intro

[cfc]

hello
I am new here and excited to find a forum for homechooling that seems active! I am mom to a 13 yr old son that attends private school and does very well, we have applied for the IB school for high school and will find out soon if he was accepted. I have 2 children close in age 4 and 5 that I have decided to homeschool. I am really excited about homechooling, I used to be very intimidated by it; but over the past couple of years have seen so many more positives and reasons I want to be homeschool. Though my eldest son thrives in school academically, I am so dissapointed by the social part of school, that I am positive I don't want my youngest to be a part of it. I also have a one yr old baby girl that I plan to hs as well.
Anyway, thanks for letting me in and I look forward to learning from everyone and hopefully helping others as well!

[Mom2ampm]

WELCOME! Glad you found us!

Tell me what IB School is....I am not familiar with this. Also, tell me more about what you are disappointed in with the social aspect of school. What things are happening at this level that you don't find appropriate? I am curious since we are unsure how long we will homeschool our kids.

By the way, I homeschool my two children (ages 5, 9). We've been homeschooling for three years now. I am a former PS teacher and love being able to teach my own kids!

[Jackie]

Welcome, CFC! My husband teaches in a public high school...he always has PLENTY to say about "socialization" in high school, and very little is positive! Your younger two might be easy to teach together! I teach several things to all three of mine (ages 6, 9, and 11), though that will probably become less and less as the older one becomes more highschool oriented.

[cfc]

IB is for International Baccalaureate (hope I spelled it right) it is very intense learning much more than reg. high school. The graduating class last yr received around 6 million in scholarships and it is a small school. Several of the classes you receive college credit for if you go after the IB diploma. It is difficult but at the same time doable, and the students that he will be socializing with, will hopefully have similiar goals they want to achieve and it will be a positive experience.

I was happy with school until the middle school yrs. I suppose for the most part. I just see in so many ways I I could have been a bigger part of my sons life if I had hs'd him. The teenage yrs there are SO many temptations out there and always peer pressure. Even in a small school with 25 students in his grade, it is dissapointing for him to come home and want to watch MTV for example because everyone else does, and so on... A few of the things he comes home with that he has learned from peers is just so surprising. I know you can't shelter them forever, but, I do feel that for my children anyway I want to guard them until they are
more mature and able to make decisions that are wise.
There is just so much out there in this world, that can seem appealing to teenagers and when they are away from you for 8 entire hours or more a day they are having to make alot of decisions on their own.
Thank you so much for the welcome!

[Mom2ampm]

I have a discussion about this very thing every time I get around my SIL. She says things like "you can't shelter them forever" and "they need to experience the real world". I don't ever find the right words to defend my decision and to point out the positives of homeschooling. I feel I lose the fight every time. She mentioned to me the other day that if they didn't go to high school then they will get "over-exposed", so to speak, in college. I told her that didn't happen to me. I went to college to get an education and most everyone I saw there was very serious about school. Of course, I went to college, worked 35 hrs a week and lived at home. She kind of rolls her eyes to that (like I didn't really experience "real college"). I think people who go away to college many times go for the party instead of the education.

Anyway, I see what you are talking about. I, too, think that we are missing out on so much when they are away from home for so long. I often look at my kids and think how lucky I am that they are home with me. I love sharing this time with them. To me, life is too short not to want to spend as much time with your family that you can. I don't think my in-laws get this. I lost my father to a heart attack at 15. I would give anything to go back and spend more time with him. I learned so much from him in the short time I was able to know him. I guess I live my life differently than most just because of the circumstances that happened to me as a child. I am also a realist. I know that heart problems run in my family and it could happen to me. I may not be here for them when they are older, so I am going to be all that I can be for them as long as I am here!

Sorry, didn't mean to go on and on! I have been needing to talk about this for a week or so. Thanks for letting me get it off my chest.

[cfc]

thanks everyone for the welcome, I can tell I am going to like it here already.

Missy I love to hear from others; don't feel you went on and on... Actually sometimes I am the rambler! :lol:
Totally agree with all you said!

[Jackie]

Missy, people like that frustrate me to no end!!! Where do they get off thinking that THEY know what is best for OUR kids??? I don't think I'd even TRY to defend my views to them. Just sit and listen, say "Thank you for your concern", and not response in no other way. Maybe they will get tired of hearing themselves talk! Another one I hear is that "I went to high school, and I turned out just fine!" Well, so did I!!! But the schools today are NOT the same schools we went to. Things have deteriorated fast, and it's spiraling downward.

[ABall]

welcome to the homeschoolspot, hopefully you will find it a place that can help you. I do. I have 4 kids, 5, 6, and twins that are 8.

[CrystalB9]

Hi and welcome!! I have 8 children and this is our 4th yr hsing. This is a great place to come for advice and friendship. I am sure you will love it here!

[KrisRV]

Welcome what a wonderful place to come and chat and learn.
Missy, I went through the same you did as child.
I go through the same thing with my family to this day. they quiz my girls everytime they can to see if they are learning. Never see them do it to other children in the family just mind. Jacke and Tina TX and bunch of others have been there for Missy and given me the strength to keep going and keep homeschool. Jackie is right try to not say anything and when she is done just say Thank you for the Concern but we are doing just fine.
Hay in there Missy we are for you.

and once again welcome cfc glad you could join us.

[HomeschoolG'ma]

Welcome, I am fairly new, too. I HS my boy k-12 and now am homeschooling my 5 year old grandson. I hasn't all been easy (HA!), but it has been worth it. Just ook at the alternative. --Liz

[Ohio Mom]

Missy, Welcome - I have hs my 11 year old grandson since K. I really enjoy coming here and getting all the info, praying for each other and getting the answers to many questions I have. Again, Welcome!!