Did you always intend to homeschool

[studentfirst2]

Hello everyone,

A little about myself I am a teacher who is currently taking some time off to be a SAHM (stay a-home mother) to my first child. However, I think my dh might want my taking off to become permenant but while I am home I am going to do my best to give my son to be a well rounded foundation.

My question is simple for those who homeschool or are planning to homeschool (kindergarten on up) was it always your original goal or did you fall in love with the position once you began teaching your LO (little one).

I miss being a teacher and I don't know if I could homeschool so I am curious as to what led others to homeschooling.

[TracyR4]

Let me tell you. You will love to be a teacher to your child.
I never intended to homeschool. I didn't even know what homeschooling was until my oldest child was 4 yrs old. I came upon it on a website. I had never known anyone that was homeschooled let alone heard the word homeschooling. 
But my oldest daughter was very bright. That I knew at the age of 3. She was in daycare and reading the names of the kids' cubbies. The teacher would have her put the papers in their cubbies . She already knew how to count, and was starting to read, and has an awesome memory.

Anyways when I first learned about it my husband wasn't so sure. I had to show the research and we decided to give it a try and in the 8yrs of homeschooling so far. I don't regret ever doing it. I have learned so much from teaching my children its all been worth it.
There is so much out there offered to homeschoolers that I feel that honestly parents who have the opportunity should at least give it a try. There is traditional homeschooling where you chose the curriculum and use whatever style of curriculum you chose that fits your idea of teaching. There is textbook style learning(school at home), classical learning, eclectic( or relaxed), Montessori, Waldorf, Unit Study , Charolette Mason, to name a few styles.
My suggestion is to read up about as much as you can. You can purchase books , or you can google  just about anything and read about homeschooling online. Even though I've been homeschooling for 8yrs I'm still learning all of the time.
Learn your state's laws about homeschooling. Some states require very little of you , and some require a lot. Since your child is young now is a good time to learn.
Find a co op in your area. If you have one , join. These groups are so helpful in helping you understand your state's law. Learning about different curriculums and learning styles, and helping you get that adult interaction and your child friends.
If you don't put a search out for other homeschoolers in your area, through churches, or other community activities  ( the YMCA's sometimes do homeschooling activities as well as gymnastic centers and even librarians get to know many of them :>)

You will learn just as we all have. Just think many of us do not have teaching degrees at all. Some of those parents who were past teachers say that their teaching degree sometimes was a hinderance rather than a help. Because your teaching less children, so no crowd control, your learning about your child's individual learning style and so forth. Some felt it has helped. Either way your still going to be at the same learning curve as many of us without degrees. But somehow and someway you will learn how to make it work for your family. You will if it is something you WANT to do. Just like anything in life.

Also remember its not set in stone. I think some people get nervous about it because they think that if they start homeschooling that they have to do it for the rest of their child's natural school life. Not so at all. Should you feel its not for you, that its not working for your child, or you chose to go back to work or whatever the reason. They CAN go to school. LOL

My daughters attended private school last year. They did just fine. They adapted fine , they learn just fine and the school loved them because they are such good kids.  This year I'm back to homeschooling my oldest and youngest. My oldest because the school dropped the 7th and 8th grade due to lack of enrollment in those grade levels. And my youngest because she has to many health issues right now to go back.
My two middles are attending one more year of school and will be back for next year. Not because the school is bad. Not so at all, its a fine little school. But just because homeschooling worked so well for us. But I always know that if things aren't working out , that my daughters can always attend, well at least to the 6th grade. We have one public high school in our area, and its NOT a good school at all so high school for my girls is NOT an option as long as we live in this area.

Once you get going you may find that you enjoy homeschooling just as much as you did teaching. You can use that same energy and creativity to teach your child. Homeschooling , if you can and are able to , is one of the best gifts you can give your child today. Times are changing and peer pressure , bullying and so forth are just to great these days.
Remember to take a deep breath. Sit down and write the pros and cons of homeschooling, or sending to school. See which you have more of. Then take it from there.  I'm sure you were just as nervous when you first became a teacher and taught on the very first day of school. Im sure. I can't imagine that you didn't have those thoughts of " Will I be a good teacher? " " Will my students learn from me?" , " Will I get through the day in one piece?" We've all been there, and the great thing about the internet is that we can all look , search , and turn to each other when we need to.
 

[mother of faith]

I too worked in the school systems at first and never intended on homeschooling but once I saw how much that it helped the gifted and talented programs and how the test scores were being reported of homeschooled children I decided to help others and then when I had my own children it was just me. Since you are teacher then starting your own homeschool group or co-op is a great option for you, or even setting up your own homeschool umbrelled. I can say that at first it will be an adjustment but just imagine the education that you have the more resources that you have at your finger tips and the more attention that you can give your child not only as a teacher but as a parent as well. You can also consider that it will be a change for your little one as well if currently taught by a daycare or babysitter. There are so many differant methods of homeschooling, this forum contains tons of information to have as a great resource.If you need any help and have questions about how to start homeschooling, the transition, etc, then I would be glad to assist you. We have currently 13 children that we homeschool and I have 3 LO myself that we homeschool from ages 1 to 18.

[studentfirst2]

Wow!. Thanks for all the advice. You are right, I do worry that once I start teaching him and if I have other children will I be able to teach all them at once. Thank you very much.

[studentfirst2]

@motherof Faith-Thanks for the advice as well. I will look into finding out about other home school teachers in my area.  As of now, my son is still inside of me so he is not receiving any outside education. .

I am just amazed by the wealth of information and activities surrounding homeschool. I am glad I have a few years to go before he becomes school age because I think I am going to need all that time to digest and research homeschool options.

Thanks again for replying.

[kizudo]

I, too, was a classroom teacher and had pretty much the same mindset as most people who work in the education field.  I was anti-homeschooling - however, I had a lingering question I could never figure out - WHY would parents choose to do it alone while there were professionals such as myself available?  Now that I am a parent, I totally get it.  TOTALLY.  From the moment I saw learning happening - him moving his head to see me or a coloured card I held for him or when he used his tiny fingers to touch my hair, then scarf, then hair again noticing the difference, oh...so much learning was happening and I wanted to be part of it.  It was never really a control thing for me - not entirely. I (we) decided to homeschool our son because of the joy we had in sharing experiences.  And I truly believe that it is because of this joy in learning that he is leaps and bounds beyond where "the books" say he should be at this age. 

In truth, though, the control issue is part of it.  As I grew in love with this little creature God had given me, I began to realize that it is my job to train him.  It's not the classroom teacher's job - they are the "helpers".  It is MY job to ensure that he gets what he needs.  Being a certified teacher made the leap into homeschooling much easier for me because I had the confidence that teaching experience can bring.  It was an easy step...a lateral step.  I knew through teaching in a classroom that the best learning happened through one on one sessions or small groups.  Well, here I have a one-on-one opportunity and more than that, I have love.  I love my son more than any teacher would or could.  Love will guide me into choosing the best curriculum for HIM.  Love will help me see when it is appropriate to push him and when to step back.  Love will give true encouragement to his eager learning brain.  All you need is love  - come on, everybody sing!  Okay...maybe all you need is love AND sleep   When corny mommy shows up, it's best to walk away from the computer 

[khatty]

Kizudo, we LOVE you 

[studentfirst2]

Thanks kizudo for the advice. I agree completely that one on one learning is the best and I do feel selfish that I am willing to share my passion with my students (teaching) but not willing to share it with my son to be. Thanks. I have alot to think about but I have some time.

[kizudo]

Studentfirst2,  Whatever you do, don't do it out of guilt - either way.  Make sure it's a passionate decision and it will carry you through.  If you do decide to homeschool, just make it a year to year commitment and don't freak yourself out by thinking TWELVE YEARS!  And, if you do choose to send your child to a brick & mortar school there is no judgement here.  There's a lot of all of us - bad grammar, but still - you'll find many different perspectives here and that's what makes this forum AMAZING! 

[Krista G]

Thanks for the corny humor, Kizudo.  I was singing with you.

I did not start out planning to homeschool, but always loving to teach and sharing those experiences, as Kizudo mentioned, I decided I did not want to turn it over to someone else.  Who would be hugging and kissing my children each time they learned something new?  Only me.  I get the thrill of all of that.  But it is not for everyone, and you should only do it because thatr is your desire.

Knowing I was going to have to send my kids to school on a boat each day alone, and have them walk a mile alone to their nearest relatives house for lunch also helped me make that decision.  At the time I was living on an island in Central America.

It is good you are thinking about it now and have time to decide.  I wish you the best.

[PY]

I understand where you come from, I am a teacher as well and being honest with you I have never had aby intention of homeschooling my child, but when she was born everything changed for us, I still work some hoursfrom home  but she is always with me. I am planning in homeschooling her for the next years. I love it!!b Yes ,sometimes I need a break but my husband is very supportive and helpful.
I am trying to get pregnant and we will probably homeschool my second child.
I like to be of my child 100% of the time, these precious years will last forever in our thoughts.
py

[Danial Henry]

In early days I used to run a home school. And in a very short time it gained popularity so I decided to transform it from home school  to preschool just because of the increased strength of kids.

[Latreia]

Hi，
I am a freelance-working mom, while my husband is a full-time homemaker.
Our bb is 13m/o & I am weighing whether to home school my bb or send her to
an international private school; my husband is an expat here in Malaysia, so our bb
is eligible to enrol in an int'l school.
At the same time, I like to spend time to teach her as she learns fast.
I have to consider things like the resources to teach her, & also if my work takes me
away from home few days, papa might have problems as he does not know English.
We are in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia & if anyone, anywhere have ideas/suggestions on
what is best for my situation, pls PM me. Thx in advance !

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