Question for people experienced with homeschool?

Question

We just purchased property in a very rual town, the property itself is even more remote, so we are concidering homeschool for our daughters 2&3, We'll make sure they have activities for socialization like art, music, dance classes etc, and sports. Any thoughts? useful tips?

Thanks to everyone for sharing your personal stories, I agree about the overschedualing thing, one niece of mine had at least one and sometimes 2 classes after school everyday, swiming, art, dance, music, and so on, one day at the age of 6 she started telling her mom that she needed a break, that she was stressed out with all the classes and needed time to play

Answer 1

I homeschooled 2 kids, close in age like yours. This is a benefit, believe it or not. They can be tough at the same time, the same subjects, as long as you notice that the young one is keeping pace. Otherwise, give the younger one less work.
You have already decided to homeschool and to include social activities, therefore you are already showing great parental love and concern. When the time comes, become a member of the HSLDA, when the kids are 5/6 years old. Begin with a simplified curriculum and a library card. Visit the library once a week or so for books. Also, join a support group in your state, even if you may not be able to attend some of the meetings. Their newsletters will inform you of important dates, like when there will be a curriculum fair or an outing with the group at discounted rates (for example rollerskating or the zoo). These are good things. You may be able to connect with another homeschool parent, even if it is for just simple telephone calls or emails. Some contact helps, especially if you don't know the answer to one of the many parenting mysteries of life.

Decide on what education you wish to give them. Unschool? Christian Homeschool? Regular state supported? Correspondence? There are many options, so I recommend you attend a homeschooler conference in your state to view all the options(the summer before you begin at the latest). Bring a big bag or two, so you can take all the free samples and ordersheets....Be sure you go without the kids, as this will hamper your progress. You will see so much, you may be overwhelmed, but if you do your homework, you will know which tables you want to visit, which curricula would be of interest and which not.

I hope this helps!
Enjoy your children!!!!

Answer 2

Don't over do it and don't underdo it.

Do stay consistant with wake up time, breakfast, and schooling start time.

Don't do all the work for them. Often times homeschool parents will teach so much by 'example' that the child misses out on the "figuring out" process.

Find a fun cirriculum that appeals to you and your child.

You don't have to spend 7-8 hours a day in book study. The only reason public school lasts so long is because there are 20-30 children per classroom. Most of the day is spent trying to get kids attention. You won't have that problem one-on-one.

Do join a homeschooling website support group. It will help you to understand what is expected for a child to know at what age and how other parents are teaching their children.

Answer 3

I think it is awesome you want to homeschool your daughters. One mistake that some parents make when they first decide to homeschool is get bogged down in all the curriculum choices. They don't need any curriculum until they are school age which is either 5 or 6 yrs old. Until then give them opportunities in life for learning and allow them to have plenty of time to play. They have the rest of their lives to learn from books. Let them be children as long as you can. Being involved in something extra is great. That way they can have the opportunity to be around others. Some parents overschedule children thinking they need to have it for socialization. I don't agree. I think having them involved in more than one activity at a time can be hurtful in some ways. Allow them to pick one thing and stick with it for a bit and if they don't like it then move onto something different. Other opportunities may include the Library storytime, parks, playdates, festivals, etc. I wish you the best. It is exciting thinking about all the wonderful things you will get to teach your daughters. have fun!!

Answer 4

Check out the self-teaching Robinson Curriculum.

My thoughts are that you have a wonderful plan and opportunity! How fun to live out where you can explore the land and really LIVE! Home schooling will give your girls the chance to learn so many good things.

Math, writing and reading are fun to teach during the early years. As they get older they will be able to do many things on their own while you read or do your own work in the same room.

Be sure to connect with other parents in your area that are also teaching their children at home. It is always good to have others to talk to when the going gets chaotic. Homeschool isn't always rosy but it is soooooooo worthwhile! Others are also good to have around for when you need ideas for projects or group get-togethers. AND you can trade material or borrow things that others are not using.

You are welcome to come and join a new group for home-school questions:

www.groups.yahoo.com/groups/homeschoolanswers

We will be posting links to resources in every area.

Answer 5

I also recommend you become a member of HSLDA for legal protection. Also, find out if your area has a homeschool co-operative. I am a member of a homeschool co-operative that meets once a week for some classes, and I have lots of friends.

Remember that, as a homeschool family, you can study anything you want along with the things you have to. Take atvantage of that! My sister recently graduated from highschool as a homeschooler, and is going to a prestigious college with a National Merit scholarship, and that didn't come from studying spelling, math, and history all her life.

Hope that helps!

Answer 6

Listen, don't start homeschooling until 1st grade. Let them go to Pre-K and Kindergarten. Lets face it! Until 1st grade the public system is great for kids. After that, they will learn so much more and have such a better education than public schools. Take them out after Kindergarten and homeschool them until they graduate.

Answer 7

anjelkake's answer is very good, and from having been homeschooled myself I would say that it is really a worthwile endeavour. Something that can be a huge benefit to your children is that you can maximize their individual strengths better than in a classroom.