An Interview with a Homeschool/Public School Mom
Sometimes it’s helpful to hear thoughts from someone in position other than ours, to learn a little what life is like for someone else. I have a friend that is gracefully balancing both the homeschool and public school worlds. She sweetly answered a few questions for us, homeschoolers.
Q: What circumstances brought you to both schooling settings?
A: We have always homeschooled with the intention of putting the kids in school “once they were old enough.” Turns out that was 4th grade for our oldest and may be 3rd for the next one. We really appreciate homeschooling for the younger grades, but have reservations about socialization and academics as they get older. What has changed the most? Schedules have become tighter, but not impossibly so. [Our son is] making huge strides in math (always a hated subject) and learning to love PE. The biggest change has been the new lack of free time. It’s made him value the free time he does have (unlike when he was home) and he’s learned to work quickly and get homework done. We’ve made a conscious effort to clear his schedule when he is home though. I don’t run errands after school and we’ve limited after school activities. I’m still a homeschooler at heart and place a high value on unstructured time.
Q: How are your kids affected by the different schooling of his/her siblings?
A: There has definitely been a level of separation between the oldest and the younger siblings. It’s hard to say how much is due to the maturity jump that came along with starting school and how much is due to the lack of playtime together. The beginnings of this separation were already in place before public school though and were part of the decision to start school when we did.
Q: Is being a public school/homeschool parent sustainable for the duration of raising kids?
A: I do feel it’s sustainable. There is definitely a feeling of being split between two worlds, but if it means we can benefit from the best of both, it’s a stretch I’m willing to make.
Q: What has been your biggest surprise with adding public school to your family?
A: The biggest surprise has been the quality of instruction offered by our local school. I came into public school with a real fear of the public system and it’s been humbling and encouraging to find so many excellent teachers with a real love for the kids in their care. I couldn’t be happier with the teachers and the environment.
Q: What has been the biggest hurdle with adding public schooling to your family?
A: The biggest hurdle has been time and scheduling. I have also had to learn to let go of control–both in what he is learning and how he spends his time.
Q: What would you tell another homeschool parent who is considering public school?
A: Give yourself time. Time for you and for your kids to adjust to the idea. Time to do your research. Time to fill in any learning gaps–ideally six months to a year. Our oldest started out quite resistant to the idea. After living with the idea for a while, and touring the school he would attend, his attitude changed. He got onboard and was ready for the new adventure. Talk to parents whose kids are attending the school you’re considering. Tour the school and talk to the teachers. Often there are school events that you can attend to get a feel for the school environment. Prepare you kids by talking positively, but realistically, about what the change will mean. We talked about the move to school as a maturing thing–praising them for being ready for greater challenges and responsibility.
And there you have it! I remain thankful to have friends around that are doing things a little differently than I am.
What would you ask someone who is balancing between both homeschooling and public school worlds?
Lindsay Banton is a caffeinated mother to three great kids. She never expected to homeschool, but has found that it is a wonderful addition to their lifestyle and wouldn’t change it for the world. In addition to homeschooling, Lindsay works alongside her husband in campus ministry at a large university in Connecticut. She grew up in Virginia but has settled into life in New England, learning to love the long winters, cool springs, green summers and gorgeous autumns- and has built a boot collection to meet all the demands. She is currently blogging at www.oaksreplanted.blogspot.com
