posted March 27, 2005 06:12 PM
I currently work 2 days one week and 3 days the next week outside of the home. I do a home business as well but do the majority of that work on line when the kids are napping or in bed. My oldest will be 5 next month and we currently work with him quite a bit at home... teaching him how to read now, etc. I am thinking of keeping him home for K and sure I can do it with my current schedule... just not sure about beyond that. Anyone work a schedule kinda like mine and homeschool a 1st grader or above? I also have a 15 month old. Just don't want to think it possible and then short change my 5 year old..... just unsure....Thanks.
Do you know what method you want to use? Whatever you choose, I'm sure that you can work it in around your work. I would definitely try it and adjust accordingly. I'm sure with your love & guidance, your 5 year old won't be shortchanged at all I have a 5 and 3 year old, I work from home and I have 2 home businesses and I plan to homeschool them both. Anything is possible, it just may take create thinking, ya' know?
posted April 01, 2005 10:18 AM
Hi there, I just have to reply so you can hear my story. Started online schooling my oldest 2 kids. Did for 2 yrs. 1 of the 2 yrs I worked at home for Custom Loyal mainly on one of the kids' computers, so he schooled when I didn't need to be on it. Came time to school my 3rd child. Did for 1 wk and sent the 2nd and 3rd child back to public school. My 2nd child homeschooled for grades 1 & 2, went back to public this yr for 3rd and unfortunately was very behind. I still cry thinking about it. It was very emotional. He was one of my most intelligent kids and it was so hard to see him struggle. He had to be placed in Title I for help w/ reading comprehension. I think a lot of things were to blame, first of all myself. I think I was too concerned w/working,homeschooling 2, taking one to public kdg,2 yr old, and pregnant. True.... I've got a bit more on my plate than some, BUT.... looking back I just feel that elementary school is so very important. It's when they learn the foundation of everything they'll need later on. Basic addition, subtraction,reading, reading comprehension, writing, etc.... I wish sooooo bad I could turn back time and keep him in elem school. My heart just ached to see him struggle not only w/school work but w/his self esteem. His current teacher said he was just "taught" different, like many who come from different schools but I felt it was me. Thankfully he's doing good now and is even on the honor roll. Many, many, many times I wonder where he'd be if he would've stayed in public school. But I can't dwell on it or I'd never stop crying. It's true this is just my situation, but I thought I was being supermom; even a "better" mom. I loved getting compliments from others wondering how I did it. Problem was.... I wasn't doing it, I guess. I'm not against homeschooling though. My oldest is still doing it and I do plan on having them do it beginning w/6th grade to avoid the crap they face as teenagers but my advice for others is to reconsider elementary school. Just my thoughts and I do so wish you well.
posted April 02, 2005 12:16 PM
I will be very straightforward about my experience. I currently homeschool my daughter and one of her friends, 2nd grade. I personally found it very difficult to build my own business and homeschool. The two endeavors distracted from each other and I was not doing a very good job at either! I all but gave up my business and now work about 10 hours per week with my husband doing paperwork that can be done whenever, as long as it gets done. One of the members of my homeschool group works 2 -3 days a week and is managing it all just fine. Keep in mind that you have a lot of flexibility with homeschooling. Your school day can be whatever time of day works for you, and whatever days of the week you can dedicate to it. If you are determined to make it work, I have no doubt that you will be able to do it. There are so many options...online courses, homeschool co-ops, video courses.
posted April 02, 2005 08:41 PM
I started homeschooling #3 in fifth grade when the school acknowledged her learning disabilities but didn't offer any help in dealing with them - at the time I was working 60 hours a week outside, running my DH's business, and starting my own - we had seven children of our own plus a six month old foster son.
We started off with only a couple of hours a day seven days a week - didn't really take vacations from school over summer - I used a lot of real life experiences in her schooling esp in math (recipes, banking, budgets, etc) - I also went for hands on in science than reading about things.
When she hit middle school I signed her up with a local ind study program - they supplied the books, kept all records, state tests, etc - by then she worked 99% on her own and finished middle school a semester early.
She did attend one year at our public high school (tested right at grade level) and brought home B's and above but decided to return to the ind study program for the remainder of high school (she was a speaker at the graduation of 200 students)
I don't know I would try to homeschool with a younger child - my youngest is in public kindergarten this year and to be honest I don't have the time to give her everything she needs and deserves (I am the sole financial support of our family and work 60+ hours a week from home)
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posted March 27, 2005 06:12 PM
I have a 5 and 3 year old, I work from home and I have 2 home businesses and I plan to homeschool them both. Anything is possible, it just may take create thinking, ya' know?