First Post

This is my first blog post ever so please excuse any mistakes I might make while I try to get the hang of this...

I've set up this blog to keep track of and share the progress of my sons' homeschooling activities. I know they are a little young for "school." Thomas is 3 years old and Jacob 2, but I feel like we have been homeschooling since the day they were born. Every day I am amazed at the things they learn through their own curiosity. I can't imagine confining them to a classroom when there is so much for them to explore out in the world. And I don't want to miss any of those "ah-ha" moments when something they've always wondered about becomes clear.


If you had asked me a year ago I would have told you we are going to enroll in the online public school program as soon as Thomas is old enough. What a difference a year makes! In that time I have read books about several different methods of homeschooling and have been convinced, in that moment, that each one was the right one for us. I spent days carefully planning out our school year but it wasn't until the day I sat down to teach Thomas his first "lesson" that I realized, you can't teach a child something he doesn't want to learn. Now I am leaning towards more of an unschooling approach, letting the boys' interests dictate what we will study each day. With the library, the internet, and our 5 sences we have an unlimited source of free teaching materials. I just need to make sure I am there to lead them toward new experiences to pique their interest. I will add, however, I do have an affinity towards the Montessori method so I will be trying to slip in some Montessori activities whenever possible. Of course, all of this could, and probably will change. Check back with me in another year.

Every homeschooling mother is asked, "What about SOCIALIZATION?"  Believe me, we have that covered. Between our weekly hiking club, weekly playgroup, walks to the park, storytime at the library, homeschool day at the museum and trips to the farmers' market we hardly have enough time for (traditional) school work! Every week we get to play with our familiar group of friends and meet many other people as well. People of all ages, I might add, not just a classroom full of 4-year-olds. I would argue that homeschoolers have more opportunities for socialization than most school children do.

So there it is. My first blog post. There will be many more to come, and some pictures, too.