This month, Home Educating Family is having a Not-Back-to-School Blog Hop! Each Friday there will be a new topic, and a giveaway for you!
This week's topic is about my homeschooling story. Our journey began when my oldest was still a baby. I honestly don't remember how I found out about homeschooling, but I immediately felt led to do it. My daughter was about a year old when I went to driving school (long story but I didn't get my license until I was 22) and on one particular driving lesson, I was speaking with my instructor about family and he mentioned that his wife homeschooled their children. He was the first person that I'd actually met in real life that homeschooled and I was intrigued. After our session was over, he gave me his wife's e-mail address and number if I decided to homeschool later on down the road. I didn't think a whole lot of it at the time, but kept it in mind.
About a year later, I decided to visit a church recommended by my friend and daycare provider. When I went inside, who should come up to me but my former driving instructor and his wife? Turns out he was an elder there and I was able to see first hand how they, along with a few other families there, homeschooled. The more I networked, the more I was sold on it and a couple of years later, I decided to go ahead with it.
My daughter has a late birthday and missed the cutoff for kindergarten in public school. I decided that since we would have an extra year, I'd go ahead a do a kindergarten curriculum with her at home. I chose A Beka because that's what I'd heard most of my homeschooling friends used. It seemed very easy to use, already prepared and laid out for me and colorful for the kids. Admittedly, it was a good first choice for my daughter at the time as a newbie. After some initial adjustment to a structured day and some frustration with reading, I saw her flourish and I was completely sold on homeschooling. I felt confident that I could teach my child and see positive results.
Since then, I have done a lot of research and continue to do so. This is our sixth year of homeschooling and I still look at different curriculum and the occasional philosophy, although I'm fine with my Charlotte Mason-inspired eclectic mix. To me, I felt successful when reached the point where I knew my own educational philosophy and teaching style, as well as the way my kids each learn and how to adapt to that. It's a process and it may take some trial and error, but it's certainly a goal I think every homeschool mom should strive for.
Hop on over here to read more homeschooling stories from Home Educating Family's reviewers!
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