How We Began & Now...

When my husband and I married 15 years ago, we both knew right away that I would be a SAHM. When our son Nathan became old enough to learn things like ABC's and colors (which was quick, he was one of those almost freakish babies that did everything early) I began to teach him. Wanting to do things "right" I started asking questions, and researching. My brother is an administrator of a private Christian school, and his wife taught there. So when I had practical questions, or what felt like silly ones I would call them. :o) They are the ones that first explained what home schooling was to me. Husband and I both knew right away that home schooling was what we wanted. Thus began the adventure!

A long time home school couple just happened to join our church about that time. (Isn't God good!) and they were planning on starting a home school "Umbrella School". Which is an option with Florida home school law. So I had a new source to go to with questions. The church let them use their buildings and they began ENOCH (East Naples Organization of Christian Home Educators) At that time in Florida kindergarten wasn't a requirement so I waited a year and joined when Nathan was ready for first grade. Our Jacob was a pre-schooler. ENOCH was such a blessing for some one like me that was terrified of messing up, and needing lots of support! The couple that ran the "school" were truly God inspired and it was wonderful. We meet once a week for school, and did everything from pledges, to classes, to field trips, to Christmas pageants, to 4H, to career day! The families fellowshipped, supported each other, networked, etc. I learned about spiritual gifts, learning styles, curriculums, laws, and creation science! :o) We even did a wonderful year book, and had one high school graduate that year. What a blessing!

ENOCH lost the founders and administrators after Nathan's second grade when they moved back to their home state. The members tried to keep the school going with the same spirit, and did all right for the next year. The vision and fire had left with the Smiths though, and carrying the burden of leading such a big complex group was too much. After Nathan's third grade they "closed the school" and became a support group. That year we had moved to Ft Myers, so we stayed enrolled and attended meetings with other members when we could. The next year (5th grade) we dropped ENOCH all together. There is a huge support group in Ft Myers, so we joined that to get networked with local families. We attend a used curriculum sale every year in Naples. We continue to see ENOCH families there, and ohhhh and ahhhh over how grown up every one is. :o) Nathan is thirteen now and going into eighth grade. Jacob is seven and a half, and going into second grade. (geeee are we getting old or what??) Home schooling is very popular here, and the resources are almost endless!

Nathan and I always used ABeka curriculum for school, and I mean ALL of it!! LOL! I bought every subject and made sure we got through every page of it. I was so afraid I was gonna mess up or miss some thing. He was (and is) so smart, and soaked it all up. But after several years of doing that, we both got "text book burn out". I laugh at myself now, looking back. When Jacob got old enough to begin serious work, I began looking around for a different method. They are five and a half years apart, and there was no way I was buying two whole sets of curriculum and trying to get through it all! LOL! Well of course unit studies was my answer. For the first year we got KONOS (including all the wonderful extras like the time line etc.) and went to town. We had such fun! I tended to go a bit over board with the "projects", but it was a such a switch from straight text books I didn't care! Nathan had tested as a college level reading comprehension, so we weren't limited on what we could check out from the library. I still check out LOTS of books for our units, and we read a lot!! Jacob was thrilled when he was finally able to read on his own, and hasn't been caught without a book in his hands since. (he recently tested at about 5th grade comp level) Reading is pretty big around here! After that first year, I began to relax and started incorporating some of my own ideas, and making our own units. It started with the holidays, and went from there. Both boys still use ABeka for their seat work, (math and language) and are doing well with it.

As Nathan has gotten older and we began to think more about high school, we considered other options for him. Neither of us would let go of our calling to teach our own children. Yet I wanted that "extra" for his high school years, preparing him for college. We have finally settled on Living Heritage Academy. So for eighth grade Nathan is doing that plus helping me with Jacob. Yes, he will be a busy soul! I will continue doing units with Jacob. I'm sure the two boys will end up sharing and mixing their schools together. Jacob will sit in on video's and computer programs, and Nathan will help out with the units.

We keep both boys involved in activities from church, to classes to field trips. Nathan took a year of private piano lessons and did very well with it. We are looking for a new instructor in Tennessee. He wasn't able to find a sport last year, but is looking into tennis for this. Jacob took a year of gymnastics and wants dance classes. He is very athletic minded, and we are liable to have to put a limit on him. :o) He says he would like to take guitar lessons, but we are trying a home study on that first to test the waters. (Dad can do that)

Which brings me to hubby, Robert! LOL! Like with most homes, I am the primary teacher. But Dad diffidently helps out around here. He acts as principal, checking up on what we're doing, seeing if the wild heathens have tied mommy to any stakes lately... *giggle*. He also helps us problem solve, and is teachers jack of all trades. We simply could not do all the kewl projects we have done without Pop! Robert teaches them mechanics, carpentry, athletics and baking. Yup. Dad is the baker of the family, and is passing it on to the boys. He has also been a life saver with several field trips, even taking off work on occasion, or helping other moms with projects. Home schooling has always just been our "lifestyle" and it's the natural order of things for us to spend weekends pursuing a subject. It's all just family fun, memories, and school rolled into one. When we were beginning a unit on medieval times, what a blessing to have a Medieval Faire in town that weekend! When we did a unit on light with a section on light houses...wasn't it super to have a real lighthouse near by? When we did Indians, dad helped to build a "real" teepee, and helped mom with the sewing machine so we could make "buckskin" shirts! (*blush* yes, Dad sews and Mom is learning) :o)

Home schooling to us is more then a school choice. It's even more then a lifestyle. We believe that it is God's plan for families. That we as parents are called to be the teachers of our children. We both know that our children would not have the personalities, spirits, advantages, and smarts they do if they had been taught any where else. They wouldn't have been able to pursue their interests, talents, or strengths nearly as well. They wouldn't have the morals, freedom of expression, character traits, good manners or skills. No I am not a "super" teacher, in fact my failures grieve me. Neither are we "super" parents, far from it!! It's just that following the plan has been blessed. Not only do we have wonderful, well rounded children, but we have two great citizens who will bless their country rather then burden it. As a mother my life has been blessed, enhanced, fulfilled and joy filled. I have been able to grow in my own education, meet people, develop talents, gain confidences, and even bless others. As parents we KNOW our children, what they go though, and are influenced by. We are in a position to help them, encourage them and guide them in a way most parents simply can not.

Whatever curriculum, style or method one chooses to use when home schooling, the point of it should be common. To do the very best for our children and our families. To produce educated, self supporting, well rounded, moral citizens. No one can do that better then the family itself.