getting out there...

    ***I am so excited at the response for Back to Homeschool Week!  There is a ton of encouragement and inspiration within all of the posts and I thank you all for that!

Today's topic is "Getting out there...".  Simply scroll to the bottom of this post to find links to the blogs of other participants or to post your own blog post URL.     Tomorrow's topic will be "If I Had Only Known...".    Please feel free to join in!

One of the things that I love the most about homeschooling is the ability I have as a parent to pick the best social situations for my children.  We spend lots of time out in our community, with friends, and at church, but we always pick what is best and what enhances the life that we lead.

While I desire for my kids to engage in their world and relate with people from all walks of life, I won't allow them to do things that compromise the teaching and instruction that my husband and I are establishing at home.  We pick activities that build our kids up, allow them to learn and to be of service to others, and we always make sure that parents are welcome.  There have been many times, even with church activities, that parents are subtlely let known that they don't need to be there.  Even if competent adults are present, my hubby and I like to be a part of what our kids do because we are the ones who are responsible for them.

Some of the activities that we engage in regularly are: karate classes, church, co-op (during the school year), soccer games and picnics in the park with other families, family game-night, park day (twice monthly), sewing days (the moms sew while the kids play), bbq's with friends, etc., etc., etc.  The kids have friends over about twice a week (not as much during the school year) and they visit the homes of their friends often as well.

Homeschooling allows my hubby and I to make the best choices for our kids.  There are tons of things to choose from, but not all are good or even beneficial for us.  This might sound rather rigid, but my children are happy, healthy and they enjoy life.  They also love each other and the people around them. 

Being choosy about what our kids engage in is not being too strict, it is simply doing our job as parents.

Comments

[Tiany]

Wow, I did not expect to be first, I was coming over to visit and here was Mister Linky, you are an early bird! :-)

I have enjoyed your Back To Homeschool week! It has blended in so perfectly with the Open House!

Thank you for putting this together, the topics have been wonderful!!! :-)

I enjoyed this post, your wrote "While I desire for my kids to engage in their world and relate with people from all walks of life, I won't allow them to do things that compromise the teaching and instruction that my husband and I are establishing at home. " I have to agree wholeheartedly 100%!

Have a blessed day!
Tiany

[Dana]

This has been an enjoyable week, so far! Thank you for putting it together.

[Jennifer]

My sister sometimes complains that my children are sheltered, and I think, my goodness, I hope so! One of the jobs a parent has is to provide shelter. It's a good thing to choose what is good and beneficial for our kids. Good job!

[Robin]

This has been fun and very thought-provoking. Thank you for hosting!

[tracy]

Sounds like you are involved in a lot of great stuff. I think it is important that we control what they spend their time doing and where they go while they are young. Kids are so easily influenced. I have to do a little letting go this year with my oldest going back to school, but he seems to have good discernment. I will be doing a lot of praying and be involved as much as I can!

[Tsoniki]

I would so love a sewing day! That sounds wonderful.

[Lynn]

**The ability to pick the best social situations for my children** This is a BIG one for us too! Very very important. Thanks for sharing, I really am enjoying reading your posts. God Bless!

[Jodi]

You have a great point tha we can choose the best for our own children rather than just taking whatever is out there.

and yes sheltering is a good thing in my opinion too. My kids get along with each other so much better than other sibling groups. Doing things as a family instead of in peer groups is a good thing.

[Rhonda in TN]

I absolutely agree with everything you said. I want my kids to be involved, but being involved with the family is the top priority.

Rhonda in TN

[Christy]

Thank you again for hosting this.
~C

[Lawanda]

I am catching up! This is great :)

[Mama Squirrel]

Ooh, the S-word. I've posted.

[carol]

I almost feel like I'm preachin' to the choir when talking about socialization amongst a bunch of us homeschoolers.

[DebD]

Being choosy about what our kids engage in is not being too strict, it is simply doing our job as parents.

Amen! Good words.

[Tammy]

o/ :::waving my arm::: I want to come to your moms sewing day!

Okay, I'm running behind this morning...off to the garden to pick beans and spend the day canning with the kids!

Have a great day!

Blessings,
Tammy ~@~

[Fatcatpaulanne]

Hi, I'm still participating! I couldn't figure out the link yesterday for some reason, but I did it today!

[Janet]

--How We Homeschool?--I didn't address this question much in my post yesterday. Of course, as I stated earlier, I realize that I'm hardly an expert. I have already gone through at least 4 different schedules in the past year. We started off the school year with a more strict, stringent, and very early schedule. Of course, it didn't take long before we were all exhausted and extremely frustrated! Thankfully too, I was reminded by other home school moms that one of the many great advantages of home schooling is that you don't have to conform to the schedule, ideas, ways of teaching, etc. of the public school system!

However, I can't be too nonchalant about a schedule either because if I try that we accomplish very little. I've found that we just need a general time frame--a basic schedule--with a little flexibility--just not too much! Still working on balance! For us, it's usually worked good to start at around 9:00.

I've also experienced some difficulty with teaching Sarah, while Kerry, my younger child does everything he can to interrupt, distract, etc. I have found that sometimes it's just better to wait until I have him immersed in something or taking a nap to do the bulk of actual teaching. Any suggestions from others for keeping younger ones occupied, and at times actually involved, are more than welcome!!

Of course, I am hoping and praying that as my son gets older that it will become easier to teach both kids at the same time! They're only two years apart; however, as many of you already know, there can definitely be a difference in female/male development. Not to mention, that different kids have different aptitudes, learning styles, level of interest, etc. So far, my daughter has been 2 grade levels ahead, while my son actually seems to be a little behind for his age. I know I have to be cautious with too much comparison also, but I do need to be aware and honest about where each child is truly at. I fear I've rambled way too much, and I'm probably over-thinking because "I'm giving myself a headache!" Again, any suggestions, comments?!

--"Getting Out There"--Our local county home school group really helps with "getting out there." There are so many activities, sports, clubs, field trips, etc. in which one can participate. I have been so very thankful for this group. Of course, we've only been officially home schooling for one year, so our kids will be participating in more and more activities as they get older. However, they have an Early Homeschoolers group for pre-schoolers, and both kids were able to go on several field trips last year. Also, Sarah was old enough to join the 4-H club and play homeschool T-ball and church T-ball. Both kids also participated in the Talent Showcase and the home school Field Day.

This fall, Sarah will be playing soccer with out town league. She'll also be in home school P.E.

Of course, we also have plenty of church youth activities to choose from also. The kids will probably get more involved with the church youth activities as they get older also.

However, I do want to be careful about not getting ourselves "over-committed" and involved with too many activities! Here again, I am constantly praying about finding the right balance for our family.

[At A Hen's Pace]

Hi Randi--

I DID manage to pull something together and linked to your post today too. Your thoughts dovetailed nicely with mine--I think the hardest thing is not finding activities to be in, but choosing and limiting them!

Jeanne

[Carrie]

Found ya thru CarrieK (Mommy Brain) this is a great idea ~ Back to School...

[Marmee]

Thanks for doing this, I've gleaned a lot!!

[jennifer]

So so true about doing our job as parents and yet being called "strict!"

[Janet]

Sorry I posted my entire answer in the comments a couple of times instead of my blog! Oops! Got it straighted out today!

Thanks again for hosting this, and have a blessed day!

In Him, Janet

[Sara]

Jennifer made an interesting comment about her sister thinking J's kids were too sheltered...isn't that what we are supposed to provide for our children? Shelter? How is this any different in their emotional lives than in their physical? Since when did protecting our children become a bad thing?

[ComfyDenim]

Well, I think this is the weakest area I'm finding in the laundry Pile school of all things.

I've gotten something written, though. :-) Now to farm ideas from others.

[M Light]

I agree with you on choosing activities where parents are welcome. The few times we have done things where that wasn't the case didn't turn out so well.

[Tracy]

I'm back again with how our first day went, and some of the activites that we are involved in.

[Daja]

Once again I'm one of the last to post on the day's topic!

Better late than never! :-)

[momlovesbeingathome]

I'm a little late getting started on it but mine will be up over the next few days! This is a great idea and I'm thrilled to participate!

[Mrs. C.]

I keep having trouble commenting because it explains a spam robot thinks my comments are automated or something. Something like that. But I have my bloggy thing all done; if this comment shows up please feel free to come say HI!

[Dawne]

This one was a bit more difficult for me as it has been an issue just the past 2 weeks. :)