At first, when my oldest was about 2 years old, I thought I'd start researching homeschooling because the schools "in the South" (as a generalization") were thought to be bad, among other things. But the more I researched the more I found that I really liked the homeschooling mentalitiies. Learning on the level of the child. Following their passions. Letting them learn on their own level, with certainly a little push towards subjects that we as parents/ teachers thought important at that particular age (science/math). But for the most part, I couldn't find a reason why it didn't work for us. I had two girls -- they were two years apart. We joined a homeschooling group and had regular field trips, play dates, more social events to the point where we had to squeeze in our library time and our "school" time. But it worked out. Then along came daughter number 3. Still it worked out. She wasn't that far behind that there weren't things that couldn't occupy her time while we worked with the older two. The older two were unbelievable readers. Anything I gave them -- they read. The third daughter, why I wasn't sure she could read until one day she started a 300 page novel, and hasn't stopped reading since. I can give her anything and she reads away.
We've opted for a virtual school for her in 6th grade and my kindergarterner because at this point it seemed easier. And to a certain extent it is easier. The kindergartener is far ahead of her class, but not quite enough that I would feel comfortable pushing her ahead to first grade. I cannot figure what is the rush to push our children through school. They have the rest of their lives to be overachievers, to meet the Jones', to make mortagages, to have their hearts broken when we can't fix it. If they can stay on target for their age -- have at it.
But after working at a day care, with parents with careers that they trained for, or even just dreamed for, I sometimes don't get it. I want to. I want to understand how they can go crazy after being home with them a week. When they say to me about my homeschooling, "Oh, I don't know how you do it?" This implies that I'm not hanging from the ceiling fan some days... or my laundry isn't backed up for a week. But still, when my 18 year old needs something, for the most part she comes for me. And if she doesn't come the first time, ultimately, she comes for me. The other three girls and I have unbelievable relationships. Do I think you can have great relationships with your childern without homeshooling? Yes. Do I think homeschoolers have an advantage of the rest of the parents/children -- no doubt. Sheerly based on the time we've put into one another. I wouldn't have it any other way. I'll have a career some day, but truly nothing that could replace what I had with my girlie girls.
So, I'm sorry that I saw a side of the other side of parenting... I kind of wish there was another way they could see the side of my side of parenting and truly weigh it's options ... because I would never ever pass up this time with my girls for anything, at all in the world. As I'm sure they feel the same way.
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