I remember thinking I would fail…..
Homeschooling was never my idea. It was not something I ever had on my list of things to do as a mother.
That said, I have many friends who homeschool. It appears perfect and beautiful for their family. They seem to know exactly what they are doing.
But homeschooling was just not something I ever thought would be a part of our lives. I was always a supporter, just never a homeschooler. Does that make sense?
The thought of teaching my kids to read and multiplication terrified me. What if I fail them? Because let’s face it, I Â just knew I was not capable.
My husband pushed the idea. Our older children had attended public school. We were involved. We were overall happy…. until our children started to get older and we were not happy with the influences they were subjected to at school.
Then one of our children was diagnosed as Dyslexic and our eyes really opened about public education.
Add to that, I am not a fan of standardized testing.
I had no idea that deep down I really was a homeschooler at heart.
I wanted more Jesus in our day. I wanted more play and exploring. I wanted children leading the way. I wanted to remove the education factory feeling that was associated with our children’s school education.
My husband really encouraged me to give homeschooling a try. We started homeschooling in May 2011 and we have no looked back one.
We are fast approaching our 6th year of homeschooling (oh how time flies) and I have not regretted one day. What I love most is that I get to be a part of every single milestone in my kids’ lives. I have watched children blossom into fluent readers. We’ve learned multiplication. We enjoy so much together as a family and so much happens around our kitchen table.
Online Learning for Homeschoolers
There are so many curriculum options out there and the process of finding the best for your family can be overwhelming. When we first started out, we really did not so much with online curriculum. Now, we are at a season in life where we LOVE online options for many different classes.
IXL offers learning for Pre-K children through 12th grade.
There are some pretty impressive lessons. Look at how complex the 8th through 12th lesson options are.
Subjects include; Math, Science, Language Arts and Social Studies. Pre K through 12th grade has access to Math and Language Arts. 2nd – 5th grades have access to Science and Social studies which 6th – 8th being added soon.
Here are a couple of PreK examples. There is an option to have each section read to you if your little one is not at a place yet where they are reading.
They choose the answer and then the system tells them if they got it right or not and then the next question pops up.
Children love to see their progress and I love how the system acknowledges rewards and encourages more learning. Each student has a reward area according to the lessons they have completed. They also earn fun things like virtual balloon animals, ribbons, certificates, etc.
The system tracks how much time the student is giving to the modules and tracked their successes and struggle. (Obviously, this is a quick sampling of the tracking, but you get the idea.)
All of this can be done from a tablet, computer, Kindle, etc. It is perfect for families who learn at home and learn on the go.
Honestly, you do not have to be a homeschool family to use this. I know many of my readers come to my site for supplemental educational resources for their children who attend school outside of the home. IXL is a great option for anyone with young learners. The system has over 5,000 skills to be mastered!
Here is an 8th grade Science question sample for you….. do you know the answer? No Googling. 😉
Get Access to IXL
IXL is a membership based website. There are a couple of options. It is $19.95 for a month for one child and each additional child is $4.00 a month.
If you’re like me, you’re looking for the best deal possible. You can opt for an annual membership and pay $159 for the year for your first child and then each additional child is $40 for the year. You can learn more about IXL here.
Can’t Never Could….
If you’re on the fence about homeschooling, I want you to know you can do it! We are all our children’s first teacher. Think about that. You taught them to walk, to use the potty, to communicate, to use their motor skills, the list goes on and on. I love resources like IXL so that learning never stops. May we never lose that desire!! We are about to enter our 6th year, and I would never have it any other way. And remember, can’t never could do a thing.
I’ve never thought about homeschooling before (and I don’t have children either). It seems like it could be an easy choice in this day and age with all the wealth of knowledge the internet holds. How many children have you homeschooled?
I currently homeschool 4 boys. 😉
My husband and I are about to become parents and we’re already starting to think of schooling options. Sometimes, I think about homeschooling because I’ve seen and heard so many benefits to it. Definitely something for our family to consider.
Just always remember you can do it!! The rewards are outstanding!
I don’t have kids yet but I’ve always thought of homeschooling. I can somehow understand your worries but from what I see, you really had it all down to a pat. I think it’s so amazing!
I’m a teacher and I believe that homeschooling is a great option for kids. It is SO easy to get set up online and/or find lessons or activities online as well. The only thing that I wonder about is the social aspect for the children however, if their lessons entail going out and experiencing things first hand then they’ll surely get opportunities for social interaction.
I am a former classroom teacher. Even if a social aspect isn’t in the lessons, we have the opportunity during the day to serve in our community because the kids have more flexible time than being in a classroom all day. I honestly have to say “NO!” to a lot of social activities that come our way because so many are available. My kids are polite, well-rounded, and communicate with adults and others well. They have lots of friends. (My grocery bill shows me if nothing else does! 🙂 ) There are many co-ops available that not only teach classes chosen by the parents that benefit their children, but also offer holiday parties, friendships, and home school sports.
Are you currently homeschooling?
Online curriculum is so helpful for homeschoolers! I know and speak from experience! I too, was an unexpected homeschooler and had to try to figure out where to find curriculum and how to build it. Websites like these were so helpful!
Agree. Online curriculum really is such a great option for many families!
I am not opposed to the idea but I would think that it takes away the advantage of being around other likeminded kids of the same age and interacting and forging healthy friendships in that type of environment. Some of my best memories was being in a school setting and making friends.
I always applaud those who homeschool. It was something I wanted to do but with three kids I figure my options are limited. Plus, I have a business to run so I simply don’t have the time. Maybe in the future. Thanks for writing this post.
It is definitely a commitment. Something to consider if your class size would only be 3… teachers in most public schools have 20-25 children.
I run this website and help my husband run a local business. It can be done.
All the best!!
I also thought I would fail when I began homeschooling my daughter but I enjoyed it and she thrived. My entire family and neighborhood never let me forget how weird they thought I was for educating my own child but I didn’t let that discourage me, instead it motivated me. It was a great decision for that time in our lives and set her up with a great foundation for school which she now attends away from home. She continues to excel and I know homeschooling is to thank for that.
Homeschooling has changed so much over the years. I love all of the resources that are available and how easily accessible they are. I loved reading about your story and how you weren’t sure about it when you began.
We are considering homeschooling. The small town we live outside of has a terrible school.