Miss Mousie Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 Sometimes I desperately wish I could homeschool DS11, and sometimes I'm glad I'm not. Homeschooling was never on my radar until first grade already "ruined" his educational path. Then I thought I'd spend the next few years stockpiling savings so I could quit my job and homeschool, but between the market dive and my all-over-the-place ideas about what would be our family's wisest financial moves and time marching on and yada yada, I just don't see it ever happening. I have settled for the combination of before-schooling and "regular-life schooling," and I guess it will have to do. Like someone else mentioned in the original thread, I love researching curricula and educational ideas. I love WTM and this site and all the fabulous possibilites I've seen here and all the curriculum I've purchased but only barely used. But I can't make it happen in real life, for my real DS. We work very well together most of the time, and often truly enjoy the materials we use and discussions we have, but if I had to cover everything myself I know that would change. The way things are now, we can go straight to sharing dessert, without having to eat the beans first! Which brings me to why I'm sometimes glad I can't do it: I read here about the interpersonal struggles that surface from time to time between teacher/parent and student/child; I see the downsides, or trade-offs, of a narrower educational world (e.g., a discussion can only be so robust with no more than two participants) and no common ground with neighborhood PS kids for the grammar school equivalent of "water-cooler talk," etc.; I see the Dark Spectre of February take its toll. And, of course, the self-doubt would probably be a constant struggle for me. Sigh. I guess I don't have a question (again!); I just wanted to share what has been on my mind, and see if anyone can commiserate. At the moment I am tending much more strongly toward the "I wish I could HS" side, and it is leaving me feeling blue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 Right now, I'm doing both. I have a kid in high school and a middle schooler at home. Honestly, there are positives and negatives to both so there's no clear 'winner.' Each choice is a trade off. It seemed much more clear cut when they were younger and everything was easier to provide, but it's tough to be a subject matter expert in everything as they get older. It's equally tough to see your teen bogged down in homework after a full day at school. If our local HS was horrible, or further away, or if I never really taught them at home and had guilt about what they were learning it would be easier to decide one way or the other. However, now that I can see the end of this school-aged kid tunnel, I can look back and honestly believe that my kids would be "who they are" either way. Their experiences would be different, and they'd have different friends, but I really think they'd be just fine either way. I'm not saying that all that work didn't matter, or that I wouldn't do it again. I'm just saying that (in my neighborhood) the schools aren't these dreadful, mind-numbing institutions the HSing community makes them out to be. There is a life there too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandelion Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 At the moment I am tending much more strongly toward the "I wish I could HS" side, and it is leaving me feeling blue. I'm sorry you're feeling blue. :grouphug: I'm on the opposite side of the fence. I homeschool DS because that's what he needs. He was unable to be successful in a traditional classroom (he has Asperger's and the challenges stemming from that made school a terrible fit for him). I never planned to be a stay-at-home mom, let alone a homeschooling mom. I just didn't think I was cut out for either. And just as you wish you could homeschool your DS, I sometimes wish I could go back to work. I truly enjoyed my career and even though I'm committed to homeschooling DS, I miss it. Now that we've been homeschooling for four years, my eyes have been opened to all of the benefits and advantages of homeschooling beyond just "a last resort" (which is honestly what it was for us when we started). So don't get me wrong - I truly do appreciate homeschooling. But as the previous poster said, there are some good schools out there too. There are pros and cons on both sides. I think you do what works for you and your family. And even when you've made that choice and you know you're doing the right thing, the "grass is greener" thoughts may still surface from time to time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Mousie Posted January 24, 2013 Author Share Posted January 24, 2013 I'm sorry you're feeling blue. :grouphug: Thank you so much for the hug & the sympathy. I really needed that. Of course I also appreciate the input from you and the Panda, but that hug felt good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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