snowbeltmom Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 I debated about whether I should post my experience, but I thought it might offer encouragement to someone else, and I am very happy at the moment, but I can’t really share it with the vast majority of my real-life friends because it may come across as bragging. We are in our 4th year of homeschooling. I started homeschooling when my kids were 7, 9, and 11 after two years in our very well regarded public school system. The last year of public school was a nightmare for my middle child. I’ll spare the details, but it was a struggle most days to get him on the bus, his teacher insisted that he had ADD and needed to be medicated, and he had completely lost his love of learning. After many sleepless nights, I decided to try homeschooling. Homeschooling had never been on my radar – I didn’t know of a single person who had homeschooled. I had no idea where to start, but I was desperate to try something to get back my happy boy. Our extended family was very vocal in their opposition to our decision to homeschool. These types of comments are never fun to hear, but they were extremely hurtful since they were voiced by family. At the end of the last year of public school, I received the kids’ state test results in the mail. My middle son had dropped from the highest reading level at age 8 to just barely proficient at age 9 – a drop of over two levels in just one year. My kids have thrived in the homeschooling environment, but there were (are) still days when I (was)am insecure in our decision (even though logically I know I should not feel this way). Fast forward a few years. My middle son took the SAT this month in hopes of qualifying for CTY’s computer science classes. He has always been strong in math (even when in public school, I “afterschooled†math) and I felt pretty confident that he would achieve the necessary math score. I received his results yesterday. Not only did he qualify for the math and science classes, but his reading score was high enough to qualify for the humanity classes! Rationally, I know I should not need this outside validation to make me feel that we made the right educational decision 3+ years ago, but this is tangible evidence that helps to quiet that inner doubting voice that still occasionally nags at me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jyniffrec Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 :party::hurray::party::hurray: Good for you! Sometimes we need those moments to keep us going and feeling confident about what we are doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 What a wonderful story - you should feel validated! :001_smile::001_smile::001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bootsie Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Congratulations! That is great news. We came about hs our ds in much the same way. The specifics were different, but it has been interesting to see how much his love for learning had disappeared while in ps. It is only now that we are hs that we can see how drastic the difference is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasar31629 Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Way to go! I am with you on the validation front. I have received nothing but support from family and friends, but I still have those days from time to time. Glad you shared! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXMomof4 Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 :party: Outside validation is always encouraging! I sent my kiddos to school for the first time ever this year and they all were doing very well academically. I got their first report cards yesterday and I have 2 kiddos on the all A honor roll! I didn't screw them up completely!!!! Let's celebrate together! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snickerdoodle Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 It's always nice to feel validated. I'm sorry your family has been less than enthusiastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forget-Me-Not Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MinivanMom Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 That's wonderful! Even though we shouldn't need outside validation, it's always nice to get it. Please tell me that you're going to the CTY awards ceremony and inviting all the family members who doubted you. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty ethel rackham Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Yay!! Great news! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diane Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 I love stories like these! Congratulations and thanks for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azalea Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Congratulations! Thank you for sharing your homeschool voyage. Azalea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen in NS Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Rationally, I know I should not need this outside validation to make me feel that we made the right educational decision 3+ years ago, but this is tangible evidence that helps to quiet that inner doubting voice that still occasionally nags at me. Congratulations!!!! It IS good to receive outside validation every so often - it is often what we need to keep on going! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Running the race Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Congratulations! It's always a relief to know we haven't messed up our kids! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 I am very happy for all of you. It can feel really good to get that kind of validation. You have done right by your kids, and that is what matters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alte Veste Academy Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Congratulations to you and your son! The test results are awesome, although I'm sure they pale in comparison to the reward of seeing your son's joy of learning return. Kudos to you for recognizing and doing the right thing! P.S. We are mothers. Our feelings don't need to be rational. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelissaMinNC Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 :party: Awesome news - congrats to him and you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 :hurray: it's great to hear this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolphin Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 As someone in their second year of homeschooling, who get little to no support, Thank you! These types of stories really do help. I am being told weekly how I have made the wrong choice and am hurting my children's future prospects. Thank you, thank you! Keep them coming. Congratulation to you and you son. Nicole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowbeltmom Posted October 21, 2011 Author Share Posted October 21, 2011 Thank you, everyone, for your kind words and support! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3peasinapod Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Seriously, your post is like a breath of fresh air to me! I just posted on how my sister insists we put the girls in before middle school so they can learn to deal with nasty bullies. At first, I didn't see it as your standard anti-homeschooling bully philosophy. Anyhow, your post is great, and it did not come off as bragging at all to me. It just made me feel validated too. Congratulations! I need more of these stories! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetMissMagnolia Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 :D that is awesome!!!!!! I think all of us struggle with out decision at times---and yes it is hard to hear negative comments from friends/family.... :grouphug: sounds like you have done a great job!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 That is great news! I understand what you mean about validation. I don't talk about test scores often but I've felt the same way. Once, I had someone, in a small group setting, ask how my kids would get in to college, and if they did, get scholarships. There was more, which led me to saying, "The average ACT score in our home is a 30, one a little higher, one a little lower. Getting scholarships is not a problem". That pretty much ended the conversation. Just got some "oh's" and moved on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molly Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Go ahead, brag as much as you like. Be proud of your son and yourself. That is simply tremendous. And most of all, be proud you took the stand to do the best for your son. It is so hard to go against the grain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in NH Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 That is an inspiring story. Thanks so much for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb in NJ Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 That was a wonderful story. You should be very proud of you and your son! Thank you for posting and sharing this with us. Deb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OLG Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 Absolutely wonderful! You recognized the dangers to your ds, courageously tackled homeschooling and can now enjoy the fruits of your decision and labors. Well done, Mom! Impressive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QumaCote Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 Congratulations to you and your son! What a wonderful accomplishment!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlessedMom Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 Congrats!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadianmumof5 Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 Go ahead, brag as much as you like. Be proud of your son and yourself. That is simply tremendous. And most of all, be proud you took the stand to do the best for your son. It is so hard to go against the grain. :iagree: Thanks for sharing such a great story Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrapbookbuzz Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 :party: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
at the beach Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 What a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing with all of us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucy in Australia Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 How wonderful! Thank you for sharing. For those of us who've been homeschooling for a long time, it can revive our sometimes flagging enthusiasm, and for the newbies, well, what better encouragement can you get?! :party: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth in SW WA Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 Great job, Mom!! :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joannqn Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 Awesome! BTW, your 5th grader and my 5th grader are doing many of the same curricula. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoughCollie Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 That is great! I like tangible evidence, too. You and your kids should be very proud of yourselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 Bravo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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