The Community for Catholic Moms

To Homeschool or not to homeschool....

Hello everyone,

I'm new to this web site, but it seems like a wonderful place for Catholic families to share ideas and advice. :) I have a complicated question, and I know I am the only one who can make this decision, but I was hoping I could get some input or any helpful advice regarding this situation.

We have 4 girls ages 11, 7, 5 & 4. Our oldest is 11 and HAS to be Homeschooled due to emotional problems. I think Homeschooling is wonderful, but things are pretty stressful here at home, and I don't have the education that I feel I need in order to Homeschool all of them. I'm very worried about putting our 7 yr. old in a public school, but we can't afford a private or Catholic school, so I feel like we don't really have a choice. I'm concerned about what my child will pick up because I myself went to public schools (back in the 80's) and they were bad enough then. I hear of 8 yr. old children talking about sex and other immoral things that no child should be talking about. I've heard the foulest language coming from grade-school children, and it's worse with the teens. They hang out at the parks and you can't help but overhear their discussions, and it's really pathetic.

All this being said, I don't feel like I will be able to give my children that good of an education. I tried to discuss this with my mother, but she is against sending my child to a public school 100%. I do understand where she is coming from, but she needs to understand where I am coming from, also.

As I stated before, it is stressful at home. The kids fight a lot and don't listen very well, and that makes it almost impossible to concentrate. I feel like they would get better structure out of the home, but I just don't know what to expect. I am careful about what my children watch and listen to, and I am aware that a lot of the public school kids are into the things that I don't want for my children, no matter how popular they are. Miley Cyrus is one example. I'm so afraid of peer pressure ruining my child's outlook on the Catholic faith and morality.

I would just like to know if anyone else is going through the same thing as me, or just hear anything that anyone has to say on the matter before I make my decision. This is dificult for me, so any help or input would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks, and God Bless! :D (P.S. - Sorry for such a long post lol)

Tags: Homeschooling, Public, Schools

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Permalink Reply by Elena LaVictoire on December 29, 2011 at 12:47pm

I second the idea of asking your mom to help you! My mom helped me almost until her last illness and death. She was such an asset to our homeschool and my kids have so many wonderful memories of her.

That said, you know YOU don't have to be the best educated to teach your own children. What you do have to do is pass on a love of learning and be able to learn things yourself. If you can get them to read well and keep that love of learning alive, they will learn with some guidance on your part.

My 17-year-old took advanced calculus and physics - two subjects I loathed in high school and hadn't thought about since. I did not teach him those things, but i supplied the materials and even paid for a tutor when he needed it. My 13-year-old read through all the Narnia books by himself, because he wanted to, and my daughter is teaching herself to sew. Give them the tools, and then stand back - they'll amaze you!