The most common question: Why did you decide to homeschool?
The answer might be long!
I never imagined we would ever do this. And I really mean NEVER! I have always loved public school and I enjoyed my own public school experience. When I was 5 I told everyone I would be a teacher. Then after Caleb was born I started college at KSU to become an Elementary Teacher! Hoping to teach a grade between K-2. I like the little ones! I even considered doing Preschool. (I finished 3 years and am considered a Senior. I have TOSS & Student Teaching left)
Now on to Caleb. Joey and I had a hard time conceiving after Caleb and I was so sad he didn't have a brother or sister to play with. I was apart of a playgroup, but I wanted him to have more social interaction. When he was 3 we put him in a 3 day a week preschool for 4 hours each day. It really was the perfect set up. By this time we got pregnant, FINALLY, after 2 years of trying and 1 miscarriage. Thank you God! We were over the moon that Caleb would finally have a sibling. Anyways, the schedule was perfect. I had a few hours to myself each week to do what I want and get ready for new baby. Caleb loved school. I knew he was getting to play, learn, and make friends.
Then preschool was over and I had to make the very hard decision about Pre-K. At the time I was in my Preschool Curriculum class at Kennesaw. The Professor and fellow classmates brought it to my attention how most, not all, church preschools make the children sit and write way more than a little 4 year old should. Caleb too being a wiggly boy, I didn't think he would thrive. I made the hard decision to put him in Ga Pre-K. I hated that he had to be there from 8-2:30, but my education at Kennesaw led me to believe it was the best environment because it was center based playing for learning. Also, Pre-K is now our version of Kindergarten. I felt he wouldn't get all the fun play if I didn't send him. At this time too, Cohen was born in June so I had a newborn to take care of. I felt I would not be able to give Caleb all he needed. It was a trade off b/c I would have much rather him have the schedule of a church Preschool.
Caleb did amazing in Ga Pre-K! His teachers were excellent and I was able to be involved, but my heart did ache a lot having him there for such a long day. He was ahead in everything and his teacher loved how helpful and compassionate he was. She told me she had never met a child with so much empathy!
Now on to Kindergarten we went! What a sad day. I cried, but again I thought this is where he needed to be. I loved his teacher! She was so great with him and was the first person who told me she thought he was gifted and requested to have him tested. He had a great year.
On to first grade, again we got a great teacher! Caleb had some issues with talking, but she was a confessed talker too and was able to keep it under control throughout the year. He was tested for AIM, but did not make it in. He is basically on the line. There are 4 sections of the testing. He made it into 2, but you have to make it into 3.
On to 2nd grade. Again, he got a great teacher! And though he didn't make it into AIM, he was given all he needed, b/c she was certified in the gifted area. He was having some issues in school. Not major, but enough to cause some consideration. Of course he was a talker, but now he was not doing the work he was supposed to be doing. He was bored throughout the majority of his day. He would cry about not wanting to go to school. How he missed us and wanted to be with us. He would count down the hours to come home. His school and teacher were excellent. It was not about his school or teacher, it was about HIM!
Because of his troubles, I started reaching out to other homeschooling moms I knew, reading books, and of course googling like crazy! I was amazed at what I discovered and how the myths of homeschooling were just that. MYTHS! So many, I can't even go into them all. I felt God leading me to all this research. Joey and I started praying like crazy and having conversations about how we could change our whole lives! How we could be together as a family and grow together and learn together. How we can spend the majority or our time together instead of separated! And with Joey's nursing schedule he will be able to see the children so much more. Joey was totally on board before I was! He was just simply ready and excited. I was scared and unsure, but I felt this tug at my heart and God telling me to do it. First time I have ever felt sure about what God was telling me. To just jump in and do it. I am not perfect, but I am his mother and God will give me what I need to teach him. I have to rely on JESUS!
One major worry was MONEY! Our plan was for me to become a teacher once all the kids were in school. Well I am getting my 5 grade old wish, but I will be payed by hugs instead of money! This means I will not be working anytime in the near future. I was worried about the stress this would put on my husband. He believes this is what we should be doing so he put that worry down. He wants me to be with the children. We live on a Nurse's salary for goodness sake, but God has always provided. He plans to go back to school and eventually his goal is to be a Nurse Practitioner. Long away from now. We laugh that we have always struggled with money in our almost 11 years of marriage. SO we are used to budgeting/couponing/and being happy with old stuff. HAHAHAA! We are used to being poor. We just have to be happy with what we have and not focus on what we don't have.
I don't want to share all my new beliefs about public school, because I don't want to come off as if I am against public school. Because I am not! I know it is a sensitive subject. I am NOT supermom. I have MANY struggles. Each individual family has to do what is best for them.
I would like to share our ups and downs of homeschooling and offer any help to those who are considering it. It is NOT at all scary and hard like so many people think. There are so many groups, resources, and information!
We are going to be doing Classical Conversations on Thursdays. Caleb will still be involved at church and Cub Scouts and having playdates. So he will still be involved in a community of friends and family.
Later I will talk about Curriculum's. I'm still decided on 3rd grade. 2nd grade is a combination right now and I will talk about it in a later post.
Here are so amazing books that helped me come to my decision. (Prayer being the main)
1. Best Homeschool Curriculum's out there:
http://www.amazon.com/101-Top-Picks-Homeschool-Curriculum/dp/0929320158/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392653063&sr=8-1&keywords=101+homeschool+curriculum
2. How Children Learn:
http://www.amazon.com/For-Childrens-Sake-Foundations-Education/dp/1433506955/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392653101&sr=8-1&keywords=for+the+children%27s+sake
3. Called Home (God Leading your Homeschool)
http://www.amazon.com/Called-Home-Finding-Letting-Homeschool-ebook/dp/B0094GQK28/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392653152&sr=1-1&keywords=called+home
4. This book is about a woman who homeschooled 4 children over 20 years. Basic info!
http://www.amazon.com/Start-Homeschooling-Great-Education-Child-ebook/dp/B00C0ICDZA/ref=sr_1_69?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1392653258&sr=1-69&keywords=homeschooling
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