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Rosesinsummer
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| Posted: April 03 2009 at 2:28pm | IP Logged
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Hello ladies,
I'm new here, so please forgive me if this post is in the wrong forum. I wasn't sure where to place it.
A bit of background-- we are in the process of moving out of state to a location with no family, friends, or built in support. It is my desire to homeschool, but I'm also a bit hesitant because I don't know how well I will do with it, due to many things including my lack of organization, propensity to procrastinate, and some struggles with my bright but strong willed daughter.
Anyway, I have a great interest in classical education, but because this is my first formal year, I decided to go with a thoroughly Catholic mom-friendly curriculum and bought the Kindergarten materials from Catholic Heritage Curricula.
One thought I had was to enroll my dd in the afternoon public school Kindergarten and go ahead and homeschool her in the morning hours. My younger dd would be napping that time anyway. The public schools in the area we are moving to are very good and are said to be on par with the private schools. Unfortunately, we cannot afford the Catholic school at this time.
So, what do you think? Is this workable? Has anyone done this? Any advice or cautions?
Thanks,
Lyda
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: April 03 2009 at 3:45pm | IP Logged
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I would be very cautious, at that age they do not need a lot of structured school, not only not need, but shouldn't have, and you might find her getting burnt out over it.
There are many states that K/5 is not required school attendance.. and really how badly off would she be if she didnt' get K at all? it used to be optional more like pre-school than an accepted grade that you started school.
So I would simply not worry about if you do things perfectly or not and keep her home and homeschool and just see how things go.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
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folklaur
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| Posted: April 03 2009 at 5:03pm | IP Logged
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Lyda,
you have such a pretty user name!
And, ITA w/ what Jodie said. 
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mom3aut1not
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| Posted: April 03 2009 at 7:04pm | IP Logged
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Lyda,
Perhaps you should try to contact homeschoolers in the area where you will be moving? I have generally found homeschoolers to be very welcoming people, and you might find a group to welcome you to your new home.
In Christ,
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Deborah
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Rosesinsummer
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| Posted: April 03 2009 at 8:29pm | IP Logged
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Thank you, ladies.
I have thought about dd being burned out, but I also know she tends to get really bored in the afternoon when her sister is napping and when all I'm wanting is a bit of a break.  But it is certainly a point to consider, especially if it's a kindergarten program that gives homework. 
Sadly, there is no Catholic homeschooling group in my area that I could find online.  We're relocating to Northfield, MN and I hope to attend the MN Catholic Homeschoolers conference in May.
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: April 03 2009 at 9:01pm | IP Logged
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Contact the parishes and see if they can direct you to any homeschoolers.. there may be a group that gets together casually.
And if you're homeschooling then use that bored time to do her schoolwork.. there's nothing that says you must do school in the morning 
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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Willa
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| Posted: April 03 2009 at 9:13pm | IP Logged
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Rosesinsummer wrote:
| A bit of background-- we are in the process of moving out of state to a location with no family, friends, or built in support. It is my desire to homeschool, but I'm also a bit hesitant because I don't know how well I will do with it, due to many things including my lack of organization, propensity to procrastinate, and some struggles with my bright but strong willed daughter. |
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Some of these things are the core curriculum of the first couple of years of homeschooling  Honestly! I found the real agenda of my transition into homeschooling was figuring out how to organize, prioritize, and deal with relationships. Not that I've got it all figured out even now, but I have been grateful to homeschooling for allowing me a chance to confront issues that could otherwise just get pushed to one side. Not trying to persuade you to something you don't feel up to, but just to mention that most of us probably didn't go into homeschooling feeling like we were totally up to par. If we did think that, we would probably be speedily disillusioned.
That being said, my first foray into homeschooling was somewhat similar to yours.... step by step.
My husband wanted to homeschool. But I had three children quite close together. I was exhausted all the time; I knew very little about homemaking and childraising, and didn't really enjoy my vocation. I was a new Catholic. My oldest ended up going to school through 2nd grade, and my second through Kindergarten, at Catholic school.
When I did start homeschooling, I had my third child attend preschool. I had a toddler by then, too, and I didn't think I could homeschool a 3rd grader and 1st grader, PLUS manage two preschoolers.
So I can totally relate to the hesitancy.... eventually I jumped in full force... pregnant with #5 and then we moved to a different state and I went on bedrest. And I was homeschooling three, with a VERY lively preschooler into the bargain. Then I had a C-section. Well, that's a different story!
It helped me to throw my homeschool on the mercy of Our Mother at the very beginning, because I knew I couldn't manage it alone. It really, really did help. Some of our weaknesses, God can turn to His glory. I think often of our last Pope's motto: Be not afraid.
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AMDG
Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: April 03 2009 at 11:38pm | IP Logged
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Willa wrote:
Some of these things are the core curriculum of the first couple of years of homeschooling Honestly! |
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SO TRUE, Willa!
I know you can't predict the future or your dd's reactions but a main consideration for me would be how she will react when told (in a year) that she isn't going back to school "next year." (or whenever) For some, they would be devastated. For some, no big deal.
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Speaking of the work-level and the concentration-effort........for some dc, going to 1/2 day K AND doing work at home would be fine.
Even if it's "fine" for her (she can handle it)....I would tend toward being concerned about her not having enough fun-free-exploring-time. (which is my big beef with full-day-K) Although you mentioned that she's the type to get "bored". Hmmmmm.....then, in a way you'd want to try to help her to self-direct a bit......which giving more work and more structure isn't "always" the answer to that. Hmmmm...what am I trying to say? I'm not sure.
And, if you keep her home,then the question becomes, "How to occupy my strong-willed (your words, not mine) somewhat high-maintenance child, without losing my mind." (Aren't I eloquent?) Which, if you decide to homeschool exclusively, then that could be a whole other thread with TONS of brainstorming from the ladies here!
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K-ages 4-6 REALLY are "no big deal...academically" ....so, like Willa said, it's the perfect time to "ease" into home schooling.
**Developing good habits in yourself and your daughter.
**Focusing on enjoying each other and just living life and all that it entails.
**Reading tons of picture books, cooking together, going to the library, drawing, talking, doing laundry, visiting friends, cleaning bathrooms
**Getting outside as much as you can
**Celebrating the liturgical year and preparing for and going to Mass.
**And a few minutes a day learning how to write and read.
If you decide to put her in 1/2 day Kindergarten, then, personally this would be my order of priority for when she is home in the afternoon:
1. Getting outside, running around, exploring, going for walks, talking about nature and the seasons, etc.
2. Faith ~ conversations about the Faith, prayers, bible stories, celebrating the liturgical year, etc.
3. Helping you with household things
4. Reading beautiful picture books
And, then....if she was BEGGING to read and write and do anything in the CHC curriuclum, go for it...but only if she's begging.
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Suzanne in ID
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Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: April 03 2009 at 11:39pm | IP Logged
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And, Lyda.....I'm going to move this to the Real Learning Forum.
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Suzanne in ID
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SusanJ
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| Posted: April 04 2009 at 2:20pm | IP Logged
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Lyda,
I'm in St. Paul and there are lots of homeschooling families here! I know the Twin Cities aren't exactly in your backyard but maybe a monthly trip to meet up with a group, get some inspiration and support, etc. might be good. If you need help contacting a group in St. Paul, PM me and I will put you in touch with a friend of mine. We are relocating back to the East Coast so I won't personally be here in the fall.
Susan
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MNMommy
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| Posted: April 04 2009 at 8:55pm | IP Logged
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Just wanted to say "hi" from a fellow Minnesotan. I'm going to the Mpls/St Paul Catholic homeschool conference in May, and I am looking forward to it.
Anyway, I wouldn't hesitate to join a homeschool support group that isn't Catholic. I was in a nondenominational group for the past two years, and I loved my group. I would have preferred a Catholic group, but it wasn't to be for that season of life. Now that I'm in the middle of nowhere MN, I would like to have any homeschool group - or even other homeschoolers!
Jennifer
1st grade dd, PreK ds, toddler ds, baby dd
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Rosesinsummer
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| Posted: April 14 2009 at 3:49pm | IP Logged
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Thanks for all the advice and information, ladies. I'm truly grateful for all that you have shared with me!
Right now I'm in the midst of the stress and chaos of a move, so I don't have time to respond as I'd like, but I did want to say Thank You to all of you for sharing your thoughts.
I hope to come back to this topic once things have sort of settled down a bit.
God bless you,
Lyda
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So Blessed
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| Posted: April 14 2009 at 5:52pm | IP Logged
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Hi Lyda,
I just wanted to give you a heads up about a Catholic homeschool group in Faribault which is minutes away from Northfield. A few years ago we looked for a home in that area and after going to Divine Mercy parish a few times, met up with some wonderful homeschooling families. I don't have any names in front of me but I would suggest calling the parish and asking the secretary or Father for names of homeschooling families. They were a wonderful group and I was sad that we didn't end up moving there. I went to college in Northfield ~ it's a great town! I'm sure you'll love it. PM me if I can help in any way. God bless you during your move.
Mary
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Lori
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| Posted: April 15 2009 at 3:34pm | IP Logged
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I had my then-kindergartner and first grader in public school while I was "easing into" homeschooling with my oldest...I simply told the teachers that there was no guarantee we could complete the homework each week, and they told me that that was no problem...so you could try that, if you wind up putting her in PM kindergarten.
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Homeschool AND Public School?
