Hello everyone!

I am currently a stay at home mom with a 2 year old and a 3 month old. Home schooling has been brought up between my husband and I since we found out I was pregnant with our daughter. We have not has a serious sit down about it, but I am sure we will soon.

I wanted to find out if anyone has any advice about the pros and cons of home schooling. What age do you actually start? Would it be wise to go ahead and start setting aside time for "learning"? (Our daughter's favorite thing is being read to. She loves books that involve counting, colors, and shapes.. that would be what I mean by "learning time") 

I was the student that seldom made good grades. I could do the work.. but I was shy and bullied. Even the teachers often "picked" on me.. as an example to the other children. Looking back, no wonder I hated school so much! (I should state that I am 33 years old and lived in South GA. They still gave spankings for not turning in your homework!)

I am concerned that our children's education could suffer in the public schools. We already have a pretty good handle on teaching them manners, sympathy, empathy, and communication... I would love to be able to know that they are getting the education that they deserve and not just a bunch of busy work! I have seen the hours of homework that kids bring home after being at school all day.

I seriously know of NO pros for sending a kid to school, unless the mom just needs more time for herself (and puts herself in front of the child's well-being that way) or it is a magnet school for which the child has a strong interest.

As for pros for homeschooling, if I had the time, I could probably literally come up with thousands.  You've listed a few already in your post.  I would strongly recommend reading "Dumbing Us Down" by John Taylor Gatto.  I don't see how anyone could possibly consider sending their children into the mass education system after reading that book.

For preschool aged kids, no formal curriculum is necessary.  Just make sure you have lots of enriching experiences to do together (a favorite one in my house is catching frogs and toads outside, and catching food for the frogs we keep as pets), read together, and maybe have some nice enriching toys around (legos, blocks, puzzles, dress-up clothes, anything for imaginative play would all be good examples).  Universalpreschool.com is a great resource for pre-k activites as well.

HTH

this is how i responded when i was asked about homeschooling. i am a 28yr. old mother of a 5yr. old, 2yr. old and one on the way. i went to both public and private school. (just to give you some background)

i started looking into it myself. if you only knew how much info there is and free things on homeschooling on the net, you would lose your mind! i had to pick a school within my district, write the superintendent a letter of intent to homeschool, and that's the start of it. i choose the curiculum, and i can add any additional learning material in there. the child ends up smarter, (just think of it...in school it's a ratio of around 1 to 25(teacher-student ratio)! when 1 or sometimes more than one child is not with the program, everyone else has to wait for the 1 or the bunch to catch on or up so you can move on to the additionally required information needed.) the child has more things like value, respect, appreciation (the list goes on) because if you're a loving parent devoted to your child's well being you would already be instilling these things in the child. when you homeschool, you really can enjoy being a family, together, all the time to learn, share, care and grow, together. most people start teaching their children,(which is great) but then ship them off to school for many other people (who most likely don't have the same values and beliefs as you) to take over the job you barely started and the child ends up another product of society! the way i also feel is this: my children are not old enough to fend for themselves yet. we're working on the knowledge it takes to become a responsible, indepedent adult, but their still babies and have yrs. of work to do for the goal! i can't properly protect my children if i can't be with them. how often do parents so innocently send their child off to school only to never see them again for whatever reason...the bus crashed, another child shot them, someone kidnapped them...it happens all the time. i adore my children and know that there is never any replacing! i can't control what god has in store for them, but i will do my best to keep them free from harm as much as possible. another thing is...it's like children have unpaid jobs when they go to school. most parents allow the child to stay up late, they have to get up early and make a commute, be forced to do things they have no desire to do, and they they make the commute back home. most children don't eat well before they leave, are sleeping through the first few periods, they go to an unhealthy lunch, return to classes to be with their "friends" now that they're awake, and return home to not do the work they are supposed to be doing. children are also not always smart enough to choose good people to hang out with. in school, all the good, bad, and uglies are thrown into one. (good luck sifting through the mess!) when you homeschool, you research and find other homeschoolers or homeschooling groups that share the same or similar beliefs to yours! the child still gets socialization, and you can have an influence as the knowledgable parent and adult who your children hang out with. the child has a say-so in what they do! when children are sent to school, it causes them to be somewhat rebellious. (i believe) they have little to no choice in anything their doing. you tell them what to do and they are expected to do it or else! where is the justice for the children?! i am trying to teach my children to be strong willed individuals who can think and deside for themselves. i don't want my child to be some kind of pushover! THINK MAN, THINK!!! i have dreams that my children will accomplish more than i did, and that their possibilities will be endless! you have to give them a strong foundation to start from!

IF YOU SAY YOU CAN, YOU CAN! IF YOU SAY YOU CAN'T, YOU'RE RIGHT!

i have much more to say on the matter, but i have already written a book! lol! if you care to know more, simply ask and i will tell!

there are things for the younger ones, like my 5yr. old, that should be known (#'s 1-25, all letters, letter sounds, colors, shapes, the list goes on.) the wonderful thing about homeschooling is the child has no limits or boundries. in school, they will say "ok. this is what you have to know by the end of the week...ready....set....GO!" and the child gets into a panic like it's some kind of rat race! not fair to the child!!! at home, there is so much more leisure, no pressure! i started with my oldest once he was born! there are soooo many things you can do, (reading, talking, etc.) to keep the child on the up and up without them feeling like you're drilling them with info. i am also going to school year round. how fair is it to tell a child they have to be stuffed with info, THEN you'll get a break for about 2.5 months, (oh my god!) and tell the child after returning that they need to have remembered everything to be able to keep it moving?! it's a fact that children will forget a HUGE percentage of what was learned over the summer! if you don't make them feel like it's a job or you're putting them to work, they will be super excited to keep up the learning! especially b/c when you start young, they don't see it that way! the laws for homeschooling differ from state to state, and all needed info can be found online. here are some sites that i frequent...

www.besthomeschooling.org

www.abcteach.com (this is a favorite!)

www.homeschoolbuzz.com

www.homeschoolfreestuff.com (this one will blow your socks off!!! just sign up!)

www.letteroftheweek.com

www.kinderplans.com

i highly suggest you start to google things like (ga homeschooling, homeschooling...)

the other day we did some educational stuff, like we always do. examples are... i needed to repot one of my plants, so i took them both outside and i had them do it. they learned about how the roots get the neutrients to the rest of the plant, etc. all i did was speak, they did all the work, and loved it! i also went out and bought them mini $1 cake pans, and cool things to go with it. they came with me to the store and picked out the cake mix, candles, sprinkles, frosting...we went home and they made, baked and had a ball eating their creation! we just called it an unbirthday party, but they learned sooo much! these things are super inexpensive, fun and they learn so much. i also went to the local teachers store and let him pick out activity books. to him, it's great fun, to me, it's a great teaching tool! i try my best to allow them to feel like he's in control of his own situation, and i can't even tell you what awesome children they are b/c of this learning process! i could seriously talk about this all day, but don't want to continue possibly boring anyone with my self written books addressing the matter. i sincerely hope this has helped, and i would love for you to contact me with anything you wish to chat about! my email is vonnie1999@yahoo.com.

best wishes and blessings to you in your journey! ( i think it will the best journey of your life!!!!!)

i dont see and cons in homeschooling think about it, when children are in public or private schools they have to share one teacher. homeschool is one on one with the person who loves you and wants the best for you not for a paycheck and not all teachers are there for the pay check. they are in school most of the day and home long enough to eat and go to bed, and if they have other activities such as soccer dance ect. then how much actual time are you going to have with your children. my main concern is the lack of disiplin in our school systems today and the influence of other children. i have four grown children who are in thier 20's now looking back i wish i homeschooled them,  my children were all honor roll and well behaved,  i now have a 2 year old who, a) is in a bad school district b) i know tomorrow he will 20 cause time flies by.c) i know i can teach him everything and more then what a public or private school can teach him. he will do the same as my other children with outside activities such as baseball soccer ect. which will teach him social skills d) he will continue to have the morals and respect we have taught him not that my other child dont have them, but when our children are exposed to other without any it does rub off some what.

this is what i have accomplished with my 2yr old son so far, he is like a sponge he loves to learn new things, he can read up 38 words he can count to 10 and reconize numbers up to 5 he knows his major colors, he knows his opposites, he know up and down under on top behind in front he loves books and barney and thomas the train and mickey mouse, it sounds like we work all the time with him in a way we do there is always a lesson in everything we do but we make it fun cause at two its all aabout fun. think about this how can i send my son to school who will have to hold him back in his learning ability cause he has to wait for other child to catch up to him. what i am trying to explain is home school we go at thier pace they dont go at thier pace in public schools or private they go by what the other child and what is on the agenda for the teacher. my other children were also reading before they went to school and never got the challenge they needed in the elementary level cause the other children were holding them back. no fault of the teach thats just how it works

good luck Diana

I love homeschool my 3 yr old twins.  My siblings, friends and relatives asked when will I send my children to school?  I told them that I will homeschool them until they are 6-7 years old.  Many were not pleased with my answer.   Most of them sent their children to school at early age from as young as 1.1/2 years old!  Tell you, none homeschool their children as they have to go to work. 

I give my children serious lesson everyday but not on weekends. My children learn a lot of things from me.  They not only recognise all alphabet letters but they could write upper and lower case of the letter before they reach 2 years old.  They know almost more than 100 words/vocabulary.  I tested them by writing all the words on a piece of paper and asked them to circle the words I said.  Both gave me the right answers.  Now I am teaching them phonics.  They love it vey much. 

Most of the materials I used is from the school text books.  I used kindergarden and 7 years old materials to teach them.  My children are only 3 years old but they know the subjects of the 7 years old.  I am very impressed and proud of them when someone asked them question and they could answered them correctly and swiftly.

I teach them maths on additions, substractions, mass etc.  and they knew it well.  I also include science and music.  As for music, I will teach them piano which they love to play gospel music like God is good and Jesus loves me.   Thats their favourite song.

Well homeschool is definately better if you have the heart and patient to teach.  You will see wonderful results when you compare your children with other kids who go to school.   You will be surprised that your children learnt more.

Our members in this site is of great help.  When I have a problem, they really extend their help and gave a piece of good advice to me.  I adopted it and I have fun doing it now.   

Thank you all for the help! I heard that with all the schools having to cut back even more on their budgets and programs being cut... that it was truly the students that were suffering.  The same show had a report that often the top ranked college grads were either home-schooled or had gone to private school.

I am trying to research info about books and material to find out the cost. (not that it will be a deciding factor, but it does play a roll). Our children are 2 years apart.. can I reuse the same books for our son a couple of years after our daughter?

What about things like band. My husband was in the marching band, and I was in the band too.. Just not marching. I know that there are programs for community sports (if they decide they want to play).. but what about music?

I am soooo glad that I found this group! I have a local play/Mommy group, but none of them are planning to home-school. THANK YOU for the help and support!

I was a band member (played and marched) during my school days too.  My children love music and dancing.  As I have a piano at home so they play the piano.  My son loves to play trumpet because he watched a girl in the Barnie show played the trumpet. 

You may use the same books you mentioned.  Why not?  As I said my children are only 3 years old but I used 7 years old materials besides preschool materials to teach my children.  In fact they enjoyed it.  Dont limit their understanding.

Just proceed!

what you're saying is absolutely correct! even local to me, my sister was told she either made varsity basketball or she couldn't play anymore b/c the budget was being cut and they could no longer afford jv sports! i know cost is a factor, but consider how young they are now! you don't even have to buy books to teach from yet! and sure you can reuse the books! schools do it, why shouldn't you be able to?! information is information, it's like like a fruit that's going to go bad! you may spend as much money on books as you would on school clothes for the year! when you take some things out, you can afford what's important to their education if necessary. i am able to do this being disabled collecting social security disability and no child support from their father. i'm almost sure your financial situation is better than mine. all i'm saying is if i'm able to pull it off, anybody can do it! the world is yours, as far as activities go! let google be your best friend salina! i don't know if you're religious, but pray to god if this is really what you want! everyone told me i was dreaming if i thought i would be able to afford to homeschool. aaron went to preschool and i learned a lot from the experience! i learned that i NEVER again want them to have to go through that again!!! (violence, bad language, mistaught information...) (a child got frustrated b/c my son knew the answer before he did so he broke a ceramic bell over his head!) i prayed many prayers to god to allow me to homeschool, and that's just what i got! praise the lord! all i'm saying is if this is what you want, you can have it! i never said it would be easy to get, but nothing worth having is! like i always love to say, if you think you can, you can. if you think you can't, you're right!

WOW! Is it normal for be to already get this defensive about the possibility of homeschooling? I talked to my grandmother (retired public school teacher) who told me that it was more than playing with my kids all day.. YA THIINK? I have been hit with a huge black and white view on homeschooling. They are either supportive and proud that we would even consider it.. or total naysayers! I have only been looking into this, seriously anyway, for about 48 hours. how am I already this defensive with the negative feedback that I am geting. I WANT to honestly wegith the pros and cons.. but the pros FAR out weight the cons so far. I would NEVER judge a parent for doign what they feel is right for their family.. why is it so easy for others to judge us? BLAH!

Does anyone have a suggestions about this situation?

It CAN be playing with the kids all day though, depending on the kinds of play, especially with preschoolers.

i sincerely hope you didn't think i was judging you in the least bit! and you are 100% correct! this gets to be a very cut-throat conversation! i almost didn't go along with it b/c of all the feedback i got! it seemed like EVERYONE and their grandmother was against the idea. good for you for doing your own research! remember that anything anyone has to say is just an opinion, and do remember, they are like buttholes, everyone has one, most are full of caca. judge for yourself and only listen to the opinions, you aren't mandated to do anything anyone says or suggests. perhaps it would help if you made an actual list of pro's and con's on paper. i'm almost sure they have tons of books on the subject, that would give you both for and against views.

I wanted to take a moment and say Thank You to all of you who were so supportive early on in my research. I have found a pretty good grasp on what I feel is a laundry list of pros and a handful of cons.

I started looking into this almost a year ago. I was overwhelmed by the black/white views on home school. I had no idea that I would get looks from complete strangers as if I had three heads... OR that I would be welcomed so warmly by other home schoolers. This has been a true adventure, and it's just starting! ~ BTW My grandmother who was so upset about me even considering hs.. is so far onboard that she even sent us a care package with art supplies :o)

Our daughter is now almost 3. She has a better grasp than kids a year older, who go to Montessori school, on her letters, counting, colors and even phonics. I took a step back and started to just read A LOT !! I have never answered a question with "I don't know without following it with .. "Let's go find out together"

I am very grateful to all of those who were so supportive early on. THANK YOU!!