Name: Spreading the Feast Gathering
Start: 2025-07-11T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-07-12T23:59:59-05:00
Location: LaGrange, KY

This topic has 13 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 6 months ago by JenniferM.

Viewing 14 posts - 1 through 14 (of 14 total)

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November 15, 2013 at 5:09 pm
JenniferM
Participant
I don’t want to be controversial. I know many people are very convicted about homeschooling their children. I’m just curious if anyone is planning on homeschooling only until a certain age or for a certain period of time. It is something I have been thinking about recently. I am happy homeschooling currently, but as I’ve watched some friends locally transition their child to a regular classroom I realize some benefits. I am flexible and truly take this educational journey One Year at a Time, One Day at a Time! I’d love to hear your thoughts on this – just a discussion.
November 15, 2013 at 5:20 pm
Phobo
Participant
When my husband and I first planned on homeschooling (when my oldest was under a year), we had decided only to homeschool for the first couple of years. To us, it was very intimidating to even be thinking of homeschooling a high schooler. I think our mind frame gave us some comfort and peace. After a few years of researching under my belt I began to build that confidence. God also worked in our hearts, and we now plan on seeing this through the whole twelve years. We’re excited about it now, and have joy instead of fear on this.
A dear friend of mine was homeschooled until she was about ten, at which point she came to the private school I was attending. She went a year ahead in an already rigorous school. She did tremendously academically, but wasn’t well suited for the masses, in my opinion. This was mostly her personality, and not because of homeschooling socialization concerns. I think she went through some very difficult times, but again, I think this was mostly her personality (she is so sweet and kind, such a good person, and I think she was kind of thrown to the wolves, so to speak). In the end, she has quite the interesting career and does basically her dream job and is also perusing her second or third masters degree.
Rachel
November 15, 2013 at 10:59 pm
LindseyD
Participant
Since you’re not sure if you’re committed to homeschooling all the way through, I think it’s wise to have the approach of taking it one year at a time. For us, we believe strongly that God has called and equipped us to homeschool all the way through high school, so we don’t have to evaluate our stance each year. We know a family who homeschools until 8th grade and then puts their children in school. And we know another family who has their kids in public school until high school, and then takes them out and homeschools them. I think you have to do what works for you–always with the right motivation.
November 15, 2013 at 11:18 pm
Linabean
Participant
I think it may be difficult to start schooling in a CM way and then put them into a public school before highschool because the two methods are just so different. If I didn’t know if my kids would be homeschooled long term, I think I would try to keep the learning scope and sequence somewhat similar to the public school system just so that the transition would be easier for the child if and when it came. Does that make sense?
We are very committed to homeschooling long term and feel that any problems or concerns we may have now or in the future will be able to be resolved within the sphere of homeschooling.
I know of a couple of families who school their kids until highschool and then send them to a catholic school for their last 4 years. They keep pretty close to the PS scope and sequence and do not use CM. Anyone I know that is using the CM method is planning to school long term through all grades.
-Miranda
November 16, 2013 at 3:14 am
Sue
Participant
I have always felt that I would simply homeschool for as long as I know God wants me to do so. This has really strengthened my faith over the past 7 years as I became (in practice) a “single mom” in November of 2006. I did not know whether I could continue to homeschool at that point, but God has graciously enabled me to do that. It has also meant listening to His voice to be sure I’m to continue this.
About a 6 weeks ago, I was looking for someone (or some place) that would do some testing of my 14-year old autistic son so I could determine how to proceed further with his education. He had been listening to many voices other mine who were telling him he should be “public-schooled,” as he called it. I did not intend to put him in school, but his behavioral counselor told me to check with a local community (charter) school to see if they would test him. They said that they only test their own students, but we could come in & talk about it.
We toured the school & found out they teach kids with ADHD, autism, Asperger’s syndrome, and related behavioral disorders. I prayed about it, talked to my son & his dad about it, and we decided to enroll him. I am amazed at how patient the staff is & how well they handle the students and their individual needs. My son currently has a love-hate relationship with the school (loves the people, the atmosphere, the lunches–lol–; hates the workload, hates science, hates the discipline when he fails to do his work), but he is learning a lot, and the structure is good for him. He had basically shut down & wasn’t doing much of anything at home this year.
My daughters, on the other hand, are benefitting from having a break from their brother & his overwhelming needs, and they are getting more schoolwork done in a shorter amount of time this year. They will tell you that they plan to be homeschooled through high school, and I wish to do just that.
November 17, 2013 at 3:40 pm
my3boys
Participant
When we first began it was going to be a trial run for a year. We figured we needed at least that much time to get settled and find a groove. Well, for us, it took a bit longer. By the time we did, I no longer felt that sending them back or to PS was necessary. (Plus, I don’t think my dc would handle all of what is expected or the atmosphere very well now.) At one time I really felt that one year at a time was good because it made me feel like I had an answer when folks would ask the question: Do you really plan to home school all the way?” I felt it gave me the answer they were looking for. The longer we have homeschooled, I feel like I can’t plan that way anymore. Either we are or we aren’t. That helps me to plan.
But, I am a firm believer in never saying never. I didn’t think I would ever home school my dc, now I am a strong hsing advocate, for those who want to. I am also a firm believer that those who do not feel they should, or want to, shouldn’t have to. Do I feel there are wonderful benefits? Of course. Would I feel I we were missing out on what we have now? Of course. But, I have known too many home school die-hards who decided put one or more of their children in private/public school. Upon asking them why, they all have their reasons. I have no idea what goes on in the homes of these families but completely respect their decision. I don’t know what the future holds for us, but we just keep doing what we’re doing until things change, like they did when we chose to home school.
The only time I encourage continuing, or beginning, homeschooling is when a family/mom wants to but doesn’t know if she can. I share ideas until they tell me to stop, . I share what we do, or what others do, but never in the spirit of them having to.
Hope that helps.
November 17, 2013 at 4:05 pm
eawerner
Participant
We choose to homeschool because we feel it is the best option for our family right now. If circumstances change as our children age we will again choose the best option for our family, whatever that might be.
I also don’t worry about the what ifs in regards to my curriculum or teaching methods. I choose what is right for my children where they are at right now. Whatever will help them to learn and grow in the present moment.
– Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matt 6:34
🙂
November 17, 2013 at 7:26 pm
cdm2kk
Participant
Initially, i was homeschooling temporarily. the PS they were in basically taught to the child that was the furthest behind and so the rest of the class did not progress like it should. We were dealing with bullies and a host of other things and so I basically was going to homeschool just to get them where the local catholic school was at so that they could transition easier. My 2nd grader had been doing double digit / single digit math for 7 months. I saw no new concepts being introduced, just the same math say in and day out. When I checked with the catholic school in March, they had already mastered multiplication & division, I knew my daughter hated math (she was bored with it and had been brainwashed to believe she wasn’t old enough to learn multiplication by the teacher) and I didn’t want to create a bigger problem having her be so behind all the other kids. my son’s situation was much different. As we started homeschooling though, I saw my kids change into better people and much more helpful, nicer, and not so difficult. I saw them learning and actually enjoying learning that it was something I had to do, but something I was enjoying doing. When this fall came, neither wanted to attend the catholic school and so we have continued. I have no idea how long I will do it, but the longer I do it, the more benefits that I see. So I am planning as though I am teaching nest year, but who knows what the future holds. Am I willing to homeschool the distance…..I will do whatever is the best thing for them always, but only God can tell me what that is. 🙂
December 1, 2013 at 5:02 am
caycecronk
Member
We had our first trial run last year and we are now in our second year. I’m totally taking it year by year. I would love to be able to homeschool at least until they start ninth grade. We are considering a private Christian school for high school but I’m also just going to see where god leads us as we get closer to that time. I would be heart broken if we had to send him back to public school! We do a little bit of unschooling and mostly Charlotte mason. I still have so many worries and don’t yet feel totally confident so trying not to think too far ahead and just enjoy this precious time with my kids while they are so young.
December 1, 2013 at 1:26 pm
TailorMade
Participant
Please listen to this free resource from Sonya! It will lessen your worries.
http://simplycharlottemason.com/store/lessons-from-the-valley/
Sometimes, facing a mountain is as difficult as traveling through a valley.
And, another great way to reduce fear is found here:
http://simplycharlottemason.com/store/looking-past-the-fear/
HTH
December 4, 2013 at 9:51 pm
caycecronk
Member
Tailormade,
Thanks for sharing those links! Very encouraging!
December 4, 2013 at 10:51 pm
TailorMade
Participant
You’re welcome! I go over these at least once a year. 🙂
December 8, 2013 at 6:29 pm
greenebalts
Participant
We initially pulled second dd out of 6th grade public school, taking it day by day, then thinking she would go back to public high school, grade 9-12. I still had an older child in public school at that time and I was serving on the school board. However, once I got a taste of homeschool and saw the difference between public education and homeschool, there was no turning back. The oldest graduated from public school and was never homeschooled 🙁 The second dd that we pulled in 6th is now finishing up 12th grade at home! We also have younger children that have always been homeschooled and hopefully always will 🙂

I listened to a veteran mom with all children graduated, speak last summer and one thing she said was, you must go into homeschooling with the mindset of homeschooling all the way through. Initially, I would not have agreed with this. But, now that we’re 7 years in, I totally agree with her. It is such a relief to know that I’m educating for the glory of God and not have that pressure of preparing them for re-entry of government school. It is very freeing. I’m not trying to be controversial, just wanted to share our story of how we came full circle and to let you know how peaceful it is 🙂

BTW, my sister pulled her 2nd grader from a parochial school at the beginning of this school year. She’s already toying with the idea of sending her back next year. We co-op some of our classes together since our kiddos are similiar ages and once again, I don’t like that feeling of meeting certain guidelines or benchmarks for re-entry. It isn’t that I don’t want to prepare the kids for any future endeavors or that I don’t aspire to academic excellence. It’s just hard to relax and enjoy our time together when you’re carrying that burden on your back. I always feel like big daddy is looking over our shoulder with a gigantic stick….lol.

I love the CM method of teaching, but wonder if it would be difficult to transition back to public school from this method in mid stream. Sorry, I did not read all the replies above. Maybe this point was brought up.

Blessings to you in your decision,
Melissa
http://reflectionsfromdrywoodcreek.blogspot.com/
December 11, 2013 at 7:28 pm
JenniferM
Participant
Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts and experiences! I originally posted this thread after an “All Stars” soccer weekend. My daughter is quite athletic, and it occurred to me that the only way she could continue to play soccer when she is older is to attend the private Christian school nearby (that is if we remain in the same place, which we plan to, but life changes…). Any way, I do intend to homeschool all the way through, but I am not inflexible. In other words, I am willing to bend. My children are still young (6 and 8), so you’ll probably chuckle that I was even thinking about this at all!! But, like I said, some friends had transitioned from homeschool to the private Christian school, and it just gave me some food for thought. I am not trying to make a decision personally. I was purely thinking about things. Thanks again. I hope someone was encouraged through this conversation!