tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13522238.post3015199427720238002..comments2024-03-28T17:53:43.541-04:00Comments on DarwinCatholic: Where I'm coming fromDarwinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08572976822786862149noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13522238.post-35126621628116917112007-02-24T16:32:00.000-05:002007-02-24T16:32:00.000-05:00Ok, now I'm very curious to see how you get from y...Ok, now I'm very curious to see how you get from your own not very inspiring homeschooling experience to a decision to homeschool your own kids. I hope you don't make us wait too long until the next installation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13522238.post-70569928108855680332007-02-23T14:53:00.000-05:002007-02-23T14:53:00.000-05:00It eventually became the "do the next lesson (and ...<I>It eventually became the "do the next lesson (and stay out of my hair)" situation that you describe.</I><BR/><BR/>I think this is what is known as "burnout." It can happen to a teacher in school, or a mom at home. <BR/>It may be less of a problem in school as kids often rotate among teachers, not all of whom (we hope) are suffering from it at once, but it sure does detract from the learning experience during the times when you're unfortunate enough to be in that person's class! Of course, at home, or if you're in a setting in which you have to work with the same teacher all day, the effect is multiplied. <BR/><BR/>I don't have a cure for it, but all homeschoolers would be wise to watch for the signs. When homeschool becomes "do your work and stay outta my hair!" day in and day out, it's time to change the way you're doing things. For some, that may mean school; for others changing their method or materials. Taking a week off to reassess things might be a good start. <BR/><BR/>BTW, I'm not going to say this in your hubby's last post because I'm afraid I may tick some folks off, but tell him I think "Charlie the Hammer" sounds like it would be a really good name for a Mob hit man. Or maybe a pro wrassler.<BR/>[Baby, who is casually reading over my shoulder, submits that it sounds like it should be a character in <I>Bob the Builder</I>]CMinorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07305306030099439903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13522238.post-86064447701819332912007-02-23T11:32:00.000-05:002007-02-23T11:32:00.000-05:00She started as somewhat hands-on, at least observi...<I>She started as somewhat hands-on, at least observing what lessons were being completed. It eventually became the "do the next lesson (and stay out of my hair)" situation that you describe. She was in the process of trying to finish her B.A. when she started, and the homeschooling continued through a nasty divorce, in spite of her ex-husband's sporadic efforts to force her to quit. Not ideal in any way.</I><BR/><BR/>Actually, this is remarkably similar to my own family's situation after I left home...<BR/><BR/>Anyway -- my dad worked a regular office job, so the bible study was held in the mornings before breakfast. (Dad is very devoted to scripture, and has a wonderful teaching style.) We often went to daily Mass downtown at noon, and my dad would walk from his office and meet us there. Cincinnati is full of Catholic churches, most of which have a good daily Mass schedule.<BR/><BR/>I have five siblings, the two youngest of whom (16 and 13) are now in Catholic schools. My youngest brother initially had some trouble adjusting to the demands of schoolwork, but now he's caught up and is doing fine.<BR/><BR/>I have a very negative reaction to the idea of homeschooling after a divorce, based on my own family's experience. Of course I don't think a family has to be perfect to homeschool, but I do think there has to be at least a semblance of spousal unity and support. Homeschooling isn't a requirement of being a good Christian mother, nor is it suited to every environment.mrsdarwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03446744635277205867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13522238.post-16440081356956971892007-02-23T11:07:00.000-05:002007-02-23T11:07:00.000-05:00I have two questions--what did your parents do for...I have two questions--what did your parents do for a living that allowed them the time to spend doing things like, well, I was struck by the Bible study and the Daily Mass in particular? (That question wound up seeming less like a question toward the end.)<BR/><BR/>The other: how many siblings do you have?<BR/><BR/>Your homeschool experience sounds a <I>very</I> little like what I observed in my family, though more positive (and with religious elements). While in theory a more free-style homeschooler, my mom started with textbooks borrowed from the local public schools, but became dissatisfied. She settled for the longest period of time with Abeka, which she found to be a solid curriculum, but which was (IS) annoyingly Fundamentalist (to the exclusion of all else!). She started as somewhat hands-on, at least observing what lessons were being completed. It eventually became the "do the next lesson (and stay out of my hair)" situation that you describe. She was in the process of trying to finish her B.A. when she started, and the homeschooling continued through a nasty divorce, in spite of her ex-husband's sporadic efforts to force her to quit. Not ideal in any way.<BR/><BR/>One thing that she did that I didn't exactly approve of was to organize my siblings (4 of school-age at the time) into 2 grade-levels. This meant that they were necessarily measuring themselves against each other in an academic sibling rivalry. My oldest sister in particular, who certainly would have benefited more from a school-based social life, was a slower learner and had to deal with being surpassed by her younger, academically more advanced, "gifted," show-off sister. This has had a lasting effect on my oldest sister, who was never good at traditional classwork, but who was carried through the difficulties by having friends and teachers who thought she was interesting & nice, etc. She could have derived benefit from a less traditional homeschool experience that was more child-led, but that's not how it worked out. I know that one concern was whether or not my mother wanted/needed to adhere to LA state guidelines as well as needing to prove to her ex- that her curriculum was equal to what they would/could expect from public schools.<BR/><BR/>I am happy to say that my youngest brother (now 12) is currently doing rather well with the homeschooling, having more observation; he could not have functioned in a traditional school environment (for reasons that are difficult to describe).<BR/><BR/>I was very supportive of my mother's efforts to homeschool for most of the time, but became disillusioned. I guess in a way I just needed to get some of this off of my chest. (Sorry) (Thanks)<BR/><BR/>I enjoy hearing about positive homeschooling experiences!Literacy-chichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08925734773412633965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13522238.post-89686519567042763972007-02-23T00:54:00.000-05:002007-02-23T00:54:00.000-05:00I second that - thanks for posting this. I don't ...I second that - thanks for posting this. I don't know very many adults who were homeschooled as children, and it is always interesting to hear their reflections on the experience. <BR/><BR/>I think that in general the homeschooling world is going to go through some interesting shifts as all of these people who were homeschooled start coming to an age where they start evaulating whether homeschooling is right for their families. I have no idea how this might play out, but I think it should be create some great new resources and ideas as well as a lot of fuss and nonsense. *grin*Amberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12689104216675201913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13522238.post-5329805079499727462007-02-22T22:31:00.000-05:002007-02-22T22:31:00.000-05:00Thank you for posting this!FredThank you for posting this!<BR/>FredFredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01262662173303042998noreply@blogger.com