Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau

Educator, Coach, Life Strategist

“What if I break the kids?”

I have lost count of the number of parents who have asked me this question…or one just like it:

“I’m worried I’ll do it wrong.”

“How do I know it will work?”

“I’m afraid I might mess them up.”

“What if I forget something?”

“How do I know I can do this?”

“I just wish I could be sure I won’t break the kids.”

If this describes you, allow me to to hold your hand for just a moment. Let me reassure you that you’re not alone.  Listen as I tell you that it’s normal for parents to wonder if they can really do this thing.

I have met many new and prospective homeschool parents over the years.  I have counseled probably hundreds of parents thinking of quitting before they even got started.  One of  the #1 concerns I hear is about messing things up.  Worrying about wrecking the kids.  Fear that things may go very badly wrong and it’ll be all their fault.

You may find it hard to believe that almost every homeschool parent has had this thought in one form or another.  Either privately or right out loud.  Some don’t admit it.  But many do.  Some wonder only little bit.  But others freak out entirely. I admit to worrying about certain things when I first started, too.

Parents must understand that this fear comes from their lack of experience.  It is fueled by a lack of confidence because they have never done it before, so they haven’t had the opportunity to see positive results yet — results that just might mean things are actually working.

Homeschooling for the first time is a lot like doing anything new.  Except it’s a little more complicated because it affects other people, too — little people — people who depend on their parents to make the right choices.  Choices that might affect them for the rest of their lives.

Fears like this can be tough to combat.  But the only way to see if it works is to give it a try.  Forge ahead. Trust in the process.  Trust in those who have done it before.  Trust in those cheering for you.  Because even though you think you can’t, they know you can.  Trust in yourself that you know your children best and you know what’s good for them.  Trust in the research that proves that other people’s kids haven’t been messed up, so yours probably won’t get messed up either.

I know it’s confusing.  I know you’re afraid.  But try to remember the last time you tried something new.  And how after a while you looked back on it and realized you wasted way too much time worrying about it.

COMMENT below if you have specific fears and concerns.  I’ll respond to them.  And I’ll wish you well.  Because we’ve all done it.  And everybody knows you can, too!

 

[Image: Flickr]

 

 

 

Academics, artists, athletes and more

So you’ve heard the hype about homeschooling.  Seems like tons of people are either doing it, thinking about doing it, or know someone doing it.  You’ve also heard the kids are smart, well-mannered and that they’re socially well-adjusted, too.

But you’re not sure about the results.  You still have questions about where all of the homeschoolers are now.  Where did they end up after graduation?  Have that many homeschoolers even grown up yet?  And does anybody know what they’re up to now?

…Yes!

Lots of homeschoolers have graduated by now!  They’re academics, artists, athletes and more.  They’re jogging down your street, living on your block,  and working in your building.  They’re in business, in industry and — yes – even in classrooms.  They’re local and overseas.  And many are homeschooling their own kids by now, too.

Homeschooling isn’t new any more.  Research tells us that homeschoolers receive more money for college, go to college and stay in college.  They graduate at higher rates.  And just like in homeschool, they outperform many other college students, too.  So you can bet that homeschoolers are succeeding in life.

Many homeschoolers start home businesses and, against the odds, are succeeding too.  Think about the upbringing.  Then, think about the self-sufficiency, the confidence, and the resourcefulness it takes to do so.  Kids in homeschool households learn things like money management and financial responsibility early, so they’re not afraid to put these skills to the test on their own.

Entertainers? They’re out there.  Artisans? Homeschoolers have that covered, too.  Volunteers and missionaries? Yes.  Doctors, lawyers and college professors? No problem.

The short answer is that homeschoolers become pretty much anything they want.  They move on from high school just like other kids do.  And they take with them a solid preparation and work ethic as they head out the door.

You may homeschool with confidence that homeschooled grads turn out okay.  Actually, they do pretty well.  You can read more about homeschoolers as adults in studies like the ones below.  Or, just look around the office, the gym, the social club or the neighborhood for evidence, too.

Homeschooling Grows Up

Yes, my grown homeschool children are odd — and yours will be, too!

Homeschooling Research, Studies and Scholarship

Home Educated and Now Adults

Homeschoolers’ Success Stories

Famous Homeschoolers & Homeschool Parents

[Image: Flickr]

 

The future is secure

The future is secure {Quick Start Homeschool}

Have you ever wondered what the future will be like for your kids? Not in the Jetson’s mode of transportation or Star Trek matching uniforms kind of way, but more as in how people will relate to one another, what the knowledge base will be and if humanity, optimism and global advancement will prevail.

Imagine a world full of children just like yours and mine growing into adults.  Kids with passions who aren’t afraid to use them.  Minds at work and brains overflowing with ideas.  And the ability and confidence to put them to work.

Thankfully, homeschooling is growing by leaps and bounds.  And, personally, I can hardly wait!

I recently chatted with a room full of homeschool students.

These phenomenal young people had just completed months-long science investigations and had poured their hearts and minds into unbelievable displays and incredible interactive demonstrations. They knew their topics inside and out and couldn’t wait to tell the rest of the world.  What a treat to be in the prescence of these amazing young people and to be able to watch them take learning to the moon and back — just because they felt like it.

Imagine a world full of these kids as adults?

At the end of the day’s program, one of the judges, a librarian, asked to speak to the group before they dismantled their projects and took their trophies home.

She didn’t congratulate the students.

What she did instead was so much better.

“Our future is secure.” she told them.  “With you at the helm,” she said, “our future is secure.”

I have been proud many times before but her words struck me so profoundly.  She nearly blew me away.

Corny as it sounds, our kids are the future.  And with kids like these, that future is guaranteed.

 

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Homeschool: How do you know it’s working?

So, you’re thinking about homeschooling, and have heard lots of great things about it.  Everyone says it really works.  Plus, you’ve read the research, and it confirms that, too.

But, you’re still not convinced.  Just because it works for other people, how will it really work for you?   After all, your life is so busy/crazy/hectic.  Your children are so <fill-in-the-blank>.  Your spouse/relatives/friends aren’t all that supportive.  Your home is too messy/noisy/small.  Your budget is well…non-existent.  And though you understand there is no crystal ball, you’d at least like to know that you stand a pretty good chance at success.

Okay.

First of all, rest assured, these concerns are not uncommon.  Most parents, homeschooling and not, admit worrying about how well they’re doing every once in a while.  It’s only natural to worry if you’re doing the right thing.  It just shows how much you care.  So that is that.

Next, remember that homeschooling doesn’t have to last forever.  If you happen to still be on the fence, leaning more toward taking the plunge, but still not 100% sure, it may help you to understand that you can always put the children back in school if you someday change your mind.  Boom.

So, with those concerns out of the way, let’s get to the real question, which is:

How will you know that homeschooling is successful?

…or, stated another way:

How do you know you children are learning?

There are lots of ways to measure homeschool success.  It all depends on who you are and your definition of success.  Some define success as ‘good grades’, while others look more at physical/emotional/mental gains.  I’ll tackle every single one of these measures of success in future posts, if I haven’t already.  But in the meanwhile, here they are.

Some measure homeschooling success by…

  • Final grades
  • Test results
  • Textbook/course completion
  • Logging enough hours, however many that may be
  • Personal testimony from teachers/tutors/parents/others who know your student
  • Readiness for the next course/level/book
  • Direct observation — seeing for yourself
  • Discussion (a/k/a talking to your child)
  • Demonstrated ability to do something new/better
  • Completion of a project
  • Comparison with a peer group

Others measure homeschool success by…

  • looking at a student’s level of satisfaction
  • plain old happiness
  • eagerness to learn
  • ability to conduct research or discover new things
  • and on and on and on…

No matter your definition and which measure(s) you use, the nice thing is that it doesn’t take long to gauge homeschooling success or failure.  Because homeschooling is a lifestyle that you live 24/7, successes quickly make themselves apparent and problems tend to rise to the surface rather quickly.  And — the great thing is that the process is so flexible and dynamic, that a couple of simple tweaks can easily improve success; thus, even so-called failures take very little time to turn around.

So, how do you know homeschool is working?  You’ll know.  Have confidence that you have made good parenting decisions in the past, and will have the same ability to make good homeschooling decisions in the future.    You’ll know.

[Photo: Credit]

 

 

Edge-of-their-seats learning

Have you even seen a child watching an action film or a favorite TV program?  How about watching a kid in the stands at some enormous sports arena or at a live concert? 

What do these kids do during the funny scenes?  The moments of explosive action?  The second or third musical encore? 

Move to the edge of their seats, right?

Back straight, they lean in forward, even stretching their necks out as if trying to get in just a tiny bit closer to the action. You might even catch a big, wide smile, a gasp or look of amazement.  Adults do it, too.

Now apply that to your child’s homeschool learning.

Which lessons do you assign that make your kids sit up straight?  What topics get your child to lean in, neck bent, trying to get a closer look?  Is there anything you currently do in your homeschool that gets your child to the edge of his seat?

If the answer is no, get busy! 

Could it be that learning in your home is just a little too hum-drum? 

Nothing beats watching a child find something that sparks an interest or ignites some major fascination.  Though homeschooling learning doesn’t always have to be fun, at least some of it should!  And learning is fun – that is, as long as it’s exactly what a child wants to learn about.

When children are interested – that is, really, really engaged – you’ll absolutely know it. There is no mistaking a child on the edge of her seat, soaking up everything she can.  Make that happen a little bit more often, and you’ve got a full-blown passion on your hands, too.

Take a look at what you’ve got going on in your homeschool today.  Make sure to incorporate ways to get your children sitting on the edge of their seats!

Dr. Moreau writes other articles that appear all over the web.  This one appeared HERE today.