Why Does This Have To Be So Hard?
Our oldest son will be 6 next week. Aside from party planning and all that, I'm really just making myself sick considering whether to really homeschool or send him to school.
Granted, school wouldn't start for him until August or possibly September, depending on what school we choose but the realization that schooling will happen hits next week when he turns 6. Because 6 is the official school age. Yikes!
I am driving myself and my husband crazy by going back and forth. Actually we are both concerned and we talk about it every day of the week. One day it's a definite homeschool, the next day its private school but only if it's a good private school, and then the next day maybe a private christian school until we find out that the christian school in our area is NOT non-demominational. We prefer(actually we must and will accept no less) to keep it non-denominational for personal reasons.
We tried the unofficial pre-homeschool to see how it would work out and if I forced a curriculum on him it would work better but I don't want to do that right now. For now, we read everyday, we play games everyday, and we do some workbook stuff when he desires to but not everyday. When I see a learning opportunity, I build upon it and do what I can to teach him. He does really well with what he is interested in but gets bored easily and would rather run off and play with his toys, his brother, or video games.
And, being who I am, I think that's totally ok and appropriate for his age. I want him to play for as long as he can. I know most kids his age are already going to school all day and everyone around us thinks he should be doing the same. And, that's where my insecurities come in to play. What if I do decide to homeschool and I'm not successful? What then? I know I have the knowledge to teach him but do I have the creativity? The will? Time? Will he take me as serious as he would a real teacher? Would I always be MOM to him instead of teacher? The issue overall is will this type of learning work for him or would he be better suited to have another authority figure teach him? I am opening this up for discussion and advice. What are your thoughts? What are your fears as your kids enter school age? Am I totally crazy for obsessing over my baby starting school?
I guess I have a little more time to think about it. Ultimately, we want the best learning environment possible for our son with hands on activities, lots of outdoor play and exploring, arts, music, and computers NOT just a whole day sitting quietly in a classroom doing paperwork.
*Don't forget, the Mom Singing Contest has started. We have fabulous prizes to give away. Our newest sponsor is babyrockapparel.com. They have put together a gift tin with 2 tees or onesies of your choice. These are super hip rocker tees. Check out their shop today!Labels: age 6, homeschool, school age child, schooling
>Go to the Mom blog Homepage
Our oldest son will be 6 next week. Aside from party planning and all that, I'm really just making myself sick considering whether to really homeschool or send him to school.
Granted, school wouldn't start for him until August or possibly September, depending on what school we choose but the realization that schooling will happen hits next week when he turns 6. Because 6 is the official school age. Yikes!
I am driving myself and my husband crazy by going back and forth. Actually we are both concerned and we talk about it every day of the week. One day it's a definite homeschool, the next day its private school but only if it's a good private school, and then the next day maybe a private christian school until we find out that the christian school in our area is NOT non-demominational. We prefer(actually we must and will accept no less) to keep it non-denominational for personal reasons.
We tried the unofficial pre-homeschool to see how it would work out and if I forced a curriculum on him it would work better but I don't want to do that right now. For now, we read everyday, we play games everyday, and we do some workbook stuff when he desires to but not everyday. When I see a learning opportunity, I build upon it and do what I can to teach him. He does really well with what he is interested in but gets bored easily and would rather run off and play with his toys, his brother, or video games.
And, being who I am, I think that's totally ok and appropriate for his age. I want him to play for as long as he can. I know most kids his age are already going to school all day and everyone around us thinks he should be doing the same. And, that's where my insecurities come in to play. What if I do decide to homeschool and I'm not successful? What then? I know I have the knowledge to teach him but do I have the creativity? The will? Time? Will he take me as serious as he would a real teacher? Would I always be MOM to him instead of teacher? The issue overall is will this type of learning work for him or would he be better suited to have another authority figure teach him? I am opening this up for discussion and advice. What are your thoughts? What are your fears as your kids enter school age? Am I totally crazy for obsessing over my baby starting school?
I guess I have a little more time to think about it. Ultimately, we want the best learning environment possible for our son with hands on activities, lots of outdoor play and exploring, arts, music, and computers NOT just a whole day sitting quietly in a classroom doing paperwork.
*Don't forget, the Mom Singing Contest has started. We have fabulous prizes to give away. Our newest sponsor is babyrockapparel.com. They have put together a gift tin with 2 tees or onesies of your choice. These are super hip rocker tees. Check out their shop today!
Granted, school wouldn't start for him until August or possibly September, depending on what school we choose but the realization that schooling will happen hits next week when he turns 6. Because 6 is the official school age. Yikes!
I am driving myself and my husband crazy by going back and forth. Actually we are both concerned and we talk about it every day of the week. One day it's a definite homeschool, the next day its private school but only if it's a good private school, and then the next day maybe a private christian school until we find out that the christian school in our area is NOT non-demominational. We prefer(actually we must and will accept no less) to keep it non-denominational for personal reasons.
We tried the unofficial pre-homeschool to see how it would work out and if I forced a curriculum on him it would work better but I don't want to do that right now. For now, we read everyday, we play games everyday, and we do some workbook stuff when he desires to but not everyday. When I see a learning opportunity, I build upon it and do what I can to teach him. He does really well with what he is interested in but gets bored easily and would rather run off and play with his toys, his brother, or video games.
And, being who I am, I think that's totally ok and appropriate for his age. I want him to play for as long as he can. I know most kids his age are already going to school all day and everyone around us thinks he should be doing the same. And, that's where my insecurities come in to play. What if I do decide to homeschool and I'm not successful? What then? I know I have the knowledge to teach him but do I have the creativity? The will? Time? Will he take me as serious as he would a real teacher? Would I always be MOM to him instead of teacher? The issue overall is will this type of learning work for him or would he be better suited to have another authority figure teach him? I am opening this up for discussion and advice. What are your thoughts? What are your fears as your kids enter school age? Am I totally crazy for obsessing over my baby starting school?
I guess I have a little more time to think about it. Ultimately, we want the best learning environment possible for our son with hands on activities, lots of outdoor play and exploring, arts, music, and computers NOT just a whole day sitting quietly in a classroom doing paperwork.
*Don't forget, the Mom Singing Contest has started. We have fabulous prizes to give away. Our newest sponsor is babyrockapparel.com. They have put together a gift tin with 2 tees or onesies of your choice. These are super hip rocker tees. Check out their shop today!
Labels: age 6, homeschool, school age child, schooling
>Go to the Mom blog Homepage
9 Comments:
Something to consider: authority does not always go hand-in-hand with learning. Authority is good when we want a child to obey and memorize what others demand they "learn."
I homeschool my children because I want them to understand *how* to
learn and *why* certain knowledge or skills may be functional or
valuable in their lives. I don't think school does a very good job of this, instead teaching facts with very little real-world application. Facts that most of us promptly forget. Seems like a waste of time to me.
It sounds like your ideas about education are similar to the Montessori approach. Have you considered a Montessori school? There is also information out there on integrating the Montessori philosophy and methods into your homeschooling program.
This site has some information, including a search for local schools: http://www.montessori-namta.org/NAMTA/index.html
WEll you know how I feel about this. We live in a state that supposedly supports the best education system in the country. I don't know if that is always true, but I LOVE the fact my son goes to school and he loves it too. He is way too young for me to worry about all the other problems. He plays outdoors and learns really well and in AISD they don't use work sheets EVER. He didn't even for preschool. They don't think that is a good way of learning. He has learned so much since he started Kindergarten, it's surprising. Yesterday he came home and told me he wanted to go to the White House and visit George Washington, I had to correct him there...LOL. He has learned to read and they don't sit in front of a teacher the whole time. They have stations that the kids go to where they learn things. ANyhow, the main thing is HIS school is not a typical public school. It's pretty much a Private school. I told you about it before LOL. They are a little strict and they get on my nerves sometimes, but I also think it's best for Tyler because he would never learn with me. Believe me, I DO want what is best for him, it's not that I don't care because I really do, but this school has a different reputation. If it was any other achool I might be iffy. We prefer this school over any other school in the Metroplex whixh is the reason we don't OWN a house. Ok now I am rambling.
I started out this school year homeschooling my daughter. Then a few weeks ago my husband and I decided that when we move (in May) she will start going to school. I tried homeschooling, it didn't work out for me. If you feel that strongly about homeschooling then give it a try. It says nothing about you as a parent if it doesn't work out. I'm happy that I tried it, and it's not a big deal that it didn't work.
I am going to ask my friend TJ to stop off at your blog and give you some advice about homeschooling. She did it for her kids and was successful at it. I can't speak for homeschooling. I don't personally have the patience for it. I was going to mention Montessori to you, but I see another commenter already offered that suggestion.My kids are thriving in the public schools here in Charlotte. I looked at religious schools, private schools, Montessori....it is confusing and when you make the decision, you may not be 100% sure it's the "right" one. Sometimes it is just by trial and error.Your son is still young enough that even if you make the "wrong" choice, there is plenty of time to recover. Trust me on this one! :)
I could have written this. My son turns 6 in June and will start grade 1 in the fall. I agonized (AGONIZED) over what to do for him and only recently decided and I am still second guessing it. It depends on the child and so many other things.
Follow your gut. He's got a wonderful mama and that is worth more than whatever educational format you ultimately decide.
HOMESCHOOL PLEASE!!!! As a teacher and a parent (and a fan of yer bloggin' lol).
Also there might be a montessauri school or a waldorf school near where you live if you're into that.
John D
Schools are prisons that discourage learning and promote authoritarianism, and anti-democratic values. You're little men deserve so much more..
..that's my two cents...I just feel really strongly about this issue, sorry if I'm too blunt.
I noticed you are from KY, I am too and I just went through all of the same issues last fall. I don't know how close you are to Lexington, but one option here that you may not know about is the Lexington Latin School. It is a non-demoniational (I 90% sure of that) and the children go on Monday all day. Then the rest of the week the child homeschools with parents with the given curriculum. I have friends that have been very pleased with the school. It is a cheaper alternative than regular private schools but gives a lot of support and structure.
I struggled with the same fears last year with my daughter. I knew I was homeschooling, but I was afraid I wouldn't be a good teacher and that my daughter would not learn fast enough. It took a little work to get the hang of teaching her, but she has now decided that she loves reading, and seems to enjoy having her mom as her teacher! Be aware, though, that different children have different learning styles. While it may be hard to teach more than one child using two different styles, it is easier for you to pick up and use your child's learning style than a teacher in a classroom of 10-20 children. It sounds like you are a believer. I have a question that may seem silly, but I have to be reminded this sometimes. Have you prayed and asked God what He wants you to do. I think He would be more than willing to help!!
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