Trying Moomie again...

Oh I love that quote!!! Its so absolutely true!! God will give you the rest and even some me-time thrown in there when you need it!

I also agree, although I guess we can all make the mistake of not seeing how special our kids are... and it is exhausting and trying being home with your kids all day... mine is 8 months and he is very very trying at times. But I wouldn't change it for the world...

Shame man, maybe you should ask the teacher about the situation... its no good your daughter is afraid of being naughty. Maybe you should think about working from home... Just a thought

Hey! Can I be your neighbour on the smallholding - we live in Malmesbury

Thanks for the links and the contacts, I'm going to do some more reading and asking around on this topic.

I read a post on Confessions of a homeschooler called Plate Spinning 101 where she listed her priorities, the last on her list was me-time and to quote from her here for those who haven't read it: www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/blog/...te-spinning-101.html

"12. Ahh, finally….me time! Sorry ladies, but I’ve searched diligently, and unfortunately “me time” is nowhere to be found in the Bible! Well, technically it is there, its just listed as “selfishness”. The good news here is that if you start off with plate 1, time with God, He will give you the rest you need, and He even throws in some “me time” when He knows I need it most!"

That really hit home with me and now for me even vacuuming and dusting I consider me time.

Also read somewhere a mother said she doesn't want anyone else to have the privilege to spend 6+ hours enjoying her child and perhaps not seeing how truly special her child/children are.

Today is one of those days that I'm really concerned about daycare. B keeps apologising for being naughty saying that we shouldn't hit her. As a rule we never hit her, I don't know if they do it at school but now I'm wondering if she got a hiding today for being naughty or if she only saw one of the other kids getting a hiding, actually very distressing for me at the moment.

At this moment really feeling that I don't want to share her with that kind of world....

Marijke: Ok, wow! I am by no means a pro... I have not yet homeschooled, so I speak from experience with other moms, who have. Just need to get that out there.

About the me-time... I get crazy mad about that. Goodness knows I would love some me-time! I would love to be able to hand my kid off to a daycare and let them deal with him... but why was I then blessed with a child? I don't need to work really, my husband makes enough so we can afford to live comfortably... not at all luxuriously but we manage. I really believe that its a mother's calling to be home with her children. And me time every now and then is awesome, but thats why you have hubby to watch your kid for a couple of hours and go and chill.

I understand about living in a small town and those concerns... I guess thats where you would weigh up the pros and cons. There's always play dates and such... for social growth. As for more kids, as I said, we leave the amount of kids in God's hands, so if its just one, heck we'll sommer adopt some more

Now onto your other questions: There is definitely Afrikaans material available, my friend Linnie homeschools her kids in Afrikaans... you can check out her blog, and contact her for more details, she's a seasoned homeschooling mommy.
backtoancientways.blogspot.com/
Then my personal homeschooling rolemodel, is a friend of mine, who is very involved with homeschooling in SA, Taryn Hayes, her blog has all the info you need to make a good decision, and she's always happy to answer questions. www.hayesfamily.co.za/blog/

The other one you mentioned is Trudy, of Fun with Mouse, and she is just awesome too! Talk to her somemore, she will really help.

Another thing on the socializing side, Homeschooling in the Cape at least is quite a group thing, there are very often outings arranged and trips where all the homeschoolers get together, so its not that lonely. You can ask Taryn more about that, she often arranges things - as you'll see on her blog.

I suggest you speak to Linnie about material and support and how the Afrikaans side works, as I am not sure, but I know there is always support.

My one friend has 5 kids, she homeschooled the eldest till Matric, and the second eldest till grade 9, then she send her to normal school, because the kid was struggling a bit, but she is still homeschooling the other 3. There seems to be no issues with moving your kids to a normal school at any stage, provided you are following a recognized program. The chances of a homeschooled child being behind are so slim they are non-existant. In fact more often than not they are more advanced... as you see with B and the beads... The individual attention really helps that. They are also much more confident in conversation and have a greater general knowledge.

The homeschool programmes I have researched all have such a great setup and support, that should you not be able to help with science/math (in my case for sure), they have the setup that can help you and your child. This includes telephone or email tutor or help. Hoemschooling is really not only for teachers or geniuses... Its really for anyone who wants to give their kid the best.

Family will always frown on something you do... my folks think we are mad as hatters to want more than 2 kids... my in laws think we're totally loopy to homeschool. You will never please them all... but the joy of family is they have to support and love you regardless. We're taking this to a whole new level, as we will be living on a smallholding between Malmesbury and Melkbos, with a few kids, a bunch of animals, homeschooling, growing our own veg and making our own whatever-we-can! So guess how my folks are going to react! haha!

I hope this has helped in some way...

marijke - I'll reply as soon as my monkey is napping... hopefully soon! He's a bit iffy and your post is nice and long

Chanz, it depends what curricullum you follow, but as I have understood from friends who do it, you can follow the Cambridge curriculum for highschool, and that is accepted by SA universities. But primary school, we'll do Sonlight.

Thanks Hasie and Dinky

Suhaila - yes I have heard of her, and have checked out her site a few times, will get more into it when I am seriously into the schooling Thanks!

Thanks, Deja