I need some reassurance as a new homeschooler.

[HLA Staff]

I need some reassurance as a new homeschooler. I feel much of the time that we are doing great and proceding smoothly. However, sometimes, like right now, I get really stressed out and feel that what I am doing is so far behind what we should be doing, esp. in math. My daughter is reading wonderfully on her own, but I get so uptight and stressed sometimes in math and other areas, thinking that I should be doing more. My method of homeschooling is very eclectic, and the girls are fine with that and so am I, but why do I get so stressed out at times when I compare us to the things public schools are working on? Do other people stress out, too? I am still learning and am trying to do what David said, to think of this year as an orientation period. Any feedback or suggestions will help.
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It normal to be sressed out at times; if you didn't stress you probably wouldn't be human. But I will tell you this: I have never in 10 years heard of or talked to a parent whose children were not doing great using the eclectic method. And if you think about it it is a far superior form of education. When we wanted to learn about child birth we would have handicapped ourselves if we were to rely on only one birth textbook. Reading several books, magazines, web sites, and going to a birthing class gave us the best advantage. It was very eclectic and it was an incredible education; again, far greater than just reading one book.

Of course there are the questions. (Always the same two questions of the eclectic approach):

1. How do we know if we "covered it all" regarding child birth? Well, first, it's impossible to cover it all anyway. But I guarantee we covered more than we would have if we stuck to one book, one "curriculum" so to speak. And more importantly, we learned how to research and look up things in the future; to return to the subject as needed. April even made a notebook of the most important things we learned.

2. What about testing to "prove on paper" that we learned about child birth? Well, someone could give us a 100 multiple choice quiz; depending on what's one there we may ace it or we may fail it. I cannot guarantee we learned what the "tester" wanted us to. I can promise you--prove to you through conversation, through "oral" examination--that we did learn a lot. And the fact that many other ladies come to my wife and ask her questions bear witness to a successful education as well.

So the eclectic approach to education is always the best for any subject: history, math, science, English, ... all subjects will be better served using the widest variety of books, resources, web sites, experiences, and conversations with others. A few years of being absolutely surrouded with resources and others will come to your students an ask them questions, if not in their childhood, deffinitely in their adulthood.

Travel back in time and sit with some of the well-known thinkers in human history. I think you'll find, not a stack of curriculum in the corner of the kitchen, but a library full of books. And you'll find that they have read nearly all of them.
Hope this helps.

[hesog]

HI, Other Newby, I'm sending you prayers and peace. I just started home schooling this year. I like what David had to say, when I use to be a manager and train people I would always tell people, "this is how I do it, but also, watch how other people do it. Then pick out the best way for you." Just think "formal" public education has only been around about a hundred plus years. The parents that could, would give there children the best education they could possibly provide, at home. Go and check out some of the web site that are listed. We all need to try to check in to lend support to each other. I certainly know I need all the help I can get.
Hope

[HLA Staff]

"Welcome to orientation...this takes approximately one year." It takes time to get adjusted to home education, so relax and enjoy having your children home! Your fears, questions, apprehension, and nervousness will give way as you and your kids make daily discoveries. And if they don't subside...Call us! We're here to help.
For more go to...
http://homelifeacademy.com/phpBB3/viewt ... ation#p740