Why did you start to homeschool?

When Hunter started to learn how to read at two, we talked for months about it and decided that public school wasn’t a good choice for him. Children have such a drive to learn but schools slowly crush that out of them with the one size fits all education. Both Michael and I were the same way, school was just boring. Sure we did well but we could have accomplished so much more if we had the chance.

That is why we started. We often come up with more reasons why it still works fabulous for our family. All our boys are learning about and understanding things well above their “grade level”. They set the pace and at times I struggle to keep up with them. 

Michael’s work schedule is another reason. If the boys were in school, they would hardly see  him. He wakes up between 10-11am, often leaves before school lets out and he’s home in the early morning when they are asleep. With homeschooling, we are able to spend some time as a family in the mornings, maybe go on weekday field trips when things aren’t so busy. 

Would you let the boys go to public school if they wanted to?

Depends on their reasons, but yeah I would. I would also remind them that they had the option to go back to homeschooling if they wanted to. 

Do you worry that by homeschooling you may be putting your children at a disadvantage?

No. Really, they have an advantage. 

Are your children at the same academic level as other kids their age?

No. They are above in most areas. 

What is your style of homeschooling?

We mostly fit into “unschooling”. We are super flexible, do what works and have a lot of free time for the boys to learn from real life and about their interests.

Do you use any kind of curriculum or school program?

Hunter and Tristin do online lessons but for the most part, I put together everything we do. 

Are you concerned about how the boys will handle structure and deadline of college?

I’ve heard that homeschooled college students do pretty well. They tend to be self motivated and able to work without a teacher’s constant pressure so are better able to adjust to college life than a public high school student who is used to teacher’s reminders and such. I don’t worry about it. :) 

Do you do anything to make sure your sons have all the knowledge they need for their age?

There’s no “They should absolutely know this at eight, nine, ten, etc” in life. The only reason why the schools are fairly consistent is to keep everyone on moving along, even if they change schools. We aren’t limited like that so we have the freedom to explore topics that might not be taught until later or get into things we hadn’t covered yet that schooled children might already know at that age. 

That said, I have a book that gives basic outlines of what is being taught at certain grade levels that I look at now and then for ideas on what to do next but I don’t worry about it too much. Hunter and Tristin’s online lessons are separated by grade level. Both of them are working at a grade higher at that than they should be at their ages. They set their own pace and they are ready for it.  

There’s a lot of knowledge in the world and I know we won’t be able to cover it all in 10-12 years of school. Public and private schools can’t do it either. We have the basics covered, encourage learning what they are interested in (and will remember) and give them tools to continue learning throughout their lives. I think that is the most important. :) 

How will you be able to teach them high school subjects like more advanced math and science?

nce we get towards high school I expect them to be doing more with online classes or package curriculum. Plus many colleges have classes high school students can take. Beyond higher level math (which I suck at so I will be learning along with them), nothing will be that difficult for me to teach or at least set them up with. 

What about social skills?

My boys have just fine social skills. Homeschooling doesn’t mean I lock them in the house all day. :P I love that because they aren’t confined to their own agemates in a classroom all day that they are able to talk to and be friends with people of all ages. They are friends with kids from a year old up to fourteen right now, plus are able to hold conversations with adults when they want.

We are apart of a local MOMS Club (I’m the VP of it actually) plus a homeschooling group. They are in an art class, plus I’m always looking out for things they can do education wise that puts them in contact with other kids. Plus they make random friends at the park. They have many opportunities to make friends and they take advantage. :) 

My homeschool tag