One of the interesting things that came out of the discussion over on notes was this idea that if money were no object, homeschooling itself could be different for a family than it might currently be. I loved your comment, Catherine, that you would take the kids whale-watching and to Pompeii!
This discussion led me to think about whether homeschooling would feel less difficult if there were other problems solved, societally-influenced problems like broken or scattered extended families, poor health, etc. The hardest thing for me about homeschooling is that I so rarely get an emotional break or time to attend to my needs or my other work. If I had more support, I might dream less often of school. But I can't just magick the support up, and co-ops and things like that have been more trouble than they were worth. What I need is someone to help take care of me so that I have the energy to devote to homeschooling!
I hope that didn't sound like a complaint -- I have nothing to complain about -- I just mean homeschooling in an atomized social context is different than what it might be in another context. When I am well and have energy, homeschooling goes so well. But there's no support net for when I'm being drained by something else, and so the homeschooling suffers.
No, it doesn’t sound like a complaint at all. I love homeschooling, but there’s no denying that it is relentless and jolly hard work. I often dream of what family life might have been like when families were larger and lived nearer. The luxury of having a sister or two nearby that you could leave your children with while you went to the Post Office! Also a society where children didn’t have to be so closely attended all the time anyway. There is virtually no time to attend to your own needs. (My own needs? What are those?) By the time my eldest is in bed I’m pretty much ready for bed myself.
I have to say though that it’s always so heartening to hear that I’m ‘not the only one’ - it’s a really hard job, and everyone finds it hard, no matter what their Instagram looks like. There might not be much strength in numbers but there’s certainly solidarity!
Interesting questions! Here in Argentina private school is very affordable (especially for dollar earners) - and there are a wide variety to choose from, both with regards to languages, curriculum style and philosophy. There's an Italian school, a german school, jewish schools, Montessori's, everything you can imagine... religious, secular, etc. And yet, I have definitely been enjoying the opportunity to tailor fit education for a daughter based on what she needs/wants.
That's a really good question but I can't just answer it in a poll :)
I went to the same school as AA Gill, Michael Winner and Jenny Diski (not at the same time I'm only 42) and if Cian HAD to go to school we'd try to get him in there and crash at my mums in the week.
It's all about balance between family and work really, I don't want to be working all the hours god sends to pay school fees and a mortgage near one of the schools I like. I think home ed would always have been the first choice but perhaps if we could easily afford independent schooling we wouldn't still be doing it...
Yes, it’s all about balance and everything’s a trade-off, not just in home ed but in life. Sometimes I think it would be great to have a second income in the family, but when I consider all the things that come with that I think perhaps life as the proverbial church mouse is preferable!
One of the interesting things that came out of the discussion over on notes was this idea that if money were no object, homeschooling itself could be different for a family than it might currently be. I loved your comment, Catherine, that you would take the kids whale-watching and to Pompeii!
This discussion led me to think about whether homeschooling would feel less difficult if there were other problems solved, societally-influenced problems like broken or scattered extended families, poor health, etc. The hardest thing for me about homeschooling is that I so rarely get an emotional break or time to attend to my needs or my other work. If I had more support, I might dream less often of school. But I can't just magick the support up, and co-ops and things like that have been more trouble than they were worth. What I need is someone to help take care of me so that I have the energy to devote to homeschooling!
I hope that didn't sound like a complaint -- I have nothing to complain about -- I just mean homeschooling in an atomized social context is different than what it might be in another context. When I am well and have energy, homeschooling goes so well. But there's no support net for when I'm being drained by something else, and so the homeschooling suffers.
No, it doesn’t sound like a complaint at all. I love homeschooling, but there’s no denying that it is relentless and jolly hard work. I often dream of what family life might have been like when families were larger and lived nearer. The luxury of having a sister or two nearby that you could leave your children with while you went to the Post Office! Also a society where children didn’t have to be so closely attended all the time anyway. There is virtually no time to attend to your own needs. (My own needs? What are those?) By the time my eldest is in bed I’m pretty much ready for bed myself.
I have to say though that it’s always so heartening to hear that I’m ‘not the only one’ - it’s a really hard job, and everyone finds it hard, no matter what their Instagram looks like. There might not be much strength in numbers but there’s certainly solidarity!
Sounds like we think much the same way, Catherine!
Catherine and Dixie, this is exactly the most difficult part of homeschooling for me as well. Thank you for articulating it.
Interesting questions! Here in Argentina private school is very affordable (especially for dollar earners) - and there are a wide variety to choose from, both with regards to languages, curriculum style and philosophy. There's an Italian school, a german school, jewish schools, Montessori's, everything you can imagine... religious, secular, etc. And yet, I have definitely been enjoying the opportunity to tailor fit education for a daughter based on what she needs/wants.
That's a really good question but I can't just answer it in a poll :)
I went to the same school as AA Gill, Michael Winner and Jenny Diski (not at the same time I'm only 42) and if Cian HAD to go to school we'd try to get him in there and crash at my mums in the week.
It's all about balance between family and work really, I don't want to be working all the hours god sends to pay school fees and a mortgage near one of the schools I like. I think home ed would always have been the first choice but perhaps if we could easily afford independent schooling we wouldn't still be doing it...
Yes, it’s all about balance and everything’s a trade-off, not just in home ed but in life. Sometimes I think it would be great to have a second income in the family, but when I consider all the things that come with that I think perhaps life as the proverbial church mouse is preferable!