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About a week ago I posted a "thank you" on a local list to let people know I appreciated their input and was still in search of homeschooling books. Anyway, I received an email from a person asking me why I was considering homeschooling and if it was for religious beliefs. This guy said that by my consideration, I would be depriving my child of a quality education and should leave "schooling to certified teachers." I didn't respond to him because truthfully, it's none of his business for knowing my reasons.
But I've had my first negative attitude experience even though my child is only a year old. I had no idea how negative some people could be about MY decision about MY child's education. I wanted to write him back, that if he wanted to have an arguement about homeschooling, he should first educate himself on public schools' policies and teaching methods. This is just like my husband's opinion. He doesn't want our child homeschooled because he feels she'll be "socially deprived." I wish people would educate themselves on a topic before offering an opinion or arguement. I wish the world was more open minded. If anything, I'd be depriving my child of a QUALITY education just by having her go to public school.
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I recently posted a "WANT" ad on a local email list and boy, the response and offers for support were overwhelming. I was sent a link to a home school organization CHEC (www.chec.org) and found their web site amazingly organized and helpful. It had basic steps to starting home schooling and succeeding at it, "laymens' terms" for Colorado Home School Laws, plus more!
There are still so many questions that need to be answered, but at least this site is a start in the right direction. At least I KNOW home schooling IS the RIGHT decision I can make for my child and her future. Though I haven't worked out all the details, and there will be times I want to quit........my decision to give the gift of education to my child is something I'll follow through on. I may have never finished anything in the past, but I've never had a motivator like my daughter. As I've written before......
"I may have given birth to my daughter, but she gave me life."
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I read on the forums tonight a thread titled "Who am I?" It got me to question the same thing. As the poster wrote.... What do I really believe? I hear what I say and I see what I do but do I really believe in what I'm doing. I still ponder this question and actually have been for as long as I can remember. She just put into words what has been on my mind for a long time. Now, I believe in God, but do I believe in myself enough to follow through with home schooling? I've rarely finished anything in my life..... does that make me a failure? Now that I have a daughter, will her successes and failures reflect on the time and interactions I've had with her?
The longer I think about "who am I? What do I really believe?" the more questions I come up with. More questions than answers. Do I have the courage to give my worries and life over to God? Why must I try to hold onto a shred of control instead of giving everything to Him? See? More questions. It was easier with just me to take care of and worry about. Actually I didn't worry as much as I do now with a little one. But easier isn't always better. I need to learn to trust in Him so I can pass that along to my daughter. I just hope and pray home schooling is one thing I finish.
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This is my first entry, but I hope to have more the closer I get to home schooling my daughter. I have time..... about 4 years to be exact..... before she's preschool age. Now I need to know what Colorado's guidelines are on home schooling? Also, should I start now with home schooling such as teaching her the ABC's, 123's, and reading? How do I determine the best way for her to learn? Is there a way a single mom CAN home school? I have so many questions but not a lot of answers...even with reading some books and web sites on home schooling.
Also, I was told that I could look into online charter schooling and it's all free....but to me, that just sounds too good to be true. Does the online charter school have to abide by the rules set for public schools? Do children still have to take that assessment/tests for public schools? I guess I'm just not quite sure what a "charter" school is.
The reason for me wanting to home school is that I want my daughter to be a free thinker. I want her to question the world and not always take it at "face value." I don't want her learning only what's going to be on state sponsored tests. Sure there is also the spiritual side that she gets to learn, that she sure wouldn't in a public school......but I don't want my daughter growing up and not being able to compete against other college students, internationally or otherwise. These are just some of my reasons...........and I feel this is just the beginning of a long journey we're both going to be learning from.
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