That formal education is overated.

I still hear people claim that kids won’t learn to read or whatever if no one forces them. Or if they are allowed to play video games at their own discretion, they will do nothing else. But, in my house, my kids have learned to read… with no lessons. And they do all sorts of activities even though they have access to tv/video games 24/7.

I am completely convinced that unschooling is the ideal way for children to grow up. It’s been an amazing adventure, and every day I learn more from my children.

Home schooling can truly be a humbling experience if we are ready to listen.

We have learned these things over time as well, however our children have always been vocal, and were told from the beginning that their education was something they needed to be involved in.

By speaking for them in the area’s you mention above, we often fail to realize how capable they really are, and that we need to let go of the controls for them to flourish even more.

I remember when we first started adding academics, we switched gears more often than car in peak trafic hour until we realized that we were going about it all wrong, we had affectively turned what was natural learning into “school work”, and it became a chore instead of something we had simply done all along.

We can see teaching the basics, but then allow them to develop their own interests, learn with them, and guide them as needed.

We have learned that children know very well what they like, and are capable of.

We have learned not to plan their lives for them.

This one is hard because we all want the best for our children, but it is not the best if it is not their choice.

We have learned that by giving them the opportunity to try many things they learn what they like, and what they do not want to pursue further.

We have learned that we should not look upon their youthfull years, because they can teach us a thing or two IF we are willing to listen.

We have learned that it is more important to let them know that we support, and will encourage them even though we may not always understand where it fits in the big picture.

We have learned that all the twists, and turns they take during this time, do indeed lead to the goals they have set; it is the detours that we have to endure with a grumble, and smile that sometimes make us feel like we need to take back the controls; we have learned to resist that urge. (and failed several times)

I guess we have learned that even we are still a work in progress too.

Holy Wall O’ Text! Do your own research on homeschooling. There are many different options. Some parents follow a rigid curriculum. Some do unschooling. With your planning in advance, unschooling doesn’t sound as if it’s for you. They allow their kids to drive their education. You’ll probably decide on something in the middle. You seem quite inflexible. Your children aren’t even two years old and you have their whole socialization planned out. Expect them to decide they actually want to learn to read music and do some things you didn’t want to do. They aren’t you, but you seem to see the world in a very narrow lens – your own point of view. That will not serve you well in terms of raising the open minded children you tell yourself you want. As far as good influences and bad, there are both good and bad in homeschooling and school. . I find the answer that calls 1/3 schooled kids “a$$holes” as ill mannered as any schooled kid I’ve met. Personally, I don’t want my kids to associate with parents who call other *children* names. Lets see, there are six answers here from proponents of homeschooling and of those three paint broad generalizations and stereotypes about schooled kids. Does that mean that 1/2 of people who homeschooled are prejudiced against people who aren’t part of their group? Maybe. But I just wish that those who aren’t so biased and who actually judge others by their characters would step up and call out bad manners, even when it is one of their “own” with the mad manners. If the homeschooled teen thinks all schooled kids are on drugs and having sex, then she isn’t exposed to the real population of teens. Some do those things, some don’t, and no matter what, you make your own choices. Yet, she will get pats on the back for doing exactly what she calls out in those who put down homeschooling: stereotyping. So get out there and stop the blather. Research and decide how it will work best for you.

Wow! This is a terrific question!

Here are just a few of the many things I’ve learned from my children:

Discoveries, great and small, are daily miracles.

Every (and I mean EVERY) child has their own interests & these very individual interests can be adapted to offer opportunities for further learning.

Each child will absorb knowledge at a different pace.

I really do not need to be in as great a hurry as I think I need to be.

Friends can be made in an instant & last indefinitely!

Getting dirty is fun!

Discipline takes practice – no matter how old you are.

Pets/animals are wonderful teachers of empathy.

Death is an undeniable part of life. Grief is natural & acceptable. You do not have to hide your grief. (we raise bunnies & chickens)

My fears should not become my children’s fears (though I may be terrified of the big slide – I don’t need to make my kids afraid of it)

*** I guess the things I’ve learned are not specific to my experience as a home educating mother, but having the opportunity to teach my children at home has really driven these & other lesson home!

That public schools don’t really teach! Around here at least! My oldest would come home with 4-5 hours of homework every night that I had too sit down and teach her! I point blank asked the teacher what they did all day when I pulled her out because of this. She didn’t answer me but did tell me I was making a mistake and My daughter would be back within the year! Proved her wrong! lol! Other than that to take it a day at a time and relax and have fun with it!

About a zillion things! What comes to mind first is that I learned from homeschooling my kids how to expertly hide the fact that I haven’t got a clue what the answer is either by leading them through the same process I would have to use to find the answer. 🙂 We both win, because they learn how to find the answer without having to ask, and I learn what the answer is too!!!

BTW – I always let them know that I didn’t have a clue what the answer was either – after we go through the process. We have a lot of fun with this.

Great question!

I’ve learned to be patient and allow both my kids to do well in their own areas, and to take more time with the things they need more time with.

I’ve learned that in spite of being hs’ed, they have mysteriously adopted viewpoints other than mine on particular topics.

I’ve learned that just because I am not interested in soccer does not mean that they are not. And…closely related…I’ve learned that you don’t have to be ‘good’ at something to avidly pursue it and love doing it.

I’ve learned how much fun the little moments in life are, and how a day can be completely wonderful because of tiny moments of perfection.

I’ve learned how funny it is to turn “Monopoly” into “Stockopoly.”

I’ve learned that it is easier to teach geometry than algebra.

I’ve learned that learning is faster when you do a little of something each day, rather than a lot of it all at one time.

I’ve learned how much I need to learn!

I’ve also learned that trying to teach a child who is sleepy is useless, and that after a certain amount of time working at it, even easy math becomes hard.

I’ve learned to examine my expectations and really think about whether they make sense for this child at this time.

And I’ve learned that there is no “right” way to teach every child, what works wonderfully for one child may frustrate another, and what is difficult for one may bore another.

I have learned to never take my time with my son for granted.

I have also learned to be in awe over some of the things that he comes up with – truly in awe. A child who is allowed to discover, learn, and grow at their own individual pace can be a truly amazing person.

Ok, I’ll answer from the shallow end.

I’ve learned that the combination of diet coke and mentos makes for a really fun day.

🙂