My husband asked me what I was working on the other day, and I responded that I was reading through some of my favorite blogs by homeschooling moms. He just stared at me with this “you’ve got to be kidding, don’t even think about it” look on his face. I suddenly felt the need to defend myself.
First of all, I have no desire to homeschool my son. I swear. Of course, I used to say that about blogging, but I really mean it about homeschooling (at least in terms of as an alternative to traditional school). I’m counting down the days until kindergarten. Preschool, really, but that one comes with a hefty price tag, which makes me a little less excited. I love being a stay at home mom, but I am looking forward to having a few hours off everyday. Mostly to spend more time reading, writing, and blogging…
My husband and I have been debating the pros and cons of public school vs. parochial and college-prep private schools since before we were even married. As soon as we decided to have a baby, We started talking about where we would send him to preschool and elementary school. It may seem like years away, but it feels like just yesterday we were debating the merits of public school for the first time… and that was about eight years ago. We are still undecided, but homeschooling has never been one of the options on the table.
Still, the homeschool blogs have drawn me in because I really really love school. While I cherished my college and grad school experiences, I didn’t connect my early love of reading and school supplies to a love of formal learning until very late in high school. Like, senior year late.
I really don’t want to be a helicopter mom, but I am planning to be very involved in Baby’s education (I apologize in advance to all of Baby’s future teachers). I’ve contemplated actually becoming a teacher many times, but it’s never felt like the right fit. Teaching religious school, working at summer camps, and advising teen youth groups has been much more up my alley. So as much as I love traditional schooling, I also see a major benefit to informal. exploratory, and experiential learning… which is where the homeschool blogs come in (along with monthly Parents as Teachers home visits).
Homeschooling moms are truly incredible. These moms have taken on the roles of being both a stay at home mom and a school teacher. Most of these moms are homeschooling more than one child, so they are balancing curriculums for multiple subjects and grades at the same time. In the process, they have often gone above and beyond the call of duty to create and identify new ways to encourage learning and help their children pursue the subjects and activities that really excite them. I am passionate about following your passion, so this style of facilitative teaching really resonates with me.
So… I read their blogs. They have helped me discover fun ways to foster Baby’s development now, and I’ve pinned many more ideas for the future. And along the way I continue to get weird warning looks from my husband.
Basically, I’m a homeschool wannabe. As a result, our playroom might double as an extracurricular classroom and summer slide will hopefully never be an issue, but I honestly cannot wait to walk Baby into his first day of school. He’ll come home and tell me all about his teachers, friends, and what he’s learning and I’ll help him with his homework while cooking dinner ordering takeout heating up leftovers my husband made the night before (let me dream).
So Hubs, you can relax. Seriously. I’ve been a traditional school nerd since before we met, as you should know from moving my many boxes of old textbooks, notebooks, binders, and other school supplies to many times to count, not to mention our monthly payments on my never ending student loans (which I still believe was totally worth it). You should totally save those looks for when you catch me looking up continuing education classes at our local community college. Just kidding! Kind of.
Do you or would you ever homeschool? Why or why not?
A few of my favorite blogs from some awesome homeschooling moms:
The Deliberate Mom
Pig & Dac
From ABCs to ACTs
Daisy & June
I’m the same way as you! I actually taught school before I had my first son and love teaching. I hope to one day go back to teaching. However, after just trying to do little learning activities with my son when he was three and four made me realize that homeschooling and I would not be a good fit. No, I think I’m much better suited for trying to be actively involved in the classroom and helping with homework, even though even that gets my son and I pushing each other buttons and usually results in a battle. I’m trying to do better at being patient. Hopefully I can be. I am also in awe of moms that homeschool. They are pretty amazing.
Leilani recently posted…When Sleep Goes Awry
Right now our biggest homeschool goal is socialization. We are hunting down resources for playgroups and field trips with other preschool homeschoolers. I am amazed at everything that is out there!
Awww, thanks for the shout-out friend!
I love homeschooling but at times I really, really wish I could have the “break in the day” that sending my children to school would offer. However, I’m starting to think that maybe I could get some of that time with extra-curricular activities. Like I just found out that this year my daughter’s Brownies class is 2 hours long! 2 hours! I can’s wait to see what I can do with that 2 hours!
Thanks for sharing.
xoxo
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom recently posted…Our Complete Grade 2 Homeschool Curriculum
I would be a terrible home schooler and know it! I have far too much fun playing with them and would waste precious learning time. Luckily we found a charter school with values and curriculum we really like.
[email protected] recently posted…Kid Approved Busy Bag
Glad you found the perfect fit! How did you find a choose your local charter school?
I thought I wanted to homeschool too! It’s such a hard balance, I wish I had the patience! Nice to meet you…found you at SITS.
Kristen recently posted…ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
Thank you for visiting! I just completed the ice bucket challenge, too. Excited to head over and check out your video!
Hey–I think it’s definitely create if you cultivate a lifestyle for your family which doesn’t support the idea that learning can only happen at school, it can happen in all of life! I have a great love for homeschooling myself–largely because I was homeschooled up until I entered college and it was very enjoyable AND from my college experience I felt I was much more prepared for the rigors of college than many other the freshman I’ve met along the way. And my husband and I hope to homeschool our future little ones.
Rachel G recently posted…Who We Are
I love hearing homeschool success stories! It was always such a foreign concept for me when I was growing up. Thank you for sharing!
Yeah, I was never going to homeschool my kids. We’re starting our fourth year. Ahem. Stopping by from SITS. Have a great day!
Valerie @ Momma in Progress recently posted…3 Tips for a Smooth Move
Ha! Yep… that’s totally what I said about blogging
How do you balance it all?
I loved your post! I can totally relate! We like to do science experiments (me, my 3 and 5 years olds) and do fun educational activities but I know I don’t have the patience to homeschool. My 5 year old just started kindergarten this week and it has been rough – only on me, not him. He is loving it! My 3 year old will start preschool next week so I will have a few hours a day to myself. I’m not gonna lie – this sounds great, but… I’m going to be awfully lonely. *Sigh.* Things are changing! I guess I better learn to adapt (or buy more wine).
Visiting from SITS!
Michelle Mossey recently posted…Just Living The Dream
Thanks for visiting! It’s always good to have a healthy supply of wine in stock
I’m debating when to start sending my little guy to preschool. It will be nice to have a few extra hours in the day (minute the commute), but I will definitely miss him a ton!
I used to be one of those moms that was looking forward to shoving my kids off to preschool, the gym daycare, and any other opp to get rid of them for a few hours. Since my oldest has grown, we’ve decided to homeschool her because I didn’t see the value of expensive catholic school and I would never send her to public. I’ve accepted my primary vocation (motherhood) and bought the Seton Hall homeschool program. I’m not playing “teacher.” That’s such a common misconception of homeschooling your kids. She’s in kindergarten, her day consists of a couple of worksheets and some reading. We’ve been doing it for a week now and she’s already picking up reading, it’s amazing! Plus homeschooling allows her plenty of time to be a kid and play. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the subject. I’m counting down the days until my younger one goes to preschool, she’s such a handful! I would love it if you would come share your article at Pin Your Friday Favorite! I would love to feature it! Thanks.
jessica matier (@AW2SL) recently posted…Stuffed Artichokes
Thanks for visiting! Happy to hear kindergarten is going well. Happy schooling!