tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post609541997443004008..comments2023-11-12T22:24:41.245+10:00Comments on petalplum: thoughts on schooling at home {homeschooling}elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094544175392775835noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-55204836343586149682013-07-04T15:33:53.218+10:002013-07-04T15:33:53.218+10:00I've often considered giving my kids a four da...I've often considered giving my kids a four day school week just so they can have another day at home. I spend lots of time at my kids school too doing craft and knitting and the like, but man, as far as I can see, teachers spend more time on discipline than teaching these days. Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07899088042612922758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-9881410241972046262013-07-03T10:27:13.619+10:002013-07-03T10:27:13.619+10:00Thank you for this post, I've been meaning to ...Thank you for this post, I've been meaning to say something since I saw the Instagram feed. I always loved the idea of homeschooling and when my little one was younger had planned for it to be something we would do in our life. Now as she's getting closer to that age and I've watched her personality develop and realised more about myself as a mum, I really don't think I could. Like you've discovered, there is value in alone time and child-free time no matter how much we love them, and the idea of taking on a job as a full-time teacher as well as my own work just didn't seem do-able.<br /><br />It's also been interesting watching the way she is around other children, being a real extrovert, I believe that she will thrive in an environment with other children. One example was in her swimming lessons, at first, she didn't really like putting her head under water. There was another girl there who also didn't, so my little one wanted to encourage her, so got over her own fear, put her head under and said to the other girl "See, it's ok. You can do it." That was the exact moment for me that I realised she was going to be better in a school rather than being homeschooled.<br /><br />Your comment of " I hope that with them and me together we can make learning endlessly happen in our family, in a happy contented joyful manner" really shows that while they will be getting their formal schooling "at school", there is still going to be so much more education happening with their parents, and I'd say that is pretty close to having the best of both worlds.<br /><br />xMelanie Gray Augustinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01531718674624846409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-32691992036010416632013-07-02T15:41:27.433+10:002013-07-02T15:41:27.433+10:00Yes I think we fall into the country hippy kids ta...Yes I think we fall into the country hippy kids tag too. Sadly we are in the wrong area for that sort of alternative thinking and the school ( also a public school - and a small one at that) is very much the same ( my youngest got into serious trouble for typing sex on the computer as that is apparently a swear word!!)<br />Thank you so much for sharing your experience - it has certainly helped me sort through some of what is buzzing around in my head.<br />Question - Are the kids excited to be going back to school?passionwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10519691623122921883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-9309140744881579482013-07-02T15:00:56.800+10:002013-07-02T15:00:56.800+10:00We changed schools this year and it's been a g...We changed schools this year and it's been a good change for us because even though the idea of homeschooling sounds fantastic to me I know I don't have the patience to be with the boys all through the day. My biggest boy also doesn't fit in because he's not sporty too and he still hasn't made any solid friendships. My littlest boy slips in and out of days with ease and makes friends wherever he goes. I know that the experiences you give them in life will be enough Ellie. Even going to mainstream school your kids will never be ordinary :)<br /><br />SamJetta's Nesthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16646867584138036300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-76427995373653364212013-07-02T14:43:06.350+10:002013-07-02T14:43:06.350+10:00Thanks for your comment. It's such a hard, nev...Thanks for your comment. It's such a hard, never-prefect decision. <br />Don't get me wrong - many of the reasons we tried homeschooling in the first place was the school. I think I'm trying to talk myself into it's positives, but it's a public school with it's not positives. I went to Steiner school for primary and so wanted my children to go to one, but it wasn't possible. <br />My kids are different to the other kids. They are mostly town kids or country farm kids, whereas we are country "hippy" kids.... School lunches is a bit of a nightmare. There isn't bullying as such (quite tough on that thankfully), but my son has had lots of trouble with friends. He's not at all sporty like the rest of them, and that's been hard. My 6-yr old daughter was bored as well; we got the school to move her up a class, and thankfully she has some great teachers who see her intelligence and imagination.... It's such a hard one. <br />I spend a lot of time at school. The principle is thankful for any involvement, and actively asks for me to be part of it. The other kids know me, which gives (I think??) my kids that tiny bit of extra something at school. I think spending time at school shows other kids about being different - I do craft projects and that sort of thing. I'm not in with the other mothers, as I think they too see me as different, but I enjoy talking with the other kids and hoping to educate them in a new manner. <br />I hope/wish that one day in a few years we might go on an extended overseas holiday, and that will be our chance for "life/home schooling" to happen again. In the mean time I'll continue to teach my children at home, and enjoy the time we have. Maybe that's the best solution. <br />Good luck with your family choices / decisions. elliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13094544175392775835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-22094305718485456382013-07-02T13:01:58.083+10:002013-07-02T13:01:58.083+10:00This is something very dear to me right now.
My ki...This is something very dear to me right now.<br />My kids ( 10,9 and 7) are currently in school but I would dearly love the opportunity to homeschool. HOWEVER, I am very aware of all the things that you have just raised. As parents that both work from home maybe it would be too much togetherness - more than any of us needs - or wants.<br />Unfortunately the school they are in are somewhat less than supportive of children who don't fit the norm ( one is being bullied, one is gifted and the other is just plan bored!) which at least it sounds like is something you arent having to contend with.<br />We too are a constantly learning family and for that I am very grateful. What I long for though is some flexibility, to take flight if it feels right for a couple of days knowing the experience will enrich their lives more than anything they might learn at school.<br />Oh its a tough one to be sure... and one I still dont have an answer for....passionwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10519691623122921883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-6341889449503435752013-07-02T11:22:30.083+10:002013-07-02T11:22:30.083+10:00I think you are incredibly insightful and honest a...I think you are incredibly insightful and honest about why you stopped homeschooling. I know personally that as much as I love my 6 year old, I love that we have time apart. I think it makes me a better mumma to her. I Like to hear her adventures in the world without me, I love having time with just Chef and the baby, like we did with her. I also agree that the week goes o quickly and that I often think I have hardly seen her. Cath @ chunkychookyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07926661077860579075noreply@blogger.com