Tell us a little bit about your family dynamics:
We are a military family. My husband retired from active-duty in the Army in 2008, and so we moved from North Carolina to Pennsylvania to the home Denise grew up in to take care of her widowed mother. All of our children are now graduated from homeschool. Cecily and Nicole were pulled from government school when they were in 5th & 2nd grade. Grace had never known brick and mortar public schools.
How long did you homeschool?
We began our homeschooling journey in 2002. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing! I had never heard of homeschooling before, but we met a homeschooling family when we were stationed at Fort Belvoir.
What was one of the main reasons you chose to homeschool?
In the beginning it was simply that we were moving from Fairfax, Virginia to a lower performing school in North Carolina. Private school was out of the question due to cost and because both daughters had IEPs (Individual Education Programs). I was frightened at the prospect of this endeavor.
In what activities did your family participate?
In North Carolina, my girls were involved in homeschool horseback riding, cooperatives for electives, drama, dance, flute, clarinet, church choir, soccer, and physical education. In Pennsylvania, it was much the same, but we added science lab, piano, and First Aid.
What were your most helpful resources?
I have used multiple resources over the years, but the one constant that addressed all my learners was Rainbow Resource and HSLDA.
What educational philosophy/curriculum did you follow?
Our educational philosophy is best described as eclectic with a heavy emphasis on literature.
What was one of the highlights for you in homeschooling your children?
Biology labs were a definite highlight.
What was your favorite field trip(s)?
The Asheboro North Carolina Zoo.
What was one of the funniest things to happen during a homeschool day?
Not sure if this is as funny as it was eye-opening. Early on, when my husband was deployed, I had to take my daughters grocery shopping with me. We would shop at the commissary when it was not busy as I liked to make it into a consumer math opportunity for my daughters. One week, I had to shop on the weekend later in the day. I no longer remember the age of my kids, but they were under ten. My youngest observed a child crying and quietly asked me what was wrong with the child. In that moment, it occurred to me that I hadn’t had this particular behavioral issue with my children in a long time. Because my children were homeschooled, they were well rested, and they knew their boundaries. That was one of many homeschool “a-ha” moments.
What did you find to be a challenge in homeschooling?
The challenges changed over the years. I suppose the biggest challenge was a social group for SPED (special education) students who don’t quite fit into a specific category. The academic offerings were often too rigorous, but the co-ops that focused on electives were often geared too young, as most teens gravitate toward academics.
Any tips in dealing with that challenge?
Each learner is an individual. Avoid replicating “school” at home, comparing your learners to other people’s learners. Homeschool is not a 9 – 2:30 endeavor; it is a 24/7 lifestyle that sometimes has curriculum involved.
What advice would you give to someone who has just begun homeschooling?
Thinking about pulling your kids out of public school? Do it. Do it now. My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner.
