By Sue Anganes
As August closes in on us, we naturally focus our thoughts on the upcoming school year. For those of you who have ever had the thought of homeschooling, I would like to write about some of its advantages.
Homeschooling is just what it is; tailoring your child’s education to your home life.It is more of a lifestyle than a method of learning.
Often it is so integrated into your daily life that where the teaching ends and the fun begins is blended seamlessly together. There is an intimate closeness that is developed with your children when you spend time both living and learning together, and somehow that closeness is also developed between the siblings themselves.
Homeschooling also allows time to do things that otherwise you might not be able to fit into your schedule. When the basic core curriculum is completed for the day, often there are hours of free time left to either enjoy outdoors, at libraries, at museums, or just pursuing self interests.
We have spent many afternoons hiking through the woods or reading books together. Extra time has also allowed most of my children to study a musical instrument and have time to practice and become accomplished. They’ve had time to create Lego masterpieces, bake, study foreign languages, program computers, write, draw, sing, putter around the garage and make “stuff,” visit with friends, dig in the back yard, take flying lessons, volunteer, work at a job, collect rocks, play in orchestras, make videos, carve sticks, and so many other things, I could fill up a whole page. Homeschooling has allowed each of them to pursue their own individual interests, and I truly believe that having time to pursue their own interests has been what has shaped my oldest children into the adults they are now and influenced them in their present careers.
Many times I run into moms who say they could never be able to homeschool; they can’t teach, or their child is too wild, can’t listen, won’t obey, etc. It’s good to remember that you’ve already been the primary teacher to your children until they were grammar school age. What makes you think that you cannot continue teaching them in grade school?
You are the one who knows your own children the best; their strengths and weaknesses, their interests and their dreams. You can be the one to guide them throughout the most important years of their lives and enjoy the close bond that you develop, working together each day.
I have only skimmed the surface on the subject of homeschooling. I do want to say that I have many friends who have very successful and well-adjusted children who have been educated by private and also public schools. I am not going to hold one method of education above another. Homeschooling is not for everyone. It is a disciplined way of life. It is a serious undertaking that will affect the future of your children. It does have its advantages and disadvantages as do public and private education. There are so many resources out there today which were not there in 1990 when I started out. There are support groups, curriculum fairs, teaching co-ops, and websites all dedicated to homeschooling. You would not be alone. If you have ever wanted to homeschool and were afraid to try,
“Go for it. You can do it! ” Your effort will not be in vain.
Sharon Pimentel
/ August 29, 2012And believe me.. all of her children that Mrs. Anganes has home schooled are very smart kids.
Susan Ortler Anganes
/ September 7, 2012Thank you, Sharon. They also had the benefit of loving neighbors to watch over them and let them eat their food and snacks!
Deb
/ August 31, 2012Sue, you bring up a very important point. Homeschooling is a lifestyle choice, more than anything. There is no start/stop to learning when you homeschool. I homeschooled four children all the way through high school.
My kids are all grown now, 29, 26, 23, & 21, and they are very close and very supportive of each other. I am constantly amazed by this. We spent two weeks together in the White Mountains, nine of us…the four kids, a spouse, a fiance, and girlfriends. I was a little worried beforehand that we might all get sick of each other, turns out, I had nothing to worry about! When various ones had to leave along the way, everyone was sad to see them go. There were repeated commitments to do this again next year. It seems even the partners they have all chosen like being together! I feel so lucky and fortunate to have such terrific kids. I agree, I don’t know how it happened, but they do have a closeness that I could not have predicted when I started homeschooling.
For those of you that are thinking about homeschooling, be aware that the amount of time spent doing “school work” for young children through about grade 5 can be under 1 hour a day. That frees up a lot of time for learning on their own, through play and exploration, that so many children are missing out on today.
Susan Ortler Anganes
/ September 7, 2012Deb, this is exactly what homeschooling has done for my family also. My adult kids (and spouses) have become their own best friends. We have what we call “paloozas” where we all get together and just hang out- somehow this always seems to be under my roof (my food), but I guess that way I don’t get left out! I’m so blessed that they are all friends and not just “siblings”. Age never seemes to matter and my youngest boys are always are included with the adults. It is exactly as you had said, I would have never predicted this when I started homeschooling.
And…not to be unrealistic….we do have our differences, disagreements, etc. here. We are NOT perfect, we’ve just learned to forgive each other and move on
Dawn Bryan Thompson
/ September 3, 2012Thank you for important insight Sue! Something I thought would be imposible, just may not be!
Susan Ortler Anganes
/ September 7, 2012You could most certainly homeschool, Dawn! In my son Raymond’s case, because of his neuromuscular issues, he would not be able to easily attend school otherwise. We work around the good and bad days at home and thankfully he is not behind the other kids his age. My guess is that you are already homeschooling in a way- along with Dylan’s regular school. I know with his medical issues he must have missed some school days and you are the one who helps with his schoolwork at home. I love to read your posts on Facebook about Dylan. He is such a bright kid and has a wisdom beyond his years, obviously because of the physical trials he faces each day. God bless you both <3
Susan Ortler Anganes
/ September 7, 2012Sorry to you all for not answering your comments sooner. We’ve had a long few weeks of medical issues. At this moment, I have one kid recovering from a muscle biopsy, one with a 102 fever , and one who has pneumonia. I am trying to keep from catching that nasty fever virus! Hand sanitizer is my friend!