Homeschooling question

For those of you that homeschool, do you have more than one child? If so, how do you handle your time with both/all your children....especially if there is a big age gap?

Just wondering because we are considering it for our 6 year old but we will also have a newborn. Just wasn't sure how you all split your attention between the kids. I could see it being easier if they were closer in age, but the big age gap seems like it would be hard.

Just want to explore all pros and cons before we make a decision and I know some of you have homeschooling experience....

Thanks!!!!!

 

My kids are close in age (3 and 1), so the little one just wants to do what the big one does, for now at least.

Alot of parents work with the older kids first, get them started on something, and while they're working independently, give the younger ones the attention they need. Having a newborn, you have the advantage of naps, at least until you get into the rhythm of everything.

For the first couple of years at least, you'll mostly be observing your baby, noting all the things he/she is discovering. From my own observations, toddlers seem to work at something anywhere from 5 minutes, to half an hour (sometimes up to an hour or more when they;re around 3) and then move on to something more recreational.

Just like having kids in general, things like time-management end up being alot easier to figure out once you have some practice, even though it seems impossible to just sit and think about.

 

We homeschool four kids 13 to 6. My oldest has his own academics now that he is starting high school. As for the rest of them, we do history and science together. The three r's are done individually according to age. The kids just sit around the kitchen table for about an hour and I hop here and hop there. They usually finish up pretty fast and then it is off to explore and read.


There are alot of different styles of homeschooling: unschooling, classical, unit studies, delayed learning, etc. Sit down and write out your goals and your definition of education and learning. After that, just jump in and do it. The first year is usually challenging but a blessing. I have been homeschooling for 8 years now and it is still an evolving process for us.

Wishing you luck!

 

Hey, I just noticed you are from Illinois. What part? We are in the suburbs of Chicagoland. There are tons and tons of homeschool groups and goings on around here!

 

Hey! We're in the suburbs too! Currently in Lisle, but are going to be moving to Will Co. after my daughter finishes this year of kindergarten.
I did a lot of research on the school systems, and some of them are SCARY!!!!
That's when we started considering homeschooling. The more I research about it, the more I want to do it.

What area are you in? Are you affiliated with any homeschool groups? I haven't been able to find any that have caught my attention in the area we are moving to.

Off to do more research......

 

We are in the Schaumburg area. Around here there are Christian, Catholic, and secular groups. I probably joined all of them at one time or another. Try H.O.U.S.E. They usually have a group in each area. Try yahoogroups.com and type up Illinois homeschool or Will County and see what they have.

Just about everywhere you go there are groups and classes. The park districts usually carry some homeschooler classes too. Good luck.

 

The great thing about homeschooling is that it doesn't have to be structured, sit down and do your work time. I know several large families that home school varying ages, and all the kids sit together and work on the same projects, but at their own levels. Field trips are great, and all ages can get into a trip to the science museum.


I'm pulling my kids out of school next year, and researched homeschooling a lot.

 

A little bit of advice from someone who has grown up in the public school system but who has lots of homeschool friends:

Make SURE that you have enough money put away so that when your child is in the traditional high school years, you can suppliment their education. There is always going to be a limit on how much educators can teach your children, but if you are the sole one, then it really puts them at a disadvantage. Some people have great homeschool educations, but it is near impossible unless there is outside help- especially with maths, sciences, and foriegn languages. My parents haven't been able to help me with math homework since I was about 14 when I got into high maths then their high schools had required. It's important for any child to have a challenging curriculum regardless of how they're learning, so just make sure that as they get older, they do get that challenge.

Also make sure you check the homeschooling requirements of your state. I had a friend in Tennessee who couldn't "graduate" because her mom checked the homeschool requirements at the last minute and she didn't have enough maths or something like that.

 

Thanks for the advice everyone. All the information is very helpful.

SilverClover~You're right, I have thought about that.....when she gets into the upper math classes. I've always struggled with math and she would most definitely need outside help. I've read a lot about people who hire a tutor and some teachers will even volunteer their time.
I've also researched our state laws. It is kinda scary, but Illinois has NO requirements for homeschooling. You don't even have to report that you are homeschooling. There are no records that need to be kept, no type of testing to be sure your child is learning, etc.

I will probably keep records just for my own personal peace of mind and it is nice to be able to keep track of progress. Also if anyone were to question our methods, I would at least have something to show. I read in another forum about one mother who keeps a scrapbook of her child's progress. She would take pictures of science projects, she would put in some of the paperwork her child did, and she would also put in brochures and ticket stubs of the field trips they would take. I thought that was a good idea.....also will keep track of wonderful memories spent with your child!!!

 

That is REALLY scary that Illinois has no requirements. O.O Poor kids whose parents just think, "Well Billy Jean Sue can read, write, add and subtract, and quote the Bible. Good enough for me."

A scrapbook is a great idea because your kids will appreciate later. I still like looking at all the things I did in kindergarten for my parents and the "journals" we kept. It's very cute.

 

Billy Jean Sue.......lol......

 

There are lots of different video courses with teacher support for the upper grades and correspondence schools with teachers on call for all grade levels. I have also noticed that some of the co-ops hire teachers and they use classrooms for science, languages, etc. One of the local community colleges is opening up classes aimed at homeschoolers in high school also.

HTH

 

i would thin once youre oldest it 10 or 11, he would need less of your time, you would still have to guide him and spend time with him. i dont think it will be any harm to the little on to overhear the lessons of your older one. i remember when my older bro (by 3 years) was havin trouble with his multiplication tables, so when my folks were tryin to help him, i went and looked and figured them out right away. i went on to major in math.

 

I've been doing a lot of research on homeschooling. My oldest son is due to start kindergarten this upcoming school year (we kept him home from preschool and schooled him ourselves) and I'm in such a dilema as to what to do. I'm afraid to send him to the public school system. Actually, afraid is an understatement. More like terrified. My husband isn't all that keen on public school either, and he is fully supportive of us homeschooling the kids. I just feel so confused and overwhelmed. I want to do the right thing, but I worry that he'll be missing out (at least, in the early years) I also wonder if I can handle it myself, I mean, I'm responsible for his education, and if I screw up, there's nobody to blame but myself, no pointing fingers at the school system. I want him to be successful and fulfilled in life.

We just don't know what to do, and my family is totally unsupportive of homeschooling, but my husband's family is totally for it. I'm really confused as to what the best route is, and time is ticking away.

Sorry for rambling.

Peace.

 

I think your right, WayfaringStranger. I think even if the younger child isn't ready for what you are teaching the older, the exposure to the material will help prepare them for later.

Hippychickmommy~I feel exactly the same.....same doubts and fears. What if I can't adequately teach? What if she resents it when she is an adult or goes to college? What if I don't focus enough on this or that?
But then, I think about all the pros of homeschooling. Not to mention, I think if you didn't have those types of fears, that would be weird. Who wouldn't be worried about their child's education.....whether it's given at home or elsewhere? But still, I know what you mean....there would be no one else to blame but me if something went wrong....

I'm still looking into support groups in the area. I want something that isn't religious based and most in the area seem to be. I think these types of groups, though, would be helpful in easing some fears. Our local library also has a book of stories from adults who were homeschooled (haven't read it yet). Knowing how adults feel who have been through it will help play a part in our decision.

 

Even if you think homeschool is the "best option", check into your local public schools. Public school has such a bad reputation but I really think that I have just as good of an education in public school as I could have gotten in private school simply because I took more classes than required to challenge myself. I know personally that I would have killed my parents had they homeschooled me. Everyone is different, but unless your public school is REALLY bad (as in the ghettos of an inner city) then seriously consider that. You can always suppliment the learning they recieve there with things on your own in the afternoons and weekends which is what my parents have done all my life. There's really no reason to be afraid of public school, although if I was a parent, I could understand with the negative connotations surrounding it. My parents were pretty nervous about my school because a few years ago there was a hostage situation and also it's known as the "druggie" school of the county. However, if you raise your children to think for themselves and not follow the mob-mentality of peer pressure, then they'll have no trouble avoiding the bad stuff and suceeding wherever they are.

Everyone has their reasons for homeschooling or not, but just make sure you weigh everything accordingly. As rigid as public school can be, it teaches discipline and also a respect for authority that you might not be able to get from homeschool, especially if you can't separate yourself from mom outside of class but the teacher during studies. I don't want to sound all down on homeschooling, but I for one think homeschooling is a really bad idea unless its physically dangerous to attend a local school. Everyone here sounds so gung-ho about the idea and I just thought you all should get a different perspective.

 

to be honest, from what i remember of it, school education really dosent teach you all that much, but it does expose a kid to some real dangerous things, like ignorance, drugs, and fucked up people. i really doubt you could mess up. i wouldnt worry. my parents were old when they had me, i was the last of 5, i dont think they went through the whole count to 10 or ABC routine with me, and i never did anything in school, although i did pay attention somewhat. i turned out a pretty damn good reader, although a bad speller, and i can do calculus. i think kids learn on thier own, you just have to be there to answer thier questions. it will take more patience than anything else. if i ever get blessed with kids, there is no way im going to curse them with school. btuyou have to make sure they get some type of social interaction at every age, every year, and quite often. its not hard to do, but it may be harder than teachin a kid how to read.

 

Where I live, the public school system is horrendous. I know this because my MIL is a sign laungage intrepretor for the local schools, and she has told me of what goes on there. Also, I grew up in the same city, and went to the local schools for quite some time until we moved when I was at the end of my 9th grade year in high school. Now, we don't live in the same exact district that I was in, but we are in the same city, and the schools here are suffering in a major way. Inadequate funds, over-populated classes in which case the teachers are overwhelmed and cannot spend the time that might be necessary with each child. That's not to say that we're dealing with inadequate or uncaring teachers, it's that many of the children that go to these schools in my neck of the woods are, well, very disrespectful, violent, and undisciplined. My husband and I have worked hard with our children to raise them in the ways in which we feel are right, or important to us, and we fear that our hard work will go down the drain with them being exposed to children whose parents could care less about what goes on with them.

The world is such a scarey place anymore, and it seems to get worse and worse. Back when I was in elementary school, my parents had no fears as to what was going on while I was attending school. They felt safe. Now, you've got these horrific things going on, and you wonder if your child is going to be free from danger. As a high school student, I passed through a metal detector everyday until we moved into another district. We had police in the school on a daily basis. Instead of feeling safe, it made you more uneasy. Things were not like that back when our parents, grandparents, etc. went to high school. What is happening in the present world to make these teenagers so angry, so violent, so disrespectful?

I know that I tend to be very overprotective of my children, and that the umbilical cord has been cut and I can't shelter them forever. But, I cant help but wonder if choosing to keep my children home is a better alternative. Afterall, I would be tailoring their lessons to fit them individually. There have been many studies done that have proved that homeschooled children actually tend to be ahead of their facility-schooled peers, that they score higher on all of the tests, and even run grades ahead. I don't doubt that, simply because the child would be getting an education to fit them as individuals, and they would be able to receive more one-on-one attention and assistance.

Right now, everyday is a learning day, for all three of my children. They are like little sponges, soaking up everything around them. Many times I'll be doing simple activities with them that I later on realize that, hey, I was teaching them math, science, etc.

Anyway, I truly admire homeschooling families. I myself am pondering what to do with my own children, and at this point, at least until we are able to move, I will either be driving them to another very reputable school out of town that is offering open-enrollment or I will more than likely put a lot more thought into getting started with homeschooling.

Either way, I am just trying to do what I think in my heart is best for my children.

Peace.

 

Mine are 2 and almost 11 years old.This is the first year we've been homeschooling even though I wanted to start earlier. My daughter is gifted and the public school wasn't meeting all her needs. Anyway about the age difference right now it's fairly easy because we do alot of homeschool stuff while he naps and she is old enough to work on her own most of the time. There are times when I put him in his high chair with a coloring book while she's at the table working. When he seems ready I'll get him some workbooks. He already knows the alphabet and can count to 12,he can actually read (or more like recognize) quite a few written words. I think one of the benefits of homeschooling is that the little ones see the older ones doing it and want to be involved too.

 

wow, ur all great! im only 17 and have often thought bout what i should do with my future kids. i personally dont really like suburbia and here in aus there are some really beautiful places i would love to live in, forest, beaches, bush, desert. i want to live in a secluded, large property in the bush but wouldn t know what to do with my kids education. i ve seriously thought about every aspect of home schooling but every kid i ve met who was home schooled was seriously behingd on most of the social skills kids use in school. but the thing is they turned out fine in the end. for eg. in my class we had a new kid come in yr 9 and he was un coodinated because he didnt go out side and kick a ball with the other kids at lunch time so he found joining in with us very hard, he would also sit and stare at people cos he hadnt seen kids playing round and stuff and kids are cruel so when he would stare, everyone thought he was wierd and noone wanted to be his friend. so at lunch times i would 'hang' with him and this of course made me into part of the joke... i didnt care so i kept talking to him and he was really interesting and funny so i introduced him to some of my other friends and convinced them he was 'alright' so they got to know him and by the end of school he was fine. but all i remember was those hard first yrs where he would ve felt like he was noone or not there or couldnt fit in and wasnt sure if this was the best option (back to homeschooling) i had another friend who the exact same thing was with him! he colud not fit in anywhere and didnt know how to talk to kids like kids talk to kids. the only reason i talked to him was cos his parents and my parents were friends so i was forced to like him. that was 4 yrs agoand we turned out to be great friends cos i explained to him that he had to be himself and do the things he wanted to do instead of trying to fit into a mould that he saw when first attended school. im very confused!! i wonder if its families aswell or genes or what but i dont. maybe i shouldnt even be thinking about this yet!! are all ur kids fine with other kids if u dont mind me asking. im sure they would be cos u would ve brought them up with a social concience and right values and not just left them in the dark with society. im confused sorry if i ve offended anyone i really dont mean to