My very first Homeschooling post--please read!

[ray of light]

I'm so excited to post in this special forum. You will never believe how excited I was to see it and to see proof that there are so many "progressive" homeschoolers and not only Fundie homeschoolers.

I, myself, am a former homeschool parent. It was the BEST thing that could have happened for my kids and for our family. I homeschooled my kids for six years. Now, I no longer homeschool; however, both have obtained junior college status, by the age of 18, but not because the Gods smiled down on them and presented them with extreme giftedness, but because they had so many more opportunities to learn and grow outside of a 7-4 pm school day. They did take these courses at a community college like other kids can do, but what set them apart is their ability to work independantly and to maintain a mature relationship with those teachers. Though, they have certainly run into teachers who did not support homeschooling.

Though I no longer homeschool, I very much encourage those who are "thinking" about it to do it. Homeschooling is not always easy, not always fun, not always filled with the internal knowledge that you are doing just fine and it's not for everyone. It is a committment of time and of love. But if you do decide to jump in, your kids and your family may have an adjustment period. If you would like guidance or would like to ask question about curriculums, please contact me. I would like to help develope the liberal voice in homeschooling.


Last thing I'm going to say: I have some homeschool materials I am willing to sell super cheap as long as you are willing to pay for the shipping and the very small "purchase" fee. To be frank, it is rather difficult to find good quality homeschool material that is not littered with the "fundie" mentality. So I will only sell them to people who will use this material to teach tolerance and not hate. I admit, I have an "attachment" to these materials and feel protective, as if I'm giving away a puppy, but the need to "clean house" and moveon and have some space again is provoking me into either donating them to a library or selling them cheap. (Donated them makes it more difficult to keep them out of "fundies" feverish grasp.) Please contact me if you are interested.

Moderators if offering to sell this material is not allowed, then I apologize and will delete that paragraph.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

1. Welcome to the group!

I (and I'm sure others as well) would welcome hearing about any experiences you've had that you'd like to share.

:hi:

[ray of light]

2. thanks so much. My biggest joy is seeing YOU all here!

I thought I was alone amongst the "fundies."

[youthere]

3. I am also new to the group, but not to homeschooling.

I have three kids (5,8, and 10) and have homeschooled for the last 3 years-actually begining my fourth year this year. It is the hardest and the most rewarding thing I've ever done.

[mzmolly]

4. Thanks for sharing, were on our second year.

Glad you popped in! I bought my materials for First Grade already - but thanks for the offer. I agree finding good secular stuff for Homeschooling can be a challenge.

:hi:

[ray of light]

5. My kids were older

The oldest would have entered 5th grade (middleschool) and that is why I pulled them both out.


The next one was entering 4th grade.

Either way, 4 years of public school too many!!!!!!

[dogday]

6. I am going to need your services and advice

I want to start to homeschool my daughter grade 4. I don't know squat about it, except I have the curriculum to follow, and have some online resources for her as well. I know I need materials, but that is as much as I know.....

[coffeenap]

7. You're not alone! I know quite a few, ok, a few, fellow progressives

IRL doing the same thing--me too. I think progressives, of all people, should be able to see the remarkable benefits of living out of the mainstream. Best wishes.

[thinkingwoman]

8. Welcome!

It's always nice to hear from fellow homeschoolers (especially former ones who look back fondly on the experience). We've been homeschooling for more than 7 years now and our youngest will graduate within 2 years, so we feel like we're winding down a bit. We're happy every day that we made this decision (even though not every day is peaches and cream as you pointed out).