I know there are some here who homeschool their kids. Can pick your brains for a minute?

Can you give me some info? I have a few sites, but I guess I'm looking for specifics.

What does it cost for the materials, etc? What kinds of things do you do? Are you involved in a Homeschool Co-op?

Our twins will be starting Kindergarten in the fall, and they are registered in the public school here, but we are anticipating a move this summer, so we really have no idea what will happen. We have contemplated homeschooling before, but I'm not sure I want to do it. I was thinking about taking advantage of the all-day kindergarten here, with my youngest in preschool, to go back to college part time in hopes of finishing my degree soon. But, it's still in the back of my mind (homeschooling), especially in light of the fact that if it comes down to it, I might to have to fight the school system to keep our twins from being separated, and I'm just not sure I'm up for that right nnow with everything else going on in our lives.

Well, now that I've rambled, lol, can any of you offer any advice or ideas? What do you all do?

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I don't homeschool mine, so I can't really help you much, but I do have some things for you to consider: down here, homeschooled children have to be registered in the public school system. Whenever you get them registered, if you like the school and want to have them there, maybe you could speak with the administration about wanting to keep them together. My DH is a twin and he spent all his school life in the same class as his twin because his mom wanted them together also. The homeschool parents I know also attend a co-op a few times a month to go over lesson plans and plan field trips. My children go to a private school (I volunteer there a lot as well) and we allow homeschooled kids to compete in our athletics and participate in our choir and orchestra. So there are times your children will be away from home, maybe you could plan a college class during those times. If you're moving to sunny South Florida, give me a holler and we'll get together!

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Daisy

I homeschool and can't at this point imagine EVER sending them off to school. lol. Most states require when they get around 6 to register them with an umbrella school of sorts, not a public school. Umbrella schools are very cheap and just keep records of their grades and attendance that you provide them. As far as cost, it is as cheap or expensive as you choose to make it. Most of your reading/literature books will be free from the library. We don't buy a handwriting program because I just teach them. If you buy say a complete whole program from a site like sonlight.com you can spend say $700 a year. But I (I have a soon to be second grader) do a unit study for science, Bible and social studies called Weaver I bought used for $100 and can be used for two years, and has (it's HUGE) the information for grades K-6 and I will be using it many times over the course of the years with all my children. Math program is usually around $50 a year. With children that little, there is really very little you need. I never bought anything to teach them to read, just did it myself, but one of the best is Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons and you can buy that used all over for $13-$14. In the end though young children mostly need to learn to read and science can be done while cooking, taking walks outside and finding bugs, etc. You can homeschool, especially when they are young for very cheap. There are some I know who do it for next to nothing utilizing the library and internet. You don't need a science book to teach you about frogs and snakes, etc.

Honeslty I love it more than words can say. My children have learned more and love to learn more than I could have ever hoped for them. My oldest is gifted and it will be life changing to not be bored, to be able to move at his own lightening speed pace, etc. And the growing bond with the children as we catch worms and frogs, bake cookies learning fractions, is irreplaceable.

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Thank you! I have looked up the laws in my state, and I don't have to register them in the public school, but I do have to submit a notarized affidavit to the superintendant of school with a whole list of things, which isn't so bad. However, I don't have to do that, technically, for 3 more years (by the time they turn 8). The only things I haven't done on that list would be to get a criminal background check and do lesson plans. Lesson plans for the year would be easy for me, since I was an education major in college!

It's something I am still considering, so I'm trying to gather all the info I need before making my decision

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You should PM Raechel (knightsgal76) re: homeschooling. She does it with four kids and does a great job, too.

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I homeschooled 2 of mine through the 4th and 5th grades and loved it also. Yes, there were days I wanted to run screaming, but we all learned soooo much! And the curriculum choices available to you are just endless! You can buy pre-packed curriculum according to your childs age and level, or you can hunt and peck, choosing according to his interests, your budget, etc. We used Hewitt, Sonlight and K12 for the most part, with k12 being the easiest to keep records with.

Don't let the socialization issue EVER hold you back! There are sooo many activities and co-ops for most children to participate in that if you don't choose judiciously, you won't get any school work done! We belonged to two, one for swim and gym that met weekly, the other bi-weekly for a thematic unit that covered art and science. There was also a music and history co-op but hey, only so many hours in the day!

In NYS, we had to register with our public school and turn in quarterly reports, and while NYS is one of the most heavily regulated, we never had a problem. Just keep accurate attendance and scholastic records and file your reports on time (on time- very important!). Another resourse that is worth every penny of the $100 it cost was membership in the Home School Legal Defense Association. Your dollars go toward keeping politicians honest and frankly, out of your hair and will provide all the legal assistance you need free of charge should a problem arise. But they do expect you to do your part- which just amounts to meeting your state and local regulations.

Go for it! You truly won't regret it. I had hoped to hs all the way through, but that wasn't God's plan at this time. I am so grateful for the time we did have to do it though.

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Oh, socialization was never an issue with me. My mil, on the other hand, well, she's looney anyway. LOL. Thanks for the info. We still have some time.

I think this will most effect us if we move this summer.

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