Considering Home Schooling but Need Input.

Hi H. -
I have been home schooling for 2 years now. My kiddos are ages 12, 10 and 8. We consider it the best decision that we ever made. (the kids feel that way too) There are many support groups in our area. I have yet to find a time where I don't have some sort of activity available for mine.

PATH is an excellent place to start and our main source for keeping us busy. www.pathhomeschool.org There are 2 park groups that meet each week and tons of field trips.
If you are looking for more religious based groups check into PACE www.pacemiami.org and LIGHT (I do not have their web address). Most groups that meet have some sort of park group on a regular basis plus planned activities. PACE also offers enrichment classes throughout the school year.

I hope this helps.

Happy Day -
ShelahD

Hi H..
Socialization for Homeschooled children is usually the biggest concern for parents (and other adults in your childrens circle). As homeschoolers continue to multiply by leaps and bounds, organizations have popped up to facilitate the interaction between homeschoolers. By joining an online homeschool chat group (just google- broward, homeschool groups) you will be able to tap into loads of advice and information about ongoing events in your area. One of the weekly organizations that my kids (9, 6yrs) go to is a 3 hr phys. ed. session designed for homeschoolers called SAINTS. There is also the annual Florida Homeschool convention coming up on Memorial weekend in Orlando that will put you in touch with other homeschoolers and organizations in the area. There are also quite a few books out there that are really valuable to read about what Socialization truly means for you and how homeschooling can actually benefit your children socially. One such book is called 'The Well Adjusted Child-The Social benefits of homeschooling' by Rachel Gathercole, but there are many others as this is a big topic for many of us. Good Luck . G.

about me- I am a 39 year old homeschooling , working part time (from home)mom with 3 children 9,6, and 2 yrs-and loving it!

I thought I was to old when I joined this chatting source but obviously today I have something to say. I am a Math teacher and I have tutored children as well.Home schooling happens every day. When you cook you can teach baking and how to be a chef, maybe even some math to change a recipe. When you go to a musseum with your children that is a great field trip. But when you take your children to school, the kids are going to learn much more than what you can already give. Good and bad, in school we learn about people actions, reactions and other points of view. You will have much more to share at home with them. From their experiences you can add ethical principles and build a character. Do not fear a public environment that is the place where we belong. Educate your children for the world, in the world, they are not ours to keep.

Hi H.,
If your 'mom instincts' are telling you that home schooling might be in the best interests of your children, go for it. You know them best, and I'll alwaays trust those mom instincts above all.
There are a myriad of home schooled children in PB County, as well as many support groups and socialization groups. I see that the previous responses you've gotten have some very good web sites to start with.
I am a Florida certified teacher who after years in public and private schools came to the same conclusion that you did. For the last five years I have been doing private home schooling, academic supplementation, and tutoring. My home school students are the most well-adjusted, happy children who are excited to be home schooled.
I'll be glad to give you input regarding curriculum, scheduling, etc. if you want to pursue this route. I don't know of one family that is sorry they did it.
MB Spooner
____@____.com

Hi H. I live in west palm and am homeschooling a 12 year old a 7, 2, and 10 month old. It has been a great experience I belong to a group called flame which is a group of moms that get together and we teach our kids the different subject areas according to their needs. We are a Christian group and our kids are thriving in every area of their lives. There are hundreds of homeschool parents that have decided to homeschool, and lots and LOTS of support out there It is almost too much to choose from if you ask me!!!!So do not be afraid just GET PLUGGED IN. Homeschooling moms have been the most kind, informative and helpful people I have encountered so you are not alone. By the way I just started homeschooling my 6th grader this year and it is been going great..If you need more info just write me back and I will be happy to help in any way I can,God Bless You

Hi H., we are a Florida Virtual Academy family and my son is a 4th grader. We homeschooled for Kindergarten after VPK didn't work out for him. He never could adjust to mainstream school, and he loves being home.

We honestly try very hard to find down time, because there are sooo many things for homeschooling families to do. We run ragged if we try to do them all. He's popular in the neighborhood with the mainstream kids too. They call all the time and knock on the door to play.

Last weekend, we met up with another FLVA family at the park and had a great time.

The virtual school children get better scores on the FCAT than the mainstream ones. I have links to charts and graphs if you are interested. FL legislators have been voting for the past few weeks on whether or not to continue funding virtual school in the budget. We are waiting to hear the result soon, however the children already enrolled are guaranteed a spot for next year regardless. www.k12.com and www.connectionsacademy.com are two virtual schools in FL.

Best wishes.

Awesome H.. I would love to homeschool but been a single mom makes it kind of hard.

Here are some links for you:

www.meetup.com You can find local hs groups.
www.gentlechristianmothers.com/mb Has a hs forum.

Babycenter's hs forum
http://boards.parentcenter.babycenter.com:80/n/pfx/forum....

Good luck.

H.,
For what it's worth, I'm a high school teacher and I see children who (re)enter the school system after home schooling for high school. It can be extremely intimidating to enter a school of 2000+ after being at homeschooled. Many kids have great difficulty adjusting. I see you have 5th and 6th (next year 6th and 7th?) grade children. Would you be home schooling through just middle school or planning on homeschooling through high school, too? Just think of the number of adjustments that your children will have to make... public to home... back to public in 2 or 3 years? Is it worth it for you and your children?
I can see your interest in homeschooling your Kindergarten child... it would be a longer term commitment.
I'm not anti-homeschool... I just want you to consider the transitions involved for your children.
Bes of luck with wherever your heart leads you in this decision.
T.

I know alot of people who home school. There are groups to belong to. The City of PSL has sports for them to join during school hours. My girlfriend was one of the first to pioneer the home school movement. If you want I can have you talk to her also. Things are diffrent now & home school has come along way. I have my kids in private school but if we could not afford that we would home school. It has to right for you & you must find your own way of teaching . Think outside the box & Good Luck. It will payoff.

Check out the links on the New Homeschoolers page at www.NHEN.org. You will find there are many different ways to homeschool and many different sorts of people doing it.

No matter what the teachers on this board think :) it works just fine for many families.

N.

Hi! I'm A., 28yr old mother of three Stay At Home Mom. I am beginning to home school my daughter who will be 6 in August. For her kindergarten year I kept her home while all her friends went off to school. Fortunately she has her three year old brother and her 9 month old sister. We all keep eachother company and I recently began taking them out to a playgroup at the library, a sports basics class, and the playground so they can mingle a little. And I've been hoping to meet other mothers who are homeschooling. I ended up meeting one who homeschools, two who used to and several who are considering. I'm certain it will only get better as I am, like I said, just starting out. I also joined Broward Christian Homeschoolers which is one of many support groups to keep us homeschoolers busy and social. I remain hopeful and I believe where there's a will, there's a way. I truly believe in what I'm doing for my children. It's the only way to go. I hope you can be encouraged by what I've said here and by what the other mama's here have said in reply. God bless your efforts and hope to talk to you again real soon. - A.