fairfarmhand Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 or is it a lifelong commitment? I'm just curious... we are year to year folks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SquirrellyMama Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 I would say both. I would really like to home school through high school but I still look at it year by year. Kelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty in Pink Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 I guess we are year-by-year folks. If, for some reason, a traditional school environment would better meet the needs of one or more of my children then that is where they would be, but we are comfortable and confident with our decision to homeschool. It's not like we are sitting around every spring second guessing ourselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veritaserum Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 I guess we are somewhere in the middle. It would take a LOT of convincing for me to believe that public school would be better for one of my kids. ;) However, nothing is completely ruled out since I can't predict the future. We homeschool for academic reasons. So, no, it's not a year-by-year thing for us. Homeschool is the default. That would only change if homeschooling failed to meet the academic needs of my child(ren). :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emmy Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 We are year by year people and we probably do sit around each spring second guessing ourselves. :) Some of that second guessing is because we always seem to be in the middle of some big "life thing" and some of it is simply me hitting burnout each year. This spring is one of the first times in several years that there was no second guessing. I feel like we've hit our groove and I'm starting to really see the fruits of our labors, so for this year at least, we didn't really discuss it at length. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Yes, we reevaluate each year. Our kids have a major say in how they are educated so we talk about it each year and make plans accordingly. My older children are not homeschooling now because they found other programs that fit them well. They both comment on how much they miss homeschooling and that it was a great experience for them. They don't regret the time we spent homeschooling and even have days where they wish they still did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 We do not have high schools locally with appropriate programs for our children, and we no longer live near the K-8 Lutheran school that I previously taught at. So, homeschooling is given unless something such as a serious health crisis for me occured. Even then, dd would probably try to help some and as the boys are getting more independent in their learning, dh could teach the math and math based sciences in the evenings, with a dear friend of mine's help on English/Literature, and history. He would also consider some online classes and lots of M.I.T. opencourseware with video lectures for them. Our local schools are just that poor! Faith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosy Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 I guess we are somewhere in the middle. It would take a LOT of convincing for me to believe that public school would be better for one of my kids. ;) However, nothing is completely ruled out since I can't predict the future. We homeschool for academic reasons. So, no, it's not a year-by-year thing for us. Homeschool is the default. That would only change if homeschooling failed to meet the academic needs of my child(ren). :) :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mimm Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Year at a time. Though we make decisions about homeschooling, we take into account how it will affect future years, as if we will be homschooling through high school. But one thing life has taught me is that things don't always go according to plan. (Or we wouldn't be homeschooling.) We will be homeschooling next year unless something unforeseeable happens. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeghanL Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 I'll be a lifetime homeschooler. I have a lot of support from my extended family, so even if something traumatic happened, we would still be able to homeschool. I guess, for me, it comes down to truly knowing that this is the best option. This may not be popular (especially on a classical board!!) but I think even if kids are left entirely to their own devices they will still be better off than in a school setting. Then again, I have read a lot of John Taylor Gatto and to hear his actual experiences of the damage done in school, and to realize the damage done to me in school makes me not want to consider that option for my kids. That being said, we are not facing traumatic circumstances at the moment, so we are classically educating and I cannot even fathom it being any other way. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margo out of lurking Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 We've always said we decide each year. In the last couple of years, though, we've made the commitment to see both kids home through high school. No matter what. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalypso Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 I told myself from the beginning that I was a year-to-year homeschooler. I have been homeschooling for 12 years now. I always told myself I would be committed as long as I felt it was the best choice for our family. This year we put my ds12 in a charter school and it has been the best thing we could have done for him. My 2 oldest will be going to a charter school next year for sure and my 2 younger students might be going, too. I'm thinking of it as a sabbatical. I'm tired and just can't keep up with their schooling like I used to do. So, I am sad, but am also happy that I have schools that I feel comfortable with them attending. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jujsky Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 We SAY we're year-to-year folks, but at this point I really can't imagine sending my kids to school -- at least not before high school. While it's not completely out of the realm of possibilities, I just don't see it happening. We're happy with what we're doing and the kids are learning a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 or is it a lifelong commitment? I'm just curious... we are year to year folks. Yes - we take it year by year. Although, we have some long trips planned for next year so we're definitely in it for at least the next year+. We'll re-evaluate as we go along. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
May Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 We were year by year homeschoolers. When we moved across county, dd asked to attend a traditional highschool. We found a perfect fit at a smaller Christian highschool. Even though we live in an excellent school district, public schools were never an option for our family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RanchGirl Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 We are year to year, but all indications are that we will see each child through the junior high years, then go to a private high school. Except now a new classical charter school is opening up in our area and I am reconsidering the jr. high years as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsbaby Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 We are in it for the long haul. I don't reevaluate anything but our curriculum:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy101 Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 No. Lifelongers here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirch Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 We're pretty much in it for the long haul, barring unforeseen events that would force us to put them in school for some reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beccad777 Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 I guess we are somewhere in the middle. It would take a LOT of convincing for me to believe that public school would be better for one of my kids. ;) However, nothing is completely ruled out since I can't predict the future. . :) :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susankenny Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Yes! year-by-year. Heck, sometimes hour-by-hour:tongue_smilie:. Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4wildberrys Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 I consider us Lifetime Homeschoolers----but that doesn't mean that each spring I get The Doubts that we are still doing the right thing! :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen in CO Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 I guess we are somewhere in the middle. It would take a LOT of convincing for me to believe that public school would be better for one of my kids. ;) However, nothing is completely ruled out since I can't predict the future. We homeschool for academic reasons. So, no, it's not a year-by-year thing for us. Homeschool is the default. That would only change if homeschooling failed to meet the academic needs of my child(ren). :) :iagree: That's us too. Homeschool is our default choice, but we're open to change if the future. I spend a few weeks every spring right before the school "choice window" deciding if homeschooling is still working. I typically even read up on any new schools or programs in our district. So far nothing has changed our minds about homeschool although we have added in a public school enrichment option that is working well for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elfgivas Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 or is it a lifelong commitment? I'm just curious... we are year to year folks. publically, no. privately, yes. i'm trying to raise healthy, happy, competent children who can become healthy, happy, competent adults.... homeschooling is a tool. ann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 We're lifers. :D Dh and I have even discussed how to continue homeschooling should something happen to one of us. We always felt it was something we'd see through to the end, even when we first started homeschooling. Ds is 13-1/2 now, and depending on their birthdates, some of his friends would be entering high school next year (ds wouldn't). Two have actually chosen to go to ps high school. He is having trouble understanding that decision and has no desire to stop being homeschooled. I do think it's easiest when everyone in the household is on the same page. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckymama Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 We're committed to homeschooling for the middle school years only :) We are lucky that dd will have good choices for high school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plucky Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 We plan for the long haul and then reevaluate when a need arises. High school is the tricky one. My oldest went part-time to ps for a few AP classes and then running start. We had one in private school. Now, I think everyone is settled into hsing and going to classes at the homeschool partnership a couple days a week until they can begin running start in 11th grade at the community college. But when it comes to kids, things can change. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5Wizards Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 We're lifers. I SAY that we can always change our minds and we take it year by year, but the reality is that we don't discuss it every year and we love our lifestyle. However, I suppose I am open slightly to other possibilities for the future, but it would take something huge for me to decide to send the kids to school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaKinVA Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Both... but we will probably homeschool all of the children all the way through. Elementary and Middle schools are a definite (rated average/below average). Our high school is rated highly, but I just can't imagine any of my oldest 3 (at this point), getting what they need there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle My Bell Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 :iagree: I'll be a lifetime homeschooler. I have a lot of support from my extended family, so even if something traumatic happened, we would still be able to homeschool. I guess, for me, it comes down to truly knowing that this is the best option. This may not be popular (especially on a classical board!!) but I think even if kids are left entirely to their own devices they will still be better off than in a school setting. Then again, I have read a lot of John Taylor Gatto and to hear his actual experiences of the damage done in school, and to realize the damage done to me in school makes me not want to consider that option for my kids. That being said, we are not facing traumatic circumstances at the moment, so we are classically educating and I cannot even fathom it being any other way. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Nope. There is absolutely no reason we would ever need a brick and mortar school. They do not offer anything we can't do at home. Really, we feel like schools are just a hassle in life that is truly totally unnecessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlessedMom Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 No! :) :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaT Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 We are lifelong homeschoolers. After 15 years, I can't imagine it any other way. The schools around here are not adequate anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaAkins Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 I *say* that we take it one year at a time, but the truth is, we are committed to home educating until they graduate....but, I don't want to come across as being a zealot that wouldn't consider public school. So, yes, each year, we stop and pray and ask God if we're meant to continue. Each year, He provides the needed resources and guides us through the next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoforjoy Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 We've been taking it year-by-year--day-by-day, it sometimes feels like--but I'm starting to think we'd be better off if we just decided we were committed to homeschooling at least through elementary school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Occasionally Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 We SAY we're year-to-year folks, but at this point I really can't imagine sending my kids to school -- at least not before high school. While it's not completely out of the realm of possibilities, I just don't see it happening. We're happy with what we're doing and the kids are learning a lot. :iagree: except I can't imagine sending mine to high school either (of course, they're very very little yet) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clementine Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Used to think we took it year by year, but in my heart I knew that we were in it for the long-haul. I think keeping the mindset of year by year made the 12 years seem less daunting. :tongue_smilie: But every year gets better & we're looking forward to high school. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MinivanMom Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 I'm a lifelong homeschooler. I reevaluate curriculum each year, not homeschooling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ondreeuh Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Year to year. I HS for academic reasons, and if the public school can do a better job than I can, then I have no problems using it. My dd is in public high school and very happy there. We are moving to a place where I can more-or-less handpick the curriculum and be as involved as I want to be, so my 9 year old (who would be absolutely lost in public school here) will be enrolled next year. And I'm thrilled! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In the Rain Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 We're in it for the long haul. Even on our worst days, I feel ps would be worse for dd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the4Rs Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 We evaluate year by year. We are at the end of our second year but we are having to actually consider for next year for the first time because of financial reasons. I'm not thrilled with the idea but I'd be subbing in the same district they are in so I'd be around and on the same schedule they are on. However, I feel homeschooling is the best and I would love nothing more than to homeschool all the way through, but sometimes God's plans are not my plans and I am open to what he asks of our family, it just means I have to live in a radical faith that God would protect their hearts and minds for the next year should they go. To everything there is a season...(hopefully if we do have to put them in, the season will be VERY short) ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NanceXToo Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 In between, I guess! I didn't pull my daughter out of public school til toward the end of third grade (we're at the end of fifth now) and the plan as of now is to homeschool at least through 8th grade and then re-evaluate what we want to do for the high school years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Lulu* Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 We are somewhere in between. I disagree with the state grade level expectations here, so neither of my elementary age students are "at grade level". (Whatever :rolleyes: ) However, they should be at or above grade level by 5th or 6th grade. DH and I pinky-swore and spit on it that the kids would not attend PS before 5th grade. He wants us to re-evaluate before middle school and again before high school. I'd like to HS all the way through, but will keep an open mind and allow the kids input after we reach the 5th grade mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 The first year was a "trial" year. After that, we were committed to going all the way through high school graduation. Keep in mind that we did not start homeschooling until our boys were going in to 7th and 10th grades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb_ Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Every year. I view schools (public, private, charter, and VC's) as a resource to use when needed. I like shaking things up; it keeps things fresh. Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalicoKat Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 That's my answer to anyone who asks if we're going to do this in high school too. I just can't predict the future. Even though I have the mentality and shopping habits of a lifer, life happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laughing lioness Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Not really, mainly because of where we live. My dream educational environment would be a classical UMS. We are open to new opportunties when available, create opportunties when they are not and flex. But, generally we are homeschooling for the long haul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whereneverever Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 We're lifers, at least for DD1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy22alyns Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Both, I guess. I want to hs the whole way. I don't want to go back and forth, and I REALLY don't want to subject the girls to middle school. But I know things can change, so I evaluate things every year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Laurie Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 I guess we are somewhere in the middle. It would take a LOT of convincing for me to believe that public school would be better for one of my kids. ;) However, nothing is completely ruled out since I can't predict the future. We homeschool for academic reasons. So, no, it's not a year-by-year thing for us. Homeschool is the default. That would only change if homeschooling failed to meet the academic needs of my child(ren). :) This exactly, word for word. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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