I am very interested & considering homeschooling! I have three beautiful children & my oldest is in first grade. There are many reasons I’m wanting to homeschool…partly is the current school. Mostly, tho, is that ever since having children the idea has tossed around in my head. I live in a valley where there are many that do it, & I do know several people that seem to have great success w/ it. I want to make my decision before next school year. One of the big things that concerns me, is that my oldest is very full of energy, & life, & character. I love this about him & don’t want to break that spirit (or anyone else to), but it is very daunting! I tend to be more high strung, & don’t have near the patience I wish I did. I guess I worry that I won’t be able to handle it. I have so many “good intentions” yet feel that I fail @ most of them. I definatly don’t want homeschooling to be one of them. What would you say to someone like myself? Is homeschooling for the super calm, patient, soft spoken, etc mom????
Why not try on homeschooling for size right now? Start by creating a little one hour (or less) morning school for your children (or afternoon, whenever they are all home). Check the weather and date and mark them on a calendar. Pledge the flag, and sing a simple kids’ patriotic song–or any song they know. Have them do toe touches or windmills exercises (just for fun, and fitness, and to get the wiggles out). Read them a picture book with a setting in another land. Look it the country on the globe or world map. Try a snack from that land. Have the kids color a picture about the story when you are done. Next day, choose a couple of picture books on an interesting animal (butterflies, hippopotamus, octopus, snakes…whatever they will enjoy!) Read the picture book and then look up the animal on the internet. Look at all kinds of pictures. Have the children draw (or water paint, or sculpt in clay) the animal and display them for Daddy to enjoy and comment. Maybe you can even go to a museum, zoo or pet shop and see the animal in person! Learning together can be really fun, and the whole town can be your campus!
Play a math game. One of my favorites for young students is Sum Swamp which helps them with very simple addition. (You can find it here: http://www.lovetolearn.net/catalog/index.lasso?page=hits&q=sum+swamp). Have them practice writing their numbers, letters, or name. Your first grader may be able to write a few sentences in a special school journal, with your help. Little by little, you can have fun with your children with academic topics—the best way to learn! My guess is that your children will absolutely love your “little school” and want to homeschool next year!
You don’t have to be a super-mom to homeschool. You just have to love your kids and be willing to try. You’ll grow in patience! Commit to one hour every week day as a beginning goal. You want to spend that much time focusing on your kids anyway. Keep it light and fun, and enjoyable. Don’t copy public school (sitting in desks, doing busy work). Involve yourself fully. What better way to spend time with your kids than to learn together?
Thank you SO much for your positive feedback! I want this to work so badly, & I appreciate your ideas! I just happened upon your website, but I def think it was an answer to my prayers on this matter! I really admire you & your accomplishments w/ your homeschooling! I love your view as to those that say “I don’t have the patience”. Yes, now is the time to learn that trait. I honestly believe my precious boy was sent to me as a gift to help me “learn” patiencs Your comment gave me great comfort that in my journey of homeschooling it wld help me to grow & develop the patience that I so desire I had w/ my children. Plus gaining a relationship & trust w/ them that I desire, which I’m not so sure can happen w/ the public school system having them most of the day… Again, thank you for your response!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I am very interested & considering homeschooling! I have three beautiful children & my oldest is in first grade. There are many reasons I’m wanting to homeschool…partly is the current school. Mostly, tho, is that ever since having children the idea has tossed around in my head. I live in a valley where there are many that do it, & I do know several people that seem to have great success w/ it. I want to make my decision before next school year. One of the big things that concerns me, is that my oldest is very full of energy, & life, & character. I love this about him & don’t want to break that spirit (or anyone else to), but it is very daunting! I tend to be more high strung, & don’t have near the patience I wish I did. I guess I worry that I won’t be able to handle it. I have so many “good intentions” yet feel that I fail @ most of them. I definatly don’t want homeschooling to be one of them. What would you say to someone like myself? Is homeschooling for the super calm, patient, soft spoken, etc mom????
Why not try on homeschooling for size right now? Start by creating a little one hour (or less) morning school for your children (or afternoon, whenever they are all home). Check the weather and date and mark them on a calendar. Pledge the flag, and sing a simple kids’ patriotic song–or any song they know. Have them do toe touches or windmills exercises (just for fun, and fitness, and to get the wiggles out). Read them a picture book with a setting in another land. Look it the country on the globe or world map. Try a snack from that land. Have the kids color a picture about the story when you are done. Next day, choose a couple of picture books on an interesting animal (butterflies, hippopotamus, octopus, snakes…whatever they will enjoy!) Read the picture book and then look up the animal on the internet. Look at all kinds of pictures. Have the children draw (or water paint, or sculpt in clay) the animal and display them for Daddy to enjoy and comment. Maybe you can even go to a museum, zoo or pet shop and see the animal in person! Learning together can be really fun, and the whole town can be your campus!
Play a math game. One of my favorites for young students is Sum Swamp which helps them with very simple addition. (You can find it here: http://www.lovetolearn.net/catalog/index.lasso?page=hits&q=sum+swamp). Have them practice writing their numbers, letters, or name. Your first grader may be able to write a few sentences in a special school journal, with your help. Little by little, you can have fun with your children with academic topics—the best way to learn! My guess is that your children will absolutely love your “little school” and want to homeschool next year!
You don’t have to be a super-mom to homeschool. You just have to love your kids and be willing to try. You’ll grow in patience! Commit to one hour every week day as a beginning goal. You want to spend that much time focusing on your kids anyway. Keep it light and fun, and enjoyable. Don’t copy public school (sitting in desks, doing busy work). Involve yourself fully. What better way to spend time with your kids than to learn together?
Thank you SO much for your positive feedback! I want this to work so badly, & I appreciate your ideas! I just happened upon your website, but I def think it was an answer to my prayers on this matter!
I really admire you & your accomplishments w/ your homeschooling! I love your view as to those that say “I don’t have the patience”. Yes, now is the time to learn that trait. I honestly believe my precious boy was sent to me as a gift to help me “learn” patiencs 
Your comment gave me great comfort that in my journey of homeschooling it wld help me to grow & develop the patience that I so desire I had w/ my children. Plus gaining a relationship & trust w/ them that I desire, which I’m not so sure can happen w/ the public school system having them most of the day… Again, thank you for your response!