The launch of 2013 marks a new chapter in our lives. We have decided that we are going to homeschool our youngest daughter, E starting this semester. The decision to homeschool was not an easy one: it took a lot of prayer and thought on our parts for sure, but we know this is the right choice for Emily and we are excited to start this new way of life.
Many families turn to homeschooling for different reasons. We decided to homeschool E for several reasons. First, we've had many health issues this year (see my posts on Constipation and Encopresis) and E has missed a lot of school With homeschooling, we can still do work even when she's sick, or we can make it up on a weekend. Another reason for homeschooling our daughter is her learning differences. E has been diagnosed with AD/HD, ODD, dysgraphia and a math learning disorder. Because of these challenges for E, school has been especially tough. There are time limits and deadlines that bring more stress onto an already stressful situation. Homeschooling is a little more relaxed, she can take her time learning and mastering something before having to move on to the next thing.
Our goals with E this year is to bring her up to where she needs to be (she is behind in spelling and math). In order to do this, I will have to go backwards in order to move forward.
Next, I am going to say something that may surprise you. E is the only one of our four children that I will be homeschooling.
Why?
Well, to be honest, because the other three don't necessarily need homeschooling. While it's true that many children benefit from homeschooling, not all children do. Homeschooling is not for every child or every family.
My five year old, for example, Mr. J, does quite well in school right now. He's in public Pre-K at the local Elementary school and doing wonderfully. He's learning a lot and loves his teachers and friends. We just see no reason, at this time, to homeschool him. This may change with the future, but until then he will remain in school
As for our older two, Miss C (15) and Mr. G (16), they will also continue to attend public school. Neither of them really have the desire to be homeschooled right now, and they're also doing fairly well in the public school system.
E may return to the public school system some time in the future, or she may not. It will depend a lot on how she does, and how I do. I am hoping to see my daughter excel and soar. I am hoping to open her eyes to a world of possibilities.
Do I have grandiose ideas about homeschooling my 9 year old daughter? Probably. But I welcome the journey, I welcome the struggles, and I welcome the challenges.
Do you homeschool? Feel free to comment and share your experiences!
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2 comments:
The decision about schooling children can be one of the toughest to make and the toughest to "defend." Even with Christians there can be unfortunate mommy wars. Don't ever feel you need to defend your decision to others for any of your children. You are a concerned mom and it shows.
May the Lord bless your journey in homeschooling!
I only have one child left to teach,she's ten and in the 4th grade, and we're using the Laura Ingalls books and a unit study called The Prairie Primer. It has been a wonderful way to play and learn. OK, maybe I play more than most moms, but it has been encouraging. I'm blogging through that at mommamindyprairieprimer.wordpress.com.
I have an old homeschool blog you might find useful because I love to play for Math.
http://hometeachedmommamindy.blogspot.com/
I usually tell moms the first year doesn't count. :) Give yourselves room to adjust.
I love the Blue Backed Speller for helping with phonics. It gives all the phonetic rules and words that use those rules. It goes well with Abeka language/phonics programs. I also love Abeka math for the elementary years and use a LOT of manipulatives. Sometimes kids don't "get" math because they can't see or feel their way through the instructions.
Once you understand how Miss Em learns and what makes that lightbulb go off in her head, you both will be so thrilled. It's an exciting adventure, to open your child's eyes to understanding.
Enjoy your adventure!
How fun for you and her! I loved homeschooling my children, especially in the early years.
We joined a homeschool co-op and they took "extra" classes like cooking, karate, music, acting, P.E., all sorts of fun classes to supplement the basics they were learning.
You can have so much fun studying things and then supplement them with projects and making fun things.
Don't let a bad day discourage you. Even public school teachers have a bad day now and then.
Thanks for linking up to Making Your Home Sing Monday!
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