That's what I used to think about people that homeschool their children. Now I wish I could
go back and start all over. If I could go back I would homeschool every one of my kids.
My husband and I had always believed that the public school could do a better job of teaching
our children then either one of us could. After all, I could barely get through homework with some of them. It was after years
of watching our middle child struggle with school that we had to rethink our faith in the public education system. There
were countless tutors, hours of extra help and tons of prayer. When she started high school is when it really became
apparent that we had to do something completely different. After many, many days of stomach aches and tears
we had had enough. Thanks to a very good friend that I had met through our goat adventure, I started homeschooling just her.
Things were good and there were no more mystery stomach aches. I couldn't believe how much less stressful it was than
homework had been. It's amazing what can happen once you take the pressure off.
The next year our middle school aged child began having trouble socially that she could
just not handle. At least three days a week she was coming home in tears at the way she was being treated by her peers. While
I was increasingly glad that my children are not like most of the kids in the public system, it can be very difficult for
them. At about that same time I began to realize that our youngest was really struggling in elementary and just needed a lot
of one on one teaching. The pressure to "get it and move on" were too much for her and it would stall her completely out.
At that point we had our son already graduated, one daughter in her senior year, middle
daughter homeschool sophomore and then the 2 youngest girls, one in middle school, the other in elementary. I told my
husband that I felt that God was leading me to homeschool. Saying he was skeptical would be an understatement. He gave me
that look, you know the "she must be kidding" look? I reassured him that I would not do anything without him being completely
on board and I asked him just to start praying about it. Because we were more than half way through the current school year we made
it our goal to make a decision for the following school year.
It was about a week or so later that I got another tearful phone call from my middle schooler
(thank the Lord for my cell phone). The poor girl, my heart was just aching for her and I was so mad at the meanness of middle
school girls. I was on my way to the school to comfort her and talk with the principal when my husband called me. I told him
the whole story and he said, "That is just enough, pull them out of school now!" I couldn't believe it, only God can work
that fast in a person's heart. Then through a series of very personal events we ended up letting our oldest daughter
homeschool at her request as well. She was half way through her senior year. She got her diploma through a correspondence
school, took one year at the local community college and has now graduated from Gardiner College in Camrose,
Alberta.
We began our homeschooling with the help of a parent partnership program in Sequim, WA
called Olympic Peninsula Academy. The kids were taking classes there and really enjoying it. This allowed me some time to
figure out what I wanted to do. By law I needed to be under the supervision of a certified teacher. Since I still didn't
have much confidence at my own ability to teach this worked well for us.
The second year I enrolled them in one of those prepackaged curriculums. I wanted to spend
more time at home than at the school. They send you all of the books; the kids do tons and tons of work and send in tests.
They grade and keep track of everything. Well, we did that until Christmas break, then I realized that I had
not had time to have any fun with my kids. We were so busy trying to get all of that work done that we hadn't even had time
to make our Christmas ornaments or do any holiday baking. I was so upset. I started whining to my veteran homeschooling friend
(everyone needs one of these people in their life). It was so funny, she just looked at me and said, "Well why don't you stop
that if you don't like it." That was a duh moment. She made it sound so easy, and it was. She came over and went through the
books with me. Get rid of this, get rid of that, pare it down and do what is do-able.
This is our 5th year of homeschooling and just the youngest now takes classes at Olympic
Peninsula Academy in Sequim. Our other daughter that is left at home (it's strange to only have 2 at home) is doing all home
based work and working a nanny job three days a week.
I have learned so much since I started this adventure
and I am so thankful that God led me to it. I can look back and see very clearly the path that brought me here. My kids and
I have a bond that could not be if they had stayed in public school. Not every day is a picnic, but more are than not
and they have all thanked me for not leaving them in public school. It has been a priceless experience. I have come to
realize that their character is more important to me than their grades or even a diploma.
Beginning homeschooling can be very overwhelming. There is a ton of curriculum out there. Choosing
can be very difficult. Not one thing is going to work for every child. That is why public school does not work for everyone.
If you are struggling through a curriculum and hating it, don't. Get rid of it and find something better. I would also encourage
anyone who is thinking about homeschooling to make sure they check the laws of their state. You need to make sure that you
stay in compliance with them. At first, I had to be under the supervision of a certified teacher through the parent
partnership program now I choose to be. They give us an allotment to spend on non religious curriculum and their library
is wonderful. I get to pick and choose which text books I want to use. If I choose religious based textbooks the school does
not pay for them. I took the Options homeschool qualifying course because I want to have the choice of not using the parent partnership program if
the rules become what I would consider unreasonable. Options is a very good course, I really enjoyed it and learned a
lot from it. The Washington Homeschool Organization has all of the information a person would need to learn about homeschooling in the state of Washington. There
are many approaches to homeschooling, do as much research as you can and decide what will work for you. I have come to realize
that there is plenty of time and I don't need to cram everything in in all at once. Make sure you keep time to have fun. Below
is a list of curriculum that I really like but remember that what works for one may not work for another.
Math: Teaching Textbooks- These are written for homeschoolers in mind. They are clear and
concise not long winded with endless problems. There is review with every lesson. I highly recommend that if you get this
set that you get the CD set as well. They are invaluable. Also if you are just starting out and need to fill
in gaps left by public school the Key To series is wonderful.
Science & History: We love A Beka Books for these two subjects. I
want the Christian view on these subjects and my kids find them very interesting. You can also buy a science
kit from Home Science Tools that will give you just about everything you need to do the experiments
in the Science book. Here is a link for that.
Vocabulary: A good vocabulary is important to me. I can't stand listening to someone speak
with the word "like" inserted every other word. We use Wordly Wise for this. It is challenging but great.
Literature: This year we are using the Prentice Hall books that are available
in our school library. The kids are exposed to literary works that they would not just choose on their own. I do still encourage
recreational reading though. We have decided to focus on writing after they finish their Wordly
Wise. Sometimes it is better to focus on fewer subjects and do them well instead of doing too many and doing them poorly.
These are just their core subjects. There are a lot of great enrichment activities in
every community, you just have to look. We recently found the Aspire Academy in Carlsbourg. They teach all kinds of music and dance. It is a wonderful nurturing environment.
If you have any questions about homeschooling or just need someone to bounce ideas off of,
contact me at 360-452-4439 or wiggins_6@msn.com
If you are looking at books and the prices are just not doable, don't worry. There are tons of things
you can do for very little money. The public library is a great way to access all kinds of educational materials for
free. There is also plenty for free on the internet. I found that a great place to buy used books is Second Harvest Curriculum. 4-H can be used as a very good agricultural science if you choose to go that
route. They also have a Know your Government project as well as many other projects. Contact your local county
extension office for more information about 4-H.
This was written in 2007 and updated in 2008.
