Question for judytrickett

[Daycare Mommy]

I've been homeschooling from the beginning with my son now in 3rd, daughter in 1st and a preschooler (and 2 month old!) I started out very rigid and to the book, but with time comes wisdom. I'm much more relaxed now. I'm still green though on the daycare, starting soon with licensure. Hopefully they will mix well! Mine are getting to the point though that they can start and do much of their work alone. We have done all kinds of co-ops, groups,etc and they can be a lot of work and comittment on your part. I think the kids will benefit greatly from the experience of the daycare when they look back.

So you don't think the co-ops/groups are really vital having done a bunch of them? That's encouraging to hear. I read a bunch of stuff on homeschooling and wasn't really sure that just afterschool activities would be enough. And I really hope that the daycare experience will be beneficial to them as well.

We don't have a lot of coops etc here. But both of my kids are naturally just homebodies anyway so they actually like being at home most of the time. But we have them both involved in Boy Scouts, Brownies, gymnastics and Baseball. So they get lots of involvement with other kids. And, like I said, they play with the school kids after school too.

Socialization is always a big concern from people who don't really homeschool. If you are a homeschooler with school-aged kids you start to realize very early on that it is a NON concern, really. Besides, kids are not in school to socialize - they are in school to work. And truth be told, from some of the stuff I hear and read about happening in school I am quite happy to not have my kids 'socializing' as such.

I know socialization is the first question that homeschoolers usually get. I promise I don't mean it the usual way though. I'm not looking at public school vs. homeschool socialization. I'm already sold on that one. I'm thinking non-working homeschool mom vs. homeschool mom/daycare provider socialization. I'm a homebody too, but my daughter is quite the social butterfly, so I'm worried that I'd be depriving her of the experiences she would otherwise have if I didn't have to work (co-ops or just meeting with the other homeschooling kids regularly.) ...It's funny. I'm just realizing, in typing this out, that I have working mom guilt. Who'd have thought I'd get this working at home directly with my kids all day?

I agree.
We dont have a lot of kids in our neighborhood so that isnt really an option. But even if you dont, the kids could be involved in things "after school" as well. We are looking at an art class and possibly gymnastics.

I think that this is probably what we will do too as our neighborhood doesn't have many kids either. Ours is primarily older working adults and teens.

Thank you ladies for your responses. I'm pretty jittery right now with the official start of homeschool this fall, so I guess I'm just going to shop around for some fun afterschool and weekend activities for the future and just try to relax. Thanks again.

[momofsix]

I had to stop homeschooling when our youngest was ready for kindergarten, and I SO miss it. I really notice a difference in her attitude too, much more middle school drama stuff that I didn't have to deal with with my other girls. Homeschooling is a great OPTION, just don't feel pressured to continue doing it if it doesn't work for your family, because I know someone who did and it was horrible for everyone involved That being said, I wish I had nover stopped homeschooling, and could have figured out a way to continue when life was really hitting me hard from every side. At the time it seemed impossible, but now as I look back, there would have been ways to make it work. Oh well, hindsight is always 20-20!