Young Minds, Full Potential

I am trying to wrap my mind around why some people are so against Homeschooling…  I have done a ton of research on the subject and there are many different methods of homeschooling, which is actually labeled “private school” for legal reasons.  If you are interested this website lists and describes each homeschooling method very well: www.homeschool.com

I only speak for myself under this subject.  I was not homeschooled and don’t think my education would have changed much if I were because my parents were not fluent in the English language and both had to work, so it just wasn’t an option or a right fit.  I also don’t agree that homeschooling isn’t right for everyone.  I do feel that some kids CAN benefit far more from an education given in other forms besides public school.  I reside in San Diego and it’s well known that San Diego by far has one of the worst school districts.  It’s not to say that there aren’t good teachers and good schools within the district simply that it doesn’t allow for those schools and teachers to function at their full potential.  Consequently, children at all ages suffer not reaching their full potential.

The first reason I started looking for more information on Homeschooling was honestly because of the first Elementary School shooting in 2012.  The second because my son was three at the time and was in a pre-school that my husband attended when he was a child, it came very highly recommended as well.  Not a lot of schools offer pre-school to three year olds but after I found out about it and I thought sure he’s very smart, potty trained and knows how to share.  So interacting with other kids in a school setting early would be a great benefit, right?!  No… not really… He was far ahead of the kids in his class in many areas.  For example he knew how to read, his colors, shapes, knew how to recite his ABC’s, spell his name and numbers to 100.  He did learn to write his name, made a few friends and picked up some bad habits (that was wonderful).  At the end of the school year his teacher told us he was doing great but could work on coloring and drawing… Hmmm… OK.

Anyway, the more information I found on homeschooling the more I started to love the idea.  At first I didn’t think it would be for my family because I was working a overnight shift job (what that does to you… let me tell you is not pretty) so I could be with my kids during the day while my husband was at work and taking on college school work on top of it .  But now that I have left that horrid overnight position and am a stay at home mom, it couldn’t be more perfect!  I am so very excited and can’t wait to get started.  I have done my due diligence and have reached out to support programs and other homeschoolers and parents that all love what they are doing for their kids, have benefited from taking this path and would not change it for the world.  So, for anyone out there with frowny faces about Homeschooling children, if you have kids and hate this idea; simply don’t do as we do, do what works for you and your own kids, -nuff said.

I have talked about homeschool with my son since he’s been in a classroom setting because I want him to understand how “school” is changing for us.  We did skip a year of “school” because I just didn’t feel he needed to be in public pre-school again at age four, but we still do reading and writing and a little bit of math in our daily routine.  If I were technically homeschooling right now…   I’d say it’d be a bit like the “un-schooling” method.  That is not the approach or method in which we will be doing homeschool starting summer end but I put it out there just to give you an idea of how learning is a very natural thing for us.

Let me tell you I am freaking out, but at the same time I feel great that I am able to provide the best for my kids.  I know that we will be able to go at their pace and use the best methods and curriculum that works best for them.  I can tell you right now that my kids do not learn sitting down for long periods listening to lectures.  If I’m boasting, I can say I am also not too worried that my kids won’t benefit from homeschool because I know they will; My son is reading at level 2 and he’s only five.  So, I think we have a good start and it wasn’t even on purpose, second siblings are usually not far behind.

I will definitely write about this again, maybe not here since this blog is not dedicated to homeschooling but we’ll see…