For Mamas Who "School" at Home

Hello, I posted a question last week about (actually, about things that happen in school) because I was trying to decide if I was going to be home schooling my daughter or not, and, on my LOOONG list of reasons I want to homeschool one of the biggest is the scary things that can and do happen in schools today. I have friends who homeschool, want to homeschool and also have children in school. Most parents do it for the benefit of the child and a lot of people don't seem to understand that. It's not easy -- it would be much easier to take them to school and have your days free. That is actually one of the few pros on my list of pros and cons (there were two: free time and socialization). But, there are so many people that home school these days. You'd be very surprised. And, they have many things set up to get your kids the socialization they do need. So, my husband and I have just decided we are going to home school our daughter. We feel that it will be the best thing for her and we will learn as we go. When she gets older and the stuff she's learning is difficult for me or my husband then we'll get a tutor to teach her and maybe us too. ( :
The home schooled kids I know are very bright, well adjusted, sweet, and still innocent without being naive.
I too am having a hard time picking a home schooling program since there are so many. I am talking to a few of my friends about the programs they chose and why they chose them. I will then do my research on them before picking one. I plan to do this today. After I do that I will contact you again and let you know what I learned. Good luck to you and don't let your worry about what others will think (I too worry about this) be your deciding factor. Once we start this I am going to be a "PROUD" home schooling mom knowing that I am doing the best thing for my daughter (in my opinion and for my family)!

I'm not a mama who schools at home, but was curious about the choice to homeschool what is clearly a supergifted child. And frankly I'm curious and a bit confused by the whole concept of homeschooling.

Here's what I know : In a public school, the kid's are there and in classes for 7 hours or so -- the curriculum has been developed by educators,and the subjects are taught by teachers who have trained to do just that. I know people who are, and were teachers, and I've always been amazed at the rigorous requirements. They are also people who are usually driven by a desire to help and do good -- since it requires tremendous dedication and commitment for very little pay.

Now I understand that mom's are dedicated and committed too-- but particularly for a gifted child -- how is teaching without any specific training better for your child?

i'm not sure what age you'll be homeschooling, but if it's just the 2 of you what a joy. you get to spend your day taking your time and truly teaching your child all of the things that they enjoy and allowing your child to learn in an environment conducive to their strengths and weaknesses. you will do great! i think the best advice i can give is to be organized. it is not a must but as a former high school biology teacher and current homeschooling mom of 4 being organized makes everything easier. also getting involved in a group is a great way to have support and to get your child involved with other kids. here are a few homeschooling websites in your area.
http://www.sdhomeschoolcenter.com/
http://www.meetup.com/sandiegohomeschool/
i just googled "homeschool groups in san diego".
good luck and enjoy!

The decision of homeschooling was not easy for me, but easier for my kid (!) I thought I couldn't do it...but now after home scholing for almost 4 years, I'm happy, my children are happy (ier!), as a family we are happy. The year before starting you will have many doubts and questions, you will wonder if you can do a good job and you will wonder about the myth of socialization..but you surprisingly will see that first YOU can do it, that you will overcome obstacles, you will have great and not so great days days, .....and you will have your children participating in sports/activities and they WILL have friends (the best!) and YOU will have friends as well. The first year is the harder because all of you are adjusting, but it will become easier and easier every day, every year. Did I say, it is fun? IT IS!!!! You will know exactly what your kids are learning and what they do not master yet and you know what?....you will have plenty of time to teach what they have difficulty with and they will master that for lifetime. They will learn not just about academics but LIFE, real life....
You are not a teacher? Without taking credit from teachers who have been study for years their career and many love what they do even when they are not well paid, you still could be a great teacher for YOUR children. If you choose an accredited curriculum, you will have day plans, guidelines and structure for you to teach your children. You will learn together and you will refresh those things you forgot. If you have a degree or a phd that will be so much easier. If you don't have you still can do it because you are doing something very valuable for your children, you love them, you have been their teacher since they were born. I don't believe, I never believed in" I am not good at math, I am not good at Chemistry, I am not good at...." I always believed and still do that we are always good at EVERYTHING, and that is what I am teaching to my children. Now, the older one have been taking standarized tests every year since we started homeschooling him and he has been successful! So..what can I say..It works!!!! Homeschooling is JUST another option to educate your children...to me...the best!!! My children are not Einstein, they are just normal, happy children who go to sports, study, and play with their friends; normal children full of energy and full of hopes like any other child....
There are many curricula for you to choose depending on your expectations and likes (secular, eclectic, unstructured, structured, MANY!) I chose one that I am sure will give my children enough tools and resources to be successful in college or university....to thrive in life..... Personally, I don't like unschooling, but I am sure it works for some families. I wanted a curricula that was accredited and flexible but kind of structured, something that would teach my children to love knowledge and something that would teach certain structure and nice discipline with lots of fun.
You may want to use one curriculum or mix 2 or 3, You just need to sit down, and think what YOU want for your children and how you want them to learn. There are different styles according to your needsyour goals, likes or dislikes.
www.homeschoolcenter.com
www.HSDLA.com (legal site and lots of wonderful information!)
www.Homeschoolounge.com (wonderful site joined by wonderful HS moms like you, like me and PS teachers....)
Check ABEKA, KOLBE, Mother of Divine Grace, go to the library, there are good information, attend HS seminars, they will give you good information also.
Blessings
Ale

First of all, I just want to say that I was exactly like you when we decided to homeschool our kids. I went to public school all my life, and though I really liked the idea of homeschooling, I still had so many questions and worries about it. As my husband says, I think "too much" and overthink everything. But the more research I did, the more it all made sense to me, and now I wouldn't have it any other way. My kids are 8 and 6 and we've been homeschooling for almost two years now. When we first started, I just went to the library and checked out every book I could to research it. Here are a few of the books that really helped me out:

Homeschooling: Take a Deep Breathe-You Can Do This! by Terrie Lynn Bittner

The Well-Adjusted Child: The Social Benefits of Homeschooling by Rachel Gathercole

The Unschooling Handbook: How to Use the Whole World as Your Child's Classroom by Mary Griffith

I see that you're in California (we are in the LA area) so if you haven't looked at it already, the California Homeschool Network is a great website: http://www.californiahomeschool.net/ If you click on "Local Contacts" there is a contact for San Diego if you want a local person to speak to. My best piece of advice, however, is to find a homeschool support group in your area. I did an online search and found a group in my area; they have a weekly park day that is great for meeting other families who homeschool. It's great because you can ask lots of questions about homeschooling, and it calms your fears when you meet people who have homeschooled their kids through high school and see how their kids are in college or have finished college. You can also meet new friends, set up play dates with kids your daughter's age, go on field trips with other homeschooling families, and after a while, when you've gotten to know people, you won't feel so isolated anymore.

You are definitely smart enough. I remember your past posts, and it sounds like your daughter is already ahead for her grade level; homeschooling is a great way to have her continue in pursuing her love for learning. As she gets older, you can enroll her in classes and activities. I know that there are many homeschooled teenagers who decide to take classes at the community college, and end up being pretty advanced by the time they graduate high school (many finish high school early). There's so much more I could write, but I've already written an essay. :-) Feel free to send me a PM if you have any questions; as you can probably tell, I love homeschooling and love to talk about it. :-) Good luck!

No advice...just want to let you know you are not alone!
I am here-across the country-and feeling very similar feelings!
I hope these great mamas can give you some helpful advice.
I'll be reading! :)

I have been homeschooling my daughter for 5 years. She is starting High school this year. I was also worried about not being smart enough to teach my child. So I found a school that provides everything you need to have a successful homeschooling experience. You get the books,student and teacher, all supplies and a teacher to fall back on and turn work samples into. Also they have a community day once a week for students to get together and go school together. There are hundreds of field trips to choose from for more time with friends. A lot of parents get together and make friends with the parents of the kids your child has friend-ed and then you can set up times to go to a park near by and hang out. The options are endless there.
Oh the program is K12.com thats where all the school work comes from and the school is CAVA the website is http://www.k12.com/cava/

Hope this helps!