Helping Homeschool Kids be Financially Self-Sufficient

I am working to select homeschool materials for my kids in preparation for next year.

One of the great things about homeschooling is that you can customize the curriculum you use.

In addition to the normal reading, writing, math, science, etc., I am adding 2 more requirements:

1. A personal finance course - I feel like every child should learn about money and financial responsibility. Learning about the dangers of unsecured comsumer debt and living within your means are 2 very important lessons to know, and most teens don't learn about it.
2. Starting a business - The kids have their own blogs and such, and that brings in some money - but I am talking a full business plan and the whole nine yards.

Not sure which programs I am going to choose yet, but when I decide, you'll know. :o)

I'm back!

This has been such a busy 6 months!

Homeschooling is going well. The kids are only a few months away from finishing their school year, and they are already counting down the days! LOL

I have been busy writing. It has been a full-time job almost, but I love it. now I am writing more for myself and less for clients. I research and develop information products for sale. It is something I really enjoy.

Hubby is still at his same job, but he is talking about going back for his Bachelor's Degree.

I am working on my Bachelor's Degree, and should be finished by August.

I am already getting next year's curriculum purchased and laid out. I am adding a personal finance course for my oldest, and also each child will be creating and running a business next year.

I will be posting more updates soon!

Private School vs. Homeschooling

I rant a lot about public schools. Quite frankly, I think they suck. Just my honest opinion. Feel free to disagree with me.

But what about private schools?

Off the top of my head:

• They are generally smaller and have a better teacher-to-student ratio.
• They have a more challenging curriculum.
• Parents pay for the privilege of having their kids attend, so the parents are more motivated to make sure their kids do well.
• Private schools can boot any kid that is a troublemaker.
• Many times, the teachers, parents and students see each other outside of class (at church), so they all know each other better.
• Teachers can freely and openly talk about God and Jesus.

Now, I don't think private schools are equal to homeschooling, but I think (and this is just my opinion) that they are an option I might consider if I needed to. I certainly would feel better about private schools as opposed to public schools.

Comments? Thoughts?

Being a well-rounded parent

Growing up, I never really cared about what I learned in school. I did well and studied and all of that, but I never really thought about how it would impact my children.

I am so thankful that I learned music. I can play 5 instruments. I can read music. I can teach my kids the basics on 3 instruments, and I can teach them quite a bit more on the other 2.

I am so glad I took art classes in school. I can teach watercolor, oil pastels, chalk pastels, charcoal drawing, decoupage, batik, and a variety of other techniques and media.

I am thrilled that I learned Spanish in school. I can teach my kids Spanish and also show them how knowing Spanish helps in everyday life. (I have translated for more than one frustrated sales clerk while we are out running errands!)

I am happy I went as far a calculus and college - level Biology and Chemistry. I feel comfortable teaching science through high school.

I am sure you are thinking, "That's great, but what about if you don't know all of that stuff?"

Glad you asked! ;)

There are so many resources out there to help teach your kids. A Google search is all you need to find a resource for just about everything you would want to teach your kids. For example - my son wants to learn Japanese this year! Ack! I don't know Japanese!

But that's okay. I don't need to.

However, I will be learning it along with him. Why? Because I really want to share the experience with him, and it gives me a chance to learn something new.

I encourage you - if your kids are learning something you don't know, learn with them!

It can be a lot of fun. :o)

You know you are doing a good job when....

Well, Loyal Readers, I have to say that my son (12 years old) has done something I never thought possible - he totally embarrassed me and made me incredibly proud in the same moment.

Let me explain.

I consider one of the best things about having cable is that they have the music channels. That means I can be-bop to "Love Shack" and about a zikillion other 80's songs anytime I want. Life is good. ("The looooooove Shack is a little ....") Oh no, wait. Sorry. Got lost for a moment. I'm back now.

So I am in my room (thinking the kids are in bed), be-bopping along, singing, dancing, reliving my teenage years and not really paying attention to what was playing.

Suddenly, a quiet voice says, "Mom, should you really be listening to that?" And I whirl around to see my son in the doorway. He had gotten up to tell me something else, but stumbled onto my little singing and dancing number.

The song, you ask?

"I Want Your Sex" by George Michael. Yeah. That's the embarassing part.

But I was also very proud of my son. First, because he thinks that way. Second, because he had the courage to (respectfully) voice his concern/opinion. And third, because he was right.

I immediately turned off the television and hugged my son and told him how proud I was and that he was right. I thanked him for being honest with me and speaking up.

I guess, maybe, I am doing something right.