Spunky Homeschool

Facing the Challenge

Jun. 28, 2006 at 8:58 AM

Homeschooling

Yesterday, I met with a mother who is gearing up to begin homeschooling her two young daughters. She asked me an interesting question,

What has been your greatest challenge so far in homeschooling your children?
I gave her my answer, but now I'm curious how others would answer that question. I know everyone's circumstances are not the same, so the challenges will be different. That's why I'm asking for the input of others. Your ability to meet the challenge and overcome may be just the inspiration someone else needs today.

Rather than give my answer first, I'd like to hear from both beginning and seasoned homeschoolers. If you'd like, please share how you overcame the challenge as well. I'll share my response later today.
 
Update: My Greatest Challenge is here.
 
For more comments see my post at Blogger. 

By the way, the Carnival of Homeschooling is up at the Homeschool Cafe and the Carnival of Education will be up today at the Lilting House.

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7 Comments and Trackbacks

posted by lonestaracademy on Jun. 28, 2006 at 10:34 AM

and many may not agree. Something I learned from my mom as a child is to finish what you start. Now before someone rebutts please hear me out. I am not talking about continuing a curriculum that is completely inappropriate for your family. I am talking about just because a curriculum gets a bit boring for a few days not tossing it aside.

I think this is almost a pandemic amoung homeschoolers. We all want school to be fun for our children. We want our children to enjoy the process of learning and we want them to enjoy the materials. But I do not believe that the second a child gets bored, THE TEACHER gets bored, the child has a bad day, the TEACHER has a bad day, etc. that you should throw out your materials. I have seen moms start over with new curriculums 4-5 times in a YEAR!! What in the world did the child learn that year?? Did they learn to persevere and that sometimes you have to do some hard things, boring things, girlie things, boy things (you get the idea)? No, they learned that if those things happen, stop doing what you are doing and move on to the next thing.

Here is what we have learned after severeal (6) years of homeschooling. School is not exciting 100% of the time. I have only made one really stupid curriculum choice and I did finish it- not because of a perseverence issue- but because it was my first year and I didn't know better. The only other time I have struggled with curriculum was when I was teaching second child to read- she wasn't interested. I know my children better than anyone else. I know there likes and dislikes and I have based our curriculum choices based on those facts.

That being said when we get to something in that curriculum choice and the kids start to grumble I don't just say, "OK, let's go see if can find something you'll like better" I say, "OK, I know this is a bit (or a lot) boring, but let's stick this out for a few days and see where it leads us. Without fail, we reach the top of the hill, the kids look back with pride at what they accomplished (or trudged through) and then we get to do somersaults down the other side of the hill. The lesson in that type of perseverence is almost more important than the curriculum.

posted by on Jun. 28, 2006 at 11:01 AM

My biggest challenge is keeping everything done. You know, the meals, laundry, clean house and homeschool? smile I've homeschooled for 14 years and it has gotten somewhat easier. We have a routine, the girls help with chores, and I just don't do some things (like gardening and canning). I can't do everything and I have to pick the things that are best for right now.

Math is a challenge, too! smile Math U See has helped with that, though.

Homeschooling is certainly worthwhile, though. I love this life.

Edited by homesweethomeschooler on Jun. 28, 2006 at 8:05 AM

posted by 4evrHischild on Jun. 28, 2006 at 1:21 PM

That's my biggest challenge next to trying to manage home, homeschool and a balanced church schedule and finding alone time with hubby. Finding the right curriculum for my children. I recently had someone tell me "You've been homeschooling so long you must have it all figured out." Yeah right...Just when I get it figured out the rules change. My first child was easy and probably would have done with any curriculum. My second son has trouble remembering things, and is an auditory and kinesthetic learner, My third remembers just about everything he reads and listens to and especially loves science and history. So there you have it... matching up educational experiences for my children who have very different interests, abilities and learning styles.

posted by AcceptanceWithJoy on Jun. 28, 2006 at 3:32 PM

I can't wait to read the comments on this section. I didn't want to even peek until after I wrote my gut reaction. So...

For me by far, having been an educator in a state community college and used to teaching in a lecture format, I had to unlearn what "school" was. In fact, I had to get rid of the concept altogether. I had to replace it with what it meant to have a lifestyle of learning and then I had to motivate my daughter to join me in this whole new way of doing things.

My biggest hurdle, was fear that I was inadequate for the task at hand. My daughter had always been in special education at school, all the curriculum guides I saw for high schoolers were clearly designed for the college bound student. I had to find my own "groove" and rest in the Lord.

My biggest mistake? (Outside of leaving her in public school long after I knew that God was calling me to home education) Trying to do too much all at the same time and almost burning us both out in the first 3 months.

posted by Hobbitsmom on Jun. 28, 2006 at 4:43 PM

My biggest challenge is being consistent til the end of the 'school year'. We start out really great, doing all our subjects, getting all the seat work done in August and go great til about Thanksgiving. Then, I get into holiday mode and never get back to the good school routine we started with. For some reason, in January, I can't seem to pick the pace back up again. So, by May, I'm looking at all the stuff the kids won't get through. (sigh) But, this August is a new year and I'll do my best not to slack of again.

posted by jacobsacademy on Jun. 28, 2006 at 11:31 PM

What great comments - you should compile the comments from both of your blogs and post them!

Initially - my biggest challenge was ME - I was too worried about the world, our family and doing things "correctly". It wasn't until I read John Taylor Gatto that I began to relax and realize that I was the one who needed to "deschool" or "detox" myself from my own educational experiences and the world's imposed mindset of educating my children. I've been a rebel ever since! (no surprise, huh?)
Aside from that - I would say that most homeschoolers have the challenge of being taken seriously as "educators" and about their dedication to their children and family. There are truthfully some days that I need some independent oxygen - but then all I have to do is think of one of my bestest best friends who homeschools her nine children - ages 15 down to 4 months and I feel pretty selfish about that.

Then there are those "Martha moments" when I would like for everything to be clean, laundry always caught up, everything neatly organized, labelled, fresh flowers throughout the house, a month's worth of meals planned and dinner simmering while I am reading poetry and prose aloud to my sons who are focused and hanging on my every word...........then the phone rings awaking me from my drooling coma to the voice of one of our farm neighbors that one of our Lab's are out chasing their cows, a cat is licking a pan from last night's dinner on the stove while others are sacrificing a large bullfrog on the door mat, the boys are arguing over baseball cards, and I can't remember the last time I took a complete and uninterrupted shower...........

The world will always being throwing spit balls at us in one form or another; we are a unique group and always rise to the challenge!

Good food for thought - as always, Spunky!
:-p
Harriette

posted by ByHisGraceInColorado on Jun. 29, 2006 at 10:54 AM

ME.

I just posted my response.

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ByHisGraceInColorado/158984/

You seem to know how to get me thinking :) It's not the kids, the curriculum, or lack of it. It's not many of the things I thought it would be....once I really thought about what my real challenge is.

Oh, and thanks for the tip on how to do technorati tags. I feel so techy today. LOL

Nancy

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