Preparing to Homeschool: Homeschool Difficulties

Articles

Comparing Kids by Beverly S. Krueger
"...take with a grain of salt all the glowing reports you will hear from other homeschool moms about their children."

Encouraging Reluctant Readers by Lisette BC Abbott
Reluctant readers are children who can read, sometimes below "grade" level, but who nonetheless choose not to read. In this day of "the cult of celebrity," competing television shows, movies, and video games wildly proliferate. As a result, many children are not recognizing the joys of reading and instead see only what they perceive as the boredom of reading. Perhaps you've heard a variation of "I can just watch the movie instead of reading the book"? And, if you love reading, a statement like that can make you cringe.Reluctant readers are children who can read, sometimes below "grade" level, but who nonetheless choose not to read. In this day of "the cult of celebrity," competing television shows, movies, and video games wildly proliferate. As a result, many children are not recognizing the joys of reading and instead see only what they perceive as the boredom of reading. Perhaps you've heard a variation of "I can just watch the movie instead of reading the book"? And, if you love reading, a statement like that can make you cringe.

Freedom to Grow in an Environment of Grace by Mark Hamby
If it were not for my adventurous imagination, school would have been like solitary confinement in a maximum security prison. In elementary school my high grades reflected only my ability to memorize facts; my level of reasoning and comprehension remained below average. In high school, where a higher level of reasoning was required, my grades tumbled and with it, motivation to apply myself to study. “Why would anyone “give their all” when there are so few rewards and so much failure?” I reasoned.

Math for the Reluctant Learner by Beth Waltman
It can be challenging to make math appealing to all learners. There are some children who have mental blocks about their own ability to do math, or who may just not care for math. They might find it boring and say it doesn't relate to real life. The homeschool parent’s job is to stimulate curiosity, showing that math has answers for pertinent questions.It can be challenging to make math appealing to all learners. There are some children who have mental blocks about their own ability to do math, or who may just not care for math. They might find it boring and say it doesn't relate to real life. The homeschool parent’s job is to stimulate curiosity, showing that math has answers for pertinent questions.

Racing to the Finish by Beverly S. Krueger
What's a Mom to do when that finish line is approaching and she's getting tired of the struggle to coax, encourage, prod, and push her kids towards it?

The Real Reason by Maribeth Spangenberg
Why can’t my children just learn to get along? Why do they have to argue? Why can’t they always respect each other’s privacy? Why do these issues have to interfere with my homeschooling? Why can’t my children just learn to get along? Why do they have to argue? Why can’t they always respect each other’s privacy? Why do these issues have to interfere with my homeschooling?

A Helping Hand Advice Column Questions

Question:
How should I react to my 7-yr. old son's frustrations when after trying ONE time on anything he just gives up and doesn't want to try again? For instance, when asked to read the word "here", he first says "her" and when I open my mouth to correct him or just ask "are you sure?" he starts rolling his eyes and shaking his head down. He's not thrilled with homeschooling...or education for that matter, so if I could rekindle some excitement in him, that may help? Thank you for your advice!

Question:
I have a problem. My son has off and on refused to go to school this year. He is in the 2nd grade and he just says he wants me to homeschool him. I have wanted to in the past and did for preschool and kindergarten. I believe my biggest problem is that I am plagued with fear. I am overwhelmed with the idea. I already have issues of finding a sitter for him when I need too. I have two children a daughter who is 6 and he is 8. He is much more persistent in needing and wanting his parents. I want to be there for him but I am not sure if taking him out of school in the middle of the year is ok. I don't want him to think he runs the show. Most people whom I have consulted tell me to be strong and send him to school. I am very confused. Most people don't understand the concept of homeschooling. I know its a huge commitment but I would like some professional advice, what do you think?
Help!
C.

Question:
We are beginner homeschoolers. We’ve been homeschooling my 4th grader since the beginning of the year. He absolutely hates it. What should I do?

Articles

Bouncing the Back-to-School Blues by Hilary Evans
Every year beginning sometime in August, a new wave of nudging begins. Friends mention how happy they are their children are returning to school. Concerned family members inquire whether I've "had my fill", if I'll "take a break", or worse, if I'm ready to "cut the cord.” The downright rude and ignorant will demand it's time to give the kids a real education by putting them in school. It doesn't have to be so hard. As homeschooling parents, we have the opportunity - and some say the responsibility- to educate our family and friends on the benefits of learning at home.

Doing It All: The Struggle for Your Family by Beverly S. Krueger
Do you find yourself feeling guilty when one of your children gets more of your attention than another? Have you truly embraced homeschooling as a lifestyle? Answers to these questions are the starting point for winning the struggle for your family.

Doing It All: The Struggle for Your Mind by Beverly S. Krueger
Somehow homeschoolers get themselves trapped into expectations that have them trying to do it all. Doing it All is a series of articles that will take a look at the struggle for your mind, the struggle for your home, and the struggle for your family and give you solutions and advice on overcoming that overwhelming desire to do it all. We begin with the struggle for your mind and answer the questions who are your listening to and are you clinging to false expectations.

Informing Your Family by Julie Carlson
Have you been asked numerous questions regarding your choice to homeschool? Well, if you’re like us, we’ve been bombarded. We decided to put together an information packet to give to people when asked questions.Have you been asked numerous questions regarding your choice to homeschool? Well, if you’re like us, we’ve been bombarded. We decided to put together an information packet to give to people when asked questions.

Sour Grapes or Turned Around Truth? by Tammy M. Cardwell
"You get so much done because you’re homeschooled. I don’t have as much time to work on it as you do." Words similar to these were spoken to Thomas, my oldest, a few years ago when he earned a special Royal Rangers’ award - one that no other boy in our outpost had ever earned. I’m sure the words were repeated right up until the day he left the program, as Thomas helped set standards that had never been set among our group of young men."You get so much done because you’re homeschooled. I don’t have as much time to work on it as you do." Words similar to these were spoken to Thomas, my oldest, a few years ago when he earned a special Royal Rangers’ award - one that no other boy in our outpost had ever earned. I’m sure the words were repeated right up until the day he left the program, as Thomas helped set standards that had never been set among our group of young men.

Too Much Encouragement? by Beverly S. Krueger
Is it possible to get too much encouragement from your homeschool friends? Beverly Krueger tells us how too much of the wrong kind of encouragement can actually cause frustration and a desire to give up.

When Parents Disagree by Tamara Eaton
Karen was concerned, she appreciated her husband's leading in their home but was worried that his decision to change to a new structured curriculum was going to spell disaster for their homeschool!

Articles

Resources

Homeschooling the Child of Divorce
This packet is prepared by the California Homeschool Network.
A packet designed to help parents who must contend with a custody challenge due to their choice to homeschool. Although there have been more failures than successes in these legal struggles, this packet contains some good news. Included are lessons from two recent successful cases, resource list, and facts, figures and arguments to put forward in your own behalf. 24 pages

Homeschooling and Custody Issues: Compromise and Education are the Keys to Success
By Linda J. Conrad Jansen, Esq
HomeSchool Association of California .
This note was written in response to a question from a parent in another state who had recently lost custody of her child because she intended to homeschool. She asked what homeschoolers could do to so others would not lose custody they way she did. The following answer applies equally to Californians.