Homeschooling:  Advice from Readers

"I have just started homeschooling my toddlers, and we are having a wonderful time.  throughout the day we play, we color, we do everything and more that preschoolers do in school only they say mommy instead of teacher.  It gives a great amount of satisfaction to hear a 2 year old come up to you and say, "watch me mommy, I'm coloring a picture in red."  when 6 months ago he was barely saying 6 words.  I decided to go ahead and try it because my mother is homeschooling as well and she is and always has been a great inspiration to me and to all of my other siblings as well." -- P. Love, Indiana  

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Hello, my name is Christine and I would like to tell you a little about my homeschooling experience...  I am the oldest of five children and was home taught from 2nd grade until I
graduated in 1995. I am one of three who have graduated thus far. There is a 9 years difference between me and my youngest sister and I would have to say that my Mom was a wonder woman - For several years she had her hands full with teaching five different grade levels at once. We all did quite a bit TOGETHER and even heard the same lectures at times with expanded versions for those of us who were in a higher grade. I absolutely LOVED being taught by my Mom. "What about friends and a social life?", you ask. Well, I have a large family and to be honest, my family members are my best friends. We were always involved in activities with other home-schooled families and have continued friendships with several people. I must say that I NEVER felt that I was missing anything by being at home for school. In fact I consider myself very fortunate to have had the experience I had at home.

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Hi.  We have been homeschooling for 3 years now and LOVE it.  I so enjoy watching my two daughters grow up instead of leaving the best times of the day to teachers.  They are both thriving at home and I see so many qualities that they have developed that were not there when they were in school (my oldest went to Kdg. and 1st grade and my younger went to Kdg.).  It is not always easy - it takes a lot of dedication, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

We began homeschooling when my older daughter was diagnosed with ADD and the school was trying to deal with it.  The people at school were great, but kept saying that she needed one-on-one teaching, but they could only provide resource room for her.  I decided to homeschool then (after much prayer!!!) and would never go back.  We are involved with a great homeschooling group that meets once a week and my girls are involved in various activities.

Homeschooling is not for everybody.  It is very hard work and you must be dedicated to it.  Many character faults come right out when your kids are with you all day, and you must deal with them.  But it has been an exciting time for us and I am so grateful for the opportunity to do it. --Ann S.