A Coffee with Friends
Because life is a journey and we all need a friend.
Release Your Inner Teacher
What did I say when given the opportunity to move to the jungles of Cambodia away from civilization surrounded by waterfalls, elephants, and hill tribe people. “Yes!” But, one caveat, I would have to homeschool my 4 children. To some of you elementary ed grads, thats a slice of pie but not me. I am a nurse practitioner and love helping the sick, working, and sending kids to school. Don’t get me wrong, I like my kids but each day sending them to school is a pleasure. So I never pictured myself having the patience to be with my kids all day long. I mean half of the time I have to play the most dreaded mother role: referee. So a year ago with hesitation and fear, we moved. I began homeschooling my kids. With no supplies, I didn’t know where to begin. Fortunately I found a wonderful website: www.allinonehomeschool.com. This is an already prepared and tried curriculum for homeschool that is free, yes free! Its easy to use and all online including the books and did I mention it was free. So I got started and I want to share with you the advantages I found in homeschooling this past year.
- Because of the structure and classroom setting, it really is manageable and playing referee happened a lot less than I had anticipated.
- I got to watch my kids: learn to read, learn algebra, memorize the times table and I felt pride that I had done it!
- When I didn’t know a topic, youtube, Khan academy, or google did!
- I got to learn American History with them! I didn’t value that education when I was young but this time around it was fun.
- They are smart. They got smarter and did well on tests, they liked learning and didn’t dread it (much), and I got to assist them in learning at their pace instead of at a schools pace.
- It was much easier than I thought it would be.
- There is so much support on FB and online forums these days.
- My kids didn’t miss school much in fact they enjoyed the freedom. WE even did school at a swimming pool, hotels, and even a waterfall one day.
- Although I feared their social well being, I found that their interactions with each other, with us, and with neighbors improved and their social needs were met.
- They got my one on one attention. This freed me from the mommy guilt I had experienced before, and they became better kids because of the attention they got from me.
I know that homeschooling is not for everyone, but do consider these advantages when an opportunity comes for you to travel with kids! Don’t let a school slow you down.
Share your comments here! Are you homeschooling or would you ever consider it?
A Coffee with Friends 
Excellent article ma’am.
LikeLike
Thank you oldpoet56! I would love to hear feedback from you on other articles too!
LikeLike
Hi Ann!
It’s Jamie Campbell, now Agee. I was in Cambodia with y’all in 2004 for 4 months. How have you been? Are you guys still in Cambodia?
I’m writing because we will start homeschooling in the fall of 2017. I have twin 9 year olds and a 4 month old. I am excited about the new adventure of homeschooling although I too am afraid of all the stereotypes. What if they don’t get enough time with their peers socially, can a parent really teach their kids and are they qualified??? And on and on. But I truly feel called to do it. I’m definitely not the most experienced or organized but I’m praying that He’ll give me what I need at the right time. And then there’s the curriculum. There is so much out there. Which one is best? Will I need to get two different curriculums if one child learns differently? I think it will work out but I’m just so paranoid that I’ll do it wrong. I’m a nurse practitioner too, not a teacher. So education doesn’t come naturally.
Hope all is well with you and your family!!
LikeLike
Yes! I remember you! I just looked at your pictures on FB. You have a beautiful family! Your newborn is precious. I would love to answer your questions about homeschooling. I will email you tomorrow morning. Blessings!
LikeLike