Question for Homeschooling Mamas

Homeschooling is all about finding what works for you. However, this is what we do.

We homeschool 5 days a week, but we homeschool Tues-Sat. Dad has Sundays and Mondays off (those are his "weekend" days) so we do the same so we can have two family days. It's nice to do things together on a Monday when it's not so crowded!

We have a very set schedule, we homeschool from 10:00am to between 2:00 and 3:00pm. She is in 4th grade so we do about 4 hours. Not all 4 hours are seatwork, we're often doing experiments in the kitchen or playing learning games in the living room. Sometimes we go on field trips alone or with our homeschooling group.

I tried a more relaxed attitude about homeschooling, such as doing it at night or relaxing in the morning but that did not work with my daughter's personality. If she got playtime in the morning before homeschool then she didn't want to stop and it was a battle. So we cut out TV, video games and playtime before homeschool. Those are the treats for after! We get up, get ready and the homeschool "bell" goes off at 10:00am. I hope that this teaches her to be on time if she ever chooses to go to public school or for a job in her future.

We do math, language arts, handwriting, spelling etc. every day. We trade off between science and social studies, I found for us doing a social studies unit then doing a science unit worked well for us. We also do health units, art and of course PE.

I mix in my household duties while she's doing seatwork. I'll clean up breakfast dishes while she's doing her math worksheets. I pay bills and take care of emails and computer work while she's doing worksheets as well. She's older, so I can do that. When she was younger I had to sit right there, but then we did less time as well.

Downsides--just the fact that you might clash heads once in a while. Plus, I know my daughter so I know when she's faking (or usually when she's faking) and I don't let her get away with it! All of a sudden you have a hand cramp when it's handwriting time? I don't buy it!

Upsides--too many! You can mix in your religious beliefs in with school. You can go at their pace. You can spend a long time on something if they don't get it. You can follow their interests. You can move fast through the things they do get. You even learn things along with them or remember things you forgot!

For us a very structured time frame works the best, but being flexible with what we study in that time is a good balance. Some days we do 4 hours of science! Some days we relax and read books and act out plays.

I hope you enjoy your journey and find what works for you!

You structure the day as you want.
Use everything as a learning experience.
Even doing chores/cooking.
Depending how old the child is, and what their attention span is... you decide how 'long' each session is.
You take them out, on excursions.
You look online for home schooling groups in your area.

It is challenging with other kids at home.
Thus, you have a daily regular routine about it and your day with them.
Have an area in your home, dedicated to learning/school.
So the kids, are cued, to that.
Have the learning things, on bookshelves etc.
Tell them this is their fun school things.

Online, per each State, they have home schooling organizations and groups.

Also, there are online free websites for learning/kids. (per my Daughter's 1st Grade teacher):
www.starfall.com
www.pbskids.org
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/laac/numbers/chi.shtml
http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_169_g_1_t_2.html?o...
http://www.abc.net.au/countusin/games/game7.htm
http://www.literacycenter.net/lessonview_en.php
http://pbskids.org/lions/games/flood.html
http://www.roythezebra.com/reading-games/capital-letter-1...

This is another good website store, for homeschooling/learning supplies & things:
http://www.carsondellosa.com/cd2/default.aspx

And this website to learn typing:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/

Good luck,
Susan

This is my first year homeschooling. My daughter is in kindergarten and we love the freedom it allows us to have. We use the workbox system and it really helps keep us focused and get us through all the necessary things each day. The workbox system is designed to help students move through all the things they need to do each day without wondering what is next all the time. Google it and you can learn tons about it.

We usually start between 9 and 9:30 each morning. Since it is kindergarten it can take us anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half. Not bad considering most K kids are in school for 6 hours. We go to the library for story time every Wednesday morning so we do her school work after lunch that day but I usually only do the basics with her that day since she has been in a class type setting already. She is taking piano lessons so practice time is built into school time each day.

I do a few things around the house while she is working but since it is K she needs a bit more direction and it doesn't take as long to do it so I am not losing out on time to get things done.

I also have a 3 year old and babysit my 2 year old nephew three days a week so I have things for them to do while we do school such as coloring, puzzles, playing with trains or cars. I am having baby #3 in August so I know things will have to change for us come fall but we will find a new normal that works for us.

I love that I get to help my child learn. She is gaining knowledge each day and it is enjoyable to be with her for that. We can do fun things and go on field trips with her friends who homeschool and do play dates during the day. We are not bound to a school schedule that dictates when we have to do things. Our family is the most important thing and we want our kids to have our values and beliefs. A downside is that sometimes we but heads on things. Sometimes I would like a break from my kids but I know this is best for them and that is what matters. My husband is a great support and I do get time to myself at times (like today I got to go have coffee with a friend).

Homeschooling is wonderful and challenging. Make sure you do your research on your state laws and even on curriculums. There is so much out there it can boggle your mind. You can find tons of free stuff to help too. Our library has awesome unit lessons for teachers and will allow homeschooling moms to have access to them.

The answers to your questions will depend largely on the style of homeschooling you use. Here's a great informational site:

http://www.homeschool.com/Approaches/

My family has been homeschooling for the last 8 years. I think the biggest upside for us as a family is that we all enjoy one another's company, not something I hear from most parents of teens. I also enjoy seeing my children excited about learning and confident in their ability to do so.

Hi M.,

This is my 3rd year homeschooling my 10 year-old kid and my almost 5 year old little one. I work with the oldest in the morning. We start at 8:30-9:00 am until noon or 1 o'clock pm, and then he works on his own about 2 hours in the afternoon, sometimes evening depending on sports/activities' schedule . He is actually studying more than the basics (math, reading, writing, soc studies,etc)He is learning religion, foreign languages and world history, and we include other interesting topics . While I work with my 10-year- old kid, my little one is coloring, painting or building something... He loves building! (Thomas tracks, legos, etc) sometimes he cut and paste letters with matching pictures we make together. So, he is "busy" and happy! . Also with the little one, We do "school work" in the afternoon like simple math games, phonics, reading, etc, but I do not force him since he is little, I just follow his pace and when the attention span is gone....we finish! Next year....will be another story....lol...
I do most of my household "duties"(in deep) Friday afternoon and Saturday, and then I just maintain the rest of the week with the help of my 3 boys (included my husband). In between, I do laundry, some cleaning and and get the meals ready. Before I start working with the kids, I do some paperwork and PC stuff, a little bit of exercise in the treadmill, and then breakfast. I like my house clean, and organized and that has helped me a lot! It is not spotless or absolutely impeccable but nice and clean.
Every single day is not perfect and I also feel overwhelmed, but I have to confess that this has been the best decision I have ever made in my life.
Benefits? I always say the same: the kids love learning, they learn to be responsible and have fun. There is plenty of flexibility, you choose schedules and curricula, vacations and activities, doctors' appointments etc... I know my kids, I know what they know and what they don't know.
Downsides? I would say, that I need more me time, and sometimes it is possible but others is very difficult. That is why is SO important to have certain schedule that way I can have time for everybody and for myself.

M., being a home school mom is challenging and a very busy job, there are "good" days, "wonderful" and "not so good days"but the kids still learn something every single day. I love homeschooling even when I never thought that I would be doing this, and most of all, my kids love it as well and they love being at home. In spite of all the myths there are about homeschooling, I can tell you that the kids have plenty of opportunities to socialize, they do sports and field trips, there are nice home schooling groups everywhere, they have good interaction with other children and adults....I used to have the same questions, doubts and curiosity about home schooling and its reality....but when you are there, it is an interesting, a challenging and a beautiful journey for a family. It is education in the whole meaning of the word....Just my experience....