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mommy4ever
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| Posted: March 06 2013 at 12:06pm | IP Logged
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Jodie,
We started to homeschool as a reaction, but i saw so many changes, so quickly, that it was amazing.
All us girls have grown so much in our faith. We are able to be so involved in the parish community, even though we really busy with sports. My kids are all known by name by staff and clergy, in a congregation of over 5000, that always makes them feel special.
I was the one who taught the little one to read, to write, to do arithmetic. That was very cool. she 'caught up' quickly.
The reason we've kept doing it, is there was SO many positive changes in the kids. DD9 went from a whiny, grumpy child, to, within just a couple weeks, a child that is literally a ray of sunshine. She was so sweet, innocent, kind, loving. Everything a 6 yo child should be, she was no long the micro-teenager full of negativity and attitude. She loves learning. She tackles most challenges well. Not to say she's perfect and never whines anymore, she does. But no where near as much. At 9, she is still a child. Adults around her, are a little in awe that she has so much imagination, plays with dolls, and not the moody teen that we see so often. She has friends in school, but it's been neat, where I thought they might make fun of her for being that child, they actually seem relieved to be here and just play.
For dd13 this has been a healing journey. We've had wonderful support, Fr. Michael has been phenomenal in supporting her. He has shared his art portfolio, listened to her play music. Emails progress on his paintings, so she can see the process.
One of our seminarians is hugely credited for his support of her. He championed her, he stood up for her, he counseled her, and he shared his own experiences of growing up with her. He was much like her, a little quiet with a sibling that naturally attracted attention, that was the shining star, not intentionally, but just how it was. He was bullied, too. He was instrumental in her healing. We haven't seen him in 7 months, but he'll soon be ordained, and we'll be there, supporting him!
DD13 has applied to get into an Art program, so she may no longer be homeschooled next year, I don't *think* she'll get in, but the fact that she put herself out there, despite her experiences is a HUGE step for her. So either way, I'd say our homeschool experience is positive and successful.
__________________
Mom to 4,
1 graduated June 2012
1 in Catholic school
2 homeschooled(one considering art school!)
ardently praying for a new addition to our family.
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Angie Mc
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| Posted: March 06 2013 at 8:42pm | IP Logged
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I started off homeschooling because I loved mothering my little kids. Plus we lived rural remote so I didn't have amazing options. We moved around a lot so homeschooling gave us consistency. Then we got into our groove and have stuck with it.
While I love homeschooling, am grateful for the option, and support anyone who wants to give it a go, I've never been a big homeschooling advocate per se. I'm a bit odd that way. I'm also not anti-school or anything like that. I just want my kids and I to be treated well and for us to return the courtesy. And we need and want to learn stuff along the way.
But I'm still very passionate about mothering. In fact, with my daughter graduating from college in May and marrying in June, I'm extra passionate about enjoying our time together. We've had talks about her take on homeschooling and she talks about wanting to do the same for her kids (God willing she will be blessed with MANY.) We talk about what we did well, what we didn't, and how it all got us here. I would love for her to give it a go and do better than I did.
She mainly focuses on our relationships when she talks about homeschooling. How, without the quantity of time we had together, we may not have been able to find the quality. She talks about all the character and faith formation we did, but little about formal work or studies. For us it is more about living life in all its messiness yet growing love bigger through it all.
Growing love bigger.
She does talk about how if she does homeschool she would dread heading into the "homeschooling mothers groups." To quote her and her homeschooling friends, "Some of the meanest ladies I know are homeschooling mothers." Sad, but true. Yet, right in there are some of THE BEST, KINDEST, HUMBLEST, SMART, FUNNY, ladies out there.
I sort of went off on a tangent!
To summarize  .
I homeschool because I love mothering and learning along with my kids. My husband and I think it is what God wants for us today. A day at a time. We've grown closer to each other, God, and His church through this way of living. We've become smarter too about what it means to be a friend, to be kind, to go big. To grow love bigger  . Our prayer is that we are aiming for Heaven together and hopefully reaching out to help others do the same.
Love,
__________________
Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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mariB
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| Posted: March 07 2013 at 7:52am | IP Logged
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All you ladies explained beautifully and it is so wonderful to read the "whys" so that in those difficult moments one can reflect!
We home school because of
-togetherness
-faith
-character traits
-and lastly academics. It may sound ludicris that academics is last on our list..but what good is it to be well learned if we do not have charity, fellowship and thoughtfulness with others, and a sincere relationship with God?
I am favoriting this topic to help me when I am feeling overwhelmed during this homeschooling journey.
Thank you, ladies! 
__________________
marib-Mother to 22ds,21ds,18ds,15dd,11dd and wife to an amazing man for 23 years
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4 lads mom
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| Posted: March 09 2013 at 4:15pm | IP Logged
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“Growing Love Bigger”
Wow...Angie, that nails it. I’m going to put that up where I will see it.
I say ditto to everything said....  I’m sort of tired that way right now.
__________________
Mom of four brave lads and one sweet lassie
Scenes From This and That
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Topic: Why do you homeschool?
