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Sarah
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Okay ladies,
Let's encourage each other, remind each other of the good, and highlight the benefits. My postpartum brain is feeling quite blue and for whatever reason institutional school is looking very tempting. Help! SOS! Why am I doing this again!? Seriously, share your thoughts on the good aspects of homeschooling. If you think about school teachers, they have their "back to school" meetings to get motivated. So, we need it too! I'm listening. . . We can dig up this thread again in February.
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Six boys ages 16, 14, 11, 7, 5, 2 and one girl age 9
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Nique
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To get them to Heaven!!
And for them to get us to Heaven too 
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I had always thought that once you grew up you could do anything you wanted - stay up all night or eat ice cream straight out of the container. ~Bill Bryson
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SeaStar
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It's freezing and dark outside, and the forecast is for snow and ice. Your commute is to the couch, where you snuggle up with your kids for another chapter of that great book you are reading out loud. 
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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Erin
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Sarah 
Some positives of homeschooling:
Quality Catholic education
Immersion in our precious Faith
Close Family Bonding
Close Sibling Bonding
Close Parent/Child Bonding
More Time to Create Family Memories
Children can be 'True to Self', Be individuals.
Time for children to follow own interests
Lots of individual teaching time.
Can cater to child's learning style
Can learn at child's pace
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Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
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robinhigh
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From the nightly news: Five teenage girls had intimate relationships with five *different* male teachers in one US state last year. And there's many more hidden away, never to be spoken about. I can tell you some stories from when I was in public school and that was 20 years ago...
We need to protect our children... just one good reason to homeschool.
I would homeschool even if things like this weren't happening, but the fact that they are... Your children are finding peace and protection in the shadow of your wings.
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dinasiano
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Homeschooling is definetely challenging and tiring at times. This will only be our third year of homeschooling after pulling our chilren out of our local parish school. I have an infant at home as well. My other children are 17, High School senior who isn't homeschooled, 13 ds, 12 dd, 10 ds, 5 dd, just starting with her. I often feel overwhelmed but then I remember how overwhelming school was! Even though I frequently find myself wondering why we wren't called to this sooner, I am grateful for the insights having them in school gives me, one of them being that while I potentially could get a lot done while they were in school, there was chaos afterschool. 3-8pm is simply not enough time for homework, dinner, and baths. The kids were not really learning anything- we were just getting by; memorizing just enough to get a good grade on a test. I never really knew what my childrens' weaknesses and strong suits were because once we had a test, we moved on to the next topic.
For me, the simple truth is school is hard too. The rush to get out the door in the morning alone is stressful!!
I also want to add that since my kids came home, they are much closer, and I feel so much more connected with them. Like so many other things, homeschooling has many challenges and sometimes even sorrow, but there is infinitely more JOY.
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dinasiano
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I would also like to reiterate what robinhigh stated: there is protection at home. Just last week, my daughter told me that a friend of a friend (a girl) has a girlfriend! She is only 13 yrs old. I am upset that my daughter even knows this, but I would be beside myself if she had to sit next to these bgirls in school! I hear so much of this and it is so sad.
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Angie Mc
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Hip hip hooray for homeschooling!
Our family is going on a vacation when most others are in school - yea!
We're able to attend Mass and pray a lot!
We're able to sleep according to our needs!
We don't have to buy the latest, greatest, school fashions!
We can work on character formation when needed, not just after school hours!
We can take breaks every 20 minutes if needed!
We can read or work on projects intensely for hours straight, when the desire is right!
I don't have to meet with a teacher/s to discuss my child  !
We can make nutrious meals and exercise as needed!
We can complete our studies before Dad gets home!
We can enjoy being together!
And...
My dd is off to college. Talk about a reality check. I wouldn't trade a second of our homeschooling years together!
Time is so precious. How blessed we are to have the privilege, responsibility, hard work, uffering, and joy!
***********
Give me an M...M
Give me an O...O
Give me an M...M
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MOM!
Love,
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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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Sarah
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Great ones! I also wanted to add now that its all coming back to me why I'm here homeschooling that when difficulties arise in the home the first thing many of us blame is homeschooling. Erroneously we say "school will fix all my problems!" But when we really look deeper we see those problems would be there whether we schooled at home or sent them to an institution. Like someone mentioned above, there are hardships to having kids in school and you are just trading in your hardships for different ones. Generally speaking, of course. Obviously, there are certain cases that this idea would not apply. Thanks so much ladies. I needed a shot in the arm and a pat on the back. Keep the ideas coming.
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Six boys ages 16, 14, 11, 7, 5, 2 and one girl age 9
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Mackfam
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I meditated a good bit on this over the past year or two, Sarah. It was no coincidence that during that same time I was reading of Mother Teresa's life and her writings. I began to draw a parallel between Mother Teresa's "call within the call" (her calling to work with the poorest of the poor after she had already been called to the consecrated life of a nun) and the callings within the call/vocation to home education. I've had a few calls within the call, and many/most of them have been super-challenging-rock-you-to-the-core calls.
There is an impulse to want to look away from the vocation of home education, but each time, within the pain, within the call, I dug deeper. I prayed harder. I got on my knees and wore myself out in the confessional. And grace was there. It was slow at first, not a flood, but present nevertheless. I can say looking with hind-sight that those moments taught me to be creative. They centered my perspective and priorities in home education. Within each of these "calls within the call" I found myself growing, stretching, and our home education becoming richer, blessed, gentler, simpler. I found myself relaxing, becoming more myself. Does that make any sense?
I hope I'm not speaking out of turn or implying that this is THE answer - we're each so unique and I recognize this and am so blessed by it. I'm glad to be among friends that understand that these are the experiences of our family, and my heart, my own growth. But, I think there is something to be said for digging deeper, within the call, when it's painful. It's hard. And in the moment, it's hard to see any of this. But, I can see how Our Lord was/still is pruning me so that (I pray) the fruit is more abundant.
I choose to home educate because it chooses me again and again. And though it isn't idyllic or peachy or blissful at all times...it is joyful, holy, and sheltered. We are learning - together. It is a time-set-aside, and I'm so grateful for the virtues it is teaching me and the innocence and passion I am able to see and work with in my children. It ABSOLUTELY requires me to be prayerfully attentive, constantly brainstorming, and seeking creative challenges to bend my will to HIS. But, what peace. What JOY!
I DO need a shot in the arm, too!!! I found myself with some limitations this year, and needing to retreat-at-home to invigorate and inspire! Do check out Home Education Retreat-at-Home Ideas - there might be something there that is simple and do-able, and AT-HOME (with the new baby) that will assist you in renewing and finding inspiration among the home education philosophy that speaks to your heart!
Praying for you, Sarah! I do understand! I was so grateful for my husband's cheerleading and clear, simple direction when I experienced challenges that were so painful...and made me question. So, I'm grateful that I get to be a cheerleader!!!!
HEY-HEY-HEY...
YOU WANT TO SEND THEM AWAY?
HOME-IS-JOY...
IN SPITE OF ALL THE NOISE!
DOWN-ON-YOUR-KNEES...
GOD IS VERY PLEASED!
TIME-TO-GET-CREATIVE AND APPEAL...
TO THE LADIES OF....
4REAL!!!!!!!
  
How's my cheering???
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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Becky Parker
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Great cheers Angie and Jen!
I'm reading all these replies and knodding my head.
dinasiano mentioned how difficult school is too and I heartily agree. I have one son that goes to highschool and the stress involved with that is at least as much, often times more, than the stress I feel with the other 4 little ones here at home. Running, politics, sports stuff we have to volunteer for, the cost, the friends, now the girlfriend ... It can be very draining!
And Sarah, you said "when difficulties arise in the home the first thing many of us blame is homeschooling!" This is so true and a good reminder for me right now.
It's obvious from all the junk that happens "out there" that our children are safer here at home. I live in "small town" USA but there is still scary stuff that happens. My children are sheltered from it and free to mature to a point where they can someday handle it with strong faith and a good foundation. I see that in my ds who went to highschool. He is far more mature than any of his classmates, and his faith is still strong even though it's been challenged time and time again since he started going to this "good Catholic highschool".
Hang in there Sarah!
Prayers for you right now!
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Becky
Wife to Wes, Mom to 6 wonderful kids on Earth and 4 in Heaven!
Academy Of The Good Shepherd
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Grace&Chaos
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We have added two new babies since we started homeschooling. This is our fourth year, our oldest dd is only 10 and our youngest is 9 months. I love having everybody home and learning the way its best for each. There are no labels to their uniqueness just a continued nurturing to their weaknesses and an exaltation to their strengths.
Even though my children are still very young and only three will be officially schooling I can see how varied and special each one is. And we love that we can journey together. They are mine and dh's for such a short time and then they will be off, walking on their own. I pray that their journey has been wholesome enough that they will always look to God and the church for continued guidance and love.
Grace and chaos certainly describe my life and homeschooling days, but I wouldn't change them and pray for them every night. Dear Lord please make me the mother you want me to be. Give me patience, gentleness, and kindness to lead my children and show then how much I love them.
Ladies, this forum is my all year back to school pep talk. Thank you so much and God Bless our journeys.
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Blessings,
Jenny
Mom to dds(00,03) and dss(05,06,08,09)
Grace in Loving Chaos
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seeker
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Ladies, this advice has been wonderful...
I hope not to get off topic here, but I think I am going to print out some of this advice to let my dh read... you all state the positives of homeschooling much more elegantly than I!
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Servant2theKing
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Do not be discouraged, do not be dismayed, the Lord your God is with you, wherever you may go, and in whatever you may do! You are certainly not alone in feeling inadequate to the task of bringing up souls and wondering why we do what we do. I always tend to experience a level of battle fatigue this time of year, especially after 20 years of homeschooling. It seems like many homeschooling moms express the same feelings throughout many seasons of the homeschooling year! All the more reason to remind ourselkves that we are called to enter ever more deeply into our very special "trinitarian" vocation of wives, mothers and teachers, walking in ever closer union with our Lord, the true Teacher of us all!!!
We're reading aloud the book "The Family that Overtook Christ" (The family of St. Bernard of Clairvaux...all of whom...nine in all...were declared saint, blessed or venerable. There's a study version, edited by Janet MacKenzie, with footnotes, including definitions and an Appendix intended for Confirmation preparation...we got ours through Amazon. I actually purchased both version that Amazon offers, not knowing that the study version contains the full text.) One of the family's most outstanding characteristics was continually striving to "supernaturalize the natural"!!! The mother of St. Bernard, Alice of Montbar, is a shining example for us as homeschooling mothers...
"As they grew, her knee was their only schoolhouse. Just as she had refused hired nurses for their suckling days, so did she refuse hired tutors for their early years. Only when they were strong physically, mentally and spiritually, did she allow them to fare forth; and even then she kept a watchful eye on them. In short, Alice of Montbar was a mother who believed that mothering ended only in death.... It is the combination of heredity, environment and education that shapes the soul, and Alice had her share in all three elements in the shaping of the souls of her children. She did her duty with a vengeance. Duty done makes the soldier...But duty done lovingly, duty done because that duty is the will of God and done to glorify God is not soldierliness...That is what Alice of Montbar did...there are millions of mothers who are only mothers but who could be saintly mothers if they would but supernaturalize the natural . They love their children and they do all that they can do for them; but they do not do it all for the greater honor and glory of God. They prepare their children for life but not for the after-life! They fit them to take their rightful place in society and their position in the world, too often forgetting that they have a place in the society of the saints and a position to gain in the other world! Alice of Montbar fitted her children for both worlds and both societies....If you want me to be a saint, show me how by your example!...There is the secret to Alice's success. She...raised up a saintly family. ..What very few know is the way that she did it. She made the supernatural natural to her children because it was natural to herself. They talked of God as naturally as they did of the weather and they talked to God as easily and as intimately as they did to one another." There's much more, but hopefully these words will offer you some measure of encouragement!
Be at peace....you give your precious children so very much as you weave our beloved Faith into your daily life and perform innumerable sacrifices for the hearts, minds and souls of the children God has entrusted to your care! If you never do anything but give them the Faith and help them along the Path to Heaven, you will have given them everything they truly need!!!! All the rest will wither and fade, but our souls are destined for Eternity!!!! A dear priest always told his flock, "We are citizens of Heaven"!? And so we are!!!!! May God bless you with confidence, peace and renewed fervor for the holy task of raising your blessed children for Heaven! You are not alone in your blessed endeavor, for our Lord, our Blessed Mother, and all of God's angels and saints accompany you every step of the way, always ready to bolster you up when life's difficulties and trials threaten to throw you off balance!!!!
Pray! Hope! Trust! Keep the Faith! Stay Strong in the Lord!
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All for Christ, our Saviour and King, servant
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SuzanneG
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This was a good post for me to read the other day by Barb-Harmony Art Mom: Tick Tick Tick....Counting Down Until the First Day
The whole thing is wonderful, but this belongs here:
Barb wrote:
| There is much to be written about how the joy in homeschooling is found in the little things. No field trip, textbook, or project really truly makes us happy. It is more about the way we grow to know more about ourselves and each other through those activities that makes homeschooling such a wonderful way of life. |
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Suzanne in ID
Wife to Pete
Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
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LLMom
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Homeschooling is just plain hard. I am starting my 16th year. I am tired of sibling fights and bad school attitudes. (and it doesn't matter if I make it "real and living" with my tweens and teens). I am sorry I am of no help. Sometimes, we just do it, well, because there is no other better option and not because it is all wonderful and fun.
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Lisa
For veteran & former homeschool moms
homeschooling ideas
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Homeschooling Pep Talk
