Questions I Get Asked As A Homeschooling Mom!

I get asked A LOT about the many aspects of Homeschooling.

I feel very inept at times, since we've only been doing this for a year and a half now. I'm not an expert by any means. But, I guess people are curious how our school is, compared to their public school or private school experience.

What do I get asked most about? ME...

To me, this is surprising. But again, I guess people just want to know, how in the world I would give up my "free time". Well, every mom out there knows that when your a "stay at home mom", there is no such thing as free time. Unless, you just have an incredible village of helpers, you are always busy.

But, I do know what they're asking....

So here are a few of the more specific FAQ's I get asked:

Do you get time to workout?

Time Management is KEY!

Yes, I workout in the morning before the boys get up or after "school". But, if I'm honest...that's when I workout, {as I laugh snort!}. After I got sick, that regular workout schedule went away. I've been trying to get that back, into my daily schedule...I'm actually working it into the schedule this week...the goal being 3 days a week. We shall see...

"Do you really get dressed and put make-up on everyday?"

Yes, for two reasons: One, because I live in Texas and that's a must!

Ok, all joking aside, the second and real reason, is I feel better and more awake when I'm dressed and ready for the day. I may have slippers on instead of cute shoes, but I'm dressed, and yes, with make-up on.

"Do you ever miss the free time you had while they were in school for housekeeping, grocery shopping, or anything shopping?"

I guess I miss getting my house clean early in the day. Now, I clean during lunch breaks or in the late afternoon before dinner preparation. I'm a stickler for a clean house..it makes me feel more organized and it's healthier for me the "Asthma Queen".

For example, the other day I dusted the house during their lunch break, and folded a load of laundry...then, I put another in, while they were watching the 2nd part of Liberty! The American Revolution. I took them with me to the grocery store and I do that most of the time. They are old enough to stay at home alone for an hour or so; but, my thinking is, the more I keep them connected to what real life is; i.e.. lots of time management and planning, the more they will appreciate their free time, ie. video games and time with friends. I have them help me with making a list for meal planning and any other stops for the day, (pharmacy, dry cleaning, etc., etc.). Hopefully, they will appreciate this life lesson and not be shocked when it comes time for them to live on their own. Studying, and cleaning/chores, come before fun. Then, when you have a job, work comes first, then home responsibilities and then "play".

Side Note:

The boys help with all the housework, including laundry, vacuuming, dishes, doggie yard duty, as well as, trash and recycling throughout the week. Then, they have to work into their time, piano and golf practice before they get their "free time". Some days, they miss out on outdoor playtime...ie. poor time management. Needless to say, that doesn't happen very often. They love their free time.

I do love how I get thanked when I help make up their beds on "sheets day", which is technically their job...so maybe all of this is helping them appreciate real life and me...Smile!

Because, mom won't do your laundry, clean your apartment/dorm room, do your dishes, run your errands, do your shopping and make your bed when you go to college; well, most moms won't. And, with those chores, I also try to impress upon them that we are a family, and we all help each other. We all may have set chores, but that doesn't mean that when someone is really tired, or sick, that those chores go undone. I think this helps us all stay close and work together as a team.

"What happens when you get sick or have appointments?"

Well, much like a regular teacher, I do have a planned curriculum and lesson plans already made out. When I got sick after our Honolulu trip, they knew what to do and did it. They turned in their work and I graded it later. Then when I was back in the game, I went over the work that they had trouble with and adjusted the lesson plans accordingly. I think this helps in teaching them to be self-motivated and more responsible.

When we have appointments, we work ahead if we can, work later into the day, or have make-up days. It really is very easy. The key is to not stress out. One mom reminded me, that if we don't finish the year on time...what's the worse that happens? You go through the summer months. That made me relax. In other words, it WILL get done.

So far, we are on track and set for an early summer. We worked through what most kids had as Christmas break. This was because my husband was working. We decided to work every day except the day before Christmas Eve, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day. This will give us more time for Spring Break or an Early Summer. That's what's nice about homeschooling, YOU make the schedule. Then, more time can be spent with Dad, when he has vacation time.

I know some people who homeschool through the Summer months here, and take more time off in the Fall and Winter. This is due to the extreme heat here in Texas. Not a bad idea!

January meant reviewing material we needed to review, so we can move forward. Preston my 13 year old, who is currently a 7th Grader, is taking the ACT in February through DUKE TIPS. He is reviewing for that test, as well as his regular studies in 9th Grade Math and 9th Grade Honors English curriculum. And before you ask, no, I'm not expecting fantastic scores on the ACT...this really is a great experience to take the fear out of college entrance exams and use the results as keys for future curriculum planning. Due to his scores from the ACT Explore test last year, we were able to chose the appropriate level of English and Math for this year. It helped us see what he has mastered.

Landen my 5th Grader is studying both 5th and 6th Grade material. This is another nice advantage to homeschooling, as your child masters an area of study, you can move on. When your child needs more help or review, there is no rush...they get the time needed to master it. For Landen, he really loathes writing, so we have spent a lot of time getting him to relax and just WRITE!

So, if you are a first time homeschooling Mom, it's ok....you'll make it! If you are considering homeschooling, and it feels overwhelming, I promise, you can't mess it up, just research what style of homeschooling is best for your children and your family life, and the rest will fall into place.

Note: Pinterest is another fantastic tool for homeschool help and planning. I Pin a lot for our homeschool material or ideas to some of my homeschool subject boards. www.pinterest.com/goosebumpfactor/

"What type of Homeschooler are you?" "Do you do "Regular" Homeschooling or Un-Schooling?"

I call our style of homeschooling, Private School at Home.

I wanted a private school feel, since I went to Catholic School from Pre-School through High School, that is all I know. The only thing I added was a foreign language to our curriculum. Most private and public schools don't offer a foreign language until high school. I figured, the earlier, the better!

We have a math tutor in our neighborhood (thank God for her patience and fantastic support in Math and support for me!), a private piano teacher, who comes to the house (LOVE her and the convenience), and private golf lessons in our neighborhood. The boys have time for the later two activities, that we never did with public school. We study Spanish, Typing and I'm a lover of Art, U.S. and World History and English/Literature, so we probably spend a lot of time on those.

I try to incorporate a Literature lesson everyday. This year I have the Literature corresponding with the time line in our history lessons. I really feel this further solidifies the history lessons.

We have read Carry on Mr. Bowditch, ( a Newberry Award winning book), and finished a study guide along with it. Then, for the Holiday season, we read A Christmas Carol.

Right now, we are reading Common Sense, by Thomas Paine. I know what your thinking, if you remember Common Sense... Your reading that to a 5th and 7th grader? Yes, and do I have to re-read or explain a lot? Yes, but isn't that how we learn?

I think a lot of my frustration with the public school system, was what I called "the dumbing down" of our kids. So, as long as they understand enough to ask content related questions, I push the education envelope. I'm always adding a higher level of learning, to challenge them.

I know most of you have read Common Sense or all of you did, and only some remember reading it. This pamphlet, is what a lot of historians believe sparked The American Revolution. Common Sense was read in homes, churches, and meeting houses in Colonial America. Thomas Paine's pamphlet really should be read at the time of studying Colonial America. I read it aloud, and then take time to explain the content, due to the vocabulary and vernacular used. It has been interesting, the questions both boys have had, in regards to our current government and politics in the United States and around the world. This is my favorite part of teaching them, I love it! It means they are thinking and listening...not just hearing Charlie Brown's teacher!

I digress...

The last most common question I get asked....

"Will you ever send them back for High School?"

We have a rule in this house with pretty much everything, except financial planning, "one day at a time!".

So, if the boys really want to go back, they are ready as far as eligibility, I keep records and they are taking yearly standardized tests, (these tests are offered within the homeschooling community from the Stanford Benet, to the Iowa Basic). So, I am prepared. But, every time they get asked that question, they say they love homeschooling and don't want to go back.

There are a lot of High School kids that are technically "homeschooling for college" too. A lot of universities are offering online credits for college now. So, when some families may have financial concerns about sending there kids to college, there are so many options now, to keep down costs and still achieve a college education.

So far, my boys aren't sick of me yet!

Well, I hope that helps some new homeschooling moms, in some way, and any curious non-homeschooling moms too.

And in case your wondering, { I get asked this a lot too}, I am crazy!

Crazy about my kids and family time. My husband and I hope that we made the right desicion on behalf of their education. We hope that some day they will look back and are happy we made the desicion we made, when we made it.

But, what's most important in making decisions for your family, is trusting your instincts...they are almost always right. You can't make a mistake when your heart is in it and of course, don't forget to pray about it. I did, and I've never looked back.

Happy January! I'm Looking Forward to A New Year, of Fresh Starts, and a Fresh Perspective for New Goals: Personal, Family, Year Goals or Life Goals...

Happy Planning! Thank You for Stopping By... As We Say in the South, Ya'll Come Back Now!

 

 

Posted with Blogsy