Stuff We Worry About
I always tell parents, "Of course you're worried. It's only natural. If you weren't worried, I'd be worried about you."
Homeschooling our kids, even today when it's so common, is still a leap of faith. You're telling the school, "Thanks, but no thanks; I'll take it from here." Which is invigorating on one hand (freedom!), and completely terrifying on the other. Suddenly you're out there on your own, with a million-zillion questions, holding a gibberish-filled homeschool law that makes as much sense as car repair instructions written in Sanskrit. You're not alone. All of us -- every single, last one -- used to fret about everything: our ability to teach, where to find curriculum, socialization, how to give our kids the best without breaking the bank, can we work and homeschool, should we work and homeschool, how do we create transcripts, apply to colleges, find scholarships? We'd toss and turn at night, thinking, yeah this seemed like a great idea at the time, but ever what made me think I could do this? The kid will never learn to read at this rate, or catch on to math, or learn science because I don't know how to teach it, he'll never go to the prom, homecoming, attend college, get married, have children of his own. On top of which, the child will be a loner, a weirdo, a freak, with no ability to make friends because he was never properly socialized!!
Sounds familiar. I started homeschooling back in '93, and my oldest entered college a mere 3 years later. Seven years after that, the youngest followed in his footsteps. Apparently, I was doing something right. I'd also been publishing RMEC, hosting Rookie Workshops, sponsoring conferences and advising parents since 1996. So confidence sounds like it came easily to me. HA. That's anything but true. I was so tied in knots and unsteady our first year, I came this close to quitting. I'm actually surprised I hung on. Slowly, I figured out that worry is normal. It comes with the territory. Especially during that first shaky year. So read on, dear surfer. Find a friend, a chuckle, a bit of inspiration. With a little support, you'll be just fine.
Arguments Against Homeschooling
I find these opinions interesting because they reflect what non-homeschoolers may think about homeschooling. I’ve had conversations along similar lines with friends and neighbors. Polite consideration is often the rule in face-to-face discussions, but online, the gloves are usually more off than on. By Valerie Bonham Moon.
But I Wanna Go To School!
What do you say to that? By Alison Moore Smith.
Milestones
He'll be turning 21 this year. Twenty one. My baby. A legal adult. Looking at him now, the memories came rushing back. This is the boy who refused to read until 10, yet was accepted into college at 16. By Cindy Englan.
Questions About Homeschooling From a Teacher
As a former teacher sympathetic to homeschooling, I often wonder, who guarantees that parents actually have the appropriate knowledge to teach? By Tammy Takahashi.
Socialization
Does the S-word really mean what we think it means?
The Magic is in the Child
There is one thing I want you to know when the homeschooling road gets bumpy. By homeschool author Diane Flynn Keith.
You Might Be an Unschooler If ..."
. . . you don't tell your homeschooling friends that you don't "teach" your child because you are sure they wouldn't understand and that you would be thought of as 'weird' and 'strange'. By Karen Gibson.
Why I Will Not Sign the "We Stand for Homeschooling Statement and Resolution"
The ongoing debate on what constitutes a 'real' or a 'fake' homeschooler again rears its ugly head. By Mary Griffith, best selling author of The Homeschooling Handbook and The Unschooling Handbook.
Looking For A Place to Chat About Your Concerns? HEM Discussion Lists
There are several. Try 'Networking' for general issues, 'New Homeschoolers' to meet kindred souls, or 'Unschooling' to explore a more relaxed approach to home learning.The Home-Ed Mailing List
Founded in 1989 as an online gathering place for every type of homeschooler: Structured and traditional, unschoolers, part time private schoolers, Christians, Pagans, UUs, what-have-you. Lots of varied discussions on pretty much every educational and parenting topic under the sun.Homeschoolers' Live Chat
Real-time conversation every Friday. Always open topic, with homeschoolers from all around the world. Participate, or just listen in.More discussion and support resources can be found here.
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