Sandra Dodd

I've just finished a long questionnaire on my life as a
homeschooler. Some of it might be published in a book by Mary
Griffith, or maybe not, but I thought this answer might be good for
this list.





4d. What were the most difficult aspects of homeschooling? What were
the most fun or interesting parts?



Sometimes other kids said things that made my kids worry a bit. It
was easily refuted, and in retrospect now they remember and they see
that in every case those kids are less content and less
"successful" (at this point in time) than they are. This might not
remain true, as maybe fifteen or years out "success" will look like
master's degrees and such for some of them, but we don't know that
our kids won't move that direction too. And if they do it will be
from choice and joy, not from "it's time to go to college, just go;
you're going."



That leapfrog effect has been seen in many aspects of life. When
they were eight, they felt behind. When they were 13, they felt
ahead, when they were 16, they felt behind. When they're 18 they
feel ahead. So if at 30 they feel "behind," I wouldn't be at all
surprised if at 40, they feel ahead again, as others become
disillusioned with careers they chose too soon, for reasons of
prestige or income level.



All cases will vary I'm sure, and change as the years pass, but the
fears they had when other seven year olds would assure them they
would never have jobs when they grew up, or would never learn to
read, are distant and amusing memories.



The most fun and interesting parts have been the sparkle of
discovering new connections. A game, a comedy routine, a poem, a
truck, a map�all can fold and roll together to create a depth and
breadth of knowledge school never dreamed of. And when those
lightbulb moments are shared with others in the family it adds to our
shared experiences and our relationships.





Sandra

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Rod Thomas

<<<<<Sometimes other kids said things that made my kids worry a bit. It

was easily refuted, and in retrospect now they remember and they see
that in every case those kids are less content and less
"successful" (at this point in time) than they are. This might not
remain true, as maybe fifteen or years out "success" will look like
master's degrees and such for some of them, but we don't know that
our kids won't move that direction too. And if they do it will be
from choice and joy, not from "it's time to go to college, just go;
you're going."

That leapfrog effect has been seen in many aspects of life. When
they were eight, they felt behind. When they were 13, they felt
ahead, when they were 16, they felt behind. When they're 18 they
feel ahead. So if at 30 they feel "behind," I wouldn't be at all
surprised if at 40, they feel ahead again, as others become
disillusioned with careers they chose too soon, for reasons of
prestige or income level.

All cases will vary I'm sure, and change as the years pass, but the
fears they had when other seven year olds would assure them they
would never have jobs when they grew up, or would never learn to
read, are distant and amusing memories.>>>>

Thank you. I read this to my son. It helps.
Flyerkat

Karen

Hi Sandra,

Thanks for posting this. It's a wonderful description of learning and just
what I needed to read right now!

Cheers

Karen

On 09/06/06, Sandra Dodd <Sandra@...> wrote:
>
> I've just finished a long questionnaire on my life as a
> homeschooler. Some of it might be published in a book by Mary
> Griffith, or maybe not, but I thought this answer might be good for
> this list.
>
>
>
>
>
> 4d. What were the most difficult aspects of homeschooling? What were
> the most fun or interesting parts?
>
>
>
> Sometimes other kids said things that made my kids worry a bit. It
> was easily refuted, and in retrospect now they remember and they see
> that in every case those kids are less content and less
> "successful" (at this point in time) than they are. This might not
> remain true, as maybe fifteen or years out "success" will look like
> master's degrees and such for some of them, but we don't know that
> our kids won't move that direction too. And if they do it will be
> from choice and joy, not from "it's time to go to college, just go;
> you're going."
>
>
>
> That leapfrog effect has been seen in many aspects of life. When
> they were eight, they felt behind. When they were 13, they felt
> ahead, when they were 16, they felt behind. When they're 18 they
> feel ahead. So if at 30 they feel "behind," I wouldn't be at all
> surprised if at 40, they feel ahead again, as others become
> disillusioned with careers they chose too soon, for reasons of
> prestige or income level.
>
>
>
> All cases will vary I'm sure, and change as the years pass, but the
> fears they had when other seven year olds would assure them they
> would never have jobs when they grew up, or would never learn to
> read, are distant and amusing memories.
>
>
>
> The most fun and interesting parts have been the sparkle of
> discovering new connections. A game, a comedy routine, a poem, a
> truck, a map�all can fold and roll together to create a depth and
> breadth of knowledge school never dreamed of. And when those
> lightbulb moments are shared with others in the family it adds to our
> shared experiences and our relationships


Sandra


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