Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau

Educator, Coach, Life Strategist

  • About
    • Marie-Claire Moreau
    • Press
    • Testimonials
    • Privacy, Terms & Conditions
  • Homeschooling
    • Articles and Free Courses
      • College Prep High Schooling: Free Mini Online Course
      • Intro to Homeschooling: Free Mini Online Course
      • More Articles
    • Homeschool Consulting – Advising – Guidance Counseling
    • “Suddenly Homeschooling” Book
    • Florida-Specific Homeschooling Information
    • Homeschooling High School Book
    • Science fairs for homeschoolers
      • Science Fair Information
  • Services
  • Speaking
  • Shop Books
  • Cart
  • Contact

Dec 01 2014

Traditional schools stress kids out

Another infographic crossed my desk this morning.  This one caught my eye, as the title was:  #1 Thing Kids Want When They’re Stressed”. It illustrates the results of a study in which children were surveyed by a company providing a therapeutic program for anxiety relief.  Though the study facts and measures weren’t all that clear, I didn’t for a moment disagree with its findings:

Kids are most stressed by school.

I can’t say I’m surprised.  But, I have to say,  it really hurt to see that it in print.

I’m sad for those kids, and I’m angry about the whole situation, too.   It’s heart-breaking, isn’t it?  We’re talking about little kids here.

Think about this for a second: school stresses kids out.  Doesn’t that make you sad and angry, too?

You know, when we choose to homeschool our kids, we avoid the stresses of traditional schooling.  If grades are stressful, we find other ways to assess our kids.  If the work load is too great, we can scale back or switch methods (with no loss of learning or progress).  We’re not shielding our children from the real world, but instead helping our kids learn about stressors while they’re still in our care.   And we’re giving them the tools to deal with stressors when they’re adults.  It’s more gradual, gentle, and studies tell us — works better, too.

So, here’s my question to you today:  Are you taking notice?  If school is the #1 stressor of our nation’s kids, why aren’t more people standing up for change?  Of the zillions of great parents out there — and believe me I know you’re an awesome parent – why aren’t more of you deciding you’ve had enough?

As a nation, we parents need to speak up.  We need to look deeper.  We need to demand change.

Clearly, given this statistic, not enough of us are noticing what conventional schooling is doing to our kids.  Some of us are standing against Common Core, and that’s something. But why still support the system — if you already know it just isn’t working.

If you’re already a homeschooler, I am happy your children are not included in that statistic.  But if you’ve got kids in traditional schools, won’t you please take a moment to check in with your children today?  Make sure they’re okay — I mean, really okay.  Ask them how they’re feeling about school.  And please listen hard for what they’re trying to tell you.

Also today, spend some time looking into what is going on in your district, in your state.   Volunteer in your local schools.  Meet with your neighbors.  And read, read, read what other parents have to say.

By the way, the same study also revealed the #1 thing kids ask for when they’re stressed…their parents.

They’re looking to you.

Marie-Claire Moreau, Quick Start Homeschool

 

Considering homeschooling? This book tells you everything you need to get started.  You’ll be easily homeschooling in under 2 weeks, and your entire family will be enjoying it, too!

Click here for details:

Suddenly Homeschooling, by Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Written by Marie-Claire · Categorized: Homeschool · Tagged: me, random, socialization, stress

Feb 20 2014

Homeschool socialization illustrated

With all the chatter about socialization and homeschool isolation, I thought this might be a good day to post a little graphic for you all.

I regularly read the stats, so your takeaway may be different from mine, but what stood out for me on this one was the illustrated portion attacking homeschool isolation myths.  In light of recent events on television and social media (like celebrities throwing their .02 into the pot), I found it a particularly good depiction of just WHERE and HOW homeschoolers actually learn.

Scroll down.  Read carefully.  And don’t forget to check out the bar graphs about homeschool success, too!

Help spread the good word by SHARING this entire link with your friends, will you?  Leave a COMMENT below with your impressions, too!

Enjoy.

Homeschooling
Source: BestMastersinEducation.com

SHARE IT:

Written by Marie-Claire · Categorized: Homeschool · Tagged: research, socialization, success

Jan 07 2014

{Day 7} How Do Homeschooled Children Make Friends?

31 Days of Homeschooling ~ Quick Start Homeschool

{Day 7} How Do Homeschooled Children Make Friends?

{For an overview of all 31 Days of Homeschooling click HERE.}

To advance to the next lesson, look for the “NEXT LESSON” link at the end of this article.

If you’re one of those people who thinks homeschool families sit at the kitchen table all day, think again.  I’ve said it a thousand times — homeschoolers are some of the busiest families I know.

Though “busy” isn’t always a good thing, remaining active outside of the home does present some advantages.  Among them is the chance for homeschooled students to meet different people all the time– at the library, at the supermarket, on field trips, during classes, at lectures, and so on.

No longer is homeschooling unusual — it has become a highly acceptable and main-streamed way to for kids to go to school.  Those worried about a shortage of friends must remember, there is no shortage of homeschoolers anywhere, any more.  Remember, homeschooling grows by some 8-20% each year, depending on what you read.  Therefore, dozens and dozens of homeschooled youth fill every community room, every local event, every workshop, every recreational sports league, and other place that families go.  Don’t forget, they populate the neighborhoods and playgrounds of America, too, making running into other homeschoolers a regular occurrence.

That is, should parents want to limit friendships to those within homeschool circles.

Of course, this is not always the case.

Keep in mind that homeschooled students traditionally take great advantage of community resources.  By registering for classes at local museums, community centers, high schools, internship programs and college campuses, homeschoolers met many different people in their daily lives — homeschooled and not.  In fact, the superior level of maturity and socialization observed in homeschooled youngsters is often attributed having frequent contact with many people of all ages and all backgrounds.

Finally, do homeschool parents “screen” their kid’s friends?  This common assumption may or may not be true — I don’t think anyone knows definitively.  My gut, however, says many do encourage homeschool friendships, at least to some degree, whether realizing it or not.  But just as any parent may question the major influencers in their child’s lives, so may homeschool moms and dads.   Since homeschool families have the flexibility to get out during daytime “school hours”, the other young people they meet during the day are often homeschoolers, making this easily possible, should this be an area parents want to control.  Because homeschool families choose the activities that are right for them, places that don’t seem suitable for one reason or another just don’t make the cut.

Overall, homeschoolers are met with a great many opportunities to get to know other people.  Though family relationships are reinforced and par for the course, most children get out for many different reasons throughout the week.  And for those who do not, online groups for youngsters exist, too.

NEXT LESSON

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago.  A homeschooling pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast.  Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever.  A liaison for regional school-to-home organizations, a homeschool leader, and a women’s life coach, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, The Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool Network, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT, Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide.  Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

Written by Marie-Claire · Categorized: Announcements & Special Events · Tagged: 31 days, 31-day program, e-course, mini e-course, socialization

Aug 30 2012

Finding other homeschoolers

“Where can I find other homeschoolers?  “Where do all the homeschooled kids hang out?”

Has anyone ever asked you where to find the homeschoolers in your area?  Even with homeschooling on the rise, I hear it all the time.

When families move to an area or first begin homeschooling themselves, often they look for people like them.  Adults enjoy meeting like-minded parents and understand the value of information that only seasoned area veterans can provide.  Students look for friends, study-partners, playmates, and other kids to be around during activities and on social outings.

Searching for resources, looking to fit in with a community of homeschoolers, and finding ways for children to connect are all great reasons to look for homeschoolers in an area.  I highly recommend all families find at least one homeschool contact in their city or town.

How? I suggest:

  1. Notice families who are out in public during the day.  When other children are in school, often the only families out and about will be homeschoolers.
  2. Visit the places homeschoolers might go.  Make it a point to go to a library, museum or exhibit during the morning hours.  Attend a program at a community center or a class offered during the morning or early afternoon hours.
  3. Have lunch in the park.  Homeschoolers often plan park days where many families gather to spend time together.
  4. Browse community calendars and attend ‘fun-ducational’ events.  Many homeschool families enjoy taking advantage of free and low-cost offerings for fun and learning.
  5. Ask someone who most likely interacts with area homeschool families.  A children’s librarian, for instance, often knows where homeschoolers meet.    Remember to ask professionals like medical doctors, alternative practitioners, heads of community groups such as 4-H or Scouts, too.

In additional to finding where the homeschoolers hang out, this type of networking is sure to yield options for homeschool activities for those families, as well.  Make sure to keep a notebook handy to jot down all of the information you receive, plus the names of the contacts you make in the community, too!

[Image: Flickr]

 

Written by Marie-Claire · Categorized: Homeschool · Tagged: socialization

Jul 10 2012

Support group mismatch

So, you’re all geared up to start homeschooling but there’s just one thing missing — a support system.  Good thinking.  Just about every homeschooler will tell you it’s a lot easier to do it in the company of friends.  Not the homeschooling part, but the other parts.  Like knowing where to buy supplies, locating hard-to-find items, figuring out the legalities, signing up for field trips, going to park days and those kinds of things.

Finding a support group is easy.

Finding the right support group, however, is a little bit harder.

Every support system has a unique vibe, its own personality if you will.  The coordinator or leader of the group, plus make-up of the membership usually determines the flavor and types of offerings.  Groups may change over time, too, making this even a little trickier.  The best way to fit a great match is to shop around, join several, and then weed out those that don’t fit your family and personal style.

Everyone is different, so no one universal rule applies for finding that best match.

But you can bet there are some tell-tale signs that a group isn’t the best match.   Should you find yourself nodding in agreement while reading through some of these bullets, it may be time to move on:

Structure. Some groups have it, but many do not.  The structural backbone of a group determines how rigid the rules about membership, scheduling activities, attending meetings, and so on.  Those who prefer a different mode of operation may have difficultly operating in a group that doesn’t work the way they’re used to.  Structure may be comforting to some, but exceedingly restrictive for others.  A mismatch in this area can make members who are unwilling to conform (even a little) very uncomfortable.

Leadership.  Though not every group has a strict hierarchy of leadership, most have specific parents responsible for organizing the membership and the activities that take place.   These leaders have much more responsibility than they sometimes realize.  Despite the amount of work these leaders actually contribute, their members desire to look toward them as role models and experts in homeschooling, and related areas like parenting, citizenship, and following laws and regulations, too.   When leaders act irresponsibly, distribute inaccurate information, or they or their children display improper behavior, members notice.  Successful groups are ones in which members respect the leadership and believe that no harm will come to their children and their homeschool efforts.  Groups in which members do not feel that leaders may be trusted do not last the test of time.

Philosophy.  The immense popularity of homeschooling means that families and the reasons they do it are more varied than ever before.  While this is a good thing, these differences mean it is also more difficult than ever to locate a local support group that shares a family’s exact homeschool philosophy, approach and methodology.   Years ago, it was easy to find a group of parents who shared the same ideas, followed the same homeschooling approach, and even used the same curriculum!  Though these groups still exist today, it can take an Internet connection and heavy email use to participate.  This shift means that families must participate in local groups to gain access to activities, but remain on-line to discuss philosophical issues that matter to them.  This greater effort leads to greater opportunities for the children — overall, not a bad thing – but makes it a tad harder to find good, local support.

Membership.  Support systems need to fit a need and, for most families, this includes other children for yours to hang out with.  Even the best support group in town becomes much less appealing if all your teen has to do during meetings is take turns pushing preschoolers on the swings.   Groups leaders don’t always like this question, but it’s very common for families to ask the ages of the other children when deciding whether to join a support system or not.  And why not?  With socialization constantly at the center of debate and many homeschoolers spending extra time at home,  it makes perfect sense to guarantee your kids can be making friends while you are chatting with other parents.

Faith.  Or not.  Not surprisingly, many groups are formed solely on a common belief system.  Don’t share those beliefs?  You may not feel comfortable in the group, assuming your family was even allowed to join at all.  Some groups advertise using terms like “inclusive”, “exclusive”, and “religion-friendly” on the web site or literature.  Others require a signed statement-of-faith as part of the membership packet.  Though families do not always choose homeschooling for religious reasons, sharing a bond with other like-minded families still remains a primary focus for many people all around the country.  Should your faith not match theirs, it’s probably not the group for you.

Turmoil.  No list would be complete without mentioning the internal turmoil that frequently arises from parent groups of this kind.  Talk to any member of a homeschool association, a parent-teacher organization, mom’s group, social club, or organization of any sort and you’ll hear of the drama that occurs when individuals do not see eye to eye.  Though this cannot always be avoided, it does present parents with the choice of getting involved in the turmoil or not.  Remembering that the purpose of these groups is ultimately to serve students and that children model adult behavior is often enough to diffuse any situations that arise.  Not contributing to the turmoil isn’t always easy, but can be accomplished by participating on the periphery rather than within the center of those responsible for the awkwardness.   And though it isn’t always an easy or popular place to be, those within the circle of leadership must adhere to their mission when making decisions that affect the group, allowing it to carry out its purpose for many years to come.

You might also like:

Over-protective or good parenting?

Competitive homeschooling

Handling public criticism

Moms who hurt

Feeling overwhelmed? Try these rescue strategies!

Image: Flickr

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Written by Marie-Claire · Categorized: Homeschool · Tagged: socialization, support

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Page »

· Copyright © 2022 · Marie-Claire Moreau ·