Homeschool Regrets- looking back

Overall, I am happy about our homeschool experience. But there are still some nagging regrets. Basically, when we started out there were some things that I just assumed would happen, but they just never did. They are:

Travel:  We did get to Los Angeles, and SanFrancisco and to the Georgia Coasts and parts of Florida but we had hoped that since we were homeschooling, we'd get to see more of the country and even get overseas, two things stopped us.

• Scheduling.  Our schedule was not as flexible as we thought it would be.  Because the kids were in a homeschool program that met weekly, our lives weren't as flexible as we thought it would be. 
• Money.  They economy went screwy so flying a family of four around the country went from something that we didn't think twice about to something we didn't even think about.  You never know though.  Maybe we can squeeze in a big trip this year and get a good deal on flights to Sydney

This blog is not for homeschoolers, per se

Every year when blogs are ranked and the top 10 homeschool blogs are chosen, I get a little (a lot) insulted that I don't rank amongst homeschool blogs.  That means other homeschoolers really don't find me all that interesting.  But, I guess I always new that.

I moved this blog to a homeschool blog site many years back, but only for a short while, because I realized that I was not being read.  I was preaching to the choir.  I really didn't have a whole lot to offer that wasn't already being offered in that environment, so I moved back to blogger.

 I am not saying that I don't think my blog is useful, because I know it is.  It is just a whole lot more useful to the homeschool-curious and to brand new homeschoolers than to established homeschoolers. Based on the notes I have gotten regarding my homeschool blogs over the years, it is clear that people just starting on their homeschool journey appreciate my blog and are even encouraged by it.  So, that is good enough for me.

As my blog shifts this coming year from being ramblings of a mom in the midst of homeschooling to being a veteran homeschooler here to encourage those who come after me, I promise to stay loyal to those who need the most encouragement.  There is really no need in me echoing the sentiments and trying to give instruction to those homeschoolers who already have found their way.  I know who my customers are, and that consumer engagement is very important to me.

That does leave me with some questions though.  If you are a regular reader to my blog and are encouraged, please let me know.  Also please ask questions as I try to focus this blog to be less self gratifying and more encouragement focused.

Thanks

Sending them off to college... or not

I noticed that a lot of homeschoolers don't really plan to send their kids off to college.  They've been homeschooling for the last 12 years... why throw them to the wolves now?  I guess I get it, but college was always the goal for our family.  At one point I thought they would accelerate through school and be leaving at 18 for Grad school, but my kids weren't that kind of gifted. They are more on the talented side.   But all the same, college was the goal. ... And I have one leaving in just over a week.

Since my son is away on a man-cation adventure with his dad, my daughter and I took it upon ourselves to start his packing.  Here is everything except for clothing and computer. It doesn't seem like much, but then I remember I went to college with just one trunk and one suitcase, and I was fine.  He has two trunks a bin, and a bookbag, and we haven't even packed clothes yet.  Then there's the fridge and chair we will be picking up at the Walmart near the school. I have a feeling we will be renting storage space next summer for those larger items we can't get home in my car.

So with one child down and one child to go, my daughter and I were discussing colleges. I opened up the subject of public college because I knew she would be eligible for the GA HOPE scholarship and we would have a lot less tuition to worry about with two in college.  She replied, "If I wouldn't go to public school, why would I go to public college".  It's the same environment.

From the mouth of babes. It made me think differently about those homeschoolers who don't want to send their kids to college at all. 

Gabby Douglas, Hair, and Homeschooling

Gabby Douglas, the athlete who just won multiple gold medals in the Olympics is a buzzing topic right now... because of the state of her hair. Wow. This makes me angry because too many of use are out of shape and unhealthy because we are worried about our hair. This young athlete has her priorities in order. Yes, her hair doesn't look like she just came from the salon, but have you seen how far that child can fly!

Homeschooler wins the gold

To be truly dedicated to Olympic training, young people need to be able to put all of their time and effort into training. Homeschooling allows them to do this as they can schedule their learning around their training.  Here is a list of current Olympic athletes who were homeschooled. 

Congratulations to Gabrielle Douglas who is homeschooled and says it that homeschooling  helps to build self- discipline and time management



 Other prominent Olympians who are or where homeschoolers are:

Danell Leyva- Homeschooled from 2nd grade and self taught since seventh grade
David Boudia- Homeschooled since 2nd semester of his Jr. year

Haley Ishimatsu-Homeschooled and felt that "high school social life is really just over rated"
Thomas Finchum-Homeschooled to have a more flexible schedule
Kelci Bryant- Homeschooled for the last year
Anna James- Homeschooled

There are a couple of others who have been listed as homeschoolers, but I could not find proof.  If you know of another athlete who was homeschooled and have a link to back it up, please add it in the comments section.


FREE HOME EDUCATION WEBSITE
ahermitt.com

Triple A (AAA) and Textbooks

My body clock is completely wacked out because I rose before the sun a couple days ago to work elections.  So here I am, in the wee hours of the morning awake... again.  To fill my time, I am going over my son's book list and printing a buying guide for him.  This will help him to know where the best deals are for the books he needs.  (some books of course... the ones well over $100 are college specific and need to be purchased at the school bookstore-or so they say.  Others are available for less at Amazon for way less, and

5 iPad Apps for College Freshman Preparation (Guest post)

I thought this guest post was especially relevant because many of our kids are taking college level tests and CLEP exams.  We don't have to wait for college to take advantage of these "college apps".

The iPad is such an amazing, new tool for education. Many homeschooling groups are now using this tool to supplement traditional book lessons. In addition to complementing current class content, the iPad can also help incoming college freshman prepare for their first year of college.
The following five apps are perfect for helping high school seniors prepare for common first-year college courses.

College Algebra
This app has received top ratings from users who say that it helped them get through their college