Thoughts on Homeschooling

I find the many comments about homeschooling that are currently circulating quite interesting.  Many of them are meant to be funny.  People don’t really intend to lock their kids in the basement or duct tape them to the wall…. I hope!

I spent a total of 16 years homeschooling my four kids for varying lengths of time.  Two of my daughters were only homeschooled 3 years…from 6^th to 8^th grade.  One was in homeschooling 6 years…from 5^th through 10^th grade.  My son never went to public school.  He started kindergarten at home when he was 4 and went to college part-time when he was 13.  That year, I homeschooled subjects he was not taking at the junior college.  At 14, he took college courses full-time, and my homeschooling came to an end.

Although it required a great deal of organization and self-discipline, I enjoyed homeschooling and felt it improved relationships with the kids.  When they were in public school, the girls would come home with upsets and frustrations.  They were not in a mood to be helped with homework.  In contrast, homeschool allowed me to deal with any educational problems during the day as they occurred.  Frustration did not build throughout the day.  By late afternoon, instead of walking in the door and dumping the days upsets on me, they were finished with their work and ready to go out and play or visit with friends or have a quiet time by themselves.  Everyone’s moods were better.

They also quickly learned that if they got their work done before lunch, we could do other things.  During the winter months, this included regular trips to the ice arena to skate.  We could also travel.  We sometimes rented an RV, packed up the schoolwork and accompanied my husband on business trips.  Some days we would stay in an RV park and do schoolwork while he made business calls.  Other days we went on educational adventures.  We visited historical and educational sites in Boston, Philadelphia and Washington DC.  We also enjoyed beaches and tourist attractions in Florida.  Our son traveled with us many times, including a “field trip” to the Alamo and the Fire-fighters Hall of Flame.  When the girls returned to public school, they sometimes commented on being the only one in their social studies class who had seen some of the historical places they were studying.

In the current environment, traveling around isn’t possible and get togethers with friends aren’t safe either.  But, having spent the school hours with their parents, I think most children will be ready to do something on their own.

If you are new to homeschooling, don’t put yourself under pressure to work with your kids the entire time of normal school hours.  A lot of time is wasted during a traditional school day.  Your child should be able to complete their lessons in much less time than the length of a school day.  So, give them and yourself some breaks.  Let them explore some of their own interests.  Allow them to learn from things that are typically done around the house.  It’s OK for them to help with household chores.  Teach them to do laundry, to sew on a button, to cook and bake.  Encourage them to plant some seeds and watch their progress.

Make use of online resources.  The material available online now seems almost limitless.  Maybe you don’t understand some math concept they are studying, but I can guarantee there is some online site that is explaining it better than their usual teacher could.  There are loads of documentaries available to reinforce lessons in history.  Let them explore maps…. knowledge of geography seems to be woefully lacking these days.  

Don’t put yourself under too great a burden with homeschooling!  During daily life, teach your kids what you yourself know.  It doesn’t have to seem like a lesson…just talk to them.  Answer their questions.  Young children ask many, many questions.  Don’t let this annoy you.  It’s a compliment that they think you know the answers!  As they get older, they want to debate and discuss.  Don’t be threatened by this.  They may disagree with you to your face, but actually accept your opinions.

Enjoy these days.  They won’t last forever.  One day you will be an old grandma or grandpa sitting in your retirement community apartment reminiscing.  That’s what I am doing.