I have a question for you homeschool mom’s. Today is the 1st day of school here. Last night it dawned on me – wow my kindergartener will not be going to public school! Today he would have started public school, I picture myself dropping him off at school, backpack on lunchbox in hand. Then the thoughts flooded my mind – am I doing the right thing, would he like public school better, would he adapt better there, would he complain less about schooling in public school vs. homeschooling? Then I have to remember what God has called me to do. Yes, this is what He has called me to do. This is my ministry, teaching my children and showing them the love of Christ. Bringing them up in Christ. Yes, he won’t have the public school experiences but He will have different experiences that public school children would. Do you homeschool moms feel this way at times?
Im not a homeschool mom. But im sure whatever experience will be filled with great memories.
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I wavered back and forth before making the final decision to homeschool (as you know). I’m thankful that I sent Jacob to the Georgia Pre-K program, because it gave me a taste of what it’s like and NO THANK YOU! Plus, after attending the Homeschool Expo, and listening to a seminar on the socialization of our public school system, it only validated my decision further. I purchased the speaker’s book (talked about this on my blog), and I can let you borrow it when I’m done reading it. I know you’ll love it! You definitely made the right decision and you are doing such a wonderful job. I’m so proud of you!!!
xoxo
k
http://lovingandlearningathome.blogspot.com
I think all homeschool mom’s feel that way at some point or another. I know I have many times. But then as you said you remind yourself that this is what God called you to do. Second guessing I think is just natural because we all wants best for our children. 🙂
At one point or another we feel that way. But I know I am doing the right thing. It was a gut feeling that I had. I know if was God. I feel good about making this choice. I know they won’t be getting the full experience but they will be getting other experiences that I feel will be more rewarding that anything.
Its a tough road ahead for me and all 4 little ones but I know with God’s help anything is possible.
~blessings
Dorcas
I went into an elementary school after hours one time to meet with a teacher that I was doing a party with. (I had fun with a party plan for a few years). I saw all the cute stuff in the K classes. I wondered for a day… will my kids miss all this?? Would they be better here?
Then I talked to some women that I admire who have adult well adjusted, well behaved children who were all home schooled and since that counseling session I haven’t questioned which environment is the best for my children.
Do I have days when I would like the option of sending them away for half a day… yes, but not as often as last year. It’s definitely a commitment of love.
I agree…I think everyone I have talked to has had these questions raised in their minds. For me it feels like a good way to keep me evaluating not only the needs of my children, but the way I am teaching them. Besides, I am not a very scheduled home schooler (by choice) and it is hard to do something out of the mainstream.
Well I have a slightly different perspective. I taught in the top performing public school in LA for 10 years, and my girls went there, too. Then I moved to the neighborhood school to be closer to our home when pregnant with #3…the girls moved also. Next, they moved to private Christian school when I got a landman job with my husband. Our oldest excelled at all 3 schools; our 10 year old had difficulty with workbook/memorization curriculum that was offered. So, this year I’m homeschooling the little ones to build confidence and re-lay the foundations missed without a hands-on curriculum. The fact is, every child is different and needs to be taught to his/her learning style. Some schools do this well, others don’t. But a mother always does what is best for her children- whereas a teacher may not be able. You are doing what’s best for your kids, be confident in that.
Blessings,
Becky C
A Country Classroom
I wonder what they are mission sometimes. esp when someone is talking about a party at school or something. The truth is there are benefits both ways. Someone younger was just telling me how she really wanted to homeschool in elementary because she knew what her friends were doing that she didn’t get to do at school. It helps me to read homeschool help books to keep my perspective plus prayer. 🙂 Blessings as you get started.
(BTW, thanks for the follow. I am already following you on bloglines!)
Amy @ Missional Mama
I haven’t even started and I feel that way! I think that because most of us were schooled ourselves in public schools, that’s “normal” for us. That’s what we know so it’s hard to go against that. But we do it for our Lord, our kids, and other various reasons. 🙂
I’m having a hard time with it too. My little monkey will be 4 next week and instead of sending her to the pre-k program at our local school, I will be teaching her at home. I was the Title 1 reading teacher for our local school this past year and I realized that the pre-k programs in TX are for low income families, which we would qualify for, and for children with disabilities. The pre-k teachers had two autistic children last year that took up most of their time. I often wondered how the other children were progressing with their learning while having to be put on the back burner because of the 2 autistic children. I’m not saying that I wouldn’t want my child around children with learning disabilities, but I don’t want her to be pushed to the back either because the teachers are focused more on the children with learning disabilities. So, that is what made me decide to keep her home. Now, next year may be a different story. I am looking for a teaching job (I’m a certified early childhood through 4th grade teacher), but this economy has really hit the schools and I have witnessed it first hand. I would like a job to get us out of this financial slump that we’re in, but at the same time, I would like to be able to teach my own children. I’m waiting to see what God has planned for me.
WE choose not to school and my husband teaches in the public elementary section as I used to. Are reasons are not for religious reasons (we are not Christians). We do not feel academically,socially or SPIRITUALY this would the right place for our daughters. But I often have those same pangs .. but then when I compare the amount of whines to the amount of smiles and gigles she shows … I know 110% ours was the right decision for us… and having worked in the SYSTEM I can tell you the whines, struggles and sighs occur there too 🙂
All MOM’S feel that way at times, homeschool or public school. I remember dropping my son off at Kindergarten and thinking “Am I doing the right thing?” It never felt right. And then we disenrolled him and began to homeschool and I asked myself the same questions. Now that son is in 10th grade and I have three more we homeschool. I still ask myself all of the time if I am doing the right thing.
But I know, in my heart of hearts, I am.
I have to say, I am greatful I did not. My oldest daughter was in the public school system for 5 years [at that time I was working F/T]. What a night mare. The older she got the worse she got attitude wise. The school system consistantly changing up the Factual learning to Theorize everything, I got tired of correcting her. Not to mention the countless hours of homework after homework because they just dump it on them and go.
One thing I was fureous about after I pulled her out of the public school system was her grade they placed her in. What do I mean? Each school system has to determine whether or not your child should be passed into the next grade or held back, Right! When I tested her to see where her learning grade was so I knew what curriculum to buy, she was at a 3rd-4th grade level but was in 5th grade moving into 6th. I was angry.
When I went back to the school system to speak about this, I was told, all kids in her grade are at the same level, the reason she may tested like that is because they spend most of the school year recapping the previous year because of the STATE STANDARDIZED ISTEP Testing. They spend so much time recapping they only get 2-3 months to spend on the present years curric. By that time they dont get through it all so it is up to the next years teacher to cover it plus the next grade level. UNBELIEVEABLE!
In my 3 years of schooling her and my 5, 4, 3 year olds they have learned more then what they would of learned in a public school system. Sure we still interact with sports, church and other projects. Do I miss Public school system, or am I bit crushed for my children missing out. NOPE, They are not missing anything at all but friends that they have out side of the public school system. My kids know and have friends in Homeschooling and in the public school system. For the most part, a lot of the public school friends have begun homeschooling as well.
Dont be so hard on yourself. God has you doing this for a reason, His reasoning is better then any what if’s that we could ever think of. It may be hard for a sec, but remember you are giving your child the best education he can get, and he deserves it.
You can see from all the other comments, you are not alone. I waver (in my mind) a little at times but when I have actually CHANGED my mind and put them in school, which I have done, it was a huge mistake and for one of our children had devastating consequences. They have been home again for 2 years and we are happy, they are growing and learning, and I still know this is what God has called me to do. We love homeschooling.
I never wavered on our decision to homeschool, but my husband did. A lot of that was because his brother and sister-in-law (who was a public school teacher for over 30 years) gave us such a hard time.
Don’t let the nay sayers (and you’ll have some) get you down. Listen to God, not man.
I feel that way often. But this year I have a huge sense of peace about our decision because I saw God open so many doors for us. However, every time I meet someone new or talk to my friends who think I am foolish I get nervous about whether I’m doing the right thing. But I KNOW this is right for us.
I think these thoughts run through all of our minds. I sit back and remind myself of all the things I learned in school, or got out of school besides an education. I didn’t walk away from school with lasting, bonding relationships, friendships, boy I don’t think there are really any of the kids from school I can say I miss.
I know sometimes this ways heavy on me knowing that Selena is an only child, yet I was very much like an only child, did the school experience really teach me how to socialize, keep friends, make friends? No, I think life itself taught me those things. I missed a few dances, I look back on it and it is no big deal.
I watch children who are now grown who have been homeschooled and I see better adjusted adults, who have full lives ahead of them, who are not afraid to step out and risk the chance to better themselves. I see young pre-teen homeschoolers, who can actually sit in a room of adults and carry on a great conversation and not complain that they are bored.
When I reflect back on my experiences, and look at all those around me, I know that Selena isn’t going to miss a thing by being homeschooled.
Wow God really put me in your path. My Little Bit is six months old and I am already deciding how I want to educate him.
I am a licensed teacher. I graduated last year and found out I was pregnant a few weeks after graduation. I did try to find a job but like an earlier poster mentioned there are no teaching jobs to be had. Two of the families in my Bible study homeschool their children.
These are wonderful well adjusted children. One has even skipped a grade level. They do far more activities than children who attend public school. I so admire these women and they way they have taken control of their children’s education.
When I teach Little Bit I know he will receive on-on-one attention. I can sculpt his curriculum around his interests and learning style. I can teach him about the Lord, manners, respect, and all the other life lessons that public school leaves out.
Even though I KNOW all this I still question. Is this right? Is it wrong of me not to subject him to public school? Is it wrong of me never to use my teaching degree for any other children but my own? Of course I waiver on the answers to these questions but prayer always brings me back to the point of yes Amy this is what you need to do.
I hope you find some sollace through all these wonderful ladies who helped you and me out. Have a blessed day!
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Yes! My daughter has been homeschooled since Pre-K and we are on week 5 of first grade. I think about public school all of the time. I don’t want her to be behind or miss out on anything. Then I think about it and remember my school experience. Plus, a 6 year old shouldn’t be away from the home for 8+ hours a day, if you ask me!
Nicole,
I could have written your post since I know EXACTLY how you are feeling and I’ve had the same thoughts as you! I have been HS since 2005 when we pulled our oldest out of a year round kindergarten class after the first 9 weeks. I felt guilty wondering if it was the right decision especially since our daughter was having fun in the public school class. But, ultimately it came down to a strong calling to bring my children home to teach them our values, our schedule, our curriculum. We felt the best way to instill our strong Catholic Christian values was to keep them at home to build a strong moral, religious foundation so that they will be able to know what is right and wrong when they face the pressures of society. Do I still question our homeschool decision with my now 5th grade daughter, 3rd grade son, 1st grade daughter, and 2 year old? You bet, but don’t all parents constantly wonder if what they are doing with their children is the right thing? Do I often long for more “free” time where I am not planning lessons and constantly disciplining? Yep, but the little time that my daughter was in public school told me that keeping up with a traditional school schedule is tiring, stressful and a zoo. Like so many have already commented, deep down I know that sending my children away is not the solution for us. Rather, I am constantly trying to figure out how to make our HS lifestyle a joyous one!
My answer was way tooo long, so I decided to post it on my blog. Hope on over for a visit and see what I have to say.
Thank you SO much for the words of encouragement & for the e-mails. I really appreciate all your kindness! 🙂
God Bless you!
Nicole
Our girls all got to have the “public school experience” for at least 2 years (some for more) and our son is entering Kindergarten this year & we are homeschooling him. I have felt guilty that he isn’t getting that same experience the girls got and have even wondered if he will grow up saying “I wonder what I missed” by not being in a public school for at least a while. Like you, God has confirmed in my heart that we made the right decision by homeschooling ALL the kids this year and I just let those fleeting thoughts of worry try to float on out of my heart and focus on the great gift I have been given to homeschool. And I am so thankful for awesome blog friends like you that have such wonderful and encouraging homeschool posts. Praying you have a fantastic year!
Nicole,
YOU ARE NOT ALONE! School starts around here in 3 weeks and I am still undecided! We were going to HS, then 2 weeks ago, I chickened out (again) and dropped off enrollment forms, which still sit at the District Office. We got mail today stating that our son will be a “B” day Kindergartener. I felt weak in the knees! My daughter will be entering 2nd grade and wants to go to school. So, now I struggle with if I DO decide to keep her home…..what will her reaction be? I think as moms, it’s never ending…as one other reader wrote “we are constantly trying to do what’s best”. Hop on over to my blog “Growing Blessings” at daveandnickiskids.blogspot.com to read more. You think YOU’RE crazy for feeling this way? My posts will make you feel better 😉
Sincerely, Nicki
Yes, I have felt this way. My oldest 2 are beginning kindergarten at home next week & I know my mommy heart will be a bit sad to see the school bus go by without them in it… but I will at the same time be even more glad that they are home with me… where God wants them to be!!
Blessings to you, dear Mommy! You are doing a great job- praying for your “Mommy heart”!!
Jessica
I think it’s great you homeschool! My daughter isn’t old enough for school yet and I haven’t decide what form of schooling I’ll do.
Yes, I feel that way, which is why I have taken this year (my daughter just turned 4) as a trial year of “school”. We do our homeschool work everyday and record it as if it were an official school year. I love having my daughter home with me. I love knowing what she is learning. I love seeing her interact with her sister. And most days, I feel l like homeschool is the right decision for us, but there are those days that I am still on the fence over the whole decision.
Good luck! May you have a wonderful, successful school year!
I think I will be having those same thoughts when my daughters are old enough that they should be crossing the street to the bus stop on the first day of kindergarten. Right now I have less doubting, but I wonder at times if they will be missing something. But I feel this is the way the Lord is leading me. I also know I DO NOT want to deal with our school district anymore. My oldest just graduated and my 14 year old only has a few years left. I loved school growing up, but I have learned so much while researching homeschooling that I know I am doing the right thing. I’ll probably be needing some encouragement 2 years from now.
We’ll be starting our pre K homeschooling this month. My first ever. And yes, I think wow! I am excited and delighted to have this privilege.