Ten On Tuesday: Homeschool Style

 

Ten Things I Will Never Do Again

Since we homeschool, my Ten on Tuesday answers will reflect that!

1. Send my children to public school. Besides the fact that it is my calling to teach them at home, I shudder to think about what goes on in public schools today. Kids can't pray, they can't express themselves, can't escape peer pressure, have to worry about who's bringing a gun to school that day, and in many cases, have to walk through a metal detector and be scanned by a security guard before entering the place! No thank you!
2. Let the "socialization" question bother me! In the past, it really bothered me that people would ask me this. After all, couldn't they see my children were just fine. I now love to answer this question. After all, the girls spend all day everyday with their parents, learning not only academics and life skills, but also communication skills. They aren't sitting around a lunch room table talking about Lisa's new belly button ring or what boy they want to kiss. Kelly has written a wonderful post about this topic.
3. Doubt my ability to teach my children. Alot of "educated" people think that homeschooling parents can't possibly teach their children all they need to know without a college degree in something. I am often asked how I will teach algebra to my oldest daughter. Well, I'll read the material, digest it, and help my daughter understand it. Simple as that. No, I don't have a math degree, and I don't need one. I have a curious mind that doesn't like to be defeated. So, if I don't know something, I'll learn. It also just so happens that I like math and I was pretty good with algebra back in the day :-o)
4. Put my children in a box. I will not be married to workbooks but will expose my children to a variety of learning styles and materials. I did this just the other day and the girls made some beautiful sketches that I didn't even realize they would enjoy. Why? Because I've been too married to our workbooks!
5. Use Bob Jones curriculum. Didn't like it.
6. Buy school desks for our house. I am much happier seeing the kids working at the kitchen table, on the couch, in the floor, outside, or laying across the coffee table! I'm not happy about having to clean up all the eraser mess from the kitchen table but hey, it's a small price to pay! LOL!
7. Pay full price for curriculum! It's way to easy to find things on Vegsource! And many times it is much cheaper!
8. Think that Saxon math works for everyone. I have been using it with my youngest daughter and it just isn't working for her. My oldest daughters gets it. It's not her favorite (because there is alot of repetition) but it works well for her. With my youngest, not so much. Apparently, they have different learning styles!
9. Become involved in too many activities. There are so many things that homeschoolers can be involved in and I used to be bad for trying to do it all. Co-op, weekly trips to the library, field trips, lunch guests, music lessons....you get the picture!
10. Doubt that this is what God has called me to do. Sometimes when I feel overwhelmed and like I can't effectively teach something, I secretly think to myself, "I can't do this". God is quick to remind me that "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me" (Phil 4:13).

To read more TOT's, go here.

Just as a side note, I also love the fact that my youngest just sent me an email from upstairs that said, "Mommy, I hope you know how much I love you, Love,Caroline". She wouldn't have been able to send that to me if she'd been in our local public school." I ~heart~ homeschooling!