I just found this group and don't want it to be shut down!

[fight4my3sons]

I mean I don't know if it will be, but I saw that new posting in the lobby about new groups that have been added and old ones that are underutilized being closed.

I really hope this one doesn't disappear. I've been going back and trying to read through a lot of the information. There are so many useful links.

Oh, I guess I should tell you I have a three year old and 18 month old twins that I am homeschooling. This is the first non-fundie infested place I have ever found to talk about homeschooling issues. I hope that it stays here I know that I can learn a lot and get support from you all that have been homeschooling for awhile.

[coffeenap]

1. Hi--I don't want it shut down either--especially

when the flame wars flare up on GD about homeschooling. There are many progressive people who have pulled their kids from the traditional educational environment--we need a place to talk, especially since there is a giant bias against homeschooling due to slanted media coverage and a lack of understanding.

I wish you well as you decide about your children's education. It is a fascinating path to follow--but don't expect universal support--LOL! (I have 16 yo who has been out of regular school since age 11, another in school now.) peace

[fight4my3sons]

2. Thank you for your well wishes!

I appreciate it. My mom supports my decision, but I don't think my father is going to. I haven't told him yet. I really don't like conflict. Probably why you haven't seen me jumping into those GD threads, although I have been reading them. It really is upsetting. That is why I was so glad to find this group, I was scared, and a little surprised, that I saw a lot of negative opinions of HS when I first got here.
I see the positives in both public school and homeschool. I just feel that homeschool is a better option for my family for a number of reasons. That may change in the future.

[thinkingwoman]

3. My 17 yo graduates in a couple of months

and my 15 year old has about 2 years left to go...we've been homeschooling since they were in 4th and 2nd grades, respectively.

It was the best decision we ever made. We could not be happier. When it snows 8 inches by 10 pm, we don't have to set an alarm to wake up to hear that public school officials finally realized at 5 am that the roads were too bad to hold school. When Indiana decides that the answer to kids not being able to read and do simple math is to require them to do 4 years of advanced math and english in high school (rather than teach them all to read, add, and subtract in 1st and 2nd grade), we can smile. When the local school board votes to gerrymander school districts to improve test scores by forcing kids to bus 30 minutes each way to school (right past a school down the road), we can shake our heads and be glad none of that affects us.

We don't dump outrageous sums of money on clothes and "supplies" every August...we buy what we need throughout the year. And while making sure that each child gets the basics in every subject, we can devote massive amounts of time to the subjects that each holds dear, and plans to base their career on.

And that's not even the best part! What I value most about homeschooling is the closeness we have as a family without sacrificing ANYthing else. Our kids have plenty of friends. Both have had the experience of participating in team athletics (swimming) and both pursue their own interests in ways that public school simply would not allow time for. Both are well-adjusted, happy teens who feel zero pressure to smoke, drink, do drugs, or date excessively. They can hold down jobs and manage their own money.

I am so happy we homeschooled our children and if I had it all to do over again, I would have started sooner!

Best wishes to you and your family. Enjoy!

[fight4my3sons]

4. Thank you for sharing your experience with me.

Even though my husband and I agree that homeschooling is the best thing for our family, it seems so overwhelming. It always makes me feel better to hear positive stories from families who are homeschooling or have in the past. Thank you for your support.

[thinkingwoman]

5. You're welcome, and...

remember that it's perfectly normal to be overwhelmed at times and feel doubt, especially when there is so much misinformation, disinformation, and lies about homeschooling surrounding us.

Just trust yourself and make use of available resources. You do not have to teach your child everything they ever need to know. You have to manage and coordinate their education until they are old enough to take over that responsibility. There are plenty of good teachers/tutors you can hire to help with the tough subjects, and so much can simply be learned on one's own (my daughter taught herself Japanese with a book and CD!).

[GoddessOfGuinness]

6. So let's utilize it.

Maybe we need to make a commitment to post every other day or so.
I've found some wonderful websites and learned some really valuable teaching tips via this group.

[fight4my3sons]

7. I would gladly make that commitment!

I sure am home enough to do it! :)

[GoddessOfGuinness]

12. Me too!

If we keep it going, I'm sure others will join in too!

[mzteris]

8. Hear! Hear!

Maybe we should try and do a sweep and referral of the hs'ers who post elsewhere. I don't think everyone even KNOWS about the forum - and those who might hear of it, come in and leave because there is little current chatting going on.

[Robert Cooper]

9. I'm doing my part...

... I check every day but :shrug:

I appreciate GoG joining in my thread :hi:
And I'm open to other topics and will contribute where I have something useful to add, but... :shrug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

11. It seems like there have been periods of activity

followed by lulls. I promise to do my part, and at least post a reply if I can't think of anything better...

Nice to have you in the group!

[Robert Cooper]

13. Thank you, nice to be here :-) nt

[GoddessOfGuinness]

10. Good idea!

I hang out in the Lounge a lot. I'll post a link there! :D