About six months ago I posted that we had decided to pull our girl out of school to homeschool, and I asked for some support. I just wanted to thank this board for the responses I received, which were overwhelmingly encouraging.
Just to update: we love homeschooling. I was so, so nervous and now it just works so well I can't imagine not having my kiddos at home. Within a few months of leaving school my little girl was back to normal, sleeping well and no anxiety at all. We found a great group of kids around my daughters age that homeschool as well, and while we do curriculum at home we supplement with classes at the museums in Dallas. I was worried about losing my own downtime, but my DH takes the kids out once a week for Daddy time and I get a chance to be alone (I do need to be alone, like recharging my batteries). The biggest benefit is how tight knit my family feels compared to how broken we all were before. Everyone needs their own situation, but for us, this just works.
And a random benefit to homeschooling is that my daughter can have several extracurricular activities without being overloaded. Right now she's in swim, gymnastics, and art classes, and she's pushing for music lessons as well. :)
No real question, more of an update, but if any of the homeschoolers active on Mamapedia know of a good community website resource for homeschool, please let me know. Oddly, I've met plenty of IRL people who homeschool but don't know many online.
I don't homeschool but glad this worked out for you! so nice to read a positive message on here after the last few days :) I am all for finding the situation that works best for families and this one sounds like it was just the ticket for you! Awesome.
Thanks for sharing :) Sounds very positive
Congratulations! I really miss homeschooling and will return to it sometime in the next few years as I'm able. I'm having the reverse you are right now as my kids started public school. Thy went from being extremely ahead in all subjects to being same level as their peers..they are struggling to get in the extra activities they used to do easily. They used to all be in two instruments and martial arts, now they only have time for one instrument each. They used to take French lessons and study a great history curriculum, the "Story of the World" series made them history lovers. Now no time for those. I'm lucky to get them practicing cursive a bit-which school doesn't teach here. I'm very happy for you!
I did not homeschool because it would not have been beneficial to my family. We are also in a very good school district and our daughter excelled.
I'm glad you found something that works for your family. That is all that matters!!
Homeschooling is not for everyone but there are families like yours that thrive and excel with homeschooling. It's nice to know you found your match!!
Good luck.
oh ms M., thanks so much for this delightful update! i'm uber-blissing that this is working out so well for your family!
yay! yay! yay!
:) khairete
S.
I'm so glad to hear it's going well for you! Your experience sounds a lot like ours. I wish I had decided to homeschool long before I finally did it. My kids are so much happier now!
There are many good groups on Facebook. I belong to the Life of Fred fan page (we use LoF for math), and the Secular Homeschooling page. Both have been really useful for curriculum recommendations, as well as suggestions on how to present materials that the kids aren't getting the first time around.
Thanks for posting this! We've toyed with homeschooling for years. My kids are changing schools next year (the district is opening a gifted academy, one child is going for sure, we are waiting on placement for the second). We hate their current schools. If we can't make the new one work, we M. move to homeschooling.
Great update. I'm so glad this is working out for you and your family.
Ahhh you discovered the hidden gem of homeschooling . . . so happy for you and your family!
Are you on FB? There are many homeschooling groups on that site. Maybe request to join a few and see which ones suit your style best.
Congratulations!
(Homeschooling mom for the past 8 years!)
Have you looked at the HSLDA website? I love the Practical Homeschooling FB page. Happy to hear your success.
So happy for you. We have links to different groups here in Florida through the public school system (by county), I think they have a message board as well. Maybe check out your states school board website and see if they offer anything.
Other then that try Google search.
Nice to hear that your transition was a success for you and your family!
