Biggest homeschooling challenge
Thursday May 15, 2008
Isa in Michigan posted a good question to the Homeschooling Forum. She writes:
"I'm interested in finding out what you consider to be your biggest homeschooling challenge. This could be having to do with academics or something different.So, what do you consider to be your biggest homeschooling challenge? You can post your reply here as a comment or in response to the post in the forum. I look forward to reading the responses.For example, I consider my biggest homeschooling challenge to be spending enough time with my younger children where I sufficiently meet their needs, while at the same time effectively homeschooling my school-aged children. This is my first year where I've done most of the homeschooling in the morning, instead of during nap times. Because of this, I've had to figure out ways to keep my younger children happily occupied."
Comments
My biggest challenge has been living overseas with no real mentor. This is our first year of homeschooling, and we’ve had a lot of fun. Since we are part of only a few homeschoolers here ( for many of which, this is their first year as well ), we’ve been really winging it. I have 3 girls ages 12, 8 and 4 years, and it’s been really interesting trying to keep up with it all.
A mentor sure would have saved me a lot of money this year, but I’ve learned a lot on my own, so no worries for our family. We recovered fairly quickly financially.
There are no: homeschoool conventions or fairs, and no organized meetings. We’re just like the early homeschoolers of the eighties in the states. We’re really grateful that the internet exists, with all the information out there it helps. But, someone to lead the way would really be nice.
Genia Panama City, Panama
My biggest challenges are my children’s attitudes on any given day, and the fact that they are auditory learners while I am a visual learner. The biggest challenge is defintiely the attitude. My DD is 12 and thinks everything is “stupid” or “boring.”
As to the mentors for Genia, there are a good number of e-mail forums and online groups.There are even blogs dedicated to homeschooling. I am certain that any home schooling parent online would be happy to “chat” via e-mail or IM.
My biggest challenge is trying to be understanding and sensitive to the fact that all three of my children are different. Trying hard not to compare them with one another. My 8 year old is an ideal student, while my 6 and 10 year old are a bit more challenging and demanding. Not saying “why can’t you be more like him” is real hard at times.
Hello!
Thank you for your comment in my blog. I created my blog some time ago for a project at the university and because I like the topic of homeschooling. I am from the Basque Country, so my posts could be written in English, Basque or Spanish. I hope you continue following my work. Good bye!
Homeschooling in itself is a very daunting and challenging endeavor. I would have to say I agree with all the comments thus far; learning styles, attitudes, having a guide are all obstacles to work with. My biggest challenge is keeping a consistent schedule. Routines are so important and it seems I cannot stick to one for any length of time. This has been my third year homeschooling (10 yr. old boy and 7 yr. old girl). What ads to this issue is the fact that I am AD/HD and so is my son. We are currently participating in a group therapy program for behavior modification that has been very helpful for him. As a parent the information has been invaluable; however my problems with distractions, and time management remain. Is there anyone out there going through this also? Do you have any suggestions, or recommended reading?
We are continuing on this path of homeschooling next year. For all those moms/dads just starting on this journey/or continuing I encourage you and commend your courage. Home education is not for the faint of heart to be sure!
I enjoyed reading the other comments, as is nice to know other home schooling parents are going thru similar struggles. My biggest challenge is trying to keep my daughter(7) focused and attentive.She is very easily distracted by her younger brothers(3 & 9mos) and I sometimes wonder if she doesn’t have ADD or ADHD though she hasn’t been diagnosed. This is our 2nd year of home teaching, and although it is alot of fun, it is very hard and stressful a lot of the time. Many times I have been frustrated to the point of wanting to give up! If anyone has ANY advise or help I would really appreciate it.
I have 3 children ages 10, 7, and 6. All 3 have disabilities including mentally handicapped, adhd, o.d.d., behavioral problems, speech and language and hearing problems. I have been homeschooling for 3 years and I wouldn’t change it for the world. I have seen all 3 grow and learn where the dr’s and school system said they’d never learn past a pre-school or kindergarten level. I encourage homeschooling for all children as they learn so much more and are not pushed through the system. I have learning disabilities as well and have learned after I graduated what I know today. I was one who was pushed through the system because I was a hands on learner and I was a slower learner. The school systems do not cater for hands on learners or those who have learning disabilities. My oldest son was in a “special school” BOCES and they also could not meet his needs unless you call counting to 10….1,2,3,4,8,9,10 meeting a child’s need as they stated my son could count to 10 on his own. I told them if this was the case then I think all the Presidents need to go back to school again. Homeschooling is much better as you know what your children are being taught and what they need to work on more and you can go at their pace not forcing them to move on to the next level until they truly understand the first level. I hope this helps you and your child. Homeschooling takes a lot of patience and alot of hard work but in the end it is worth it to see your children grow and learn in a fun way.
My biggest challenge is schooling my autistic son. Although he is only midly autistic, it can be very tiring and frustrating at times. I know that’s he’s receiving a far better education at home than he would be at our local public school because he’d be lost in a sea of students and not given the time and attention he needs. My second biggest frustration is not being able to keep my house clean and organized!!!
I am a single (adoptive) mother and when God called me to homeschool my son when he was 4 years old, I didn’t see how I could obey. I put him in kindergarden which went well then 1st grade which didn’t. He was labeled as slow and came home telling me he was dumb, a word we never used in our home. So starting in 2nd grade I homeschooled him out of love and obedience to my Divine directive.
He graduated this week and the wisdom of God’s leading is so clear now. He is a fine young man who is a creative and independent thinker. He is respectful to all ages and never went through the popularity pecking order. He is capable of making A’s in college although he is a procrastinator and so missed A’s in both his college classes, taken when he was a senior.
My biggest challenge was keeping him on task. He just didn’t want to do the work but would devour information he was interested in. It was a battle and in someways he went the “unschooled” route. However, his native intelligence, the educated attmosphere he grew up in and multiple non traditional learning experiences brought him to the place where he is today.
I had trouble keeping my life organized and on track because I really hate to argue on any level yet felt I was letting him down when I just couldn’t enforce the teaching plan. But we made it through. He might have believed the lie that he was dumb and slow had I kept him in school. He might easily have been one of those kids who go through the motions but don’t learn anything. He could have been well into his 20’s before he had the confidence he has in himself and his intelligence. I taught him from success to success even if that took longer. So don’t give up. The creative kids are often on a different track.
My biggest challenge has been keeping the youngers occupied as well as finding time to spend with them. I have been schooling my oldest for 3 years. I also have 3 preschoolers. It is very difficult to not have the bulk of my day revolve around the oldest. And with 3 preschoolers, this leaves me very frustrated most of the time. I have only recently learned that this is not how it should be. The school of my oldest is not the most important thing. You can always catch up on the academics. Don’t lose out on the major influence and training responsibilities while your children are young. They need their mommy. They don’t need to be left to themselves while you focus on the academics of the older. I picture this like they are in a waiting room of which they cannot come out of until they are in Kinder. or 1st grade. Academics should not be the #1 priority. But again, this is my biggest challenge because of the nature of “school” coupled with the continual pressure to prove homeschooling superior. It causes us to put way too much focus on the academics with the littles viewed as an interruption.
I agree with Chris. My biggest problem is staying on task. I am great at planning and organization, but when it comes to actually getting everything accomplished I fail miserably. It’s not that I have too much scheduled in a day; it’s all of the things that happen to interrupt the day: doctor’s appointments; my husband’s phone calls; an especially strong-willed/unmotivated child; and my lack of patience.
We are struggling to get everyone done by the end of May because our summer is jam-packed with other commitments. Plus, we want the summer off!
I constantly have to remind myself that only God gets His to-do list done every day!
My biggest challenge is to not over-schedule us! Thanks for your CoH entry.
I have to say that I identify so much with all of the comments posted here. I am finishing my second year of homeschooling my now 3rd grader. I have also been homeschooling my -not old enough for Kindergarten- 5yo, and I have a 2 yo as well. I find it hardest to feel as though we have “accomplished enough.” I struggle everyday to be a little more “unschool” and a little less “school at home”. I feel the greatest when I can see the joy of learning in their faces instead of the agony and frustration of the daily “attitudes” and interruptions.
Like gutentag2u, my biggest challenge is homeschooling my mildly autistic 8-y/o son. I can 100% ditto her post – I know he’s getting a much better education at home, but it is still a challenge.
I have 3 younger children as well, and we are largely doing unschooling, so that helps with the challenge of the different learning styles and age differences.
I think my biggest struggle has been to ignore the comments of family and others and just enjoy this time with my kids! I have an eager to learn daughter who is going into 4th grade. I also have an energetic 4 year old who craves attention from me and sister. So my 2nd biggest struggle has been to keep him happy and busy! I now have a system of teaching her a new concept or reviewing one while he does centers I have for him. Then while she does her work near us or in her room depending on how much quiet she needs, I play a game, do a puzzle, read a book or do something fun with him. That seems to help that he gets some mommy time too. Nap times are no more so we had to find a way to make things go calmly. Now when my daughter works on Handwriting, he works on a couple things from the handwriting shelf (gel bags to trace letters, stampers with letters, playdoh and ABC cards, Magna Doodle, Water Doodle,..) When she works on Geography with me, he has a certain shelf to choose an activity from (and so on). We have short sessions and he is being trained, in a nice way, to not interrupt when it is sissy’s turn with mom. And I voice the same rule to her when I am with Stephen even though she doesn’t ever interrupt. This seems to have calmed the attention getting devices he was creating.
And since I am relaxing and letting those who don’t agree with our way of schooling not get to me as much, I am really enjoying homeschooling more! I am so thankful to God that He has allowed us to homeschool our kids and allowed me to stay home with them!
Lara
Hi,
It is encouraging to note that most homeschooling families out there are dealing with almost similar hurdles. My biggest challenge has been discipline. Whilst I started homeschooling because I think each child has their own pace and method of learning and hence cannot be crammed in a class of 20 or more(here in India most schools have 60 kids per class!), I find it difficult to make them stick to a routine. Discipline is extremely difficult, especially first thing in the morning. Otherwise it has been a very fulfilling and rewarding experience in the last 6 years, both for me and the children. Please feel free to visit my blog which I update from time to time. Since I am still new at blogging, I do not write very often. But hope to be more regular soon