Homeschool Mom Confessions | Part 4

[@ThePattersonHomeschoolAcademy]

You are the only mom I have seen who expresses excitement about teaching high school. I think that is great!

[@michellegf]

Thanks!

[@sherrybolosan7066]

My confession: I wish more homeschoolers felt comfortable getting their kids tested for learning differences (if they suspect it). It has taught me sooo much about how my kids learn and how their brain functions. I also wish testing was more accessible so kids could get help earlier. (This is not a parent problem but more a society problem)

[@lisatailby3637]

Yes! Going along with that the common refrain of waiting until they are older, and 5-7 yos aren't developmentally ready to learn to read and use a pencil yet (when the science clearly says differently). If you wait to teach you could be losing years of support for a learning difference you didn't know your child needed help with. And younger brains are more easily helped.

[@michellegf]

Agreed! I don’t like the “wait it out approach”. Sometimes kids need more than time, they need specialized help.

[@lisatailby3637]

I enjoyed your confessions, as always. I, too, am baffled when I see people looking for a curriculum for learning to read for example and they list out 7 different curriculums they have tried already. Either they aren't consistent or their child has a learning disability. Just being consistent has made all the difference with my dyslexic son, and I cost to trust the process and I'm so glad I did. That being said, we had a tough year trying to manage his ADHD and we did get down to just reading and math and dropped everything else while I tried everything under the sun to help him. At the end of the day what made all the difference was medication and we are weaving new content in as we ramp up for the increased needs of 1st grade.

[@lisatailby3637]

@AaWa-dp4oq without writing a novel I tried to convey that sometimes things don't work, we did drop BYL for example because the issues were were having meant I needed to prioritize while we worked through things. But I often see posts where people are looking for curriculum, and not just reading as I was using it as an example but math is common as well, where we aren't talking they've tried one or two different curriculums, but easily six or seven and their child is only in 1st grade. Yes, sometimes a curriculum isn't a great fit. But without consistency you are going to have a difficult time identifying if there's an underlying problem. We hit a horrific rough patch using Logic of English. It lasted months and we made very little forward progress. A common answer I got was "he's not ready, he's so young, don't worry about it." Well, we are on the other side of it and he's doing phenomenal but it's also now obvious he's dyslexic. It would have been so easy to change things up, and blame the curriculum! So, that's my perspective.

[@michellegf]

@@lisatailby3637 I appreciate you sharing your experience with this. I agree that it’s hard to identify underlying issues when constantly switching curriculum. Time isn’t the answer for all kids, some require interventions. I am glad you were able to find a path that works best for your child.

[@noncorporealentity5641]

100% yes to read in books about teaching! Homeschool books are so much fluff and ~lifestyle~ and hugboxing and often very little practical advice. There are a few exceptions of course but books about teaching and the science of learning are a huge untapped resource that are often way more useful for homeschoolers!

[@michellegf]

Completely agree!

[@victoriasbooktalks8882]

Ditto to many of your confessions. We are finishing up our curriculum which didn't change this year. Last year, I did end up changing the curriculum but it was also our first year homeschooling. This second time around, I knew what curriculum worked for us and we maintained it.

[@michellegf]

I think I get a little better at it every year!

[@sherrybolosan7066]

I feel targeted 😂😂😂 I'm late ALL the time.

[@michellegf]

You fall within my 5 minute grace period 😉

[@ashleym9305]

Great dialogue, thanks for sharing your thoughts. Aside, I can't wait on other people to try to be on time, I have multiple kids and it drives me bonkers when people say they are going to do something at a certain time and don't follow through. Don't get me wrong, I meet with people, but I have one friend right now who is extremely scheduled, and she organizes everything and uses the sign-up genius forms. She writes out specific directions, has people commit to spots for activities, if there is a fee or event that she needs run by adults, then she puts it into the form. I know it takes a lot of work, but if you need things done in a timely manner, maybe give it a try.

[@michellegf]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@jlee8621]

We are so similar, lol

[@brohgandieker5173]

Do you have any general book suggestions for reads about learning and teaching but not necessarily about homeschooling?

[@michellegf]

Yes these are a few of my favorites Making it Stick Mathematical Mindsets Uncommon Sense Teaching Learning How to Learn I am currently really enjoying Nancie Atwell books right now too.