Today I'm sharing my notes from a seminar I attended a few years ago at my state homeschool convention.......

Myths And Realities of Homeschooling

The Myths

1.  We can all be "supermoms".

** We don't think of homeschooling as a job - it's so much more than that.

** We need to lighten up about everything.  Sometimes we get too serious about it.  Laugh at yourself.  You don't have to do it all - you have to make choices and let some things go by the wayside.

2.  We can keep our homes just as clean and beautiful with kids at home all day as when they are gone.

** Housework can't be a mom only job.  Dad and the kids have to help!

** It's important that we train our children from the time they are very young.  Our children need to feel they have an important purpose in the family.  How they grow up forms who they are as an adult.

3.  When we choose to homeschool, our family relationships will automatically be wonderful.

** We need to replace contempt with love and understanding.

** You don't solve problems by pushing them away.

** Family relationships might be tough during the younger years, but it really pays off during the teen years.

4.  All homeschooled children are above average.

** We all have normal children - some are struggling.

** Our egos are wrapped up in our kids.  We have a hard time accepting their limitations.

** We don't need to compare our kids with other kids (test scores, grades, etc.).

** All of our children have strengths and weaknesses.

5.  Homeschooling is automatically going to make our children Spiritual giants.

** We cannot guarantee that the absence of evil will produce good behavior or Spiritual growth.

** We have to give them a strong foundation.

** The Old Testament is full of stories of parents being honored for their faithfulness.

** Help your children spend time walking with the wise instead of the foolish.

** Have your kids hang out with older and younger kids rather than peers all the time.

** Homeschooling won't guarantee freedom from peer pressure.

** It's important to spend time with families/people who have the same values as you.

6.  Homeschooling dads should be active participants in all aspects of homeschooling.

** Time: Dads have limited time and priorities.

** Interest: Moms eat and breathe homeschooling - dads don't.  Dads have other concerns.

** It's great when dads can be involved, but just don't "count" on it.

** Dads should be the Spiritual leaders in the home.

** Dad's can read with the kids.  This is great for bonding.

** Dads can do special classes and activities with the kids.

** One of the best things dads can do is give moms time off.

7.  There's some magic formula as to the best way to home educate.

** You think you have it all figured out and then something happens and you have to shift gears to go in another direction.

** Don't let someone who sounds "authoritative" put pressure on you.  Make your own choices and decisions!  No one else knows your children the way you do.

** One of the best things you can do is pray for inspiration.

When you get rid of all these myths, what do you have left?

** You understand that you have limitations.

** You understand that you can't do everything perfectly.

** You gain in some areas and lose in others.

** You understand that a lot of homeschooled children don't fit in very well with peer groups, but they do extremely well with older and younger people.

** You understand that you have to let go of the things that don't matter.

** You understand that you need to set realistic goals for yourself and your family.

Seminar presented by Cathy Duffy