Housekeeping

One of my biggest concerns and one of the questions I'm most often asked is how I juggle teaching and the other responsibilites of home. To be painfully honest, it hasn't always been easy. But then again, it's not easy for any mom, regardless if they work outside or within the home. I've been a working mom, and a stay-at-home mom. By contrasting the diffences in lifestyles, I'd say the biggest reward I've been given is the patience I've had to build up in order to adapt to our homeschool life. As all homeschool moms know, everyday is a learning experience, whether you classify it as school or not, for parents as well as children. Learning to patiently teach my children how to make their beds properly, wash the dishes, sort their clothes for the laundry and bake a batch of cookies has not come easy for me at all. When we began homeschooling and the children were suddenly home with me all day, I had the tendency to pacify them with t.v. or games while I made a mad rush around the house. But I was exhausted by the end of the day and the children took advantage of their "maid service". Through the years, I've had to force myself to see what damage I was doing to myself and to the children by not allowing them to participate in the day to day maintenance of keeping a home. Of course, cooking and cleaning are not the only responsibilities of living in the adult world...just seems that way because of all the time I seem to spend doing it :0) There are other basic life skills that need to be taught in any home. Learning about money management, auto maintenance, first aid and emergency procedures and the basics of banking and insurance are some of the areas that children need to have hands-on experience.

The Big S Question...Socialization

I suppose I must say something about socialization, since it's such a hot topic. But honestly, it's not been a problem with us. With all the activities abundantly available, not to mention homeschool support groups...well, it's really not an issue at all. So many support groups host their own graduation ceremonies, proms, sports teams, bands, newspapers, yearbooks, science fairs (the list goes on and on) that homeschool students really don't miss out on anything at all. And I really can't add anything from my own experience to what thousands of other homeschool parents have already said or written. It just seems that this concern is the most often brought up with any mention of homeschooling and in my humble opinion, it's one that really doesn't make sense at all. I'm in total agreement with other homeschoolers that say being in a classroom with 20 other children the same age does not neccesarily make a more socially mature individual. Being involved with children of all ages in different circumstances provides more opportunity to fully understand how to behave and get along with others.

Whatever the challenges we have faced or will face in the future, the bond that is created through the ordeal is one that is invaluable!