I'm considering homeschooling my two next year. They are going to be in first grade and forth grade. My husband is leery of it. I'm for it but don't know if its right for us and where to start. My reasons for homeschooling are many: my daughter is behind on math and great at everything else, my son is very smart and is already doing first grade work, our school district is going down hill, etc.

What are your ideas/stories?

Thanks,

Fallon

First, I would look into when and where there are Homeschool conventions.  You can google homeschool conventions in your area.  Conventions are great for several reasons.  You can look and touch many different curriculum choices.   Often you can find information on learning styles, laws, homeschool groups, etc.

What is your husband worried about?  If it is socialization, find the local homeschoolers and get involved with the activities.  We have available to us homeschool swimming lessons, PE classes, music classes, art classes, group field trips, park play days, etc.  We also have a co-op where homeschoolers get together and have classes.  One mom may be good at writing, so she will teach a writing class. 

The problem with curriculum is there is way toooo much available.  It is overwhelming to try and pick.  Cathy Duffy has a book that helped me, when I started.  It is 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum.  She helps you figure out you and your children's learning styles and rates top curriculum and how good they are for each learning style and how much time and work it takes for the parent. 

Thanks Sharon, I'm going to look into those things. My husbands main issue is that he's going to get home and everyone is grouchy b/c they spent all day together.

Hahaha. That's funny about your husband. Maybe he's worried that he's not going to get enought attention when he gets home. Just a thought. I'm not being facecious.

In my experience, homeschooling is what you make of it.

This was my first year. I just love it. I homeschool my grandson. Instead of him being grouchy at the end of the day, he's pleasantly tired, but mentally energized. I pace the day. We have rest breaks according to his AND my needs. It all works out in by the end of the day and the stress level in low, not high. High is when my grandson went to school all day, went to aftercare to play, did his homework and led the corporate life. If you want to keep a corporate lifestyle in your family then work yourself and your children all day long. Take a half hour break in the morning, do lunch, take a half hour break in the afternoon, Keep him physically active in the late afternoon. Give him an hour break before dinner, then do another hour of school work after dinner and voila, you've got a corporate kid. That's been the trend lately in American lifestyle. Not for me, thank you. I rather do quality rather than quantity.

Homeschooling gives you the freedom to get the best out of education and your lifestyle. It will be trial and error at first. You can start by mapping out a schedule on paper and revise and revise.

Check out different kinds of children's learning styles. See which one(s) seem most like your children.

         http://www.lessontutor.com/sm1.html

Look up the different homeschool philosophies

         http://www.homeschoollearning.com/approaches/

Ask specifics about curriculums, here. I'm sure you will get valuable responses. I'll give you mine.

Join some homeschool forums and ask questions.

Here's a link that can shed some light on your own learning style:

            http://www.edutopia.org/multiple-intelligences-learning-styles-quiz

Google anything, there's so much out there to help you find what's right for you and your family.

Good luck,

Elona

Fallon, I've found the opposite to be true in our six years of homeschooling. We have our moments but instead of every individual giving their best to someone else for the day and then coming home worn out and grumpy, we are able to share our best moments together. My husband likes that we don't have to worry about homework or early bedtimes in the evening. Tonight they are working on some video software on the computer together.

I would suggest you check the homeschooling laws of your state, each state is different. Try googling homeschooling in your state and you should be able to find a state or local support group with more details. I agree there is an overabundance of materials. You might check your library for books on homeschooling styles and methods.

Good luck with your decision.

I can't say enough good things about homeschooling.

I "unschooled" my kids and never sent them to school. When my daughter was 17 she started college. She loves it. She's 19 and has one to go to get her AA degree. 

Is there a place to post random stuff in this forum? As a homeschool mom I have always worked at home for myself. I sell art and crafts on line and would like to share that information with other homeschool moms because I hear so often that they cannot homeschool because they need to get a job. If you want to sell your art, crafts, or even if your child wants to sell some paintings you can do that here for free. http://www.zibbet.com/BayberryRoost/sell