1. Us in reflected in the side of a space capsule in DC...because every blog needs a photo.
2. The "Force Field" button on the previous post photo next to David (How could you even see that?) plays part of the Imperial March and was purchased at Hallmark 12 months ago.
3. I forgot to add the current book I am reading (recommended by the psychologist who completed Alex's testing for Dyslexia) is Overcoming Dyslexia by Sally Shaywitz, MD
4. You'd think I'd tell you how I came up with our curriculum first. But that is part 2. To me, the most important thing you need when thinking about homeschooling is support.
You can do it without support but it is more than a world of difference with it.
My husband was on board right away. The grandparents were supportive but cautious. The pediatrician, developmental pediatrician, the therapists and teachers were mostly silent with a raised eyebrow.
There is a lady that lives a few houses up from me that home-schools her kids, but I don’t know her and feel weird knocking on her door and saying, “could you please explain to me how you homeschool?” Would you mind if a neighbor knocked on your door to ask questions about homeschooling?
* Well, if you knocked on my door you'd most likely see us all in our pajamas.
*Blazing your own trail is all fine and good....unless there is already a nicely paved road. I like to find people who are where I want to be...just a little ahead of me. I sought out homeschool moms to talk to. Save that trail blazing energy for improtant things...like building a volcano.
*Most homeschool parents love to talk about it. When you homeschool it isn't just a thing you do, it is more of a lifestyle. Now, most people don't like to talk about themselves as much as I do, but they probably will be thrilled to tell you what they think,do, etc. I'd introduce yourself to the lady down the street and then ask to talk to her about it later. Like invite her over or something.
*I wouldn't know half the stuff I do about what is available to me in my area if it weren't for getting together with other homeschool moms. I went to plenty of homschool groups and stuff. I didn't join them all. In fact, aside from the classes they take, I'm not a part of a co-op or anything. I googled and searched on line and still didn't find half the info I got just from sitting with a few moms with a pen and paper in hand. And when they mention a web site....write it down.
*The best thing about talking with other families who home school is learning what is available in your area and building from there. The worst thing about talking with other homeschool families is that you can't help but compare yourself, kids and what you are teaching to that they are doing.
*I met one lady who had her kids say the pledge every morning. I thought, I need to do that. For some reason, my kids really really didn't like doing this. I was making them hate the pledge. Instead, I taught them about it and what it means. They like it now...as long as we don't have to say it each morning. I only did this because I thought I needed to copy the other mom.
* When I go a a scrapbooking event, like CHA, it is refreshing to talk to other scrapbookers because they "get it." It is the same thing when talking to other homschoolers. They get what you are about. You don't have to explain yourself...or feel like you have to explain yourself. People are going to ask you questions about your choices. Feeling like you have a support system makes thier questions not become your questions.
* I didn't have to find these people all on my own, once I mentioned to a few friends (who were not homeschoolers) that I was going to homeschool, they started talking about other people that they knew who did it too. I met one of my best friends and the family we hang out with the most that way.
* Finally, we all need someone to tell us we are doing a good job. That we are making the right choices. As much as I believe I am doing the best thing for my boys, there are plenty of times I question it all. And for that, I appreciate people like Dixie Lee who left me the nicest message saying she thinks I am doing a good job:) Thank you for that.
* So, how did you find your support system for homeschooling? Or for parenting in general?
