Nov. 22, 2008 Homeschool Chronicles
Okay, I did not think I would ever be one of "THOSE" people. A person who blogs. So here I am trying to think of something witty to say to distract the fact that I may have offended those people. My deepest apologies.. But I am one of you now. I thought my blog would serve as a way for me to jot down various thoughts, a diary of sorts. But the difference is I know someone is reading this.
I am hoping you enjoy reading our adventures in homeschooling. God has truly blessed us.
Many of you already know the reason we decided to homeschool, but for those who dont this is our story.
Our oldest son, Cameron has displayed signs of above average intellect. At the age of 3 we had him tested on the advice of our pediatrician. The results found that Cameron were, at the time he was on a first grade reading level. Shocking to us as he did not utter a word until age three. Okay, thanks doc now what do we do with him. What do we do to promote learning and not step on his ability and desire to learn. Homeschool was one of the options we received. Funny, I thought. Growing up I knew of a few homeschoolers, these children who were locked up as prisonors held captive in their own homes, with the opportunity to make friends snuffed out on the whim of a over-protective mother. Um i really dont think so.. Okay next option. Private school.. A $20,000+ a year tuition and a morning commute to where ever this castle of higher learning exsisted. Okay lets here about this homeschooling thing again.
So we started reading some books and researching on the options our county had available to us. I came across a book written by Debra Bell, A Homeschoolers Guide." Ok here we go.. I started reading and could not put it down. I was fascinated by the statistical information on homeschooled children. The author being a homeschooling mom as well as an English teacher for the public school system offered an un-biased opinion as to what we were, if decided were going to face. So we sat down and spoke about what we wanted for our future and our children, at the time numbering 2. Would this decision hinder our financial success, possibly. Would this decision, give Cameron the best possible start, YES..A one income family with all the bills a dual income family has..but our childs education and future.. Put on the scale.. Our children came first. So, set out to meet some of the homeschoolers in my area. Diamonds in the rough. Homeschooling is the silver lining in a failing public school system. These parents that I was meeting were amazing, and the children were bright and excited about learning..
Okay, lets do this.. BUT WHAT ABOUT SOCIALIZATION!! This question was stated by practically everyone we told. What about socialization.. It scared me to. Memories of those poor children I knew of as a child banging on their windows screaming to get out.. Socialization to the homeschooler is filled with an emense about of opportunity. I choose who my children socailize with. I am not judging but it will not be with a child who because of what he is hearing at home chooses to use profanity. It is children who have the same core values. Who are being taught that God is part of learning and education. Children who are well behaved and polite. I am not saying that children thrust into the public school system lack these traits, but I have observed these homeschooled children to demonstarte great poise and strength.
Our choices to socialize are great. Co-ops where we meet with other children and learn a subject or study. Field trips, which go on weekly are available at our discretion. Support groups and playdates. We have done so many things with other homeschoolers that my children have established friendships with the peers. Do I see my friends everyday? No. I dont think it is necessary to see them everyday. This doesn't mean that I dont have wonderful friendships with strong foundations it means that we can be open to other expieriences that may come our way.
I love homeschooling. Do I get overwhelmed? Yes Do I ever feel that maybe we aren't doing the right thing? Yes, But I also see the results, the fruits of my labor. I surround myself with a wonderful supportive group of other homeschool parents. We bounce ideas off of each other, we listen when one of us has hit a snag and we console when we have been berated by one of those judgemental people who speak their opinions without knowing facts.
I have 3 beautiful boys. My 6 year old can tell you any capital of the world as well as cultural facts. He can tell you when a particular president served and what he stood for. He has empathy and common sense and he has a love for learning. A book you can find in his hand at any given point in the day, many times we have had to take it out of bed. A book store is his favorite place rated far above the toy store or park. Who loves watching the discovery channel and comments on the weather like he is an old man.I find myself in awe over him.
My 4 year old. My little builder who has his alphabet down pat, and knows 15 places on the USA map just by looking at the shape. Who talks a lot about Presidents and where they lived, who writes his name beautifully and is always making a funny comment.
And even my 1 year old.Who always has a smile on his face. Who is eager to keep up with his brothers and finds electronics his "TOYs" of choice.
I am truly blessed..
Am I bragging, Yes. My children could be blind, deaf and mute and would I still be proud of their achievments, absolutely. You would too. its what moms do.
I hope as I go forward that you find our journey to be one that you follow. I am not sure where God is taking us but I know its his path to choose. And we hang on and just enjoy the ride.. |
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Nov. 10, 2008 Freaked out and impressed all at the same time..
Okay, so here is the scoop. My two oldest boys Cameron and Colby are intrigued by the Presidents of the United States. On errands they just sit in their seats and rattle of details and comments to each other. On one particular evening I walked in to hear my 4 year old saying to his older brother I m going to shoot you. We don't allow toy guns in our home and discourage them. Before I had the chance to show my disapproval, my oldest Cameron said Don't shoot me to where Colby responded you are the president. From this they then got into postion and my son Colby stood behind Cameron. Colby said, (mind you hes only 4) your Lincoln. Cameron responded with you have to shoot me in the head. To that Colbys response being the loving brother that he is, was I don't want to shoot you in the head I will shoot your back.
Freaked out.. Yes but equally impressed at the knowledge of the events of President Lincolns death. i do not condone this behavior but i saw this as a wonderful confirmation that they are learning and understanding our nations history.. Thanks for letting me share.. |
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