Saturday, September 5, 2009

Homeschooling 101

I could probably use a course in this. But alas, I start the process of homeschooling 3 children, this coming week. When the first boxes of school materials arrived in the mail, I was EXCITED! When the last 2 boxes arrived, and I looked at everything all spread out, I got NERVOUS.

Tonight, after shopping for last minute supplies, and preparing to ready the room, I am once again, EXCITED!

As I sit here in my office, the memories of the last 2 school years fill my mind. I am remembering the 2 hours of driving I did every day, the lunches I packed, the uniforms I washed, the homework we did. . .

I jump for joy at the thought of leaving all of that behind, and instead, taking an active roll in teaching. I love school supplies, and fall decorations. Seeing apples and pencils makes me smile:) But most of all, I love finding new ways to help my children grasp new concepts. I like seeing the twinkle in their eyes when they FINALLY understand something that has been eluding them.

I love the pictures they draw. I love hearing them read. I love watching them learn. I love being their MOM!

SO, this coming Tuesday, instead of getting them up EARLY, running around like crazy people to eat breakfast, get dressed, comb hair, pack backpacks (try saying THAT 10 times fast), pack lunches, and driving 30 minutes to school. . .

I will linger over my coffee, getting the school room ready for the day. Meanwhile, my children will be sleeping peacefully, a little while longer than before.

At the end of the day, instead of driving to pick them up, and listening to each one talk over the other in an attempt to be heard. . .We will anxiously await my husbands arrival home from work, so we can tell him what WE learned today!

blessedwith3

12 comments:

PhysicistDave said...

Sandi,

You said:
>When the first boxes of school materials arrived in the mail, I was EXCITED! When the last 2 boxes arrived, and I looked at everything all spread out, I got NERVOUS.

I'm a Ph.D. physicist turned stay-at-home homeschooling dad: I've been "officially" homeschooling for over five years.

I have some good news and some bad news: it will continue to be exciting and it will continue to make you nervous!

My kids are testing at twice their grade level, but we still constantly worry if they are covering everything, if they are being properly "socialized," etc. (Although we are coming to see the point of the old homeschooolers' joke: "Yes, we have trouble with socialization -- our kids are way too social!")

Use the library a lot, talk to other homeschoolers about approaches and resources, and, don't get stuck in a rut by staying with some series or approach that is not panning out.

Keep the focus on "are we learning stuff", and, for all the anxiety and uncertainty, you will find one day that it is working out very well indeed.

All the best,

Dave Miller in Sacramento

www.homeschoolingphysicist.blogspot.com

Lisa said...

Sandi,
I have enjoyed reading your replies about Christianity at MckM's Blog Frog. So I hopped on over here to see your blog.
I am thrilled for you to be homeschooling. It is one of my favorite, hard but favorite, things about being a mom.
I hope your first week went well, and I'm sure you will enjoy watching your children learn new things!!

Denise said...

Sandi,
I'm a day late and a dollar short (actually, make that 4 days late), but wanted to thank you for your answer to my question on the Mormonism thread on BF last week. I just was finally able to get back on there to read responses today, and the threads are already locked ... but thank you for taking the time to answer my question about different faiths' interpretations about the same bible. Your anwer makes sense to me, and I do appreciate your time : )

Michelle said...

Sandi - we are starting a Bible study blog if you want to join in. Please email me your email address so I can invite you! :)

Sandi said...

Mae and Denise, thank you so much for your kind words. That means a lot to me. I'm sorry I am just now seeing your comments. I am working my way through, trying to get better at all things blog related. I thought I had it set to get emails with new comments, but now realize that I did not have it set right.
Hi Michelle! I joined today and am excited to be a part of it!

Cara said...

I just wanted to say good for you for the discussion thread you posted on blogfrog over terrorism.

I just can't understand how other Christians think other religions worship the same God we do. It's insane! We will NOT all end up in heaven together!

And I just thought you handled it well and used some great research and knowledge.

Sandi said...

Thank you Cara! I appreciate your kind words. It means a lot that you took the time to encourage me.

Heidi said...

I clicked over tonight to read your perfection post, but this is what struck me! I wanted to wish you luck on your journey. The homeschool journey is a family adventure. It will change your life in ways you may have already found and ways you cannot yet imagine.

Good Luck! I run a small weekly blog carnival for homeschooling moms (and dads) to have a chance to check in with each other. Feel free to come check it out sometime! The main post goes up on Fridays, but we work on homeschool time and often there are no additional MckLinky posts until later in the weekend when other moms have had a chance to get to their blogs.

Blessings,
Heidi

Sandi said...

Thank you Heidi! I will be sure to check it out this week!

Kari said...

Hi Sandi! I hopped over here to look at your blog after you commented on my peanut allergy post. I've enjoyed reading your posts. I, too, am a first time home schooling mom this year. I'm loving it and am nervous about it. I have four children - 8 year old twins, 6 1/2 year old and a 2 year old miracle boy.

Blessings to you,
Kari

Mom2my10 @ 11th Heaven said...

Hey Sandi, just thought I'd stop by your blog to see what your all about. It's so cool that you started homeschooling. I did it for 13 years. What curriculum are you using? How old are your kids? How's it going?

I totally loved PhysicistDave's commment. So, so true, just focus on, "yes, we are learning stuff"! Plus, you will have to get used to the "well what about their socialization?" comment. It's unbelievable. My kids got to socialize with kids of all ages, not just people in their grades. How much better for them is that?

Mom2my10 @ 11th Heaven said...

P.S. Do you have a link to your ebay store? I would love to check it out..