Sunday, September 14, 2008

Home Schooling

Well many of my friends and family know this about me but I was home schooled for a good portion of my schooling. This being said, I am now about 90-10 going to home school. To me it is scary but I have put a lot of prayer and thought into this and I think it is what I am going to do. I always thought I would become a school teacher, I even started with a major in education then went to history thinking maybe then I could go on to get my law degree and not teach but with my kids nearing the age (not really) but nearing the age when I have to think about where I want to be when they get into school and what I want to do for pre-school, I am now pretty much sure I will be home schooling. I know it is controversial and I can see both sides of the argument. I have one thing in my favor (some may disagree) but I think I turned out well adjusted and socially able to hold my own. I do not plan on home schooling all the way through but at least through elementary then sending them on their way with a strong sense of family, moral values, and a strong academic base in hopes that they will choose the right based on a stronger testimony of the Gospel and its values. There are things that are being taught in school at too young of an age, and I think that some shelter from today's society is not harmful to very young children. I wanted to get this out there to see what you all think, (it won't change my mind, but it may give me ideas on what to work on when I do home school to make sure that my little ones are socially stable always) Don't worry they will all be in sports and music programs while being home schooled. I loved music and sports in school, I didn't play in elementary but I know that in today's world to compete you have to start much earlier than middle school to make a middle school or high school team.
Here is a little visual history

A picture of my family when I was eight
Left to Right... Sarah, Grandma, Jessie, Mom, Rachael, and me

11 comments:

Sarah Heder said...

Cute picture of your family! Isn't it nice when you've prayed and thought about something so much and you come to a conclusion that you feel so at peace with. I don't know much about home-schooling or anything, but I say as long as you feel good about it, I think you'll be great! When would you start with Kevin? Are you thinking about starting now? Or waiting until next year?

Tanya said...

I will wait for next year we are playing with letters and numbers now but he has the attention span of about 5 minutes at this point.

The Trotter Family said...

I thought about it too, but I think it would just be too much for me to take on. It is so scary out there and you never know what can or will happen, so I understand your decision.

brookeisacrazylady said...

there is a cool gal in my ward you might want to talk to if you need ideas.

darby and i are doing 'school' right now, but am a big fan of public education...as i am a product of it. i think all children's education is enhanced by the parenting...and basically we are the huge push behind it...even with 'regular' school

i really wish i could do joy school for my kids preschool, just nobody close to do it with.

Beth said...

Ditto to what Brooke said. I plan on being super hands on with my kids education, but I, too, loved public school. I definitely give you kudos on your decision. From talking to Elisa Mikolyski it seems like there are so many cool programs for homeschoolers. And it must be nice to feel like you have more control over what your kids learn. Also, you look so cute in that picture at the bottom.

Barty Family said...

Cute photo! I love seeing people's old photos when they were kids.

Hannah said...

I'm having some of the same thoughts right niw. With a bunch of my friends' kids starting kindergarten, I keep thinking it's just way too young to give your child to a stranger. I am thinking of homeschooling Liam, for at least preschool and kindergarten but Lane isn't too sure about it.

Claire Thompson said...

Tanya, wow I haven't talked to you in forever! You just have to do what you feel is right, you can be as involved in your childs curriculum as you want to be if you are concerned with the content and part of Kate's pre-school is volunteering at least once a month, I'm totally excited to volunteer (1st time will be Mon) to see what goes on. Kate really likes it so far and i really like having the one on one time with Sara, plus its only 2hrs 20mins so its seems like no time at all. There are a million websites out there too so you can see what stage they are supposed to be at, good luck and as long as you feel its what is best for Kevin then I am sure it is.

Anonymous said...

definitely a tough one but you know best. school is scary territory. chris' sister home schools but has her kids active in dance class, soccer, swim, ect...so it keeps them socially exercised so to speak. ;)

Claire said...

Caleb and 4 of his 5 siblings were homeschooled until highschool. His sister graduated with a degree in early childhood education and started a blog about her preschool type "lessons" with her son Mason, who is about Kevin's age. Here is the website if you are interested in seeing what others are doing.
http://tallgrasswarmbreeze.blogspot.com/

Henry Cate said...

When our first child was born we got her on the lists for the good charter schools in our neighborhood. By the time she was ready for kindegarten we decided to give homeschooling a try. Now at fourteen we are still homeschooling her.

The more we study how the government schools are run, the more we're confident that homeschooling is a better option for our children.

Good luck with your decision.