I WAS HOMESCHOOLED | 4 Things I Would Have Changed

[@justprincessnena]

If you're here for what it says in the title, it starts at 8:05 . You're welcome.

[@sp1704]

Doing the Lord's work

[@SheLoveSports]

Thank you 👏

[@rahulgautamj6351]

Thank goodness. I thought maybe it’s just me

[@Lili9-x9h]

Thanks

[@saramartinez103]

Thanks, 8 minutes of introduction

[@186itaalia]

I was homeschooled all the way until I went to college. Some things were good, some not. Looking back I’m thankful for the relative protection it provided, the lack of peer pressure, emphasis on reading and enjoying good books, many field trips ect. The downside was too many kids (11) and my parents were burnt out and overwhlemed. I was essentially on my own from about 11-12 on. They had no time to build relationships with us and we were relied on heavily for housework and caretaking. I don’t think that’s a totally bad thing, I think the most damaging thing was not having an emotional connection with my parents. They were very much absent in that regard. I have very few memories of my parents spending time with me, a handful maybe. They had no idea what was going on with my sisters and I. I refuse to have more kids than I can make time for.

[@d.zyned2thrive584]

Thanks for this. I homeschool our 5 kids. I think it's most encouraging to hear that a subject you and your mum both feel was subpar was something you were able to teach yourself when you needed it.

[@barbarayalch2676]

Thank you for sharing. I was not homeschooled and when I homeschooled my 7 children it was at a time when hardly anyone homeschooled. 6 of my children went to college and have good jobs. My 7th chose to just work. I have one daughter in the army before college. Now I am homeschooling 5 of my grandchildren. I have homeschooled 12 out of my 16 grandchildren. Some went back to school and have done well. And my grandchildren are going to college now. It's a privilege and hard work but I wouldn't have it any other way. I have taught all 12 of the grandchildren to read and love the excitement in their eyes as they read. I always wanted to be homeschooled because I had a family of 10 children and I just loved how close the family was and all they said they could do. So when I had children I made sure I could homeschool them. Take care love your video

[@ThisHomeschoolHouse]

The most worthwhile things in life usually take a lot of work, but the payoff is immeasurable. :)

[@victoriafairhurst6103]

Wow Barbara! This is such a great testimony. It is the stuff my dreams are made of. I am so happy this has been your life's work. Your legacy will live on far beyond your years. Thanks for sharing. This is a real encouragement to me!

[@barbarayalch2676]

@@victoriafairhurst6103 Thank you!

[@barbarayalch2676]

@@ThisHomeschoolHouse Thank you yes it is. I love being with my kids and grandchildren.

[@perspectiveiseverything1694]

This is so encouraging and heartwarming. I was homeschooled in between a wonderful elementary education and difficult high school years. I home schooled my two all the way through. They both chose to work with their hands over a college education, so far. I look forward to home educating my grands too. 🥰

[@Shelfaroundthecorner]

I love this. I was homeschooled 1-12 in Texas and in many ways it was idyllic but there are also things I want to do differently for my children! I think that’s parenting in general-you learn from your own parents and try to take the good and leave the bad.

[@perspectiveiseverything1694]

Exactly ❤️

[@kerstenlindhardt1653]

Oh I needed this. Some days I worry my kids will resent me for homeschooling even though they love it now! Thank you for sharing your experience and thoughts!! Also, the room you are filming in is lovely.

[@ThisHomeschoolHouse]

Glad it was helpful!

[@hollyhodgson7253]

I'm glad you dropped the information about being from South Africa and emigrating to New Zealand early on in the video. Here, I was trying to figure out your acent and couldn't place it! 😅 Very interesting to hear your perspective and a breath of fresh air to hear it doesn't always have to be perfect! Thanks for sharing ❤

[@RCGWho]

But why does she sound mostly American with a touch of SA and NZ?

[@ThisHomeschoolHouse]

Because I grew up with a bunch of American friends and my accent is easily influenced. Haha!

[@RCGWho]

@@ThisHomeschoolHouse oh. That explains it.

[@Jenandpipsqueeks]

There are gaps in every educational method of choice - some more than others. Thank goodness we can learn for life

[@ThisHomeschoolHouse]

Yes! Learning doesn't end at high school graduation.

[@aliciahamel3630]

Thank you! That was a breath of fresh air. Homeschooling is humbling, yet marvelous.

[@mrschrissyg.5955]

This video was excellent! I’m a mama of 8! My two oldest graduated there 23 and 20 now . Now I have a 15,13,9,7,5 and 10 months and I needed to hear this! Thank you . I actually asked my children last month what can we add and take off to make this homeschool year better.

[@TheHcjfctc]

It really is encouraging to hear from a homeschooled adult.

[@christinarae-ann9412]

Thank you for sharing this with us. I appreciate listening to adults who have been homeschooled and what their experience was like. I'm in my second year of homeschooling my son and we absolutely love it but I do tend to wonder if I'm doing this homeschool thing well enough. I'm so thankful for all of the resources available to us now, including KZbin mamas like you sharing your experiences ☺ You look beautiful in this video, by the way! I love your hair 🥰

[@jenniferdamiano7447]

Thank you for this video! We are praying and talking about what we're going to do for our oldest next year. I appreciate the insight and the heart! My husband was homeschooled and I was public schooled.

[@McKenzieLewis-t5h]

Aww thank you so much ch for this! You are right, it doesn’t have to be perfect. A much needed reminder. 💕

[@Homeschool.in.Paradise]

Thanks for sharing!! Your time of being homeschool is so different from now days! I agree, coops are great, when there’s kids your age! We are part of a homeschool coop where I also teach PE, and my kids love it! They count down days and have so many friends

[@brittanys.p.m.3260]

Needed to hear this on mine and my kids homeschooling journey. Thank you!!

[@estecombrinck9424]

Man, I wish i could meet your parents! We are first generation homeschoolers who immigrated to Australia from RSA without any family and this is just so encouraging! Goeie werk!

[@lynetter6850]

Love this! My husbad and I were both home educated all the way through starting in the mid 90s. We have some similar experiences, except for the fact that I was part of several large homeschool communities in the midwestern US. I think that helped keep us encouraged.

[@meganwarr6258]

Thank you for sharing this. I’m homeschooling my kids now and this was such a welcome perspective and encouragement! ❤

[@michellefink8059]

I love this so much! I am a second generation homeschooler as well. I’m the oldest of 6 kids and I have 4 young daughters. I’m currently trying to find a co op for my girls. I went to one and it was everything for me! I’m hate math, I’m so glad there are more resources now days. I love my parents and I’m so grateful they homeschooled me but my mom and I butted heads on math so bad.

[@journeyinthehome]

Dial up! :) I also had dial up until I moved out of our home. I'll never forget the sound...

[@Blessedwithmightyarrows]

Thank you for this video! I love hearing your experiences! I hope you so have a blessed year

[@dianabloomdesigns]

I’m glad to have found your channel. 😁 I’m just getting into homeschool with my littles and just considering if this is what we want to do long term. I appreciate your perspective!!

[@zaidagonzalez466]

Wow, it’s really nice to know where I can improve my homeschool team my kids, and how to not overthink things that people might be understanding about homeschoolers and myself. I just pray every day and I will love to keep my kids in the journey of homeschooling and if public school doesn’t work out later on in their life, they could always do homeschool and they could be here at home in peace

[@luciehing3392]

Wow! Your accent is so unique. I got to 2 mins before I was sure you were kiwi 😂 thank you for pointing it out otherwise It’d be the only thing I’d listen to the whole video haha! Thank you for sharing 😊

[@SamanthaMihail-bh2hg]

Thank you, I appreciate hearing how homeschooling was for those who are homeschooling their children now! I was homeschooled the whole way through, 90s and 00s in Australia. We knew pretty much no one else who was homeschooled. Looking back I can see quite a few gaps in my education. Writing skills (essays, research, finding references etc) history, science and higher math. I ended up going to TAFE college for nursing and had to take a computer course because I had no idea how to use a computer to write assignments etc and then later in University, I struggled to get essays and reports up to standard. Thankfully I’m smart and determined, so I learnt a lot myself. Looking back, I was left to my own devices a lot, which in itself, helps you learn. I guess! My experiences are definitely forming how I homeschool my 4 children now. (Also, to note - I only got in to TAFE (like community college) straight from homeschooling because my parents paid the full tuition up front! That then led into university with credits and entry as a mature aged student at 19yo. 😝

[@lols9928]

I so appreciate your input on this topic. Thank you.

[@RootedandResilientHomeschool]

Thanks so much for sharing! I appreciate all the insight! you are right, there will always be some gaps when given lots of information and teaching our children to learn and how to figure things out when they don’t know something but have so many resources is so important. Love your videos 🩷

[@efehr5919]

So thankful for coming across this... Really need to hear things like this more often❤️

[@kingdomthingstnt]

I came here from another one of your videos . Dif. Subscribed ❤ from Trinidad and Tobago . Thank you for all you do abd sharing with us 🎉

[@MamaJeanMontessoriMusic]

Thanks for sharing your insight and experience. Love the part you said, don't focus on the gaps.

[@Vics98]

How do you encourage independent learning? I have no idea how to do that cuz me personally I never liked or cared about it, at least in the way it was presented and taught in school. I hated homework and did the least amount of possible to be counted as a decent grade. I procrastinated and waiting until the last min to do my work and got Ds (which is like right before failing) all through out highscool. I didn’t care enough to reach out for help so they could walk me through all my math struggles so I could “get it.” But I am homeschooling (2nd year) 7 year old. I sit and walk her through all the lessons and worksheets as she still needs it. I don’t know how to encourage her to be more independent and strive for figuring stuff out and being eager to learn. We are still at the stage where if I leave her to do her worksheet she either will get distracted with something on the page or will take longer than needed or something else.

[@wirtzonline]

Oh, my goodness yes. I am absolutely in the same boat. I really wish someone with some insight would respond to this comment.

[@claudiacasallas2504]

Amazing video. Trying not to be perfect is a big message 👌

[@sdlorah6450]

Perfection can be an enemy to progress!

[@rachaellaurenzano4059]

Seriously was what I needed to hear too!

[@sarasali3077]

Very well said. Thank you for sharing this.

[@rochellearthur1395]

I 💯 agree, as a high school teacher in NZ myself, though originally from overseas, NCEA is laughable

[@elism761]

I was also homeschooled from age 11, but in the US. I could say all the same things as we started in the 80s lol. IEW is the best writing curriculum in my opinion now, but didn't discover it until I was teaching with my mom in the co-op where my younger siblings went! But even Abeka is better than NCEA at writing lol, having tutored some NZ students. I am trying to peg your accent! I kept watching your video because I heard a bit of kiwi; couldn't pick out SA, but I'm hearing what sounds like American sounds too! Maybe you're in Southland??!! So intrigued lol!!

[@ThisHomeschoolHouse]

My accent is very mongrelised! I have some SA in there, a lot of kiwi, and then because I grew up with several American friends, that accent snuck in there as well. I just like to keep people guessing, ha!

[@victoriafairhurst6103]

This is so encouraging to hear, Christine. Thank you for sharing. I had a conversation with my husband last night about whether I would be able to offer them enough and provide enough and whether it would be lacking in some way. One of my biggest concerns is that my kids won't be around other kids as much to make friends. My husband thinks this isn't such a bad thing when they're immature brains are developing. We also attend church, so our kids have church friends. In your experience, do you think youth groups at church and homeschool co-ops provided enough opportunity for deep friendships in childhood?

[@tessacoleman888]

In my limited opinion, I believe it really depends on the parents. I have a dear friend who has a daughter that is my daughter’s same age. They are great friends even though my daughter is homeschooled and our friend is not. For my son it has been harder because there aren’t any “built in” friends and he is not outgoing like my daughter. I am a super introvert so I’m having to push myself to make new mom friends that will hopefully provide opportunities for him to make friends. In our experience, church and co-ops are fantastic ways to make friends, but for them to be deep and long lasting you will need to incorporate these people into your lives. For example, having them over for dinner, inviting them to birthday parties, going places together, etc.

[@jessicakiehn5211]

I think people just think "if i'm homeschooling my kids i'm keeping them away from all these great friends at school and i'm harming them" but it simply isn't true. Yes they may have MORE friends if they went to school but not necessarily better? They will learn to either follow the crowd and fit in, or feel lonely at school because they aren't following the crown of what "everyone" is doing. I do believe kids can find a small sweet group of like-minded friends but as they get older it gets harder. I think being really intentional and getting them in sports/theater/music activities and being involved in community via church or other events, having other families over for dinner, etc. is really where good friendships grow - not just public school.

[@Laure__Line]

Thanks for your insight that is very encouraging :)

[@theselittlesprouts]

Great video Christine!

[@ThisHomeschoolHouse]

Thanks!

[@lisaroper421]

As a 1st generation homeschooler, I love hearing this! I can definitely see where some of those things weren't ideal, but it also sounds fabulous! Hooray for the ease we have now!

[@ThisHomeschoolHouse]

Yes, absolutely!

[@sdlorah6450]

In the U.S., many wonderful people helped to pave the way for those who followed! Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is an excellent organization that works to keep homeschooling legal in the 50 states, educates parents about homeschooling, and provides legal backup if necessary to member families who face challenges by their local or state officials. Highly recommended!

[@familydinamics8261]

Thank you for this video! ❤

[@Vics98]

What writing curriculum do you like, recommend, prefer that you feel like do a much better job in what you felt like you lacked in your homeschool as a child/teen? Which of your videos do you specifically talk about that so I can go back and watch them. Thanks!

[@RootedandResilientHomeschool]

We had dial up too growing up because of the cost.

[@annewithane7876]

My husband was homeschooled with Abeka and he felt it was somewhat lacking as well. I was homeschooled with Sonlight and I think it was a bit more rigorous, but I also spent much more time on school than he did. I am planning to homeschool my sons pretty similarly to how I was taught. I loved that we read a ton of living books. I want to have a bit more of a focus on geography and dates because i never had a good grasp on those. Probably the biggest thing I regret though from my homeschooling was doing dual enrollment.

[@AMcDub0708]

An honest question…how often have you been in a situation where you needed to know dates or geography and didn’t have access to that information if you wanted? And how important to your day to day life was that situation that it meant success or failure?

[@annewithane7876]

@@AMcDub0708 it has never been a hugely big deal especially in the age of GPS, but I think it's still important because it helps you put things you hear in context more easily. If I had a better grasp on dates I would be able to know what was going on at the same time as a new historical event I'm learning about just based on the date it happened. It'd also be nice to understand news stories, like those about conflicts in the Middle East, without having to look at a map 😅

[@annewithane7876]

@@bookworm1052 well I will say, I'm sure Abeka has changed somewhat since he used it so I'm not sure how much this applies now. But I think based on what he's said you could round it out very well with the addition of some more of the "great books." He thought the history suffered a bit from how biased it was (speaking as a Catholic now) and he has said he wishes he read more of the classics like I did. He used to say he just didn't like fiction like I do, but eventually he realized I just read a much wider range of books, especially classics, and that's why I found more that I liked.

[@vcamie8755]

​@@bookworm1052 Curiosity here. My son will be attending a private Academy that uses that curriculum.

[@shannapascaru]

We use Sonlight because of the emphasis on the world (missions included) and literature. It’s probably improved since you used it, because it’s rife with geography now. My kids look up practically every place mentioned in a book and mark it on a map that comes with the guides for almost every book. We are missionaries and pray our children will be, too, so geography is very important to us. I grew up under Abeka and hardly learned anything about the world map, but my kids can find almost every country-at least the general region. My son, though, practically memorized the world map in 2nd grade and takes great pleasure in studying maps he’s placed all over his walls. (I can picture him as an evangelist.) Of course, it’s up to the parents to put an emphasis on that part. It could be easily glossed over.

[@annahofer4929]

What writing curriculum are you using that you like?

[@jaquih9858]

I am so stressed about finding a curriculum for writing collage papers, resumes, and anything else that might be important later. Do you know of any curriculums that might match up?

[@tonigraf3096]

Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) has a college ready-writing 12 week course for essays. I haven’t used it yet.

[@birdwatcher287]

Jensen's Format Writing

[@Little.Fenders]

this is good thanks for sharing

[@jerilyn-ourhomeschooltable]

You have probably mentioned this before, but do your siblings homeschool too or do they plan to?

[@ThisHomeschoolHouse]

Not yet as all their kids are quite little, but yes, they do all intend to.

[@jerilyn-ourhomeschooltable]

@@ThisHomeschoolHouse That is so cool!

[@lifewithginab]

Loved hearing your experience! ❤

[@Little_blue_bureau]

New follower! I am from Northern Ireland now living in New Zealand. I am considering homeschooling and glad I found this video. Where in NZ are you please? 😊

[@ThisHomeschoolHouse]

I’m in the Bay of Plenty region. ☺️

[@jerushadoerksen9727]

I had the same problems with Abeka math.

[@lindsaywatkis6328]

It sounds like you had an amazing mom!

[@ThisHomeschoolHouse]

She's pretty incredible. :)

[@Brandy11111]

My daughter is 8 and she doesn’t fit in with the kids at school. She’s just not fitting in and she’s way too shy. She’s not asking questions and not doing the work at school

[@JonFrumTheFirst]

Don't compare yourself to an imagined perfection: compare yourself to what schools are doing, and how they're harming kids. It is highly probable that you are MUCH better than them. Many people today either do consulting/hired gun work from home or work from home as regular employees - think of the revolution that is. Somehow, those people are good/great employees without 'going to work.' Home schooling is similar - you do it yourself from home. Any serious adult should be able to teach primary school kids all they need to know, and these days we're blessed with online courses. Not every adult has the personality to do it, but every moderately intelligence person can - look at teachers; they aren't the sharpest knives in the drawer.

[@AMcDub0708]

I’ve had kids in the system and homeschooled too. It’s harmful to compare them. Just keep your nose down and follow your own convictions, by NOT telling other people they are failing at life. Thanks.

[@priscillaramos3033]

This is off topic .. but I was wondering.. we start school at around the same time as you .. what time do your kiddos go to bed and what time do they wake up??

[@ThisHomeschoolHouse]

Depending on the kid - 7:30/8pm is lights out. They're allowed up in the morning at 7. They usually wake between 6:30/7am. :)

[@priscillaramos3033]

@ThisHomeschoolHouse thank you:) do they normally wake up by themselves or do u have to wake them up??

[@ThisHomeschoolHouse]

@@priscillaramos3033 99.9% of the time they wake up themselves. :) If they're not awake I assume they're sick.

[@priscillaramos3033]

@@ThisHomeschoolHouse i love that.. thank you so much :)

[@jessicakiehn5211]

It doesn't have to be perfect is EXACTLY right, because nothing, nothing, nothing is. There are gaps in public and private education too. Kids figure out how to survive or work those systems, but it doesn't necessarily mean more educated at all. I homeschool my kids and we tried public school for a year and a half. My kids thrived in PS except they haaaated the schedule. Everyday, so early in the morning. Really difficult kids. School was their whole life. They missed the freedom of homeschool, and came home. I think as long as parents are willing to listen to what their kids are asking (within reason, obvs) and if they want to homeschool- do it! If they want to go to school - trust the Lord will protect them and be very involved (this is if you have good public schools) and to hold it all loosely. Our biggest goals are equipping them with life skills to be healthy adults, for us, followers of Jesus, and critical thinkers.

[@ElenaLearningForeverToInfinity]

6:50 and still not a single one of the 4 the title promised

[@ThisHomeschoolHouse]

Keep watching then. :)

[@debbievermilyea4037]

So do you hate your mother and call her toxic? My friend dedicated herself to teaching her children and as adults, they are not grateful. As a matter of fact, they 'hate' my friend for that decision. Mind you....they got an excellent education. One son got a full scholarship to Rennsalieare PolyTec Institute on his homeschooled education. She taught them critical thinking and what's necessary to be of sound judgement.

[@ThisHomeschoolHouse]

If you watch the entire video you’ll have your answer to that question. ☺️ I adore my parents and am deeply grateful for everything they have done and continue to do for me.

[@debbievermilyea4037]

Thank you. I will. I'm heartbroken for my friend who has been cut off from all 3 of her young grandchildren. For the life of me I cannot imagine why they would call her toxic. She homeschooled with a Christian perspective and her kids claim to be atheists. She never seemed to me to be over bearing but I'm her friend of 50 yrs., not her child. The whole thing makes me so sad and my friend will not speak a word about any of it. 😢

[@RCGWho]

Did they all go to college? College is a major atheistic deconstruction zone. Were they on-line a lot? Were they immersed in the library and books? Sometimes homeschoolers actually don't use discernment with the library. Were they influenced by friends? Was your friend super conservative as in Bill Gothard type stuff? Just digging into what derailed their relationship, except there is a major spirit of being irreconcilable and the obsession with therapy and trauma is causing an excessive amount of blaming and animosity and going NC or No Contact over anything they deemed crossing their boundaries.

[@jenfoster128]

​@@debbievermilyea4037 As an adult who cutoff my parents I can tell you her kids definitely have their reasons. It isn't a decision you make lightly. And generally it doesn't have to do with one thing like her choice to homeschool. It is a culmination of years upon years of a bad relationship when you finally reach your breaking point. My mother's friends and family think I am a completely horrible person because she is very nice to them and in front of them she was nice to me. In private she was constantly critical of me to the point that even as an adult with children of my own I dreaded seeing her and would end up either in tears or furious with her each time we would get together. Literally everything I did was not good enough. It gets to a point that you can't stand it anymore and you have to save yourself and your own family not worry about the family you came from. Your friend is at least admirable in her decision not to bash her children to you, I can't say the same for my mother. I'm glad that you are able recognize that your relationship with her obviously has a different dynamic then she would have with her children. I will say that I am glad that my mother has friends and family who love her and that she has great relationships with. I don't wish her ill I just couldn't be her emotional punching bag anymore.

[@nihilwithoutdios1]

If they hate God, they hate Christians​@debbievermilyea4037

[@Heidi123]

Get to the point.