Homeschooling Discussion & Experiences #1

[Arcadia]

I am certainly considering homeschooling. I went to a very big high school and I think the constructed environs of school is destructive to developing personalities and egos. I actually don't agree with the forced socialization with people from 'all walks of life' as it occurs at most high schools because it isn't a real life situation with proper empathy and possibilities for mediation by parents. High School is the forced socialization of insecure teenagers all trying to understand themselves which often involves jibing others to do so. I was exposed to fights, chroming, verbal and physical abuse etc. I have never encountered the level of danger in my adult life as I encountered at school. I actually excelled academically at school and my year were very successful but it was also very abusive to others and to teachers. If parents were aware of the behavior of their children I think it would have been very different, but we were left to our own devices so to speak...how is that constructive to empathy, understanding and learning life skills of mediation and coping with problems? All it did was sort the bullies from the bullied and the line remained in the sand until the end.

I think the socialization that occurs through group meet ups is more in keeping with actual life, where a purpose or focus brings people together and parents are there to help each child cope with the dynamic. Why do we expect young children and young adults to cope without parental guidance? Teachers cannot help each child with the current ratios. The playground is a dog eat dog environment in many schools.

I am not so concerned about primary school, because I think there are some great programs currently underway in my local schools. High schools though are completely different. I think I would homeschool for years eight to ten and then find a great senior high school.

I am worried about how homeschooling would impact us financially though, as we were banking on my returning to more permanent work before too long.

[Shanti]

I agree Arcadia. Re: the bullying in schools. It's such a sad part of school life isn't it.

I think schools in general, create bullying by having children put into these unnatural environments where they are forced to be with peers their own age etc, I could go on about it but I won't. I want to keep this thread more about the home education side of things and how great it is
Im so glad for you that you are considering it too
I have already told a couple of friends that we will be home educating DD1 for the first year and then take it one year at a time. And that our backup will be enrolling her into a small rural school 10mins away that only has 35-40 kids!! that really appeals to us. As opposed to a big school!

We are so excited at the potentials that home education brings to a family! It's really a lifestyle thing!

[CC11]

I went to three types of schools as a kid: public, catholic and private all girls.
And for me, I would have been happiest to be homeschooled. When I was in school I would feel like such a huge amount of my time was being wasted - homegroup, assemblies, long classes (I would always finish my work early), classes I didn't enjoy/think were necessary like Religion, Swimming (I hate chlorine, and I already knew how to swim), Musical Superstars etc. Because of these reasons I ended up HATING school and put in the minimum effort (I still did really well, but I ended up losing the passion for learning I had as a young kid).
I would have loved to have been able to work at my own pace rather than the slowest person. To learn about topics that interested me, rather than what was on the curriculum. And to have the freedom to think for myself, rather than be taught facts to memorise to improve test scores.

So now that I have my own child, homeschooling is definitely an option I want to give her, and although DH is find with me homeschooling her for the first 6 years of her life, after that he wants her to go to school. I think his aversion to it is mostly the socialising issue (I am am introvert so he thinks homeschooling is what I want, but not what's best for her) but we already go to some early learning lessons together and she has absolutely no problems socialising with the other kids so I don't see how being homeschooled will impair her social skills at all since I will make sure we participate in other groups etc with other children.

Yes, it means I will be responsible for her education but I am willing to devote all of my energy into exposing her to all sorts of subjects, learning styles, experiences etc. As a spirited child who HAS to move and is very strong willed and vocal, I also think that being in an environment where you are expected to sit in a chair, be silent and do what you are told could really dampen her spirit.

At the same time, I believe it should be up to her. So I am thinking that perhaps she should try out a school at least for a year and then determine herself which course she would like to take, and if she wants to change at any stage or even try different types of schools (montessori, steiner etc) she can.

The only concern I have though, should I go the homeschooling route for the long term, is whether or not I could give her enough knowledge/opportunity in the later years (Year10+) - especially if she wants to study things like specialist math or subjects that I don't understand myself or that benefit from specialised resources (chemistry labs etc) - is anyone homeschooling older teenagers? If so, do you think they are disadvantaged in any way in comparison to school students who have access to the extensive resources schools have in terms of specialised facilities and teachers? Or are your kids planning on doing their VCE/IB/VET at a school?

[Astrid]

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[CKJ]

Has anyone followed through with the decision to home school?

I'm considering it for DD and doing as much research as possible

[Heaven]

My DD's aren't old enough for school yet CKJ but I am still thinking about it. I have DD1 enrolled in kindy for next year but I love the kindy and it's play based and I'm happy to start her and see how she goes. But as for school, I'm anxious about it. Worried that it will stifle her creativity and love of learning So I'm still researching homeschooling. It's an enormous decision though. And scary to decide to do something that is so different to what most people do. The more I read the more I think it's a great idea, which scares me. Sometimes I wonder if I should just stop reading and be ignorant and follow the crowd, LOL. But I owe it to my DD's to find out the best option for them so I will keep reading and trying to figure out what that is!



“We destroy the love of learning in children, which is so strong when they are small, by encouraging and compelling them to work for petty and contemptible rewards, gold stars, or papers marked 100 and tacked to the wall, or A's on report cards, or honor rolls, or dean's lists, or Phi Beta Kappa keys, in short, for the ignoble satisfaction of feeling that they are better than someone else.”
― John Holt

[Heaven]

Just sharing this I just read. Comparing outcomes of home schooled children and mainstream children.

Oops, link not allowed but if you google 'homeschool progress report 2009' it's the first one, and then click on 'View the final version of Homeschool Progress Report 2009.'

[Beach Mama]

Pity there isn't an Australian equivalent, interesting to note that majority of parents and families that H/S have a degree and reasonably high income.

[Sterla]

I keep swaying back and forth about homeschooling. I worry about whether I could be committed enough - can I give it all the time it needs and my kids deserve when there are likely to be more babies in our future. But then I worry about school stifling DS's love of learning. I studied as a teacher for a couple of years, and I guess it didn't give me great confidence in the schooling system .

I have a friend who is a teacher, and she says the homeschool kids she's seen (who have transferred to mainstream schooling) were ahead of everyone academically, but most definitely behind socially.

I'm a terrible fence sitter lol

[Heaven]

I thought that was interesting too Tan. But also that it didn't influence how well the kids did anyway. Would be good to see an Australian one.

I have the same thoughts as you Sterla. I keep swaying back and forth, ahh... I really feel that HS is a great option and would be really good for my girls. No one can love them like I do and no one is as invested in seeing them do well as me. But it is a massive commitment. Though, parenting is a massive commitment in general, and so far I think I'm doing pretty good at it, lol. I have taught them all they know so far I guess. It seems odd that when they turn 5 I would all of a sudden not be good enough any more.

I'm not worried about socialisation. I think there are plenty of opportunities for that. They are socialised well so far, lol. I don't think socialisation means 5 days a week, 6 hrs a day with same aged kids. I reckon we could do ok with that aspect

[Sterla]

At this point I don't worry about socialisation either - my kids have plenty of opportunity without having ever gone to child care or even attending play group. I wonder how it changes as they get older though.

Not sure if DH is as keen on homeschooling either which makes it harder. And then I also think, I went to a public school, as did DH and we both turned out just fine lol. Thank goodness I have another year to make a decision of some kind!

[Heaven]

When I first bought it up my DH was not keen on HS either and thought I was weird, LOL. Now he has actually read some stuff about it (coz I made him, lol) he is all for it and thinks we should do it at least for the first few years of primary. Change of tune I wasn't expecting!

[Shanti]

I have a friend who is a teacher, and she says the homeschool kids she's seen (who have transferred to mainstream schooling) were ahead of everyone academically, but most definitely behind socially.

I'm a terrible fence sitter lol

Sterla, thats' very true that HS kids when entering mainstream settings, will most likely be ahead of the others their own age because they have been exposed to 'life' more.... than kids who are in the classroom every day. Behind socially? I can't see how that would have happened.... perhaps if they are by nature extremely shy perhaps? and/or their parents kept them at home too much and never ventured out????

We are going to homeschool, well, I call it Home Educate and are very excited about it and it's possibilities for our kids!!!! More spare time for them to learn sports, music etc, follow their own interests etc..... socially? My 3yr old has NEVER been to school (obviously) but is one of the most socialised kids you'd ever meet!!! She can talk to anyone, old people, young kids, anyone and have the best conversations she amazes me!!

I believe school would not be such a good thing for my 3 year old, let alone any of my kids. For many reasons. My 3 year old is highly spirited and opinionated, and loud and asks LOTS of questions and I fear school would dampen her spirits and teachers would tell her to 'stop talking and sit quietly' and find her annoying if she asks too many q's etc and talks to other kids because she's like me she's a chatterbox and that's a great quality to have!!!! Sooooo for that reason we are home educating ALSO it's a HUGE LIFESTYLE decision for us

We will take it one year at a time. And having more kids? We plan on 1-2 more but we don't see how that will interfere with our children's natural learning anyway, as we won't be doing a lot of bookwork. More natural learning! Excursions to museums, zoo's etc.... that type of thing.

See I went to public school and I thought I turned out fine too but since reading the last few months about Home education, it's made me realise just how much I did lose my love of learning..... I never enjoyed school besides the social aspects of it which weren't lots anyway as teachers would tell me 'you aren't here to socialise, stop talking R!"
It's only now that I'm 30yrs old that I feel I have found my love of learning again these last few years!!!!!!!!!!! I think school stole that from me. I was forced to learn crap I didn't want to learn (yet).

I suggested it to my DH back in March and he said "I think it's a fantastic idea!" I was so happy to hear him say that as I thought he would have been more like the opposite as 2 years ago he only wanted PRIVATE schooling for our kids but I never did want that..... but he is all for home education which is awesome. Has made the decision easier that's for sure!! We have even told a few close friends about it and so far everyone has been quite supportive!!

Be interesting telling my Mum as she's a primary school teacher BUT it's from what she's told me about the schools these days that's influenced my decisions ALOT actually!! She hates being a teacher & tells me how stressed these little kids in her classes are these days..... NAPLAN testing for 8 year olds???? C'MON.....

[mrscricket]

Opps, deleted post - replied to wrong thread

[Heaven]

Saw this today and thought it was really good

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG9C...layer_embedded

[~ Mylitta ~]

Wow, it looks like there are a few of us with kids all around the same age (4 and under) that are thinking of home schooling. What a great little group we could make for bouncing ideas off each other. We seem to all be in different states, but there's still great ways to interact to help each other

I have already told a couple of friends that we will be home educating DD1 for the first year and then take it one year at a time. And that our backup will be enrolling her into a small rural school 10mins away that only has 35-40 kids!! that really appeals to us. As opposed to a big school!

I went to a tiny primary school that ranged from having 22-44 kids through the years. I was one of only two grade 6 students (guess who the school captains were that year hehe). I really loved my primary years, but I fear that it would be really difficult to find a school that would give my kids the same experience.

I'm not worried about socialisation. I think there are plenty of opportunities for that. They are socialised well so far, lol. I don't think socialisation means 5 days a week, 6 hrs a day with same aged kids. I reckon we could do ok with that aspect

I very much agree. There are so many opportunities for socialising and I think that the opportunities when home schooled are probably much more varied as they are not restricted to the same age group for prolonged periods 5 days a week.

When I first bought it up my DH was not keen on HS either and thought I was weird, LOL. Now he has actually read some stuff about it (coz I made him, lol) he is all for it and thinks we should do it at least for the first few years of primary. Change of tune I wasn't expecting!

My DH wasn't sold on the idea either. I've brought it up in the past and he wasn't keen, then recently I brought it up again. He still didn't seem too keen and preferred to stick with the "normal" schooling system. Tonight he came home from work and randomly said "I've been thinking about the homeschooling idea, and it's really growing on me"! He made me really happy by telling me that he thinks I'm doing an amazing job with the kids and he thinks that the kids could do really well home schooled. His main stipulation was that he would want us to be a part of some kind of home school network so that the kids could have maybe a day a week or so where we meet up with the other families (even with kids of different ages) and do some kind of group activity. That's exactly what I was hoping for anyway


I think my biggest reason for wanting to homeschool during the primary years is because I worry that the standard schooling system would change my kids. I love them how they are. I love their confidence, their personalities and their happiness with exactly who they are. I don't want that to change. I'm not sure that I would want to homeschool through all of the highschool years, but mainly because I doubt my ability to give them the highest level of education needed to do what they want in life. If one of them decided that they wanted to study year 11-12 level music or art for example, I wouldn't be able to teach them as well as a qualified teacher. So at this point in time I think they would move to mainstream schooling at some point in highschool. But- by that stage I hope that they would be so confident in themselves and who they are that the highschool dramas and bullying wouldn't make them doubt themselves or change.

[~ Mylitta ~]

I forgot to mention that my son goes to a Montessori school at the moment in their toddler program and loves it. They teach in a way that I am really comfortable and at this age they are focussed mostly on life skills. It's also not age-based learning, and is child-led, so he gets to choose his activities himself and he class is a maximum of 10 kids (with 2 teachers) ranging from 2.5-4 years of age). When he goes to cycle 1 his class will have up to 25 kids (with 2-3 teachers) and the ages will range from 3-6 years. Sometimes I spy on him through the windows and he's so adorable in there doing his "work" hehe. DD1 is going to start next year in the Early Learners program when DS moves up into Cycle 1. Then in less than a year DD2 can start too! The Early Learners class is with me in there too though We really love the school and his teachers (directresses) are the most beautiful people and he loves them so much.

His Montessori only goes up to cycle 1 though, which is up until about 6 years of age. There are no other Montessori's near us that continue past cycle 1. If his school did the higher cycles I would definitely consider keeping him there and doing part time Montessori and part-time home schooling.

[Heaven]

Oh hello Mylitta! So glad to see you in here! So you are thinking of homeschooling now? Yay! Another person to talk to about it. I definitely think your DH is right. You would be an awesome homeschooling Mum!

We have decided we're doing it I'm rather excited about it now. I fell so much less pressure. I don't have limited time with my babies, we are just free to continue life together as it is

I won't be starting anything other than what we usually do until she's around 6, so for now just researching. Just ordered the book 'The Well Adjusted Child' which is meant to be good.

I think my biggest reason for wanting to homeschool during the primary years is because I worry that the standard schooling system would change my kids. I love them how they are. I love their confidence, their personalities and their happiness with exactly who they are. I don't want that to change. I'm not sure that I would want to homeschool through all of the highschool years, but mainly because I doubt my ability to give them the highest level of education needed to do what they want in life. If one of them decided that they wanted to study year 11-12 level music or art for example, I wouldn't be able to teach them as well as a qualified teacher. So at this point in time I think they would move to mainstream schooling at some point in highschool. But- by that stage I hope that they would be so confident in themselves and who they are that the highschool dramas and bullying wouldn't make them doubt themselves or change.

Yep, exactly that, couldn't agree more. I want my kids to be who they are and I don't want anything to get in the way of that!