"poll": how many of us homeschool?

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After catching up on the board and seeing the homeschooling questions/posts, I am wondering what percentage of homesteaders homeschool as well....oh, how about homebirth too? since we can't get percentages i just wonder how many of you currently homeschool. how many did in the past?

we homeschooled, let the kids try school (private Waldorf) and after me subbing in both private and public, and seeing how awful our family was doing and how we were loosing our focus and values, rapidly sliding into the stressful mainstream flow of life, we pulled the kids back out after two years. we love it, and our lives are sane again, relatively speaking (though today they are driving me up the wall....)

it was amazing to me how much they changed in two years. it wasn't growing up, but trying to fit in with others that did it, as well as the insane hustle-bustle, the lack of sleep, the stress of dealing with peers and teachers who don't share our values and beliefs (like telling children no), the competition, etc. etc. our family used to be the center of our lives, but school quickly took over: running in and out of town constantly, school meetings, volunteering, fund raising, "social" stuff that you are not "required" to do, but the good parents do....it about broke us and our children. I frankly think being back to homeschool is a blessed relief!!!! I don't know how others stay sane, calm and get anything done with their kids in school. To celebrate, we got chickens, goats and ducks that we now have time for, built a greenhouse and banya (sauna) together (really more of a "sweat lodge") and NEVER get up at 630am anymore! our diet has improved once again. Ah, the joys of LIVING life!

-- marcee (thathope@mwt.net), December 06, 2001

Answers

We do! I have one in 7th, 8th, and 10th. Very rewarding! And we get up early! We are morning people around here! Hubby gets up at 5:30 and we are usually up and atem by 6:30. No home birth though. Kinda hard to have a c-section at home, although my hubby said that he had the chain saw and the willingness to try! YIKES! I said that I didn't think I would take him up on that! LOL! I used to teach in public school and had one in my class in first grade. We took them out of public school when they were 4 yrs.(never in pub. school),6 yrs. and 7 yrs. old and never went back. I wouldn't have it any other way. I did love teaching school, just enjoy teaching my own too! Great chance to be with your kids and enjoy them while you can.

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), December 06, 2001.

Our oldest went to a government school for kindergarten but we have homeschooled all the years since then. Our oldest graduated from our homeschool in 1996, the second oldest in 1999 and we still have one that we are educating at home.

-- Terry - NW Ohio (aunt_tm@hotmail.com), December 06, 2001.

Well, I don't know if this could be part of your poll, but I was homeschooled (I'm 21 now) my little brother and sister were homeschooled, too, but none of us were for the whole 12 years of school. My little sister was born at home, my mom wanted to have my brother and I at home but she "chickened out" and had us at the hospital. If I have kids, they'll be homeschooled!

-- malinda (teneniel_80@yahoo.com), December 06, 2001.

We homeschool 2 kids (4th and 6th grade). Always have. No home birthing, though. Can't tolerate much pain!

-- Jo (mamamia2kids@msn.com), December 06, 2001.

We've hs'ed ours from the beginning, and plan to always. They are still little- 8,7,4&2. Wouldn't have it any other way! Sure enjoy all of the bits of wisdom and encouragement on the forum. Cara

-- Cara Dailey (checkw/dh@first.com), December 06, 2001.


We finished homeschooling our last child in May. She has graduated and started her Freshman year at college in September. While we lived in the country she complained that it was so far to visit her friends. Now that she lives in a dorm, she can't wait to be back and see animals. When we visited her in Oct. she said she missed the smell of a woodstove and being around animals. She missed them more than she thought she would.

-- Chris in PA (CLMngs@aol.com), December 06, 2001.

We homeschooled our youngest all the way through even tho we're only a mile from the public school and I worked there when he was born. He graduated and is now a junior at Indiana University East Campus and on the dean's list. I tell you that not to brag but to point out that,yes, a HS kid can do the college thing satisfactorily. He says he will homeschool his kids. Interesting, the homeschooled kids on campus seem to find each other quickly. They're just "a different breed of duck"---more rounded socially; more responsible and, in many cases, nicer people.

-- Rosalie (Dee) (deatline@globalsite.net), December 06, 2001.

I am homeschooled!(11th)

-- Chandler in Minnesota (Providencefarms2001@yahoo.com), December 06, 2001.

We've just started this year with our oldest, Kiernan (5). She's in "kindergarten" but is burning through first grade curriculum like nothing. It's really fun to watch.

My wife's calling in life is to homeschool our kids. We also like the freedom it gives us to take vacations when everyone else is in school, and the ability to make sure our kids learn our worldview along with the academic stuff. All of our kids will be homeschooled, I suspect. I have lots of respect for public school teachers, but it's mathematically impossible for them to custom tailor a curriculum to each child's abilities when they have twenty students at a time. As a result, kids end up with a "lowest common denominator" education. It's not the fault of the teachers, it's simple arithmetic. one teacher:20 kids

There are lots of other reasons, but the biggest is that we'd hate to give up the joy of watching our little sponges soak up knowlegde!



-- chuck in md (woah@mission4me.com), December 06, 2001.


I homeschooled my son starting in 3rd grade, 1984. He's 24 years old now. Back then we were able to make the school district pay for the Abecka books. He did high school in 3 years instead of 4. Our school day was finished right after lunch. Left lots of daylight for chopping wood and getting chores done!

-- Cindy in KY (solidrockranch@msn.com), December 06, 2001.


We homeschooled our daughter and son from birth through highschool. Our daughter did go to private school one year and public school for one year. Then it became legal to homeschool in our state. Loved it immensely. I really do like teaching kids and continue to do so through a church after school program and I teach a group of 4 homeschooled siblings, doing science experiments, on a regular basis. Both our children are married now. Our daughter graduated in 1995 and our son in 1998.

-- Nancy (nannyb@huntel.net), December 06, 2001.

We have six children that we homeschooled. The oldest two were in third and fourth grade when we decided to homeschool. It has been hard but very worthwhile. Two of the kids are in college. One is in construction. One is farming. We are still homeschooling the last two but we only have five years left to homeschool. Personally I don't think others are calm. They always talk about stressed out. They can have that life style. Cindy

-- Cindy Herbek (dh40203@navix.net), December 06, 2001.

We homeschool our girls (ages 11 and 4). We love it and wouldn't have it any other way. No home birthing though! Yikes! I'm tough old bird, but not THAT tough! :-) Many kudos and much respect for the women who have had their children at home.

-- Cheryl in KS (cherylmccoy@rocketmail.com), December 06, 2001.

Here's a study that was conducted of homeschoolers in 1999.

Click here to read the study

-- chuck in md (woah@mission4me.com), December 06, 2001.


I've homeschooled for nearly 17 years, they have gone to public at least part of one year each, but the only thing they liked was the toys and running like a wild animal in the hallways. My oldest did a year in El Paso Tx. (Fabens actually) he dropped back a grade level lower than he could have done, so it would be easy for him, then when he came back he skipped some grades and tested out.

-- Thumper (slrldr@yahoo.com), December 06, 2001.


My siblings and I have been homeschooled from the very begining and I graduated a year ago. Mom didn't know what "home birth" meant when my sister and I were born. Next sister was a preemie and in the hospital forever, but she finally got her wish and had my brother in the same room he's in now. It's been great!

-- c.d. (his4ever@mac.com), December 06, 2001.

Off and on, we have homeschooled 1,2,3,4,9 and up. Son graduated by taking the GED "cold" scored very well and held his first job at 17 making 48,000, then to second job making 52,000 as a self taught programmer (he just turned the ripe old age of 20). Girls are currently in school (much to my dismay) but will homeschool again next year. Homesteading and Homeschooling just naturally go together IMO.

-- Sandie in Maine (peqbear@maine.rr.com), December 06, 2001.

Unschoolers here! We have 2 boys, 6 and 4, and a girl, 10 months. We really can't imagine doing it any other way and feel that we are also truely LIVING our lives. It is a wonderful way to raise children and I feel very fortunate to live in a state without unnecessary restrictions.

Home birth would have been a dream come true for us but wasn't a possibility. After my third attempt for a natural birth and a lot of questions for my midwife, I believe having Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis when I was approx. 5 years old effected my pelvis. (marcee, I read your post on the vaccine thread about the possible correlation between vaccines and Rheumatoid Arthritis and was wondering if you could direct me to some sources so I can explore this further? E-mail me directly, if you want.)

There is a magazine that I keep reading about but have yet to read an issue. It is called Gentle Spirit and it advertises itself as pertaing to "all things home." Home-birth, home-school, home-steading, home-business, etc. Any readers of this magazine out there?

-- Bren (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), December 06, 2001.


Better late than never, we started homeschooling our 15 year old son this year. Kyle has ADD and what a difference homeschooling makes with his concentration. We are using an established curriculum this year, but next year I think we'll go on our own and make it more interesting for him. I also think it is amazing how these kids find each other. We've only been doing this since Sept. and he's made many, many new friends.

-- vicki in NW OH (thga76@aol.com), December 06, 2001.

I home schooled my herd until I had my fifth child.(at home because we did not have insurance)After I had #5 it was just too much. Off to the government they went and were promptly screwed up. I wish I could have been stronger and more organized but hey I was only 27 years old with five babies. At least my grand son will be totally home schooled.

-- buffy (buffyannjones@hotmail.com), December 06, 2001.

We home birth and home school. (Hospital births are too painful!!!) :)

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), December 06, 2001.

My only son goes to a small rural public school that is very good. I teach special education in a larger public school. I am one of those that make all the difference. It also supports our family of 3 very well. I think it is important that my son has been with other children through school. He is now in the eighth grade.

-- DW (djwallace@sotc.net), December 06, 2001.

We have always unschooled our 4 great children.I could not think of any better lifesyle.We love the freedom and the time we have together.

I really enjoy Gentile Spirit's web site! Brigid

-- Brigid Luckey-Smith (lckysmth@bellsouth.net), December 06, 2001.


I homeschool my 5 year old - he's very smart and already doing first grade. I think he would be incredibly bored at public school. Plus I would just miss him too much - I really enjoy his company and doing things together. I also have a 2 year old and he'll be homeschooled as well.

No home births. I did have a totally natural birth with #2 and it was a much better experience than the C-section I had with #1. I'd still like a couple more of kids.

-- anita in NC (anitaholton@mindspring.com), December 06, 2001.


We started homeschooling when one was in 7th and the other was in 2nd. Only regret is we didn't do it sooner. We start about 8 or 9 o'clock or whenever we fill like it. Sometimes we even wait and do the books in the evening. I've seen homeschoolers that have a very strict schedule and they seem so stressed out!! My oldest will be graduating in May and plans to go to Vet school. She takes care of all of our animals. Love homeschooling and wouldn't go back to public for anything.

-- Lou Ann in KY (homes_cool@msn.com), December 06, 2001.

I decided to homeschool even before my children were born - we love it. The children are now 13 & 11. I couldn't imagine going all day without seeing them. Right now, their main reason for homeschooling is that they would have to get up at 5:30 AM to catch the school bus. Only dh is a morning person around here. I had planned a home birth for child #3 but he/she never showed up. Sigh.

-- Bonnie (stichart@plix.com), December 06, 2001.

I homeschool 4 of mine that are of school age (have 2 other little ones). So far, so good, but I've had to accept that not all kids are above average - one of mine is a bit slow. I probably could've given birth to my last 3 at home - real fast labors and deliveries. But honestly, I like that 2 day respite in the hospital, and husband gets a dose of what I go through all day!

-- Christina (introibo2000@yahoo.com), December 06, 2001.

We homeschool our two oldest who are 8 and 7. I also had my last baby, who is number4, at home. I love both!

-- Tracy (lance@nvc.net), December 06, 2001.

I started homeschooling when my daughter was in the 6th grade. She is now in the Airforce, 3rd year. My oldest son is an executive at a computer company and going to college. My youngest is still homeschooled. Wouldn't have it any other way. If I have my choice, I will homeschool my granddaughter also. In His Grace, Sissy

-- Sissy Sylvester-Barth (iblong2Him@ilovejesus.net), December 06, 2001.

We homeschool our 12 year old son, and have from the beginning, with the exception of one month he spent in private school at age 6. When I dropped by the school and found my son with a box around him in the class, because he was having trouble concentrating with all the other children in the room, I decided enough was enough. He does very well, and consistently scores far beyond his grade level (7th grade) in English, Reading Comprehension, and Science. I think that the fact I read to him from the time he was a baby, and spoke to him using the same vocabulary I would use with an adult (always explaining words he did not understand) has helped him tremendously. We love the freedom of homeschooling. The joy of spending time together. The wonderful thrill when something finally clicks and he "gets it". Wouldn't do it any other way, and my husband is a great support. I had my son through totally natural childbirth at a birthing center. Everyone thought I was crazy, (except hubby), but it was a wonderful experience and I have never had any regrets. You forget the pain immediately when you see that baby..... I love this website. Thanks to all of you for the great information you pass along.

-- (unrealaddy@faux.com), December 07, 2001.

We started to unschool our two (one is 4, the other is 3 but wants to do everything the older does) this fall, as the husband works odd hours and we were concerned about his being able to spend time with the girls. The older is whizzing through the stuff. When we started we were very 'shaky', but thanks to answers and suggested web sites I've gotten from this site we're much more resolved. They're starting dance classes next week (they are very physical little kids) and the older girl is constantly asking to play the Go Fish game I made with the alphabet. I wanted to homebirth, but the husband worried too much about the things that "could go wrong". Oh well, the hospital didn't do too much damage!!! As for the future, we plan to get the kids involved this spring with animal care, as we are getting our chickens, sheep and rabbits. We also go to the museums in the city alot more and plan to fit that into the whole school-thing. It isn't just better for the kids to homeschool, but I think it's better for us (we're learning, too) and for the country. We're raising better people/citizens!

-- Dawn (olsoncln@ecenet.com), December 07, 2001.

Hi, I homeschool our two daughters 5th & 3rd grade. We didn't always homeschool. They attended for the first 2 years of ps. We love it and would have it no other way. :) They both score very well and act there age,not like mini women! No home births for me, I had to be induced. Blessings, Patti

-- Patti (pattid7@mindspring.com), December 07, 2001.

We homeschooled both our children. Our oldest went to public school for kindergarten and a private school for half of grade one. The structure of the private school was very rigid and my daughter was experiencing stress related medical problems. We brought her home and never looked back. Her younger brother never went to school. Both went on to post-secondary education and have done very well and I am very proud of who they are as young adults. Isn't it nice to like and enjoy your kids?! And they feel the same way about their "uncool" parents.

They both get funny comments once in a while. Our youngest has had comments like... "You are different. Your parents must have raised you right." Usually this leads to more enquiries about his upbringing. When he informs the person that he never went to school most of them are disbelieving at first. As he tells them more about it, they express a wish that they had a childhood like he did.

My daughter is taking Montessori training after years of working on an education degree and being disillusioned with the system. Montessori really complements the way she was taught and she is really enjoying it.

We found homeschooling to be a wonderful lifestyle and I really miss it now that they are both grown. My husband and I continue to learn and enjoy new challenges (like raising cows and chickens for the first time). I guess we really haven't stopped homeschooling, after all.

-- Cindy Clarke (rclarke@revelstoke.net), December 07, 2001.


We started homeschooling when oldest two were 1st and 3rd grades. Eldest is now off to BYU(after a year at junior college). Second oldest is doing correspondence high school work. We have four more, who have never been to public school. We enjoy being able to teach and disciple them ourselves, in a more relaxed atmosphere.

-- mary (mlg@aol.com), December 07, 2001.

Unschooling homeschooler here. Love it and won't go back. No home births due to c-section.

-- Epona (crystalepona2000@yahoo.com), December 07, 2001.

I have homeschooled in the past with the 2 oldest (now 19 and 16). I have a son 9, who I would like to homeschool next year. Here's my situation, I'm hoping someone can give me some ideas. I'm a single parent and for the most part the only income, I work outside the home plus I have a part time bussiness.Are there other single parents out there that homeschool? How do you do it? Any help would be appreciated.

-- Sherry (tlnifty@ecenet.com), December 07, 2001.

Us, too!! The oldest girls went to public school through 5th and 2nd grade. Then we started homeschooling. Little brother stayed home too- But after 2 years oldest and youngest wanted to go back so we finally gave in and re-enrolled them. They stayed for 3 years and back home they came!! Attitudes get sooo bad!! Oldest just finished taking GED this week and last 2 are taking correspondence high school classes. They like it 'cause their day is their own to do with as they please. Oldest holds down a full time job and does school work at night or on days off. It just seems to help hold a family together better in these times of uncertainty. susie

-- susie yeager (susiemby@samlink.com), December 07, 2001.

Wanted to add to the poll. Two of our grandkids were home schooled. At some point during highschool the youngest wanted to try public school. After one semester, couldn't stand it anymore. In the meantime his mother went to work. She would not be home to "teach". He said he didn't need supervision. At age 17 he took his GED and graded highest in the state. Also received scholorships to Ok State where he majored in electronics. Graduated with highest honors and had a choice of jobs and locations. Our granddaughter is a Jr in college and has a 4.0 grade ave. Don't know that they are smarter than the other kids. But they learned the basics and how to studay. Most kids don't know how to study.

-- Belle (gardenbelle@terraworld.net), December 07, 2001.

Homeschooling Dad of 4 here....ages 11,8,5,2...and any of their friends who happen to be around at lesson time.

Love it, but it is hard sometimes. DW does most of it as she is the "stay at home-maker"(not "wife"... she's married to me NOT the house!), but I pitch in when I can.

Kids especially like "Dad's Science Class".....something either gets blown up or destroyed in the process (but not ALWAYS). The fun never ends!

-- Jason in S. Tenn. (AJAMA5@netscape.net), December 07, 2001.


Started homeschooling in 1983 with our 2nd grader and have been at it ever since. No one but her has ever been to public (or any other) school. The first three have graduated and #4 will be done next summer. Baby #11 is a few months old now. I figure when I am done (if I am fortunate to live so long)I will be a homeschool mom for more than 35 years!!! Oh my! Babies #4, #5 and #11 were homebirthed. I wanted many more at home, but there was such a scarcity of midwives. This life is not easy, but we would not do it any other way.

-- Jane in Wisconsin (autumnwindfarm@yahoo.com), December 07, 2001.

Our last homeschooler graduated high school in May 2000! I miss it!

-- Suzy in Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), December 08, 2001.

We too homeschool ! This is our 6th year, our 13yr. old son went to public school until mid way through 2nd grade. We also have a 10 yr. old daughter, she's been HS from the beginning. We really enjoy it, not to say we haven't had our moments. LOL!! My husband works evening shifts so he is able to be more involved in their lives on a daily basis. We use an eccletic ciricullum, picked for each childs needs and levels. If I had to say one of the best things about HSing is we have come closer as a family. Have any of you other HSers noticed that people stand up and take notice of our children? We are always being told how well behaved, mannered and versed with adult our chidren are. Could it be that they are getting those, so fretted about social skills? As we put it yes, they do, it's just controlled socialization, we control whom they socialize with. :o) As for the homebirths, not us we had our children before this was really an option, otherwise we would have considered it. I'm glad to see so many on here that can not only relate to homestead struggles but with schooling troubles as well. All of you have been of a great source of knowledge and support for us, THANKYOU.

-- Kelle in MT (kvent1729@aol.com), December 09, 2001.

We've been home schooling for 10 years. Mary

-- Mary Fraley (kmfraley@orwell.net), December 09, 2001.

We homeschooled, starting when our oldest daughter was in second grade, and middle was in kindergarten. I didn't really try to homeschool the youngest, though she was often home, because she is autistic -- about half the time, she was in a special ed. program of some kind. Wish I could've homeschooled her, too, but she was always disruptive when I was trying to work with her sisters. She's home now, at 21 (has been for several years) and making very slow progress, still can't read or count past two.

We homeschooled for one year, then, because we hadn't finished the curriculum materials and I felt like we'd failed, we put them in the (small) local public school. Come to find out, in spite of not having finished the previous years work, they were up with or ahead of their classmates in all subjects, so we went back to homeschooling and didn't worry about it! They always tested in the high nineties on the achievement tests, which gave me some confirmation that we were actually getting an education accomplished! We weren't really "unschoolers" most of the time, as we used text books, but after a while I learned to use goal charts, and let the girls mark off their work as they got it done, instead of me having to stand over them. I think that helped them when they went to the school at our church for high school, and when they went to college. They already had good study habits and were able to organize their own time, and be responsible for their own work.

We've also gotten comments (good) about our children's behavior that I attribute to them being homeschooled for so long (seven and a half years). Part of children's bad behavior is learned from the other children at school, but part is probably just because they aren't with their parents enough for the parents to see the bad behavior and deal with it. Homeschooling parents *have* to deal with it, or lose their sanity. (Perhaps it's the parents who refuse to deal with it who end up sending their children back to the public schools?)

Oh, yes, we did have middle daughter at home. We were talked out of having the first one at home, because of "increased risks with a first baby", and decided to have the last one in the hospital because I'd been ill while pregnant. Later, when we found out she had problems, we were glad we didn't have her at home, because, even though the birth had nothing to do with her problems, it would've been blamed if we'd had her at home. I'm glad we had one at home, but I was up too fast afterwords and doing too much, and got very tired. A couple of days rest in the hospital isn't such a bad thing. If someone is planning on a home-birth, I recommend they make sure they'll have some help for the first couple of weeks afterwards, as it takes a while to recover, especially when you are up and down all night with the baby! My oldest daughter has had two babies at home, and is planning to have her third there also, in April. And she plans to homeschool, has already started a little bit with her almost-three-year-old. Middle daughter is teaching at the church school she graduated from, working nights at a bank and Saturdays (during the winter) at a local ski area, leading snow-shoe tours. Everyone who knows her loves her (well, as far as I know, LOL!!) and values her, and to me that's a real blessing! She gained a lot from the years she attended school, but someday I think she'll realize that she also gained a lot from the years at home.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), December 10, 2001.


Marcee,

We have homeschooled our g14, b13, and g6 year olds "forever". They've never been enroled anywhere.

There have been lots of ups and downs but I would not trade the blessing and pleasure of teaching my own children to read. To see the light of understanding come into their faces was priceless.

We are frequently complemented on our well behaved children when out in public. We give all the honor to God who through His mercy and grace has blessed our feeble at best efforts. It is sweet to see my daughter blush and my son turn bashful.

We would not trade the freedom to be a family as we are for the schedules of public or private school.

I have had 3 c-sections so homebirth is not an option. And because of complications during the last delivery (attempted v-bac that resulted in 2 hours of pushing and no head come down)another baby is not really an option but God has been gracious to give us the ones we have.

Anyone who thinks homeschooled kids don't get enough social interaction can't possibly have had much contact with homeschoolers. A five minute conversation with any one of my normal intelligence offspring would change their mind.

-- LBD (lavenderbluedilly@hotmail.com), December 10, 2001.


What I love about HSing is that I can teach both my 5yo and 6yo almost the same stuff, with a little extra added for the 6yo. My older son is a bit slower at phonics and the 5yo is advanced, so it works wonderfully to be able to teach them at the same time. If I had to send them to p.s., the older one would probably be tagged as a slow learner, etc, etc., simply because he has a different style of learning. It's so great to be able to tailor it to their own individual needs--at a pace that is right for each of them!!

We also homebirth and are very thankful to be able to do it that way. We have 4, with another on the way, and the first two were born in a hospital. There is absolutely no comparison. I would never want to go back!

-- Tina in WI (jtdurie@frontiernet.net), December 11, 2001.


Hi! This has been interesting reading! I am in my first official year of homeschooling with my little girl("kindergarten").Honestly,it was a little rough at first,but I wouldn't have it any other way,if the Lord is willing.She is exceptionally bright,and we have been blazing thru 1st grade materials(including Miquon math).I hope to use Ray's Arithmetic with her as well as McGuffey's Eclectic Readers. I'm a little worried about what my schooling approach will be with my son,but we've got a couple years yet. Now I KNOW what people mean when they say such and such is ALL BOY.Whew! He's the sweetest and MOST ornery handful I've ever seen. Home Births: NO WAY! I think it is SO great that so many of you can do and have done that;I just know that I couldn't be one of you. Blessings to you all, TJ

-- Tracy Jo Neff (tntneff@ifriendly.com), December 11, 2001.

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