Homeschool Daze

We homeschool. We've always homeschooled. The decision was made when I was pregnant with our first child, ten years ago. At the time, we were considering re-locating to West Virginia, and had no faith in local school systems - nor finances for private education. We began looking into home education - and our world expanded.

People have funny ideas about homeschoolers. Some envision children playing video games all day, and only reading comic books. Others see the religious families with their morning prayer and schoolroom, complete with chalkboard and flag. And yes, I'm sure both of those extremes do exist. People homeschool for different reasons - with different goals in mind. But every homeschooling parent I've met has the same ultimate goal: to provide the best possible education - and life - for their child.

Please understand; I am NOT encouraging you to homeschool. In fact, I really don't want the homeschool population to continue growing - because I don't want the government to get more involved in structuring the process. But I'd like to touch on the main (in my humble opinion) pro's and con's of homeschooling.

PRO: The freedom. Our schedule is set by us - and reflects the needs of family members, each child's goals (we're NEVER allowed to skip dance class), or the weather! Having said this, let me amend - I live for summer when we have NO schedule: no speech or dance classes, no homeschool co-op, no other "have-to's".

PRO: Progressing at each child's level. My nine year old and I started reading my old college physics text this week, discussing Aristotle, Copernicus and Galileo. My seven year old, who only mastered reading in the last 12 months, is now constantly curled up with a book -and has never felt she was "behind". She loved the children's chemistry book we read, and began building water and salt molecules using her big sister's chemistry kit. The five year old boy has been reading for a year (but his printing SUCKS) and loves geography. I invented a game a few days ago, asking each to find places on the globe (and using chocolate chips as reinforcement to keep the 7 year old interested). They all were amazing: The 9 year old can beat both her parents, the 7 year old can find a LOT more countries than she could a few months ago, and the 5 year old can find almost anything. Madagascar, Nepal, Vietnam, Morocco, Mali....he scoffs that the questions are "too easy". Yeesh.

PRO: The family unit. Our kids like each other. They play together, they learn together, they teach each other. Sure, they occasionally fight, and they drop their siblings for a friend in a heartbeat - but they DO get along. I like that.

CON: My sanity. Or lack of same. My other friends have sent their children off to school, and have delicious hours each day to THINK, to plan, to achieve, to EARN MONEY! Me...I have a hard time putting a complete sentence together most days. Or having an uninterrupted thought. In fact, I just had to leave the computer during the last sentence to call a child in to clean the cat litter, because the eldest had already done her share.

It's a LOT harder financially without me working. I had been working part time, but the hours have been cut back radically - which has drastically improved my sanity while hurting the bank account. I know other moms manage home-businesses while homeschooling - and I'd love to get there - but I'm not ready yet.

Yeah, we're still on my sanity. I am continually doubting myself, wondering if I'm doing enough, if I'm doing the right things, if I'm totally ruining my children. Every book I see is something "we haven't done yet!". Every time I hear what other kids are doing -in home OR school - I wonder if my kids need that.

Yup, still on my sanity....did I mention that there's NO ONE TO BLAME BUT ME!!!!!! Laundry's not washed - my fault. Kid's have only eaten peanut butter sandwiches all day - my fault. House looks like a tornado touched down - my fault. Five year old can't hold a pencil right - my fault. Husband's not happy working 12 hour days - my fault(it's not like he has options, since I'm not working). Cat's have fleas - my fault (I've got the medicine, just haven't put in on). Dog peed on the boy's new backpack - my fault (should have made him put it away -and NOW I have more laundry!!!) Oh yeah, and don't forget the dog dirt that the kids have tracked in because I haven't "scooped for two days". My fault. Oh yeah, and then there's exercise. HAH!

Gee, I guess there was only ONE con. The funny thing is - I'm happy that I'm homeschooling and I love doing it. I just need to figure out how to do everything else, too. {{{sigh}}}

The Un-Runner, still juggling.