Discussions

As parents, we are finding out about the many the joys and challenges of helping our kids with their schooling at home. Maybe some challenges we didn't anticipate...maybe other aspects coming easier than we expected.  
 
Teachers have varying degrees of participation in their students' remote learning. For some parents, we may be putting more effort into teaching our kids than we first thought would be required. We have realized that continuing to homeschool may be a great option for us, even after the restrictions on the school system have been lifted. We are really enjoying having the kids at home and taking on a more involved role in their education.  
 
There are still so many unknowns surrounding what the fall will bring. It would appear that we won't really know what the educational plan for quite some time. Are any other parents considering homeschooling their kids after schools are back in session?

We are definitely considering homeschooling for next year for our son! At this point, we're on the fence, but it's definitely been a discussion that's come up several times in our house.  
 
I'm a stay-at-home mom (have a child who isn't in school yet anyways), so it would definitely be manageable for our family. I've loved spending the extra time with our oldest and being more involved in his schooling. He has also told me several times that he likes being home way better and isn't really looking forward to "normal school" starting in Sept.  
 
His teacher has been amazing through all of this, which I realize makes my job teaching him right now a thousand times easier. If we would switch to homeschooling for next year, I know it would definitely be more work for me than it is now, as I'd have to do lesson planning, etc.  
 
We do really like the school my son goes to - the staff is all amazing and he really likes his classmates - so it will be a really tough choice. I think once we find out what classes in Sept will look like, we'll be able to make a better decision. A while back, I had read an article (sorry, don't have a link to it, it was a while ago) that said the possibility of having no gym classes or recess is real, which I really don't like the sound of. I totally understand why it would be necessary, but it would for sure take away from the fun and social development aspects of school.  
 
I'm so glad to hear at least one other parent is considering this! I've mentioned to a few of my friends that we're talking about it and the response has been less than favourable; a few even saying they can't believe I'd ever want to do that.

I'm not a parent, but I'm glad people are seeing the benefits of homeschooling. If you're willing to take the job of educating your child seriously, you can do a much better job than the public system.  
 
Think about it, what is the class size for a homeschooled kid? Nobody is being held back by their classmates' slower learning, or left behind because they're having difficulties.  
 
Of course, I must highlight the earlier caveat of "If you're willing to take it seriously".  
 
Best of luck, parental private schoolteachers!

If you are not a parent, I don’t think you have any idea what it’s like to homeschool 3 children. Homeschooling has many benefits I’m sure, but so does public school! I don’t think homeschooling is a “much better job than the public system” as you put it. I love my kids school, and excuse me if I think the public school is doing a great job!!  
 
Of course, I must highlight the earlier caveat of “if you are not a parent, you have no idea...”  
 
Oh, and No, I will not be continuing to homeschool my children, I work for a living. I’ll leave it to all the amazing, hardworking, awesome teachers out there  
 
Edited by New times , 2020-05-28 18:08:14

Not a chance.  
 
For one we both work full time so it’s not even possible. Also I’m not a teacher, this hasn’t been easy for me or for my kid who also have a disability which makes it harder for him. He misses his teacher and his friends, the socializing is a big part of school. He has had some amazing teachers who have made him interested in school!  
I also can’t imagine doing this from scratch. The teacher has made a plan and got all the materials and resources ready. Not quite the same thing as actual home schooling.

Exactly what I was thinking!! My husband and I both have careers that keep us working (not from home) over 40 hrs a week. I will gladly leave the teaching to the professionals who went to university for 4 years (or longer) and go to multiple professional development seminars each year to become masters at their craft. I wouldn’t expect them to be able to jump in and do my job without any training or education so I’m not going to pretend to do theirs. I’ve always greatly respected educators, they have a huge responsibility and I’m always in awe of their skills, patience and enthusiasm. I know some people will say “but this is your child and you know them better then anyone so you should be able to teach them”. Nope, just like I wouldn’t try and fix their broken arm or fill a cavity.... somethings are better left to the professionals.  
 
We are getting though this time of “remote learning” but neither I or and my child liked it or excelled at it. I feel like it’s all just make work projects, I’m not sure he’s actually learning anything and he’s not engaged or enjoying it. He misses his teachers, classmates, socializing... all of it. Not only did our children lose their ability to attend school but also to see their friends, extended family and all their extracurricular activities. It was a horrible time.

I am also not a parent but it seems to me that whether parents like or dislike homeschooling, this scenario has given more information for families to make choices with that work for them. Decisions made with more information is never a bad thing.  
 
Edited by JustASoul, 2020-05-28 20:15:14

We are 64 year old Grandparents that have custody of our 2 year old and 6 year old grandkids . After being away from school this long we are finding it horrible to try and school and entertain the grade 1 boy.I am glad to see it works for some but I have the utmost respect for his teachers.

We used to homeschool, and all our kids went to school this year. I'm secretly hoping that there's some sort of hybrid option in the fall.  
 
I'm really enjoying teaching my kids again, but I'm loving having the oversight of the school and access to the teaching staff. The homeschooling community in Manitoba has resisted oversight and more resources, claiming it was in our best interest, but now that I've had a taste of having that cooperative relationship with the school system, I rather quite like it. I feel like if I had those types of resources and support, I wouldn't have burned out like I did.  
 
I'm hoping this will help us rethink what home education will look like going forth, and encourage the school system to set up a framework for us to work more collaboratively with them instead of having to remove ourselves completely from the system.  
 
Edit to add: My last paragraph makes it sound like the school system is adversarial. This isn't really the case. It's just that the framework in Manitoba is an all-or-nothing deal - either you're in the system, or you're out. Other places in Canada have a more structured framework that allows different degrees of collaboration and oversight, ranging from quite a lot down to not much at all (and often there's funding attached too). Manitoba is often touted as having "the best" homeschooling regulations (AKA lack of regulation) in the world by the larger homeschooling community, but now I'm wondering if that's actually the case. Yes, you get lots of independence if that's what you want, but you also seriously lack resources when all you're trying to do is make the best decisions for your kids. It oftentimes feels like you're making a Faustian bargain no matter what you choose.  
 
Edited by Abbysmum, 2020-05-28 21:04:38

If you think what you’ve experienced as parents the last two months is anything like actual home schooling you are taking crazy pills. Teachers have planned all the lessons and assessments for you during this time... you are merely delivering the content and helping out when you can.

I homeschooled for 6 years prior to this year. When homeschooling, you can opt to create you own curriculum (or not even use a curriculum if you're unschooling or doing child-led learning), but you can also buy canned curriculum that's even more detailed than what the school is providing currently, and can i:nclude assessments. And there's everything in between.  
 
I can't speak for other parents, but I know I'm supplementing a lot of what the teachers have provided because I know I can, and I want to cover other subjects not being covered in what's provided (which is mandated by the province).  
 
A lot is found in your (collective "your", not you specifically) attitude as a parent. If you go into the situation embracing it and making the best of it, it becomes a very rewarding experience. Homeschooling is great in that it allows both the parent and child to work collaboratively to learn about things that interest them, and not necessarily what is being decided by external forces.  
 
But like anything else, with all it's strengths there are drawbacks and weaknesses. But if a parent is thinking this might be a good option for them, it's worth examining even if it's to rule it out.

I homeschooled my oldest up until high school, but I wanted her to get her credits and graduate so I sent her to high school for grades 10 - 12. She always told me she learned so much more at home than what she learned at school, and the stuff she learned at school was 'useless' and mostly just wasting time on silly assignments that would never benefit her in the future.  
 
At home I taught her plenty of cooking, we have a small home-based business that she helped with and I taught her how to do income taxes and monthly budgets, she was reading and writing very well by 4 years old and she is shocked at how awful the grammar and spelling is by most of her peers at school! We learned about anything and everything that she had an interest in and now that has led her to her current job, something she could have never achieved by the classes at school, because this was not something that was offered there.  
 
I have a younger child and I plan to homeschool this time right through to grade 12. Both kids have plenty of friends and social contacts through community groups and organizations (dance classes, youth group, outings with other homeschooled families...) and the kids in these groups just seem a lot nicer. My oldest was shocked at how nasty the high school kids can be so I have no interest in throwing my youngest into a setting like that, it seems like a step back instead of a step forward.  
 
I think every situation is unique. If I was working outside of the home full time I would have no choice by to send my kids to public school, but I feel that is all rather generic learning and they don't really teach life skills at schools, plus you can't go at your own pace, you have to work through your learning at the same pace as everyone else, which may work for some students but doesn't seem to work for mine. Some workbooks and text books we fly through quickly and easily, while other ones are a struggle to get through and I have to refresh my knowledge on some subjects so I can teach them to my kids.

It's interesting what your child observed about wasting time... my kids noticed the same thing when they started school. My 11-year-old was actually quite annoyed that they spend so much time on non-learning activities. Also, I never prompted them to call it wasted time, that was their choice of words!  
 
We really struggled with the socialization aspect, as my husband and I are both introverted. But it's good to hear from other families that are successful with that, because it's one of the biggest questions families have.

Feel free to message me if you want. We have homeschooled & graduated one, and have a lot of kids still currently homeschooling. I was homeschooled myself in my latter years when it was still "new" to MB, and I can say that I preferred it as a student...by far...and that I still feel like it is a very good option today.  
 
Public schooling at home is still different than homeschooling. A canned curriculum is possible, but you can also mix it up to best suit your child for optimal learning. There is do much you and others can teach your child. Make sure you include other trusted adults to teach them skills in which you may not be proficient. That isn't a bad thing.  
 
Homeschooling can be rewarding, and can be very hard at times...but parenting is that way too. There are so many options for support & help learning & teaching, and socialization is not an issue in any way, unless you never take your child anywhere at all.  
 
Be aware that there is no financial support for homeschoolers in MB, and I believe that is a good thing. We have more freedom to choose our curriculum, and I respectfully don't agree that there should be more provincial oversight as homeschoolers would start to lose their options & freedoms if this was instituted. This is apparent in other provinces & countries. A parent can do a fine job without greater interference in a family's home life.  
 
I have heard the same thing about returning to public school, about curriculum boredom...I already learned ____. I have also heard (not so long ago) recent graduates claim that it isn't that hard to do better than the public system. These were voluntary comments. I do realize that there are different views...and that's okay. I am just repeating what I have heard.  
 
Anyway, it would be interesting to chat with anyone currently considering homeschooling. I am open to chatting more. Exploring & being informed is a good thing.

Perfectly said. I have learned a couple things during this process:  
 
1) that I could never be a (good) teacher  
2) never want to homeschool  
3) have gained even MORE appreciation for our amazing teachers  
 
Not only do we both work and while we’ve managed to complete the work the teachers have provided for us plus some supplemental learning they’re interested in, I just lack the patience if being completely honest. My kids miss their friends and the social aspect which I think is such an important part of public school that prepares kids for life and dealing with other people, good and bad.  
 
Nothing is preventing parents from teaching their children things they think they should be learning at school though either way.  
 
If you can homeschool and want to homeschool I think that is awesome and kudos to you!

If you have a supportive school division, they would work to provide support, such as having a half-time program, where the student attends in the morning and is homeschooled in the morning for example.  
 
I strongly support families who are able to homeschool their children. There are so many times where teachers are expected to teach basic life skills and etiquette, which should be taught at home.

The idea that one needs to experience a thing to have any insight is a fallacy, never applied in academic contexts, but always by defensive parents.  
 
Plus, why does my encouragement of someone make you so bloody defensive?

I do like the broad range of opinions. I am sure glad I do not have a kid in the system right now and have to be a parent to try and sort this all out. I am glad I can sit back and watch to see how our bureaucratic system is going to unpack this one. I do worry about socialization of children. Screen time and devices is a detractor from face to face interaction and this may make the isolation for some even worse. With social distancing rules and the current building infrastructure we have in the school system, I would count on educating your kids at least 75% of the time this fall. Just my opinion.  
 
Edited by Tiger Barb, 2020-05-29 19:46:53

We started out wanting to homeschool, but when our daughters got to school age, they just really wanted to go! Now, they really want to get back. They love their friends, the recesses, the teachers and adults that they meet along the way. Those are things that I can't provide from home. I loved the time I got to spend with them this March - June but I am ready for them to return. There are things that I can't provide socially and they seem very important to my kids. Yes, they could probably learn all of the days schoolwork in 1 hour instead of 7 but there's so much more to school than just that.

I find it amusing how parents know they're equipped to teach their kids right from the moment they're born until kindergarten age and then ship them off to school as if they suddenly no longer qualified to teach their kids the skills they need.  
 
All parents are capable of homeschooling when they put the appropriate effort in to create the best education for their kids. I firmly believe children succeed better when educated from home with a loving family, using the various resources we have versus the limited resources and curriculum available in public school. While I do agree some kids need school as their home envionment isn't healthy, but that isn't anything to do with school and is a family dynamic issue that should get further attention. I feel so sad for all the kids who have been stuck at home with neglectful parents and see the need for public school for them.  
 
Many parents see school as free childcare and have zero involvement in their kids education.  
 
We love homeschooling our kids and the rich, unique education + experiences we get to provide them with that they would never find behind the walls of public school. Luckily Manitoba has few excellent homeschooling groups for everyone from elementary to high school groups!  
 
Its nice to see so many seeing the amazing benefits to homeschooling, and even nicer seeing how many kids are thriving learning at home.

I am not saying your choice is wrong, so please don't misunderstand me, but I want to point out that public schooling at home is not the same as homeschooling, nor is the social aspect of this situation one where any parent could/can give a proper social experience to their children. Many of our childrens' social opportunities are non existent just as public school childrens' are at this time.  
 
Giving those same experiences is possible. You just have to be creative. Socialization in a normal homeschool setting (not in a world where social opportunities are shut down) is actually very doable. There is also so much more time to do so & expand on that, as referenced by your time doing schoolwork comparisons.  
 
Just some thoughts.

When did you hear anyone say “they're equipped to teach their kids right from the moment they're born”. I for one certainly didn’t feel fully “equipped” and I know I’m not alone. And I didn’t just “ship” my kids off to school. Kids go to school in kindergarten, that’s what they do. Lots of parents work and don’t have the luxury to homeschool their kids. Judging much???  
 
I disagree that “ALL parents are capable of homeschooling when they put the appropriate effort in”. I repeat, lots of parents WORK and cannot homeschool their kids. THIS DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE NEGLECTFUL PARENTS as you state. The fact that you state this shows your character. It’s a rude and uneducated statement. You should be ashamed of yourself for making such statement!!! Just because my kids attend public school doesn’t mean I have no involvement in their education either, but I guess you wouldn’t know as you provide a “unique and enriching” education. BTW- kids can also get an enriching education at a public school. There are many negative aspects of homeschooling which I won’t get into on here, I will just let you figure these out with your kids in the future.

Public school then Homeschooled for years...here is my 2 cents.  
 
-schooling at home IS DIFFERENT than homeschooling. No, you are not “homeschooling” you are “schooling at home”, there is a huge difference and anyone who says differently doesn’t really know much about what they are talking about. I’m sure any homeschooling family can attest to that...  
 
-statistics prove that public school averages across the board are a steady 50 percentile. Homeschool averages 89 percentile . That isn’t me just yapping, that is fact, so if you want to argue that, well then argue with the statistics. Lol  
 
-statistics also prove that students whose parents who have no formal education in “education” actually score higher than those who’s parents are “educated”.  
 
That darn life long debate about homeschooling I don’t think will ever end... but I would never send my kids to public school again.  
 
Breath easy folks, my kids are socialized, but are yours? I’m getting more and more concerned with the socializing of our kids... I mean, if we sit in the restaurant, parents and kids alike are on their phones. Walking? On the phones. With friends? On the phones. Staff room? On the phone.. home? On the phone Following the idea that public school breeds phenomenal humans with impeccable social skills, then why can’t we see it in our society? ... furthermore, if I want my kids to learn piano I will not let them learn from someone who has the same level of piano skills as them, ill send them to someone who knows how to play... if I want my kids to learn proper social skills, I won’t send them into a group of 30 people who have the same level as them....

In our case, homeschooling is not a luxury. It is a sacrifice in so many ways for a lifestyle choice. We don't have extras and do without many things that others think of as necessities. We live pretty plainly compared to the majority.