back! They learned to get along with each other and other people SO MUCH BETTER than when they were in school!

****One concern my husband has with home schooling is the lack of socialization and not not being able to participate in school sports. We live in a rural area where homeschooling is basically unheard of. I know of one other mom in the area who homeschools her 3 older children. They live in a small town where basically everyone knows everyone else, except for them. *****

I was worried too, I think we all are b/c of all the talk that goes on about socialization. I was SO WRONG. This is related to what I wrote above. In school you are NOT taught socialization. You are taught to be quiet, raise your hand to talk, and walk in single file. There is very little approved time to socialize. When you homeschool your children not only socialize with each other and YOU all day, but everyone else in the REAL WORLD. My children could barely nod their heads when they were in school at adults and now they spark conversations with people and look them in the eye when they talk to them. My worries about socialization were unfounded. We moved from the city with a very large homeschool group to the country with none. I made up a website, listed it on google and made an email list so we could meet people and we did. I live in a town of 3000, but we are near a larger town 15,000 so that helped.

Good luck to you! I remember how hard it was when they were little. It gets better! Just give them tons of love and try to show them how to problem solve and it will get easier!

Karen

[Pailani]

I'm very new to this board. I never expected to see other homeschoolers here!

1. How many children do you have and what are their ages?

Three sons, age 14, 12, 8, and a girl, 14 months

2. Do you home school or unschool?

homeschool

3. What made you decide to pull your children from public school or not enroll them in the first place?

We never enrolled them. We decided to homeschool because we couldn't afford private school.

4. Are you involved in homeschooling support groups locally?

I belong to a loosely structured support group, but I'm not very involved or regular there.

5. Do you get support or flack from family and close friends? (feel free to also share experiences and/or how you deal with negative reactions)

No flack, some support.

6. What curriculum (if any) do you use, how well do you like it and what do you like most about it?

We use an online Charlotte Mason curriculum
http://www.amblesideonline.org
I love the literature choices.

Leslie

[jill]

Thanks for your thoughts Rawmommie, I appreciate it. Everyones posts are helpful, and are encouraging me to do the right thing for my kids.

I look forward to reading everyones experiences.

Jill

[corky]

Hi Everyone!
Hey Mishka, i hear you on being 'labelled'--we don't vaccinate either and we have strange diets and we homeschool but looking more to unschool. Found some sites here i haven't tried b4 thanks!http://www.homeschoolnewslink.com/articles/vol6iss6/vol6iss6_WhatIsChristian.html

i will put a few i have saved in my favorites

http://www.starfall.com/

http://home-educate.com/unschooling/index.shtml#quotes
http://www.bookpals.net/storyline/index.html
http://www.madrone.com/Home-ed/hs11.htm
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/2073/article.html
www.sonlight.com/read-alouds-k.html
http://www.midnightbeach.com/hs/UnschoolingUndefined.html
http://unschoolkidz.beverleypaine.com/
http://www.unschooling.com/discus/messages/23/23.html?FridayDecember1720041123am

Some are thoughts from other unschoolers, others like sonlight have good literature selections you can search for in your library. McBrooms 1 acre farm is absolutely hilarious!

Would love to hear other sites people enjoy. Also if we can continue to share favorite raw foods the kids like i am always up for that. I belong to a Christian Homeschool Group that meets once per month. Other than that we pretty much just do what the kids want. I am registered with a local BC group thus getting funding, but i have to do things their way for that and thus hampers homeschooling. For now it isn't bad, but i heard by gr. 4 they want you to test your children etc. so i may have to change.

Awesome answer Rawmommie to Jill's questions. I completely agree!! School is bad socialization--playing with the neighbors kids who go to school is bad socialization! We are just moving back to an acreage after a short stint in the city partly because of that and the bad, bad behavior issues that i was constantly intervening with and correcting. I was so glad to see kids go back to school in the fall!!

We recently visited a seniors home and my kids LOVED it! we brought homemade (by the boys) muffins and played ball with the seniors. I think we will make this a once monthly thing. I know a Christian mom with 7 children whose eldest is 18 and she is unschooling all of them and they sound amazing. She said all she did was read, read, read alot and the rest just came. It always gives confidence to hear these stories! Then i heard from another unschooler whose eldest kids wanted to go to the local high school because of all the options and they settled in fine with never even sitting and purposely learning. They were much more mature and were able to go to learn and not get involved in all the immature teenage games--as she told it!!

Well enough of a ramble, i will let the rest of you share some space!!
Shelley

[EkkoGreen]

I have no children, but I believe public schools are a waste of time.

When you are schooling your own children, they learn what you teach them and you don't have to worry about negative influences.

I was in private schools until grade 10 when I switched over to public.

I couldn't believe how many students smoked marijuana ( I was one of them after attending a public school for while). There were "after school fights" all the time (which I don't really think are all that bad, it's good to know how to fight in today's day and age). Lots of drugs...so many people I knew in public highschool are addicted to crack...poor souls. Beautiful girls and good-looking guys wasted away to nothing. That would never happen in a homeschooling situation.

My mother homeschooled my two younger brothers for a short time...she was kind of a power freak and honestly wasn't that great of a teacher, but her heart was in the right place.

With homeschooling, children learn at a higher level than children in a public school. I remember when I took SAT tests (I think that's what they're called) before getting accepted by the public highschool I wen to, I scored grade 12.9+ on all of them and was considered a genius...funny huh?
I was taught at a higher grade level in private schools.

I don't consider myself a genius by any standards.

Another thing, if there are any vocational courses that students want to get into, it's first come first served...which sucked for me because I was never taught anything about the procedures of public schools. Private schools, Every student takes metal, or woods, or whatever the course is...much better if you ask me.

I gotta drive my niece home now...I'll post more later...BYE!!!!

KEEP IT RAW!

[Ptrish In Tennessee]

i sometimes wonder if what we all learn is before kindergarten and i was gonna add an "LOL" but decided against it, cuz it was inappropriate..... anyway, these posts were interesting... bottomline is that we do what we think is best at the time and then hope and pray for the best outcome for the ones we are influencing.... all we can do.

[emmaann]

Thanks for this thread!!

Just have to pipe in here to say we unschool here in NORTH MISSOURI!! I had someone ask me today, "What do you do clear out there?" hhahahahhah I laughed and said, "There's no better place to raise 5 boys but in the middle of NO WHERE"!! We love it!!
I have 5 boys 19, 17, 12, 5, 4.
My husband and I decided to unschool the two little ones after dealing with the challenges the older boys have had to go through in public schools. Mostly it just took some common sense for us to decide, we asked ourselves, "What did I learn in public school?" NOT a whole heck of a lot. Mostly felt like I had to keep up with the lastest trend and be popular!! My four year old surfs the web and helps my five your old all the time on the computer!! Its great!! Another thing I love is that my kids can play or get along with any one, not just some one there own age!! Doesn't matter if its a girl, boy, man, or lady!! They are so pleasant and sweet. They aren't stressed out. I use unschooling techniques with ALL my children if the ones that choose to go to school. If the older boys don't want to go to school, heck I am not going to make them. They set there own alarms and get up and make their own decisions about most every thing they do. It makes a much more pleasant atomospere especially raising teenagers. When making ANYONE do something they don't want to do it makes them rebellious. I wrote a paper on unschooling for my English Class last semester, if anyone wants to read it, I can send it to them. I don't make my 12 year old brush his teeth, comb his hair. He chooses to do it. Its a GREAT way to raise your kids. They learn to use their OWN MINDS, be responsible, and have greater self-esteem. My husband and I just set good examples and the children just follow. My hubby always says............OUR KIDS HAVE BOUNDARIES THEY ARE JUST WIDE BOUNDARIES!! Our motto is we make sure they are safe, they don't hurt themselves or others.........everything is game!! We love the creativity our children have. Children lose that creativity when sent to public school or when they are in a very controlled environment............Without creativity what does a child have??

Gosh..........hope I answered all the questions!!! hahahhaha

AND you ask how does this have to do with eating RAW!!! Ask my kids anything about HEALTH and the human body, carbs, proteins, sugar, bad fats good fats...............hehehehehhe...........live foods, raw foods, fruits, vegs......gosh learning is just endless!!!!

smiles,

ac

[Ptrish In Tennessee]

geesh, we posted at the same time AC... but you wrote a whole bunch more LOL

[SamL]

I think it's amazing how many people here homeschool/ unschool.
I never expected to find so many people who think alike and want the same things for their children, on a raw BB. It seems that a lot of us just want to get back to a much simpler time and enjoy life without all the chaos.

I have had my 3 in school and I regret that decision now. They were moody, hard to keep focused on their work, desperate to 'fit in' no matter what that took. To a certain degree, that's a healthy attitude, but when we're looking at how many kids as young as 10 were teaching my kids about violence, drugs, smoking, swearing, sex, that's not what I want them to spend all their time fitting in with.

I feel like I wasted so many of my kids years in school, when they could have been learning, growing and enjoying the process. School kids have developed a 'pack mentality' that school work wasn't important, certainly wasn't fun, to be in trouble for not doing your work was 'cool'.

I'm really glad I pulled mine out when I did. THeir teen years are their final years to concentrate on education, that can shape their future.

If I did it all over again, I'd never enrol my children in school.

For no particular reason, I just felt like sharing my thoughts.

[caramba]

If I did it all over again, I'd never enrol my children in school.

For no particular reason, I just felt like sharing my thoughts.

Glad you did Sam. That "pack mentality" is one of my concerns too...When I get some free time I'm going to sit down & read all this thread as I haven't decided re: school yet, but my gut feeling is that I don't think it's best for my kids...

[swingbolder]

It is amazing how many of us homeschool. We homeschooled up through kindergarten, but now my son goes to a Sudbury school, which is basically like unschooling but it takes place at a "school" with other kids. There are strict rules of behavior (no calling names, hitting, bullying etc.) but other than that the kids do what they want with their time: play games, do art, cook in the kitchen, play cards, run around outside etc. These days my son (8) has been building a lot of snow forts and having snow ball fights. The school is located in the middle of the woods.

I miss homeschooling, but my son is very social and wants to be around kids all day. Homeschooler schedules are all so different that it was hard for him to see his friends on a consistent basis (like more than once or twice a week). If I had more children we'd definitely be homeschooling, but what we're doing now is working well for us. I do grammar, writing and math with him for an hour and a half or so a day plus I make him read daily so I feel that he is getting the best of both worlds: academic rigor and loads of unstructured free time.

[eluj]

1. How many children do you have and what are their ages? I have 2 boys, 5 and 3, and a 1 yr old girl.

2. Do you home school or unschool?
They are so young so we don't do much "school." We have researched a lot of theories. I really was interested in Thomas Jefferson Education for a while which is a lot like unschooling. The whole concept there is to "inspire, not require" But over the short time that we have been doing this we have taken what works for our family at this time from that approach, but also Curriculum.

3. What made you decide to pull your children from public school or not enroll them in the first place?
I hated school growing up and I had a bad home life. I want my children to love being with their family. I want our home to be a haven for them. I also want to see them growing up.
4. Are you involved in homeschooling support groups locally?
yes, a local Thomas Jefferson Education group. But my children are so young that it is just a play group for them. The group has presentation days that they can share somethng that they have learned...a poem, acting out a story.
5. Do you get support or flack from family and close friends? (feel free to also share experiences and/or how you deal with negative reactions)
we haven't come out of the closet yet. :p
6. What curriculum (if any) do you use, how well do you like it and what do you like most about it?
We use workbooks, the Bible, Saxon Math, I Love America (Kimber Academy Curriculum), Handwriting Without Tears and some of the project ideas and the timeline from Konos. We use the "BUFFET TABLE" method. I have most of our stuff out so it is accessible to them. We have the workbooks out in the family room with their coloring books so they can use them whenever they want. If our home (the buffet table) has only uplifting, educational, creative, imaginitive things laying around then that is what they will put on their plate. We ideally have a 2 hour time in the morning when the baby naps and that is "school time" and we play file folder games, board games like boggle jr. and the great states game. We have tons of educational games that I have made (a hobby of mine). We go on field trips to local museums, zoo, etc. We act out a lot of Bible stories...they really remember them that way.
Extra: Any other tips, questions, or words of support/encouragement?

[corky]

It is great reading all these posts!! How many of you live out in the country?? Just curious if that is a draw for raw un/homeschoolers. We are moving to an acreage BECAUSE of all the 'bad' influences around my city neighborhood. Not huge bad, but teenagers swearing while my kids are outside playing, the 7-12 yr old kids seem to want to 'kill' everything in sight and everything becomes a weapon--what is up with that!!? I don't need my now 6 and 4 yr old boys watching this behavior and why do they do it?? My boys liked their slugs b4 the neighbor kids attempted to 'kill' them. And to them it is all in good fun. Don't get me wrong, i know there are schoolkids who don't give into this behavior and are good kids, but those aren't around here with all the boys that live here. I love that my kids love and respect nature and animals and the earth and know what good food is. I wouldn't want to have to fight that everyday when they come home from school.

I have seen school groups at the supermarket learning all the food groups and what is healthy for them-milk and yogurt and cheese--YIKES!! Of course mine know it isn't healthy but they would be speaking greek to these teachers by telling them otherwise!!

We love our beach walks and collecting seashells (I live in Canada on Van. Is.) and riding bikes and just playing creatively outside. I wouldn't have it any other way!!

Any suggestion for good games for kids ages 4-6? My boys love UNO but i am wondering if others have favorite games/activities that their children love to do.

Shelley

[Pailani]

We live in the country. But we started homeschooling when we lived in the city. We saw a lot of gang activity in the city schools and didn't want our kids getting sucked into that.

After we started homeschooling, we moved to the country so our kids would have choldhood memories filled with trees, hills, creeks, cows and horses instead of sidewalks, malls, graffitti and McDonald's on every corner. We had to move clear across the continent to do it, though.

[spin_ducky]

I haven't read the thread yet, but here are my answers to the OP :)

1. How many children do you have and what are their ages?

I have three boys ages 7/3/1

2. Do you home school or unschool?

Right now we are home schooling, I would prefer to unschool, but in order to keep peace with thier father we are using a more traditional approach.

3. What made you decide to pull your children from public school or not enroll them in the first place?

In part my decision was based on the desire to not have the govt be a part of my family, I also prefer to view what exactly they are learning, a large part of the decision though was based on the fact that the public school system was so bad (both educationally and the sex/violence/drugs) when I was in high school that my parents decided to home school me for the last 2 years.

4. Are you involved in homeschooling support groups locally?

I was last year but haven't been this year. I do have a few homeschooling friends thru the church though and get together with them fairly often.

5. Do you get support or flack from family and close friends? (feel free to also share experiences and/or how you deal with negative reactions)

My mom and step-dad are very supportive, I get the feeling other people in my family might not get it but they keep thier mouths shut ;) My ex's familywas very unsupportive but they are on the other side of the country so I dont let it get to me

6. What curriculum (if any) do you use, how well do you like it and what do you like most about it?

I am using K-12 for my oldest now. He likes doing paperwork so it is great for him. It is also an excelerated program so he feels challenged which is excellent. We started out with Oak Meadow which I really liked because it is a more creative, gentle approach, I will use it again with the younger boys until I get a feel for what thier learning needs are.

Now I'm off to read the rest of the thread :)

[SamL]

We live in a small country town, we're also looking around for an acreage not too far out of town.

[Ireland]

What about christian schools? I have all three of my kids (the oldest one's left the nest already) in a christian school for the first time ever. They are in grades 7, 10 and 11. It's an awesome school with the whole faculty in a similar mindset to my own, regarding values, morals...etc...
However, I would like nothing more than to home-school. Unfortunately, the kids would NOT like to and also unfortunately, I have to go back to work in a few months and will be unable to.
This saddens me because I have been unable to intigrate that wonderful part into the raising of my children. I wanted to home school as long as I can remember and now they're growing up!
I did homeschool my oldest for one year a long time ago when I was a stay at home mom...at least I had that.
And, I am thankful at least, for the christian school that the kids now attend. Although not perfect, it's way better than public school and the best I can do for now.

[spin_ducky]

My brother went to a Christian chool from 5th grade thru graduation and really loved it :)

I did want to add though that it is possible to work full time and still homeschool...my mom homeschooled me thru high school while working full time. I am currently a full time student, but will continue to homeschool my children once I am back in the workforce. It just takes a little creativity in scheduling :) (WE never did sit down and do school on a set schedule though)

[Rawmommie]

We moved to a small country town a year ago from the suburbs. :)

Shelley, we are game hoarders here! We have a whole closet full of games! UNO is great. We find so many different games at the thrift store and people give us games on holidays b/c they know we love them so much! Just a few that are our favorites: (the kids are naming them off to me as I type this. lol)
Apples to Apples
RISK
Monopoly
pictionary
Candyland
Yahtzee
Trivial Pursuit Jr.
Cranium Conga
American History Monopoly
Tripoly (poker games)

Oh there are so many many more! :D

[skeenan37]

Oh - I know this thread was active a while ago - but I just found this!

Nutrimom - I love D. Jay Wile's science books!!!

I no longer homeschool :( But I absolutely loved it!

[truthseeker]

Wow, you guys are GREAT!!!

I too feel that I'd like to take the unschooled approach for a while then maybe a sort of relaxed schooling. As I'm reading these posts my 8 year old daughter is sing'in her heart out upstairs filling the whole house with her strong voice. And I'm suddenly hit by the fact that I remember one of her passions since she was 18 months old.....singing and music. Then just as I am making this connection she is beside me as I am typing this (right now!) asking if she can have a beach bucket to go out onto the side walk with. I'm asking her for what and she says....ha, ha..she wants to make some money by going outside on our walk and as she sings people will put money in it.

Musicians run in our family....so do entrepreneurs!!!!!


Thank you all so much for the links, resources, ideas, support for EVERYTHING. I know how I'm feeling has all been said here already....like it takes a super mom to do the HSing and RAW meals and snacks, keep up with the house and everything else. I so don't want to mess HSing up. I just know that no, I don't recall most of what I "learned" in school and yes my body took a beating from having to get up at 6am everyday (especially high school,I was such a sleeper, or should I say I wasn't allowed to sleep long!) No the teachers weren't there for the love of teaching, yes there were horrible food choices, I never saw more than 15 minutes of physical activity a day... ever, even in gym class once attendance was taken, we were changed etc.,

I was an army brat so I've been to different schools from a handful of different states. I had 2 teachers that I can say I really liked and remember.

Ok so I send my children to private school hoping for a different out come for them. And I see it is even worse. I am SSSSSOOOOO dissapointed about that. I now am going to take those steps towards living the life that I want for my children and our family....and that doesn't include an instatution. As frightened as I am about the UNKNOWN, I do know that "I needed to pick them up, dust them off (emotionally) and build them up emotionally, mentally, intellectually"

EXACTLY my thoughts. Thank you SamL!

Matter of fact tonight I'm going to write in my journal just what I want for my family. Writing is a powerful tool.

Many thanks!

[Randolyn]

Hee hee I just noticed how old this thread is :eek:


1. How many children do you have and what are their ages?

2 boys. One is age 4 1/2 will be 5 in 2 weeks (just in time to not inroll in K)
My other son is 3 1/2

2. Do you home school or unschool?

A little of both

3. What made you decide to pull your children from public school or not enroll them in the first place?

I have never been thrilled with the social aspects of school as far as there are too many young children grouped together in a small area. Forced to sit quietly for too long, directed/herded like farm animals ie one example: here when ever we go to any of their cousins birthday parties, all the "schooled" children are compelled to sit in a circle to talk or share/whatever. It just seems odd? It also just seems for the most part like children raising children :eek:

I feel the education the children is just average and could be much better!

4. Are you involved in homeschooling support groups locally?

Yes we have a great diverse group! 31 Moms and Dads with an average of 2-3 children per family. Our main group that meets all the time (the regulars) 10 parents and 24 children. We are a mixed group of homeschooling/unschooling/christian/non-christian. We meet for activities twice a week or more.

5. Do you get support or flack from family and close friends? (feel free to also share experiences and/or how you deal with negative reactions)

Our families really don't say anything at all? They seem supportive :cool:
My friends are very supportive. I really have never gotten any bad comments......yet? ;)

6. What curriculum (if any) do you use, how well do you like it and what do you like most about it?

None really yet? I have a "K Learn at Home" and a "K Comprehensive Curriculum of basic skills" We don't follow them too closely but they have some good ideas. My just about 5 year old is basically finished with "K" anyway and my 3 1/2 year old can verbalize spelling and reading 3 and 4 letter words but is not too good at writing just yet.

[Goldenrod]

Another homeschooling Mom here.

1. How many children do you have and what are their ages?

Two boys, just four and almost seven.

2. Do you home school or unschool?

So far we are unschooling and using curriculum type stuff only when it's what they need at the time.

3. What made you decide to pull your children from public school or not enroll them in the first place?

They've never been to school. We decided to homeschool before my oldest was even a year old. A school situation is just not what I want for my kids. It's just not an environment where true learning can take place.

4. Are you involved in homeschooling support groups locally?

Yes. We are blessed with a wonderful group of people. Everyone is alternative in their own ways and so respectful of others choices. We have lots of great conversations and out potluck lunches are vegetarian.

5. Do you get support or flack from family and close friends? (feel free to also share experiences and/or how you deal with negative reactions)

So far, we've had no problems from family and all our friends homeschool, too.

6. What curriculum (if any) do you use, how well do you like it and what do you like most about it?

My oldest wanted to learn to read last fall and I have the Writing Road to Reading. However, he wasn't as ready as he thought and has now decided to wait until he's seven in September.

These guys are very nature oriented, so we spend a lot of time doing animal related activities and outdoors. We only have a little more than an acre, but about 2/3's of the backyard is natural with paths cut through it and they spend a lot of time catching insects, toads, frogs and snakes. DH and I are birders and so they also spend some time watching birds. At the moment my oldest is continuing a long time love affair with paleontology and the youngest more along the lines of zoology.

[Revvell]

I haven't read all the posts here as I don't have children yet, I did catch one post which talked about "relaxed" schooling. There's a school in Pasadena where a friend sent her daughter. Basically, from what I remember was that, they let the kids play as much as they wanted ~ then, when they were ready to learn (or got bored with themselves), they would teach. I'm not sure exactly how it worked yet, she enrolled her daughter who was VERY precocious and wayyyyyy intelligent ~ who was very bored in public school so acted up.

Also, if it's not been mentioned, I know Storm and Jinjee homeschool.

(probably being redudant here. Someone probably has already mentioned all of this) :rolleyes:

Revvell

[I~Wanna~RAWk]

Great topic!






1. How many children do you have and what are their ages? 3. 11yob, 10.5yob, and just turned (yesterday) 9yog.

2. Do you home school or unschool? We do a combination of both.

3. What made you decide to pull your children from public school or not enroll them in the first place? My kids have never seen the inside of a classroom :) I just couldn't send my little 5 year olds out into the world where everyone ,strangers had more time/influence on my kids than me!

4. Are you involved in homeschooling support groups locally? Nope, there are 2 groups in my area , but we don't fit in to either group.

5. Do you get support or flack from family and close friends? (feel free to also share experiences and/or how you deal with negative reactions). The only flack I get is from my husband. He would prefer they be in school so I can go to work so he can have more money for "toys". He doen't doubt that they're bright and very well behaved and kind to others, etc...... it's all about money to him. I just ignore him, and most of the time he just goes with it. Occasionally one of his friends will get a new toy, or build a new house, and he'll start wishing ALOUD how he wishes we could afford those things. To which I say "Then go into debt up to your eyeballs like THEY DO and you can have those things too!! (he doesn't believe in debt).

Mostly I get praise. Especially from the guys at the golf course. We golf every day from March 1, to the middle of October. Whenever the guys there see my kids golfing, (they all know we homeschool and this is our P.E. time) they tell them how jealous they are and wish they/their kids had that experience.

I do get the occasional "are you insane" comment. To which I reply, "Nope, my kids are GREAT company, I love having them around!"

6. What curriculum (if any) do you use, how well do you like it and what do you like most about it? I use a variety of things, depending on our needs at the time. I also utilize our public library and make up my own unit studies.

Extra: Any other tips, questions, or words of support/encouragement? Relax and have fun with it! I enjoy my kiddos so much! I can't help but feel sorry for all of the kids who waste 8 hours per day in school-traveling to school-traveling from school, etc. My kids have time to learn, explore , play, and relax-all before school kids step off the bus in the afternoon.

[Jacqueline]

1. How many children do you have and what are their ages? 14, 13, 11, 8, 6, 3 and 5 mos.

2. Do you home school or unschool? Unschool

3. What made you decide to pull your children from public school or not enroll them in the first place? Our kids never went to school. It seemed like a very unnatural way to learn about life.

4. Are you involved in homeschooling support groups locally? Yes, our group organizes lots of outings and volunteer opportunities.

5. Do you get support or flack from family and close friends? Support.

6. What curriculum (if any) do you use, how well do you like it and what do you like most about it? We don't use any curriculum. The kids have some workbooks that they take out when they're interested, otherwise it is mostly daily experiences.

[Rawkinlocs]

Wow, it's so great hearing everyone's different stories regarding home or unschooling!!

Jacqueline, if you don't mind, you have children that are close in age to mine...what's it like unschooling the older children? Are you the least bit concerned with them being "behind" other children their age, esp. the 14 year old seeing that they are of high school (almost) college age?

I ask because my 14-year old son asked about unschooling but I don't know if he could do that because he is too distracted by his love of video games.

We have SO much information here on technology that it's not funny because my dh is a computer "geek". He doesn't want to learn Flash or any of the other programs that would allow him to create his OWN games...he just wants to play them.

Another thing is, he doesn't really like to read :(

How long have you unschooled the older two children and how does that work out for you and yours?

Thank you for any advice, suggestions or experiences you care to share!

[UltrasonicRaw]

hi, i was an elementary school teacher for five years before switching careers. i have two small children of my own, one starting kindergarten in the fall and one in part time daycare (she is 18 months). from a former teachers perspective, i was knee deep in many of the issues many people are talking about on this forum. as a parent, i also have the added perspective of wanting the best for my kids.

my comment is that while i was teaching the hands down biggest challenge i faced were the parents. the majority of my students had parents who were not interested in the educational system, basically they just wanted daycare for their kids and to let the school do all the teaching. with this kind of attitude, it was hard to teach these kids. they were absent a lot, they didnt do their homework, parents didnt care about behavior problems. i think if i had a classroom full of parents who had as strong an interest in their kids as all of you guys do, it would be a whole different system.

i dont think the government, the public school system can do anything about parents who really have no interest in education. i will put my child in kindergarten because i feel my involvement with the school, teacher and all the extra curricular activities i can be a part of will make for a well rounded educational experience. i may change my opinion later, but preschool was an awesome experience for my child, she loved every minute of it.

oh, i left the teaching profession because i couldnt pay the bills with the salary, another reason the educational system is struggling. i hope at the very least everyone votes in elections that will make education a priority in this country since not everyone can afford to homeschool or go to private school. right now education is of no importance to this president! :)

[jennykiss75]

WOW, WOW, WOW!!!!
I am soooo glad this post resurfaced after so much time. I am just getting ready to start having children and home/unschooling never even occured to me. I already know for sure that I will not vaccinate my children, but now this is taking thier well being a step further. The fiance really has been pushing to move out of the city and I have been dragging my feet, but after reading all this fabulous info/advice/wisdom I think my mind has been changed.

Thank you everyone!!!!
Jenny

[Jacqueline]

Hey Rawkinlocs,

My children have never been to school, and unschooling them has been a great experience. My oldest (14) is a violinist, and has developed quite a successful babysitting business in the last year. She has also gained some experience in the business world by helping my husband at his business. My second oldest (13) is involved in dance and theatre, and spent every friday afternoon for a year helping out at my husband's store. I don't worry about whether they are behind their peers because, as my 14 year old commented when she read your post "You shouldn't be worried about whether we're keeping up with our peers, because we're out in the real world, and our peers are anyone from the ages of 0-99."

One thing that I have noticed is that whatever the girls take on, they treat it with great responsibility because they have chosen to do it, no one has coerced them into doing it.

From some books that I have read (The Continuum Concept, John Holt's books, John Taylor Gatto's books) and from my own experience, I know that the most important thing is to trust the children. Trust that they want to learn, trust that they want to become contributing members of society. I have found that if they are surrounded by the truth, whether it is about health, diet, learning, faith, they will want to be a part of it. My two oldest have proven this to me. Now my younger kids have two more models to follow. Hope this answers some or your questions. :)

As far as college, we know homeschoolers (unschoolers) who have been admitted to universities based on interviews and portfolios. One young woman is studying in Iceland on a scholarship.

[Ginger]

1. How many children do you have and what are their ages?

One. 2 1/2 year old girl named Sonja!

2. Do you home school or unschool?

Unschool! :D

3. What made you decide to pull your children from public school or not enroll them in the first place?

I don't need her brainwashed & I don't agree with hardly anything about our school system.

4. Are you involved in homeschooling support groups locally?

Not yet! I plan to check out an unschooling message board soon though!

5. Do you get support or flack from family and close friends? (feel free to also share experiences and/or how you deal with negative reactions)

My close friends & family support my decision.

6. What curriculum (if any) do you use, how well do you like it and what do you like most about it?

Not sure yet. Right now I try to let her experiance as much as possible & pursue her interests as much as possible.

Extra: Any other tips, questions, or words of support/encouragement?

I just want to say that I love this thread & it's nice to see others who are not only home/unschooling but that you are also on a raw board! :D

[Rawmommie]

Just for anyone who is interested...the unschooling.com board is gone now and everyone who posted there has moved to unschooling.info :)

[Bretta]

1. How many children do you have and what are their ages?
18 yo daughter (my first graduate from twelve years of homeschooling!),15 yo son, 10 yo son

2. Do you home school or unschool?
both, depends on the subject

3. What made you decide to pull your children from public school or not enroll them in the first place?
Knowing that NO ONE would ever love and care for my children the way I could. Why would I send them somewhere where that love and care was not taking place??? Even if I lacked something academically, they would be cared for and loved and that was the most important aspect.

4. Are you involved in homeschooling support groups locally?
Yes, heavily involved in our homeschool cooperative, which meets on Tuesdays during the "school year" to share in teaching those difficult subjects (and some stuff just for fun!)

5. Do you get support or flack from family and close friends? (feel free to also share experiences and/or how you deal with negative reactions).
Support...I guess 12 years of seeing the fruit of our homeschooling has been enough to make any "doubters" see that we have great, smart, well-adjusted children who can cope in the "real world" (whatever that is!)

6. What curriculum (if any) do you use, how well do you like it and what do you like most about it?
A hodge-podge of different curriculum...lots of reading and books, Saxon math, Apologia science (through our co-op), internet, just "stuff" :D

Extra: Any other tips, questions, or words of support/encouragement?
If you've just pulled a child out of public school, take lots of time just to get to know that child again. That is the main focus for several months. Relax, enjoy each other...know that the good days will outnumber the bad (if not, then something needs to change!). When I saw my daughter at graduation as all I hoped she would turn out to be...a smart, sweet, fun-loving, good-natured and most important above all else "Christ-centered" young woman, I knew that it was ALL worth it!!!

Bless you bunches,
Bretta

[Rawkinlocs]

OMG!! You are SUCH an inspiration to me!! Man...my kids are kinda now asking to go to pub. school and I'm torn as to what to do.

Would you ever be objected to a phone conversation just for some support, advice, etc.? I love hearing from people who have home/unschooled all 12 years. If you wouldn't be objected to it, you could PM me and we can exchange information. If not, I understand :D




1. How many children do you have and what are their ages?
18 yo daughter (my first graduate from twelve years of homeschooling!),15 yo son, 10 yo son

2. Do you home school or unschool?
both, depends on the subject

3. What made you decide to pull your children from public school or not enroll them in the first place?
Knowing that NO ONE would ever love and care for my children the way I could. Why would I send them somewhere where that love and care was not taking place??? Even if I lacked something academically, they would be cared for and loved and that was the most important aspect.

4. Are you involved in homeschooling support groups locally?
Yes, heavily involved in our homeschool cooperative, which meets on Tuesdays during the "school year" to share in teaching those difficult subjects (and some stuff just for fun!)

5. Do you get support or flack from family and close friends? (feel free to also share experiences and/or how you deal with negative reactions).
Support...I guess 12 years of seeing the fruit of our homeschooling has been enough to make any "doubters" see that we have great, smart, well-adjusted children who can cope in the "real world" (whatever that is!)

6. What curriculum (if any) do you use, how well do you like it and what do you like most about it?
A hodge-podge of different curriculum...lots of reading and books, Saxon math, Apologia science (through our co-op), internet, just "stuff" :D

Extra: Any other tips, questions, or words of support/encouragement?
If you've just pulled a child out of public school, take lots of time just to get to know that child again. That is the main focus for several months. Relax, enjoy each other...know that the good days will outnumber the bad (if not, then something needs to change!). When I saw my daughter at graduation as all I hoped she would turn out to be...a smart, sweet, fun-loving, good-natured and most important above all else "Christ-centered" young woman, I knew that it was ALL worth it!!!

Bless you bunches,
Bretta

[Bretta]

LOL...I'm no expert, but love to talk about homeschooling, so yes, I've pm'ed you about yakking together.

My 15 year old has mentioned public school this year, but only halfheartedly most of them time. I always just tell him that really isn't an option, so just "fuhget aboud id!". I think he is well-grounded and would be fine in public school as far as his behavior and ability to withstand pressures and influences, but I still know that this is the best path for our kids. Socially, we have the advantage of being highly involved in our church and the co-op where they can be with their friends. Academically, our son is quite self-motivated, so does well working alone for school. Sometimes it's a struggle, but usually he does pretty well. Emotionally, geez, do we even need to go there? What kind of emotional rubbish is thrown at kids in a public school high school these days...

He has great work experience under his belt already and is one of those people with a gift for making $$, if that makes sense...you know how some people just make money easily (but with hard work) and then seem to have the gift of generosity as well, giving away large portions of what they have earned to others....that's him. He does website design, cleans swimming pools (in our family business), does construction and other small jobs. If he were in public school that very much limits his time to do apprenticeship type jobs where he is "learning while earning". I'm a big believer in apprenticeship for homeschoolers and we own two family businesses so there are plenty of opportunities for learning to work around here!

All that to say, it is a decision you have to make for yourselves, of course. Only you know where your child is coming from and with a vision for where he is heading. Some people are very sports oriented and public school is the best option for them to have competitive sports experience for college. So, what are his future plans? How can you nurture his "future goals" in homeschooling?

Just some more of my babbling thoughts,
Bretta

[vegggeeemom]

Good idea and thanks for doing this! :)

. How many children do you have and what are their ages? 10,3, 11 months

2. Do you home school or unschool? Homeschool

3. What made you decide to pull your children from public school or not enroll them in the first place? Never had them in public or private school. When we moved to where we live now, there was no place to send her, so it stemmed from that. Then it turned into something that I wanted and desired to do in order to give my children a better education than the public schools do. I do daycare and hear such horror stories from parents with their kids in public school that I'd not want to put my children in that type of situation.

4. Are you involved in homeschooling support groups locally? No

5. Do you get support or flack from family and close friends? (feel free to also share experiences and/or how you deal with negative reactions) No, not anymore. I used to. I tend to do things backwards than most people that I know, we homeschool. I stay home full time, I do extended nursing, I do natural births...so this just kinda just fit my lifestyle.
I do get ALOT of people so worried about my children that they won't be socialized. WELL, let me tell you that if you ever met my daughter, she is very socialized and does not know a stranger. She knows her manners and is polite to adults and children.
It used to bother me when people would bring up the subject about socialization, but now I just answer with a smile that she is very outgoing and is not "held back" because of being h.s.
I also got quite a few concerned people wondering how she was doing, has she been tested, is she at her level, yadda yadda yadda. So, I tested her and she is doing just great!

6. What curriculum (if any) do you use, how well do you like it and what do you like most about it? I used Abeka for 4 years and both of us seemed to need something different. I loved how easy they made it for me to teach her the cirriculum and how easy she did it, but this past year was a struggle to get her to work. So, I am doing ACE paces this year.

Extra: Any other tips, questions, or words of support/encouragement? Talk to people that have gone before you, ask questions if you don't understand, read, read, read, sign up for free h.s. magazines, go to support groups if you can and if there are any in your area, get together with other children that h.s., so that your children don't feel like they are the only ones that are h.s.
Enjoy your children! :D

Pam

[Autumn]

If I may butt in here a minute, I have a question. I don't have any children, but I am curious about unschooling and have followed this thread on and off for months. Forgive me too if this has already been answered. Is it legal in all states to not send your children to school? I thought children *had* to go to school until they were 16? Not that I agree with that. If I did have children, I would keep them home, too!

[angelandarose]

I posted in another homeschool thread but haven't stopped to answer these, til now. ;)


1. How many children do you have and what are their ages?

Ashley 15, John 13, Martin 8


2. Do you home school or unschool?

Unschool.

3. What made you decide to pull your children from public school or not enroll them in the first place?

I pulled my two boys out of public school January of this year. They were just not getting what they needed in the way of thier learning styles. My oldest son could not jump through the right hoops to keep his grades up to stay in Sports. Sports was all he cared about, he is not acedemicly inclined. The youngest self-esteem was in the toliet, he never had time to express his artistic side because there just isn't enough time for that in pubilc school. We live in the country too and they spent an hour on the bus both ways. So they were gone 10 hrs a day... I don't work that many hours in a day. :(


4. Are you involved in homeschooling support groups locally?

No, the closest is 60 miles away. We live in no man's land. HA!


5. Do you get support or flack from family and close friends? (feel free to also share experiences and/or how you deal with negative reactions)

YES! I even got fired from one of my cleaning jobs (I feel) when I pulled the boys out of school. I use to clean for one of their teachers and she threw a fit to her best friend (another lady I clean for) and was all upset about pulling John from school. John had a IEP and had all kinds of special help. Only thing with all this 'special help' he was still getting F's. :( Family is pretty supportive. Our landlord is worried about John not 'socializing'. LOL! Darn worry worts. :rolleyes:


6. What curriculum (if any) do you use, how well do you like it and what do you like most about it?

No we don't use a curriculum, we've been deschooling since January. Now that the new school year has started we are going to bump up the reading with Martin, we are starting the Sara series (from Jerry & Esther Hicks, metaphysical based kids books), then we are going to move on to the Harry Potter series. We are gong to play more games that have a math basis. With John we are going to find him a mentor who knows mechanics. He's wanting to learn about cars. He's been reading mags and playing online auto sites. He has been working part time for our Landlord who farms and is learning about tractors, how to farm and work with cows etc... Lots of hands on experience. Can't beat that for the best kind of learning.


Extra: Any other tips, questions, or words of support/encouragement?

TRUST your kids. Trust that they are learning all they need to know whether you are pushing a curriculum or not. Kids are so smart without our input. ;)


Love,
Angie

[Dawn39]

"If I may butt in here a minute, I have a question. I don't have any children, but I am curious about unschooling and have followed this thread on and off for months. Forgive me too if this has already been answered. Is it legal in all states to not send your children to school? I thought children *had* to go to school until they were 16? Not that I agree with that. If I did have children, I would keep them home, too" Autum



The first step is to know the laws in your state
http://www.hslda.org
http://www.homeedmag.com/lawregs/lawregs.html

My children (14yo, two 11 yo's) attended the lovely establishment of Public schools. They did ok in NV school systems (We moved there so they wouldn't attend CA schools ,allot of Gang activity at the time) .We had some incidents like the ADD ( my children do not have ADD, teacher wanted to use chemical restraints in overcrowded classes) fought the school system and won. However, that did not help him in the class were she picked at him. I moved to another district and had the Board & SS look into her. Next school they did alright great test scores, limited problems. My husband's promotion came through and we moved back East (I'm from a State close by) small town, close knit community, several churches in my area. I thought pay dirt, boy was I wrong. This town put my boys through Hell. First week a 14 yo third grader, started tried to bully my son ripping a shirt that he had been wanting. My son defended himself. He got suspended, firts question at the meeting What's going on at home. This was the first of many incidents ( the only suspension) all resulting in me defending What's going on at home at the same time I'm asking what's going on at school. That first year they put all three children on remedial training ( my children were honor students tested well above average before this school system) So I started asking what's going on at school, and I wanted to see. This is a small school everyone knows everyone, (I was at college and working at this time) but I started taking time off and popping in to gather the boys. One time I heard the male teacher Angrilly yelling at one of the children (NOT MY CHILD) he was out of control, beet red face, scary. I went to the door so he could see me. I put in a complaint to the school (there was another parent there) Within a week I recieved a letter that my son would be held back due to his reading and spelling skills (this was my first notice of this besides the remedial, and this child just a year before was the spelling bee champion for 2nd grade in Nv)
I quit my job, I quit school and researched everything I could. ( I know people who homeschool).
I use a curriculm for the 5 required subjects, then I teach the other subjects with books, videos, cable, internet.
We are doing sooooooooo much better.

[angelandarose]

If I may butt in here a minute, I have a question. I don't have any children, but I am curious about unschooling and have followed this thread on and off for months. Forgive me too if this has already been answered. Is it legal in all states to not send your children to school? I thought children *had* to go to school until they were 16? Not that I agree with that. If I did have children, I would keep them home, too!


No one 'has' to go to school. There are mandatory attendance laws for pubilc schools but you can get around that by home schooling. Most states you have to register your homeschool with the state. Some states are really strict on what to teach, what to test etc... the state I am in doesn't have tons of rules and regulations or mandatory testing. I keep a basic log of what we are doing incase anyone 'with a badge' asks. LOL! I love knowing my kids have the freedom to be whoever and whatever they want without all the clutter Public School is 'forced' to teach. :D

Love,
Angie

[Dawn39]

1. How many children do you have and what are their ages?

14, 11,11


2. Do you home school or unschool?

home school

3. What made you decide to pull your children from public school or not enroll them in the first place?

You'll see the transition in my post to Autumn.

4. Are you involved in homeschooling support groups locally?

No, they are too far away, I am involved with a Group in another state that my children will graduate from


5. Do you get support or flack from family and close friends? (feel free to also share experiences and/or how you deal with negative reactions)

BOTH it's about like trying to go Raw. My family knows the crap so they support me in that way. But then What about social skills ( like getting your clothing ripped in a bathroom by a kid that should be in juv. hall is real social skills) ( being called names because we talk funny !!!! we lack a southern drawl)
I hear you need that time to yourself yadayada..........
Everyone will have an opinion, the choice is my husband's, my children's and my own as long as I follow the law. Socially I'm growing young men, that respect others, value life, and are now enjoying the learning process.
When it comes down to it I chose to have my boys, it is my duty to teach them. I am honored to have that duty.
I explain the laws, how I teach and refer them to look into it furtur. There are those who think I'm insane, but thats on them.

6. What curriculum (if any) do you use, how well do you like it and what do you like most about it?

Alpha omega, Bob Jones, Saxon
I buy tons of books online, discount stores, library clearance ( besides my book collection prior to HS)
We do classic lit, Art, music, band (violin, piano, guitar, bass, xylophone, drums etc)
Love the history channel, TLC, Discovery, A&E
The internet great resource
I follow a plan for the umbrella school

Extra: Any other tips, questions, or words of support/encouragement?

Hslda
Message boards
Keep finding support It's tough I question myself, but I will stick with it



GOOD LUCK

[Jamie]

1. How many children do you have and what are their ages?

We have 6 children so far.....
Allison, 12
Danny, 10
Dodi, 8
Kyle, 7
Keri, 4
Kelli, 3


2. Do you home school or unschool?

Math, definitely homeschool. Science, definitely unschool. History, little bit of both. English, little bit of both.

3. What made you decide to pull your children from public school or not enroll them in the first place?

I have always homeschooled our children. Becoming a christian when my oldest was a baby changed my outlook on everything,, OF COURSE!! I just knew that God wanted ME to raise our kids. And I don't want them exposed on a daily basis to the influence of the public school. We plan on always homeschooling.


4. Are you involved in homeschooling support groups locally?

Yes, we have a wonderful homschool group in our community. Wonderful children/families. The parents teach the classes and we all know each other so it is great. We drive about 50 minutes to attend but it is worth it. BUT,, we just started last year, when my older kids were younger I didn't do anything.


5. Do you get support or flack from family and close friends? (feel free to also share experiences and/or how you deal with negative reactions)

I get total support as far as I know. My mother in law is always concerned that maybe I have to much going on to school them(only because she can't imagine having 6 children). But she doesn't voice any negative comments to me about it.


6. What curriculum (if any) do you use, how well do you like it and what do you like most about it?

Saxon Math, I have used Christian Light but really like Bob Jones and will be going back to that this year... We really only use Math and English curriculum. My kids read soooooooooo much that they learn History that way. And we live on a farm so they have seen so much that at this point we don't use a Science curriculum...although last year in our HS group there was a science class that was great.

Extra: Any other tips, questions, or words of support/encouragement?

Good for all you homeschooling moms!!!!(and dads)! I think the rewards are so worth the daily grind of teaching our children. Some days are hard, but I wouldn't trade this life for anything.. I praise God that I am able to keep my children home with me and raise them myself.

[Autumn]

Thanks for the info Dawn and Angel. :D

[ReneeSC]

My girls are 15 and 13. They've attended only one term and a half of public school in their lives; that was quite enough! They learned "some" good things, but mainly - bad ones. :(

We're going on our 9th/10th year now, and are fully into our highschool years. I was once scared silly of going this far. I still have _some_ trepidation since both of mine will go on to university; but other than that, it's A BLAST!

It's like changing your diet ( this is our last time ), it all seems weird at first, you don't know if you're fully capable of it, you need someone to encourage you, you have to learn SO many new things, new "language", new ways of doing things in your life in general. It's really no different with home education.

This is what you really want, though... EDUCATION. School is "school", but EDUCATION can look MUCH different, take different paths others do not understand, even within the homeschooling community ( some estimates say is now marching towards 3 MILLION strong in the USA ), and will require commitments you've never really made at the level they're needed to succeed.

Everyone's home education place will look very different, just as their furniture is different or the curtains in their homes are different colors, so are the "colors" of what the children ( and PARENTS!!) are learning.

As far as objections - you'll get them. You'll receive queer looks, judgementalism, defensiveness, comments, strange and repeated questions, too; but, that's all in the "game" of it all when dealing with others who just don't understand. It's okay - say what you have to say and move on. You're ( we're ) in charge of our children, not them, so what they would possibly have to say ( even from a well-meaning heart ) shouldn't sway you against an educational experience UNMATCHED. ( and, frankly, IS unmatched, even by very well-run charter schools or private, experimental schools )

The BEST part of homeschooling .... isn't the curricula, it isn't the turn out of any of their projects, it's not their interests, their talents, their bents or test scores. It is, simply, the relationship if the family to one another and beyond your home.

It takes growth, and there will defintely be growing pains throughout the process, but... like all vigorous growth, it's worth the pain.

However, not all is painful, or taxing. Many things which happen within home education are just fabulous, funny, exhilerating, edifying and loving.

Start there: LOVE.

Without it, what's life worth? Nothing.

As far as curricula; we're .. well.. we don't really know what label fits us. We just DO. I do not, nor ever have, use(d) what is called a boxed curriculum. I've always been afraid of it, frankly. LOL

We use life experiences, awsome field trips, their interests, thier talents, necessities, other people, LIFE, and lots and LOTS of books. We now, after all of this time, own our own mini-library. It's awesome.

My girls both taught themselves how to type this past year ( real touch-typing with both hands). Nope, I didn't help. In fact, most of the time, I hadn't any idea what they were up to until I saw them flying all over the keyboard. I just made sure that I told them it was a skill they HAD to have, so... get busy with it! They did, and when they were ready and both learned in two completely different ways.

Both are learning to play several instruments at the same time - and other than piano, I've had nothing more to do with that either.

Both read at a highschool/college level, both are taking an honors Algebra program, both are learning to sketch, both are public dance/drama performers, and both are active in several groups. While they do many things together, they're two different people, and enjoy their own space now and then.

What has been very evident to us is ...give the children ROOM... Room to grow, room to object, room to ask 50,000 questions, room to fail, room to improve, and room to do things that would absolutely blow your mind!

We've finally got it through our heads that by giving our kids the BEST we could possibly offer them in experiences, in materials, in anything we could provide, they really took off.
My husband is now really GOOD friends with a pawn shop owner because he's bought so many of our instruments from him... we're picking up the new drum set soon.. so that some other teens can come over here and practice together.

I no longer have a formal livingroom. It's now the recording/music room, dance practice floor, and work out room. Good, it's getting used by something other than dusty/expensive furniture.

try this link:

www.homeschooloasis.com

You'll see what I mean ...

Renee

[Ariannah]

1. How many children do you have and what are their ages?15, 11, 7, 4 - The 11 year old is my only son.

2. Do you home school or unschool?Unschool for the most part. They do ask for "schoolish" type things in cold months, and I indulge them.

3. What made you decide to pull your children from public school or not enroll them in the first place?The pulling out bit only applies to my older 2. I had always wanted to homeschool, but circumstances in my life had me caving to pressure. Push came to shove so to speak when my oldest (special needs) had about had it with the constant cruelty, and I got sick of the politics at school, and staff pretending to listen and care, and their phony responses to real issues and pooh poohing really bad stuff as if it were "normal" and hypocrisy made me want to throw up! I did not want people like that to be spending a majority of the waking hours being responsible for my children's learning. I saw it as my responsibility and my God-given right. Also, I noticed how much better my kids seemed to be in both behaviour, happiness, and all other facets of life during summer holidays and days when they were not required to be at school. My younger 2 have never been in school, and we're enjoying life. My oldest two have recovered from the damage they suffered at school. To the school's credit, there is only so much they can do. They can't undo years of lazy parenting that so many have done. But still, I did not want to have my children be the unwilling guinea pigs of that atmosphere when it was my job to provide a loving home-base.

All that said, these were the reasons I finally listened to my primal instincts. and now I homeschool, NOT because "this school or that school is bad", but because it's in my blood. It's the healthiest thing I've ever done for my children.


4. Are you involved in homeschooling support groups locally?None. Couldn't find any close enough, and had a hard time meeting like-minded people.

5. Do you get support or flack from family and close friends? (feel free to also share experiences and/or how you deal with negative reactions)Husband supports me fully, and we're on the same plane (thank Goodness!), his parents are both educators by profession and back me up completely too.

6. What curriculum (if any) do you use, how well do you like it and what do you like most about it?We don't use any pre-packaged curriculum, and we loosely follow the guidelines for each "grade", based on their interests, and I teach them to do their own research to pursue anything that appeals to them.

Extra: Any other tips, questions, or words of support/encouragement?Just that homeschooling is wonderful! Children learn whatever environment they happen to be around, and it doesn't need to be forced. I used to get told "Oh, if you let them do whatever they want all day all they will do is play video games!" - yeah, sure they do for the first little while... who wouldn't goof off all day with a "get out of jail free" card? But after a while it got old, and kids suddenly started to want to go out somewhere with me, or read books about different subjects with me, or count pennies in the jar, and one thing led to another, and they were "schooling" themselves, with a little help and love, and encouragement from us. Children who are based at home where there is love and a strong foundation, by default end up with a different behavioural structure than that of a child at school... I've witnessed it with my own two eyes. Also a relative of mine who homeschools her five WITH a curriculum has discovered that it does not take 6 hours a day ;)

[Ariannah]

Oh I completely forgot the "negative reactions" bit.

One of my pet peeves from acquaintances who don't get it is "I couldn't STAND to be around my children all day!" luckily they haven't said it in front of their children, but what an attitude to have.... one where you can't wait until school starts again! Well, perhaps the reason your darlings are little terrors in the summer is because they've been divorced from their mommy for 10 months? hmmm I grew up as a foster child and when I visted my bio-mother, I was hyper hyper hyper, and she couldn't wait to ship me back to the foster home!

I chose to have my children because I enjoy their company! I don't see them as a tremendous burden, but as beautiful additions to my life, and a blessing from God. My experience is that there is a world of difference between children who attend school and children who don't, behaviour wise. My children are not too much to handle because they aren't daily wrenched out of my hands. They behave in public, and chat with people of all ages. They are on par and friendly with neighbourhood kids their own age, and they care deeply for others (when someone is hurt they will either try to help them or call an adult right away). But I never know how to react to that politely. If I say "oh but I enjoy my children's company", they'd quickly backpeddle and say "Oh I do too, but being away from your children is 'healthy'".... so I just nod and say mhm, not wanting to get into it.

My experience with school is that even when it's not "school hours" your priority is still devoted to school when it comes to scheduling and choice of activity. Not only are they involved in travelling to/attending school for about 7 hours a day, but they frequently have hours of homework, or "projects" to complete, thus leaving family time to be squeezed in when it's convenient for THE SCHOOL. It dominated our whole life, and frankly, cramped our style to begin with.

[truthseeker]

ReneeSC ...... What an inspirational post !!!!!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU !!!

This is our first time homeschooling (other than [I realize now] the loving home that my kids have been learning in all along) :D

Our books should be hear soon. I have decided to HAVE a "boxed curriculum" in our home and to use it as needed. This helped when dealing with my towns education department also.

Ok, I realized that I have not answered the 6 questions so here they are:

1. How many children do you have and what are their ages?

3 ...ages 4, 6 and 8. My baby is a boy and the older two are girls.

2. Do you home school or unschool?

Again, I have decided to HAVE a "boxed curriculum" in our home and to use it as needed. This helped when dealing with my towns education department also. It also will help me to transition my own mindset of how children should learn. I want very badly to accept "unschooling" for myself and I think just watching my children and trusting in their love to learn will help me get there.

3. What made you decide to pull your children from public school or not enroll them in the first place?

I literally feel like they were coercing my oldest into taking drugs the (principal and her teacher) for simply being herself. They would not listen to me about her being bored/not intellectually stimulated enough (I knew because of what she displayed at home) ....until I agreed to let them test her IQ and academic level ....let's just say they didn't have much to say after that...and the education dept. accually wouldn't let the school offer her special ed assistance. Even after her test scores the school tried to "bend" the rules with the education dept. I just told them I would refuse assistance anyway. But they still kept telling me that she had ADD, just came right out and said it, and often. I can't even believe they went there, they are teachers...not doctors. Among other things, quantity (paper work) over quality (education), their ideas of "having to keep the children in line", discipline, how and why they rewarded, lack of nurturment, lack of physical activity, nutrition...do I even need to talk about it?....Where would I start?....Mc Donalds on Mon., pizza parlor on Tues., Grinders on Wed. and on and on and on. The worse meal "plans" I've ever heard of.

Ok so that's private catholic school, the public system here is NOT an option and the montessori schools are to far away from us, not that we'd be able to afford that anywho.

4. Are you involved in homeschooling support groups locally?
Not yet, I hope to find one soon though.

5. Do you get support or flack from family and close friends? (feel free to also share experiences and/or how you deal with negative reactions)

Lot's of questions from people. Especially my sister-in-law who is a special needs teacher. She seems ok with it, I think she's just never known anyone who's HSed. That and I think she might be concerned that the kids will not get a "proper education" at home. Hubby seems to trust that I know what I'm doing. As far as the kids go he has always shown great trust and support in me. Even though he has mentioned he isn't so sure about it (HSing) himself and is pretty leery about the whole idea.

6. What curriculum (if any) do you use, how well do you like it and what do you like most about it?

Sonlight curriculum, a few people I know use it and love it. I have my doubts but I have done so much research on curriculums that I was getting overwhelmed and just needed to pick one. Our main curriculum will be life.

Extra: Any other tips, questions, or words of support/encouragement?

Don't know where this learning style will take us, but I can only foresee great experiences with my children and wonderful experiences as a family. Just wanted to say I have found more support hear on this thread than most HS message boards. YOU ALL TRULY INSPIRIED ME .

[ReneeSC]

***This is our first time homeschooling (other than [I realize now] the loving home that my kids have been learning in all along) ***


Go for it, Girlfriend... just run with it. Too many of us have been through the caves and the fire of it all for anyone to be able to say conclusively "Weeeeelllll, I dunno if *it* works!"

Oh, it WORKS, alright! Question is, will YOU ( WE ) work *it*

Some who are still public/private school minded might be able to recall others' failures in this arena, or some anecdotal evidence from some NEA conferance; but the truth of the matter is, the overwhelming evidence - stretched over a long period of time, bubbling up from the ground laid by thousands and thousands of different sorts of people living very, very different sorts of lives is that this form of education _does_ work.

I've been through several differnt tweaks of our learning processes around here, and so have my kids on their own, so do watch out for stagnancy... it can occur.

Even though I'd laid down a loose plan for last year, what actually DID occur was WAY different and in some respects WAY better than I'd planned, so watch also the temptation to over-comitt and to over-plan. You're not a slave to anything anymore, so just listen for The Spirit to tell you "....this is the way"..
( that's how I got here! )

When mine were little, we used a lot of the Sonlight's book lists. My eldest is now in 10th grade, and she's gone through many of the Sonlight's recommendations way before they have the scheduled, so watch for your little readers who wish to bump ahead a bit when they can.

We're now working on the eldest's plans for college entrance. ( ugh ! ) LOL

[Rawmommie]

I wanted to revisit this thread and share with you about my homeschool group that I started. I noticed that some people aren't involved in groups or haven't found one in their area.

I moved from St. Louis to a small town 100 miles away with 3700 people. 10 miles down the road is the BIG town around here with 17,000 people. That's pretty small coming from a big city.

I looked and there was only a christian homeschool group in the area, but you have to sign a statement of faith and I didn't feel comfortable with that. So, I started my own group! I started a secular homeschooling group on my own. I went to yahoogroups online and made an email loop and then I went to geocities.com and made a free webpage and listed them on google. I had 2 women who had been on a st. louis secular list with me who lived out here and they joined it and now, 1 1/2 years later our group is bursting with people! They ARE out there, even in small towns and isolated areas.

So, I just wanted to give some hope to those of you that may feel isolated. If you build it they will come. :rolleyes:

Also, I saw on the school rant thread someone talking about eating in at school & at homeschool groups, etc. What I have found amazing is that my secular group has a diverse group of people in it, but we have a common link and that is the environment and the earth. This seems to find it's way to the food table too! Our get togethers always have TONS of healthy food, they all know I eat raw and they bring raw fruit and vegi's, homemade breads and healthy alternatives. So, it can be done and you can find people with similar intrests as you.

I have loved reading this thread. The best thing I ever did was homeschool my children. My life is more joyful than I ever thought imaginable! :)

[Rawkinlocs]

Hi all you fellow home/unschoolers!

Well, I'm kinda torn right now. Now, I KNOW I'm the parent and all that but at the same time, I want to give my kids some room and opportunity to make decisions. My two oldest kids are SO set on going to public school. I don't know if it's because we moved to a new area that is very different from our former residence or if they are overall disappointed with how homeschooling went for them in the past. See, I am vehicularly challenged and I was not able to get them to various activities, functions, group meetings, etc. in the past. But I knew that once we got settled here (WA) that all that would change.

But they are begging me everyday to allow them to go and part of my heart...the part that doesn't want them to resent me...wants to allow them to go. But then there's another part of me PLUS reading all the wonderful experiences in this thread, that makes me want to say no.

I don't know what to do. They get so disappointed when I tell them I think we should continue homeschooling.

I'm trying to even find some compromise such as them going to public school for extra-curriculars (P.E., Music, etc.)

Any thoughts?

[Rawmommie]

What is it that they want from school that they cannot get at home? Is there a way to give them that? Are you offering a different kind of learning or are you just doing what a school would do?

I ask this b/c I have found that most people who choose to go back to school, go for a few weeks and then realize it's BETTER at home. BUT, if it's the same as school and they have to sit at a table all day anyway, then why not be around all their friends too? Does that make sense?

So, I would probably sit down with them and ask what things you could change at home that would make them want to stay home and if they still wanted to go after you made these changes then I would let them try it, but ALWAYS leave the door open to come back home.

I know some who have made their children commit to a year or whatever when they want to go back and I think that's just cruel. The grass is always greener, ya know? Sometimes they just need to see for themselves. :)

I feel for you. It's a really heart wrenching situation. (((((Cherie)))))

[Rawkinlocs]

Thank you Karen!

I will take your advice and have that talk with them. I keep asking my daughter why she wants to (all of a sudden) go to PS and she keeps saying, "I don't know". I honestly think it's due to her new friend she made here where we live. When we left Detroit, it was only my oldest son who wanted to go to PS. She (my older daughter) insisted she wanted to continue homeschool. Now, she wants to go to PS. I kept asking her over and over WHY she wants to go to PS and then she said that one reason was so she could be a cheerleader.

I think that they were bored here at home. I know my son said he was "tired of seeing the same faces each day" meaning just his siblings, and that he wanted to meet and make new friends.

I told them that we would soon be in a position to get them involved in any activity they wanted (within reason, of course) but that doesn't seem to be cutting it. Perhaps if they were actually IN the activity things would be different.

*sigh* But we are due to have a family meeting where we will all sit down and discuss this and I am going to ask them what you advised me to ask them about what I could change at home.

Thanks again for the advice AND the hug! :D

[Rawmommie]

Cherie, also read the thread above that I wrote too about homeschool groups. If you could find a group or start one where they had solid friendships and activities it would probably greatly change the situation.

It's also good to remind them that they won't be allowed to *socialize* and hang out with their friends much in school. A lot of times they think going to school will allow them to have lots of time with their friends, but the majority of the time they aren't even allowed to interact!

[Rawmommie]

Bumping b/c this was such a great thread and full of info! :)

[Conscious Midwife]

Thanks or the bump :D

[Conscious Midwife]

1. How many children do you have and what are their ages?

FIVE Ages 2,4,12,15 and 19 already in college

2. Do you home school or unschool?

Was planning to homeschool 14 year old but she opted for Public Highschool, citing socialization, science labs, Spanish and participation in student council as her main reasons. Now after 3 gun incidents and boredom she is considering coming home at the completion of this term!

After a very recent liberation from the 40-60 hr / week JOB I now get to truely homeschool my 2 and 4 year old.

3. What made you decide to pull your children from public school or not enroll them in the first place?

Our local public schools are mediocre as a whole, and the supposedly "choice" schools have waiting list that don't move, with annual lotteries for fewer slots each year. 15 year old is now like #12 and #19 on waiting list fo our local magne school. One is nationally ranked :confused: ! So she'll more than likely be hom unless there is major movement on the list.

Allegations of teachers having inappropriate contact with students come up on a regular basis. Drugs are everywhere. the weapons and violence are also on an increase. These are not just parental and student observations but my husband and I have both observed this stuff first hand as substitute teachers. Our complaints were met by apathetic responses and no action. It's as if everyone had adapted and were puzzled that we saw a problem with the "status quo". :mad:

4. Are you involved in homeschooling support groups locally?
Not yet.
5. Do you get support or flack from family and close friends? (feel free to also share experiences and/or how you deal with negative reactions)

So far not to many folks know of my long term intentions but homeschooling seems accepted in the area as a whole so I don't anticipate any flack. Recently joined MOCHA MOMS INC., this group provided network related support for families choosing to homeschool.

Hubby is very supportive and insistant, especially since our last private school enrollment averaged 13k per annum per child last year.

6. What curriculum (if any) do you use, how well do you like it and what do you like most about it?
Might develope my own. I like the waldorf and montessori sort of approach for little ones. Will incorporate college course work for my highschooler

Extra: Any other tips, questions, or words of support/encouragement?

Someones gotta be present to raise the family. SOMEONE!

[Rawmommie]

bumping up

[MaineMomof4]

1. I have 3 boys (almost 5, 3 1/2, and 18 months) plus a little girl on the way due March 7th.

2. Right now my 2 older kids go to preschool at a Montessori School just in the afternoons from 11:30-3 and my older son went there all last year mostly due to the fact that I was finishing my early childhood education degree and my husband is finishing his 4 year nursing degree and working but now it is on hold (maybe indefinetly) since I will be staying home with baby and the boys.

3. My son will be ready for kindergarten next year and I know that I don't want to send him to public school especially the one in our district.

4. I'm not involved in any homeschooling support groups locally and do not know of any presently but I'm sure there are some.

5. My parents and inlaws are supportive although I feel that my inlaws would think it would be good if I had the money to just stick my kids in private school. My husband has a sister who is 16 and a brother who is 13 (second marriage) and they both go to private catholic school. We're Christian anyways but I don't want someone else teaching my kids religion so private religious school would be out for us.

6. I'm not sure what curriculum we'll use because I have no idea about all the choices that are out there and the expense, a lot of them seem so expensive. I do know how to make up lesson plans and plan curriculum from my schooling but I would probably like to purchase a curriculum anyways but I'd like to find something really good but affordable.

Speaking of the financail aspect how much do most of you spend each year on school materials per child and have any of you ever used any curriculum that was used? Any good internet website anyone knows of that are free?Thanks

[Pailani]

I'd like to find something really good but affordable.

Speaking of the financail aspect how much do most of you spend each year on school materials per child and have any of you ever used any curriculum that was used? Any good internet website anyone knows of that are free?Thanks

I have three boys and and a baby girl, too. Not so much a baby anymore!

Really good but affordable curriculum? A high quality, literary, character-building curriculum can be had very affordably at http://www.amblesideonline.org - the curriculum is no-cost, many of the books used can be read or printed off from the internet for free, so all you buy is a math program and whatever books you can't or don't want to download. It's a pretty solid education.

I print off whatever books I can and spend my money on extras like art books and music CD's.

[jesdenm]

1. How many children do you have and what are their ages?

One boy, 9 years old.

2. Do you home school or unschool?

Homeschool in Southern Cali, using a Charter School, however I am realizing that I could do the same myself and not have to answer to someone else

3. What made you decide to pull your children from public school or not enroll them in the first place?

After going through K, 1st, 2nd, then 2nd again, my son was being degraded, verbally abused, and completely mistreated by the adults, teachers, and administrators at his school. I pulled him out by April and did not force him to do anything until the next September when we started the Charter School.

4. Are you involved in homeschooling support groups locally?

I am involved in 4 online homeschool groups. We go to park days. We are in a homeschool organized PE group. (Nerf dodgeball is coming up Feb 1).

5. Do you get support or flack from family and close friends? (feel free to also share experiences and/or how you deal with negative reactions)

NOPE - I have been very blessed. I believe it falls under the fact that when my son was in school he came home hitting himself, calling himself names, and all kinds of other things - Since pulling him from the PS system, his everything has become better. Life, mind, thoughts, creativity (which I noticed had been missing for some time), etc... Relatives and family members all see bringing him home has been the smartest thing to do.

6. What curriculum (if any) do you use, how well do you like it and what do you like most about it?

We have a copy of the Cal. Dept. of Educ. standards. I get items from the library and of course online. I have found so many sites to teach so much information. LOTS OF LIBRARY = COMPLETELY FREE except for the occasional late fee :)

Extra: Any other tips, questions, or words of support/encouragement?

Just do it. It helps, it works, they love the one on one attention.


Christine

[jesdenm]

Speaking of the financail aspect how much do most of you spend each year on school materials per child and have any of you ever used any curriculum that was used? Any good internet website anyone knows of that are free?Thanks

In my bookmarks, I have numerous sites - too bad I couldn't just do a copy all and paste so let me give you a few.

www.schoolexpress.com
http://www.abcteach.com/index.html
http://www.angelfire.com/mo/sassafrassgrove/homeschool/unit_studies.html
http://frog.edschool.virginia.edu//Frog2/
http://www.athomeschool.com/unitstudy/unit_study_guides.html
http://www.lessonplanz.com/
http://score.rims.k12.ca.us/lessons/ (geared more for California)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAslavery.htm


WHEN LOOKING FOR LESSONS, TYPE INTO GOOGLE: TEACH KIDS ???? (ANY TOPIC)

Some of the above links, link to others. Good luck on your journey.

[MaineMomof4]

Thank You Christine!!

[Conscious Midwife]

In my bookmarks, I have numerous sites - too bad I couldn't just do a copy all and paste so let me give you a few.

www.schoolexpress.com
http://www.abcteach.com/index.html
http://www.angelfire.com/mo/sassafrassgrove/homeschool/unit_studies.html
http://frog.edschool.virginia.edu//Frog2/
http://www.athomeschool.com/unitstudy/unit_study_guides.html
http://www.lessonplanz.com/
http://score.rims.k12.ca.us/lessons/ (geared more for California)
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAslavery.htm


WHEN LOOKING FOR LESSONS, TYPE INTO GOOGLE: TEACH KIDS ???? (ANY TOPIC)

Some of the above links, link to others. Good luck on your journey.


Thanks for these links. I've bookmarked a few :)

[sbaker]

Rawkinlocs,

i didn't read through all the posts, so I'm not sure if anyone addressed this from this point of view yet...but...i HATE to read! I always have! I can not concentrate, I'm sure it's an ADD issue, but honestly...NEVER.

The good news is my comprehension all through school tested way above average, as did my vocabulary skills... I was able to pass advanced high school classes such as "Shakespeare" without even reading any of the material, just following along with the teacher in class talks on the material.
For a while i went to an alternative school that was mainly student run discussion rather than text book type learning, also a lot of hands on experiment,(ie when we studied creation we learned about the big bang, interviewed a catholic priest AND an Indian) and i think i learned more in that one year than in my entire high school career...just because things made sense and i absorbed them.

I can read short things, like board posts on facts that are relevant to what I'm into at the time, but that’s pretty much the extent of it..to sit down and read a book for pleasure frightens me!

My mom was against video games and made me play outside. I lived on a farm so that was easier to do. I had a nintendo i could play for an hour a night IF i remained on the honor roll. But .... when computers came out, and the internet, I was consumed by them when i was younger, and i don’t consider it a bad thing, i learned a lot, self taught...how to make websites, fix things, problem solve.
I'm sure he’s (your son) similar, i even see the behavior in my step son, and he’s 4. It seems that reading doesn’t captivate them, but something else might consume them to the point where they are zombies! I had a cousin who was hyper active, wouldn’t read a page in a book, but could cane a chair and take apart and put back together antique clocks when he was 4.

I guess I just feel that public schools streamline of all children overlooks so many diverse forms of intelligence, forcing someone to read is one of them. I know plenty of book smart people who cant hold a conversation because they have very little comprehension skills when situations are presented.

I guess I am defending all the non-readers out there;) If he can be consumed by video games, maybe you can find alternative things he can work on. I guess that's sort of montessori like...letting them get into things they want to learn about... it makes sense.

As far as the real world, my boyfriend and i both hate reading, i'm very succesful in the business world, and my boyfriend can tile a pool that would make your mouth drop....

No matter how we school our children i think as a system we need to focus more on the places they excell, not where they fall short compared to the "norm"

[Noix_coco]

Hi there

I'm new to this forum (1 week of raw food only) and was browsing to find some candy recipes for my daughter (Anouk, 2.5 yo) and suddenly found this thread, so I felt like I have to post sthg.

1. How many children do you have and what are their ages?
Anouk, 2.5 yo

2. Do you home school or unschool?
unschool

3. What made you decide to pull your children from public school or not enroll them in the first place?
The child care did not suit us nor Anouk and we read John Holt's books + other books and were then sure that was the right thing to do.

4. Are you involved in homeschooling support groups locally?
Yes, but we are moving soon to NZ so we'll have to start again.

5. Do you get support or flack from family and close friends? (feel free to also share experiences and/or how you deal with negative reactions)
from Internet friends yes, not from family, currently we are discussing this with great animosity.

6. What curriculum (if any) do you use, how well do you like it and what do you like most about it?
No curriculum! And we don't want one, never!

Extra: Any other tips, questions, or words of support/encouragement?
hmmmmmmm...so far, no! I have to read all your posts first.
We want to become radical unschoolers, that is apply the principles of freedom in all aspects of live.

Talk to you soon!

[moonstone523]

Hello all you raw food mamas.

I'm just curious if the moms had bad experiences in school as kids. I know a lot has changed since the days mom and dad were in school, but I wonder if that plays a part in wanting to home school.

I don't have kids yet. And actually have never thought about home schooling, because I loved school growing up. Although looking back on it I will say the education part of it wasn't so hot. But the 'indepedent outside of school learning' was great. I went to a public high school where whites were the minority. We had kids from many countries around the world and I really enjoyed the diversity aspect. Now I know this isn't true for most schools, but it was a point of interest for me. I sure was exposed to way too much and gave my parents near heart attacks often, but I've survived and have proven to be an independent, level headed, smart women. They were happy to send me off to college and not have to worry anymore.

I'm sure I will know what the right thing to do is when the time comes.

I'm not trying to start anything here, just curious is all.

[Rawkinlocs]

Hello all you raw food mamas.

I'm just curious if the moms had bad experiences in school as kids. I know a lot has changed since the days mom and dad were in school, but I wonder if that plays a part in wanting to home school....

Nope! Not at all.

Edited to add: I know this is a long thread, but if you go back and read the Q&A responses, one of the questions asked is "what made you decide to pull your kids out of school?" - that may give you an indication of why many of us decided to homeschool our children - so take a look at all of the posts in this thread to get a better understanding of why many of us made this decision! :)

This thread is really a real eye-opener with varying replies from various families. I just love this thread and reading about the experiences of so many of us doing this wonderful thing for our children! :D

[moonstone523]

Rawkinlocs,
I read to page 4 so I have a pretty good understanding of why parents put choose to homeschool their kids.

However, I still wanted to ask because I feel like it is a good questions.

[koolkidz]

This is soooo cool. I love to meet other homeschooling families and hear their stories. It is encouraging. Thanks for starting this thread Rawkinlocs!!

1. How many children do you have and what are their ages? 5 children, ages 8,5,2,1,2mo. Right now, I only homeschool the 8 year old and 5 yr old does pre-school

2. Do you home school or unschool? I definately homeschool. I tried the unschool thing and felt like I was leaving my kids behind. I admire those who do unschool. I wish I could.

3. What made you decide to pull your children from public school or not enroll them in the first place? We never enrolled them because of the school district we currently live in. Also, because of our Christian beliefs, I feel they would be exposed to so much that I am not ready, nor feel they are ready to be exposed to....drugs, sex, bad language etc. etc.

4. Are you involved in homeschooling support groups locally? I used to take my kids to a homeschool art class at a local church. It was a lot of fun and the kids loved it. We since changed curriculums and art is included...so we do art at home.

5. Do you get support or flack from family and close friends? (feel free to also share experiences and/or how you deal with negative reactions) I am very blessed to have full support from not only my family but, my husbands family also. Everyone....and I mean everyone is supportive of our decision to homeschool.

6. What curriculum (if any) do you use, how well do you like it and what do you like most about it? I use the ABEKA DVD program. It is expensive, but worth every penny. With 5 kids and 2 babysitting kids in my home everyday, it would be impossible for me to sit down and do the teaching. Besides, I am not cut out for that. This way, we pop in a DVD and my daughter is entered into a classroom with a wonderful teacher. I do all the seatwork and grading. The program comes with a progress report and I am proud to say, Hanna has STRAIGHT A's!!!! :)

Extra: Any other tips, questions, or words of support/encouragement? Great Job to all you homeschooling mothers and Gigi's out there!!! :p Investing time and education as well as good nutrition is the best thing we can do for them. It is nice to have so many others here that are willing to sacrifice "their" time to spend it with the kids!!

[koolkidz]

Rawkinlocs, I just wanted you to know that your kids are not alone. My daughter wants to go to PS so bad!!! Then my husband explained to her what would take place. Going to bed at 8-8:30 every night. Getting up at 6:30am, riding on a bus for 45 minutes doing school with 2 breaks and a lunch and coming home around 4:15 to sit down and do about 1 more hour of homework!

You should have seen her face.

She thinks she has it rough now. We have been considering letting her go. She will then be able to decide for herself which she would rather do. Homeschool or Public School. I agree I am the parent, but I do want them to be happy with the decision to either homeschool or PS. I do know this....of the families that I know who homeschooled and sent their kids to ps....the children ultimately choose to hs. I don't know if that helps you any, but I do understand your struggle.

[hawaiigal]

I started my girls in a homeschool network in November last year. It took sometime to come to the decision as I was worried about the social aspect but that has not been a problem at all so far. Here is my 2 cents worth:

1. How many children do you have and what are their ages?

2 daughters ages 12 and 10

2. Do you home school or unschool?

We belong to a homeschool network and my girls attend regular classes with 3 other girls instructed by a fully credentialed teacher with 25 years experience. They do alot of project based education and all have the use of their own computer - it is paperless and all work is done online. They have regular class work for math, history and english etc. They maintain their own website www.reach-4-stars.com They have alot of field trips during the week and travel to a local charter school where they "mentor" kindergarten and grade one children for a couple of hours a week. There is alot of participation by the parents and we have lots of group get togethers.

3. What made you decide to pull your children from public school or not enroll them in the first place?

Hawaii has the worst schools in the nation. There is alot of racism directed towards the white "haoles" who are in a definate minority. We had lots of problems over the years in this respect. I have an elder daughter who is now 19 and she had a horrible time all through school here in Hawaii. I could see history repeating itself with my younger two and did not want to subject them to the abuse and feelings of inferiority that she was.

4. Are you involved in homeschooling support groups locally?

Yes -

5. Do you get support or flack from family and close friends? (feel free to also share experiences and/or how you deal with negative reactions)

No - most feel we are fortunate to have this opportunity.

6. What curriculum (if any) do you use, how well do you like it and what do you like most about it?

The girls are doing lots of projects which incorporate elements of education
they are currently working on a Guinea Pig Sanctuary and researching all aspects of their health, nutrition, social and care. They have had to design a portable guinea enclosure using math and drawings to get correct dimensions. They have lots of field trips - hiking, studying our volcano, they maintain an area of a waterfront hiking trail, snorkelling studies of fish and plant life, they attend dance productions and theatre. After each trip they write up a field study report and do essays on their impressions etc.

Extra: Any other tips, questions, or words of support/encouragement?

My girls are thriving in this environment. They are now best friends and spend so much more time together whereas before they tended to sound off on each other and maintained separate friend groups. They still have lots of time for their other friends and we have them in various after school groups.