Hi there,

My name is Shannon.  I am just beginning my quest for information on home schooling.  I am a single mother and my daughter is nine years old (4th grade next year).  She's in a private, christian school now.  I probably shouldn't complain, but I feel that we have no time in our evenings, and also my daughter is resisting me when it comes to homework time in the evening.  I hear "that's not what the teacher says" bla bla bla ... it's really a problem at this point ... so I thought if *I* was the teacher, maybe my home life with her will be better (and we'll have more time, too).  Anyway, I can get into that more later if this is something I indeed want to pursue.  My biggest question is should *I* homeschool.

I work from home, so I'm here already.  I'm apprehensive, though, because I am absolutely on the unorganized side - I have adult ADD, so while my heart may be in the right place, I'm afraid this is something that I simply can not do.  I can hire someone to come in and help me get/stay organized, but since I have no idea what homeschooling entails, I don't know what to expect.  Should I just hang up the idea altogether or should I continue to get information and see if I can indeed do this successfully despite my shortcomings?

I did see an interesting approach to homeschooling at http://www.abekaacademy.org ... they have a DVD instruction program that seems to make the process more hands free, and since she's currently in an Abeka program, the transition shouldn't be too difficult.  That seemed ideal to me, at least to get started with, but still I don't know if the homeschooling will simply be too much.  I don't want to do anything that might hinder her education!

Any suggestions / information that you can offer will be very much appreciated.  Thanks in advance!

Shannon

I think EVERY homeschool parent goes through some period of self doubt.  Information is good.  Never stop trying to research it as even if it is/isn't a possibility now, situations change and it might/might not be later.  I have a younger child so things might vary, we spend about 2-3 hours a day on school stuff she's six) so still needs more instruction form me than an older child might.  The rest of the day is filled with books, fun learning DVDs, videos, computer games, talking and art.  I couldn't imagine trying to run a business and homeschool, but I work full time as a nurse and am working on my masters degree all at the same time.  Now, I'm not a single parent but I do the homeschooling - my husband is well not exactly into all of this.  (I work weekend nights so it works out.)  Try doing a google search for single parents and homeschooling.  You might find some god support sites , also try     http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/
I hated having to run the kids to Albuquerque (we live in Los Lunas) for school then rush back to get them.  At times, it was nice to get the house clean without them here or have a moment of quiet.  However, I really treasure the time we have.  There are always going to be power struggels with our kids.  Don't think homeschooling will resolve that.  It is a time commitment from any parent.  I'm not sure what type of home business you have, but consider how much time a day you can dedicate to homeschooling then decide if there is a curriculum etc that will meet your needs and if it is something that will fit with your daughter, her learning styles etc.  Also, consider how you will fill the time when you "have to work" - where will she be, what will she be doing etc?  Right now I imagine you work while she's at school.  With homeschooling, she will be home and in need of at least some direction.   There are as many curriculums and ideas about homeschooling out there as there are homeschoolers.  Good luck
Jo-Ane

I personally think you are making a great decision by researching first and really thinking about your options.  But remember that in the end no one can tell you if you should homeschool or not.  It really has to come down to what feels right for you and your family. But I can tell you IT IS POSSIBLE BELIEVE ME IF I CAN DO IT SO CAN YOU! I will tell you my own personal story is a very condensed version: I have three children all boys (ages 9, 7 and 2).  My children have not always been homeschooled.  I am married, but my husband is in the air force and spends close to 250+ days deployed a year so believe me I feel like a singe parent at times.  But I do have the advantage of not having to have an outside job.  Non the less.  I also suffer from anxiety.  My oldest son has Bipolar and suffers from major social anxiety.  School was a horrible situation for us.  Add to that his OCD and I spent more time at the school dealing with him and his issues.  I really felt like I had no other choice but to pull him out.  There were some learning issues with my middle son, where they told me half way through the year he couldn't read and they would have to hold him back.  I felt that was unacceptable.  So I pulled them both out.  Now I am into my second full year of homeschooling and I love it, I could not imagine sending them back.  Do I have hard days? YES!  Are there days I feel like throwing in the towel and driving to the closest public school and filing the paperwork?  You bet ya!  But then I see how much better they are doing than they were doing when they were at school. My non homeschooling friends don't get it.  They see my son and how difficult he is and they are like I would put him in school to get a break.  I try to explain to them, it isn't a break.  So when I am asked by people why do you homeschool, I explain to them that my children have special needs and that I can concentrate on them in a personal setting. Also it takes me 3-4 hours a day to do homeschool, sometimes less depending on them and their motivation.  Heck they spent that much time doing homework before, plus a whole day of school.  We have more freedom as far as appointments go and traveling is easier.  Plus I LOVE IT!

You have made the first step,  now think about all the benefits of homeschooling.  And then think of all the negatives. Do tons of research, the internet is packed full of great sites.  There are some great books out there as well.  And remember homeschooling isn't permanent, if you choose to do it and then you realize it isn't for you then can put her back in school.  This might be an issue for you if there is a waiting list for your private school.  But good luck to you.  

I'm a mom of three - 11, 12 and 14, the middle one with autism.  I'm in my 11th year of homeschooling. I have put 2 of my kids in a little bit of public school here and there, but for the most part, they are completely homeschooled.  I STILL think of putting them in school now and then - especially since my oldest is starting high school, but it seems to take more time away from everyone's day when they are IN school rather than at home with me all day. We have a lot of flexibility.  And I will be perfectly honest...there are days we don't do school, and that's really OK with me.  Stuff happens.  But you know, we just get a lot of "schooling" in just when we play games or go out on a shopping trip.  It's a different life for sure, but it's wonderful and I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Good luck to you, and keep researching!

ML,
Michele

I think that it is a good option for you to TRY homeschooling.  If you pull her for a time, and can find a routine that works for you guys, you may find that you are at the very least re-connecting with your daughter--which is what I hear in your message, your want for that.  Continue her on the Abeka and if she wants to reurn--you choose that she returns to school, she should be fine.