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PenitentJeff
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My wife and I have two children, ages 13 and 10. They have attended private Catholic school from the beginning. While we're not totally unhappy with their educational experience, we have doubts and concerns about the local Catholic high school -- and plus the reality of the cost of private education is starting to hit home. These concerns have prompted us to think very seriously about beginning homeschooling in the next year, at the start of high school for my oldest.
My primary concern is how my kids will react. They have had the same friends for many years. We've already discussed this with them though -- in the theoretical sense -- and they both seem like they would accept it.
Right now I'm reading books and talking to people, just trying to get a little bit of encouragement. Does anyone here have any advice on starting off with teens? Thanks very much!
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Tina D
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Welcome to the homeschool community. The first advice I would give you is to pray! I would then look into the local homeschool groups. You can find so many opportunities through them. Involve them in a few activities such as soccer, basketball, track, ballet,co-ops, or field trips. Anything so they can meet other homeschoolers. This way they will not feel alone. It can be really hard starting out, but with prayer and perseverance you can succeed.
Take a deep breath and tell your children that God has gifted you with a knowledge of what is best for them.
I will keep you in my prayers.
Tina
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Mary G
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WELCOME!
You are doing all the right things ... buy-in from the kids, reading, and joining this Forum  ! Homeschooling is an amazing adventure for the whole family ...
Where do y'all live? Is there a group nearby for support? Were the kids in parochial or private? Do they know ANYONE who homeschools?
We homeschooled our teens off and on thru high school (about 2 years of the 4 years each) and there were some ups and downs but in the final analysis, they both liked homeschooling.
Our younger kids are split -- the two boys already are saying they'll go to high school (of course, my husband teaches there, so that makes it like home ) but my 8 yod is adamant that she is NOT going to high school, that I will homeschool her thru her teen years, etc.
Post any questions you might have ... or issues and someone here is bound to have advice for you and your family!
Again, welcome.
__________________
MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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guitarnan
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Welcome!
We have homeschooled since my now-11th grade son was in 5th grade. He asked to stay home for high school...so far he's done pretty well, but he has found that in Confirmation class and Boy Scouts he doesn't always have homeschooled peers to talk with, and the main topic of conversation is school. (We move a lot, too, which makes it harder...he didn't have a cadre of friends when we started this adventure, and we've moved twice since.)
We find the peace of mind (safety!) and relaxed approach to learning really makes homeschooling work well for us. I don't worry about all those Bad Things, and my son doesn't have to get up at 6:30 to make the bus. We use an umbrella school that counts Carnegie units, so our approach is actually pretty structured, but there are many, many ways to make high school at home work out well. (We survived bio lab...on to chemistry!)
Let me echo Mary's comment...ask away...this is a great group of people!
__________________
Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Bookswithtea
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Welcome! My son is high school aged and still homeschooling, although a lot of his friends are not. He takes some gentle ribbing now and then, but overall, he's not complaining. He has more free time than his friends. Sometimes they cannot make it to events because of tests and that never happens with us.  Its important to connect with other homeschoolers, but I would also look for ways for your children to remain in contact with their current friends...maybe sports teams, youth group at your parish, ccd?
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Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and  due 9/10
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TracyQ
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Welcome! Welcome!
I have three teens. We are entering our 14th year homeschooling. We just graduated our first, our 16yo son will begin 11th grade at home in two weeks, and our daughter is 13, and will start 8th grade. All will be homeschooled through all of high school at home, Lord willing.
There are so many blessings to this. Your regulations depend upon which state you live in. HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense) has a GREAT section for homeschooling through High School on their website: HSLDA Homeschooling Through High School Joining HSLDA can also give you much peace of mind as well.
Are there any specific questions you have regarding homeschooling in high school? The first step is prayer for sure, and checking your state regulations. HSLDA has a section on homeschooling laws by state here: HSLDA Homeschool state law section
We live in NY State, which is highly regulated. So we do have to make sure for high school what the required courses are, but I also have to make sure that we try to figure out what the colleges are generally when applying regarding the courses they've taken.
I would go through the HSLDA Homeschooling Through High School section, because it is SO well done, and has TONS of help!
And PLEASE continue to come here for any questions you may have for us as you discern if this is what is best for your family.
Blessings and Peace,
Tracy Q.
__________________
Blessings and Peace,
Tracy Q.
wife of Marty for 20 years, mom of 3 wonderful children (1 homeschool graduate, 1 12th grader, and a 9th grader),
homeschooling in 15th year in Buffalo, NY
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Bridget
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We've been hs'ing since the beginning, but when my friends pulled their kids out of school the oldest was junior high age. They sweetened the deal with a new family computer and a written plan for fun projects, field trips and specific ways to include their friends through out the school year. It went very well for them.
Welcome to homeschooling!
__________________
God Bless,
Bridget, happily married to Kevin, mom to 8 on earth and a small army in heaven
Our Magnum Opus
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PenitentJeff
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Thanks very much for all of the encouragement. I'll come back with more specific questions as they come up.
God bless you all!
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Angie Mc
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Glad to see you here and I'm praying for a smooth transition for you all.
One thing that crossed my mind when I read your post was to consider your teen's learning style and expectations. For some children who have always been in school, they are good at being students in school. They are used to using textbooks, sitting at a desk, moving according to the clock. When teens come home, some will want to imitate what they know. Other teens are eager to drop what didn't work for them and try different ways of learning. The key is to be realistic and to set your teen and family up for success.
God bless and please do ask questions as you come across them.
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)
About Me
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Cay Gibson
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With as much free rein as you are able to allow, let your teens make their education their own. Consult and ask their opinion about all plans.
__________________
Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
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4Real Forums : High School Years and Beyond
Topic: Getting Started with a Teen
