Homeschool Step Two, or, I am a Weenie

Shaun,
I saw the blog and your girls are just beautiful children. I wish you all the best as you embark on this new phase. You go girl!!

Heidi

I know that this new adventure will have great rewards. I'm looking forward to reading your blog!

Rose

I'd have gone the same way with the school too, but I'm not a huge extrovert either. Actually that was one (only one) of my primary concerns when I considered homeschooling a few years back. I'd rather my kids weren't as introverted as I can be because it can make life miserable at times (like when you absolutely have to interact with the outside world!). Although your kids may be naturally quite introverted you probably still need to find ways for them to open up a bit more than they would if they were left to follow your example Shaun! The thought of pushing myself into new groups of people brings me out in hives, but I think I'd have to do it if I were homeschooling. Not that you need worry about it immediately, but I hope you have it at the back of your mind to consider. It's not exactly an argument for socialisation, because I'm well aware that homeschooled kids can get as much, if not more, social interaction just being around in the community. But not if their introverted parents keep themselves to themselves! I had that argument shoved down my throat a few times and it isn't wrong.

sorry Shaun to keep harping on about it, but I feel it's important and I know that from my point of view it would be hard to do, to force myself to get moving on getting the kids 'out there', joining stuff so they can make the friends they need, since they aren't in a school situation which forces friendships on them a bit more.

hope that makes sense!

Kerri.

I have a couple of friends who homeschool their children and its been a wonderful journey for them. The kids are happy, the parents are happy, and I hope you all will be also.
Good luck!

How is it going, Shaun?

Only because I am sick, DH has been sick for weeks, and now I have a broken toe! We are not planning to start any real "school" until April, but we have goofed around. I had DD6 make her own times table through the 10s, she's been practicing music, writing bits of stories, drawing. I decided to try reading aloud to both girls this morning, from the American Girl Kaya books, and that went pretty well. DD2 is more auditory than visual, so she doesn't miss the pictures too much. I thought reading aloud would be a good way to include both kids.

That's our story so far -- thanks for asking!

Shaun
www.homeschoolblogger.com/shaunms

like good parenting, which is quite a feat when you are sick and suffering. How strict are the rules in Minnesota for HSing?? If there isn't much involvement then don't worry too much about whether you can start at a particular time and just carry on with what you've been doing.

one fo the things I've always done which has worked well with my two is to just go out and buy fascinating non-fiction books on a whole range of subjects. When I get them home I naturally tell the kids, and I'm obviously excited about them. Then I put them on a shelf where they can reach them and say no more, unless the subject arises. My kids have always browsed our non-fiction shelves with a lot of enthusiasm and there are very few books which don't get picked up. I don't buy really young books and never have. I'll get anything DK or Usborne if I can find it/afford it, and Reader's Digest has some great books too, but otherwise they are good for a wide range of ages and will make good reference books now and when they're in secondary school doing more homework. It's not active homeschooling, but making the materials available encourages the kids to use them, and books aren't messy at least - I can't quite bring myself to do that with art materials!

Kerri.

Just a word of encouragement...my DH begged his parents to school him at home (he was advanced in the material, and felt bored when the school wouldn't let him move ahead), yet his folks wouldn't (even though they had a parent home, so it wasn't an income thing) because they wanted him to "get to know people" and be "more out going". Basically, he spent his free time reading in the corners, playing chess with a select few "geeks" during lunch hour, and not ever becoming more extroverted, even though he was pushed into the situations to become such. Just remember that no matter what people say about needing to "socialize" your kids at public school, you can't make a child enjoy that stuff--if they'd rather learn with you, then so be it!! He's fine now, has a decent career (not quite done with PhD, but we're getting there) and isn't suffering socially even though he was the geek in school. Good luck! Keep your chin up, and remember you ALWAYS have friends who have been there when you come here.