trying out my teacherly genes

[deird1]

When I was 16, I was totally going to get married at 22, have four kids, and homeschool them. Then my plans changed.

The getting married at 22 changed by me being utterly single for a decade.

The four kids dropped down to three kids (once I got some common sense), and then to two (once I got pregnant the first time and discovered how terrible it was).

The homeschooling was an idea I'd already discarded - but then I was confirmed in my decision by how much I lose my temper when trying to teach my son things. Absolutely, definitely, one hundred percent no way I was going to homeschool.

...and then my plans changed. Again.

It should be noted, for our studio audience, that I am in a fairly ideal position to homeschool:
- I have the time.
- I have the support system.
- I have actually done some classroom teaching before.
- I came damn close to doing a Masters in Education.
- I know the topics backwards. (Not hard. He's in Prep - so right now he's learning about opposites, vowels, and writing the alphabet.)

It's going really well! Somehow, I'm keeping my temper, and not getting horribly frustrated every time he doesn't try, and he, for the most part, is actually trying! Huzzah!

In the last few weeks, we have read things, written things, learnt maths, art, music, and PE, and had Cooking Lessons From Mum as an extra! (The boy can now make cake, and pancakes.)

That being said, I will be SO VERY GLAD when he's back at school again.

Comments

[immer_am_lesen]

Heh. When I was 16, I was going to marry, but not sure when. Was going to have a few kids, and possibly homeschool.
Now, never going to homeschool, after just a few days of trying to teach/ support a Prep and Year 2 things, with an active toddler and newborn underfoot. I'm glad you're coping, because my days read about the opposite to yours, re. temper, trying, meltdowns...
And extra-curricular? nuh-uh. So glad if we finish before 6pm so we can have something for dinner on time. ish.
The school wants everyone to make Anzac bikkies on Friday, and make lanterns to sit in our driveways at dawn on Saturday. Hahahahaha......no.

[deird1]

Wow - four kids to deal with? I think I'd go crazy.

I've seen a fabulous diagram floating round the internet, assessing how you're doing with emergency homeschooling. It pretty much concludes that if your child is not actually on fire, you're doing fine. (If your child is on fire, it suggests that you put them out.) I think that's a good rule to follow, at the moment. :)

[immer_am_lesen]

Yeah, without the two youngest, I'd not be minding home-learning so much. Then I'd just have to deal with the oldest's constant breakdowns over not knowing the right answer to everything...so, so hard to not just give her the right answer so she feels less stressed. And she's only 7.... :-/

Haha...thankfully, no children set on fire yet. Thankfully their glares at each other aren't combustible...

[lirazel]

I'm so glad it's working out!

[deird1]

Hurrah! At least one part of my crazy, crazy world is not collapsing in flames!

:)

[howsmyenglish]

This sounds great! (And reminds me of a friend of mine, who's in the same situation now) Good luck to both of you! One thing is for sure: the two of you will know and understand each other much better after this experience.
(I think)

[deird1]

I hope so. Certainly, we're being more patient with each other, which is a nice change.

[bruttimabuoni]

I'm glad you're coping, especially when he isn't trying (that's the bit I would fail on, every time). There's been so, so much sudden change, and it's turning out not entirely how some of us expected, I think.

[deird1]

especially when he isn't trying (that's the bit I would fail on, every time)

Oh, totally. All our previous ventures into learning things at home usually ended with me yelling "It's okay if you get it wrong! JUST PICK ONE!!!" I am frankly amazed that I'm keeping my cool right now.

[out_there]

When I was 16, I was totally going to get married at 22, have four kids, and homeschool them. Then my plans changed.

Wow. At 16, I hoped to be married by my mid-thirties and have two girls. At 38 and perpetually single (okay, introverted and too frickin' lazy to put the effort into apps and socialising that dating requires), I'm happy enough with three dogs and financial security.

[deird1]

Hurrah for dogs! They are, in many ways, so much more fun than children.

[immer_am_lesen]

...I totally agree- they won't roll their eyes at yet another dinner they don't like, they won't tell you you're the worst person ever, you can leave them with others or alone at home for the day/ holiday....

[out_there]

Hee. They do have the option of boarding kennels if you want to go overseas, and never growing out of that terribly cute stage and becoming mouthy teenagers. ;)

[thenewbuzwuzz]

Oh yay, go you!

[deird1]

Hurrah!