So here goes:
1997 - I got my first teaching job in a charter school. My thoughts on homeschooling: Homeschooling is for those SuperMoms and the Lazy/Crazy Moms (the ones who end up in the courts/newspapers) and that most homeschooled children are "behind".
2000 - My first child was born (with a temper)! My thoughts about homeschooling were pretty much the same. I stayed home with her for a year and was "bored"! She was a preemie so she slept 20 some-odd hours a day!
2001 - Went back into the school system...still thought homeschoolers were Saints and/or Crazy.
2004 - Unicorn went to preschool.
2005 - Unicorn skipped KG and went to 1st...Homework was a nightmare! I thought we were going to kill each other. Homeschool was DEFINITELY for Saints and Crazies!
and so it continued...UNTIL...
January 2010 - Unicorn is now in 4th grade (repeating 2nd once), Ladybug is 3 (almost 4) and Monkey is 1 (almost 2). I have quit working in the public school system and am teaching preschool in my home (Ladybug is attending). Unicorn is continuing to fall behind in Math, picking up bad habits at school (stealing, lying, etc.) and I have had some conflicts with her teacher and her IEP was being changed (again) and not in a benefical way!
Homeschool? Can I? Will she fight me like she does during homework time? Will we both survive? Where do I start? and the list went on.
I didn't know any homeschoolers at the time so I began to research and "question" my family (and her dad) about it (I was testing to see if I would have their support or if it was another decision I would have to defend). I was surprised by how well everyone responded!
In April of 2010, I pulled Unicorn out of school (just before the mandetory state test that is NOT required for Homeschoolers)! We took it easy as I tested out some curriculum. We focused on Math (her biggest struggle) and Reading (her favorite) and Religion. We pretty much did this all summer (except when Unicorn was at her dad's house).
In August we started up full-time AND...
SO FAR SO GOOD! I love having her home...we are both still alive and she is "catching up" in Math and excelling in all other areas! She is even learning Latin (and loving it)!
Thank you The HomeSchool Villiage for asking about this...I think it is great to document our homeschooling adventures!
Great story, Michelle! & Cute blog!! We use the same font!! ;)
ReplyDeleteIt's really amazing how the more time you spend together, the more you actually enjoy being together, huh?! ;)
Thanks for sharing!
I love that you made it an actual timeline! It's amazing, I've found that homeschool can be easier than homework because the kiuds aren't exhausted before they begin.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your first year!
ReplyDeleteI have a friend that is very interested in homeschooling, but the battles she has with her kids over homework make her uneasy. I have tried to tell her that the kid the teacher sees at 9 am isn't the same one she is fighting with at 9 pm, but she's still very nervous. I might send her over here to read your story.
Thanks for sharing!
Deb, Please send her over! I NEVER thought I would be able to homeschool my now 10 year old daughter! She was an extremely difficult child and I was a single mom for part of her childhood. Even when we started back in April I was nervous but, I can't believe how different it is. She loves it and is much more compliant than I had imagined she would be. We still have our difficult days but even those are better than our best homework nights! I think having curriculum that is at HER level makes the biggest difference. We always fought about math and when we pulled her out she was almost 2 years behind and the school she was at was teaching a year ahead (so she was at a 2nd grade level being taught at a 5th grade level). No wonder we were having problems!
ReplyDeleteThank you all for commenting! It makes me feel special! :) LOL!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your post! Love the way you wrote your timeline. Thanks for stopping by...I'm following you now, too!
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog through the Friday Blog Hop. I love your Timeline. I am now following you. I have older children in public school, but have a 3 1/2 year old, a 2 year old and a 4 month old we will be (and are currently) homeschooling. I invite you to come on over and have a look around my blog: http://totsandme.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteBlessings
I am following!!
ReplyDeleteI am also going to participate in the History of Our Homeschool! Thanks!
Janet
Interesting timeline. It is very interesting to read of others journey. I am sure you will enjoy homeschooling.
ReplyDeleteVery neat story. Glad you "took a chance" on homeschooling and that it's working well for you and your kids. ;0)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog. I'm following yours now! I love the design and your weekly wrap-ups are great! You are BUSY! You should feel good about all your accomplishments.
This is a great post, I am so glad you wrote this. Your timeline sounds very similar to mine as well.
ReplyDeleteVery neat story. Glad you "took a chance" on homeschooling and that it's working well for you and your kids. ;0)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog. I'm following yours now! I love the design and your weekly wrap-ups are great! You are BUSY! You should feel good about all your accomplishments.
I am following!!
ReplyDeleteI am also going to participate in the History of Our Homeschool! Thanks!
Janet
I LOVE your post! Love the way you wrote your timeline. Thanks for stopping by...I'm following you now, too!
ReplyDelete