Trying Moomie again...

Okay, I'm back, work done, house cleaned

First off, I agree 100% with all your reasons for wanting to do it. Hats off to you for standing firm in your beliefs!

Before I got pregnant I was a 'simpler, better, faster' person. I thought my mom was just old and full of (excuse me) crap for being against disposables!

Then I got pregnant and had a total 180. I rallied against disposables. I didn't breastfeed though, something I'm not very proud to admit anymore. I went totally green, harshes chemicals in my house now is vinegar and baking soda. Take-aways became a thing of the past. Did baby-led weaning - which I'm still thankful for stumbling across. I saved money on everything and still have a spreadsheet saying this is what we bought, this is what I really wanted to buy, this is how much we saved and is going into a special fund for B to get one day.

Trudie from Fun with little mouse was on the forum for a while and started the idea of homeschooling with me, linking to blogs that are full of info. B was with me at home till 15 months of age and we did a lot of totschool from early on.

Then came (I don't know, perhaps the) internet, radio, tv, having too much access to other moms. I heard loads of advice (not directed towards me but to other moms) about 'me time'. Some moms seem to have it all together - the children, the full time working, the side line job, gym, perfect hair and nails - you know them. I felt so down, up until that time (15 months) the only place I've been without B was a quick rush to the shops after 8 when she's in bed and hubby can look after her. I was actually quite content but this little voice (or be it some screaming mommy advocates for woman rights) kept telling me how can you be happy with THIS being it?

So I went to work, the perfect job really. My husband and brother in law have a business. I get there between 7:45 and 8am and I can leave whenever I'm done, or lazy. Some days I walk out at 9 other days I stay till 2pm. When I started working I wanted to do work in the mornings, tot school with B in the afternoons. Then one day possibly 9 months in to it I realized that I became the mother I always dreaded. "She gets enough stimulation at school. I worked hard and don't feel like it today. They'll teach her that at school. She gets potty trained at school, it's hard work, I'm too tired/lazy I'm going to stick a diaper on her" you name it.

*Side note, I love the school, B loves going to school, she's in the 2 year olds class, the potties*

Then one day I walked into school and the 3 year olds were stringing spools on a shoelace, one boy got 3 on, the other were still struggling with the first one, boy with 3 on got a special star for doing it well. I remarked that B also has those same spools and the round ball 'beads' and the lady said yes this is the first time that she's trying this activity with them, they are still too small for the balls, they'll choke. My heads going oooookkkkkaaaaaaaayyyyy. Before B started school she could thread both without help. That was when the harsh reality hit me again. I'm not saying my child is super intelligent or needs more stimulation but in a schooling environment she's just going along at the same pace as the slowest.

In our town we have a couple of daycares, a creche, about 3 or 4 Grade R classes, public primary school, a private school that only goes to Grade 7, and a public high school.

My troubles though are this
I haven't done my homework on this really but the info isn't freely available (I feel). How is the curriculum, are there different ones because we aren't English and where's the support should I need it or do I just google and wing it

We live in a smallish town, so there really aren't a lot of sports outside of the regular school sports. So far I've seen swimming and karate. Big whoop!

What if I get to a point and don't know how to go further or I perhaps think that school would be a better option. Lets say she's starting grade 1 and has to go to school and she's so far ahead (or behind) of the rest that it becomes a problem and we can't go back to homeschooling - for whatever reason.

There aren't many (or none) in our area that I know of who homeschool, what about friends. Hubby wants 2 children, I want 3 but what if we are never meant to have more than her, I mean if we had a house full of children I wouldn't worry about it at all!

Other people can go fly a kite for all I'm concerned but at the mention of this my own family raises their eye brows.

Then my main concern(always is and always will be) what if I'm not smart enough. What if we get to grade 10 science for example and I just don't know.

That's my thoughts/questions for now, sorry for the long post And thanks for helping me out!

Hi Clay

I am also curious about homeschooling. After a child completing a homeschooling curriculum, is it recognized by South African universities?

Hi moomie:) not sure if you've heard of Carissa at the 1+1+1=1 blog. She is a Christian missionary who homeschools her family and offers tons of support and free printables:)

Goodluck. I'd be keen to hear about homeschooling too.

Welcome back, hope you have a great time here this time round and stay for ever!

Welcome back!

I am definately going to check out your blog tonight!

Thanks for the reply ClayJG,

I'm at work now, but will reply as soon as I get home