Our Unsung Hero

Our group is incredibly lucky.  We have the best co-op coordinator.  Kristie has a talent for pulling this all together and making it a success.   I am always amazed how smoothly things seem to run.  This, I am sure, is a testament to her hard work and many hours of organization.

There before everyone and the last to leave, I think she may get five minutes to sit all day.  She spends months planning and five Fridays executing her masterpiece. Kristie comes with name tags, hair ties and tarps.  She has class lists, maps and supplies.   She hauls the lost and found and countless supplies for other things.  All this on top of making sure her three girls are where they need to be.  

Kristie manages to deal with parent and teacher absences, wrangling clean up crews, and keeping up with where everyone belongs.  She never lets on how much work this is or how tired she is at the end of the day.  We all go about our business and classes and most of us don’t realize the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes.

So remember to stop and take a moment to thank your co-op coordinator.  This is often a thankless position and we all owe her a debt of gratitude for the hard work and countless hours she spends to make our five weeks twice a year a great time for all.

Posted by
Heather Garcia

Support II

 

How to deal with the unsupportive.

So you have decided to homeschool, your family and friends have given you the third degree, and you feel like you are on an island alone.  Here are some tips I have found helpful in dealing with unsupportive family and friends.  

• Don’t get defensive.  I know this is hard but these people do not live your life. Take a deep breath and remember this is a decision that is deeply personal and not everyone will be walking in the homeschool parade.

• Bring out the names of famous homeschooled kids:

• Lewis Carroll (b. 1832), mathematician, logician, and author of Alice in Wonderland. Carroll was homeschooled until he was 12.
• Astra Taylor Canadian-American documentary film-maker, writer, musician. unschooled until age 13.
• Theodore Roosevelt (b. 1858), 26th President of the United States, homeschooled until college.
• Ernst Mach, Austrian physicist, homeschooled until high school by his parents.
• Come up with more on your own!

• Know the facts.

• “A 2011 small-sample study led by Sandra Martin-Chang of Concordia University* and using Canadian participants, found that “structured homeschooling” – where clear education goals are set and structured lessons in the form of either purchased curricula or self-made lesson plans (or a combination of the two) – produced academic performances much better than those achieved by same-level students in public school.  Specifically, in five of seven test areas (word identification, phonic decoding, science, social science, humanities) structured homeschoolers tested at least one grade level ahead of public schoolers.  They were almost a half-a-year ahead in math, and slightly, but not significantly, advanced in reading comprehension.”
• “The Huffington Post Teen page for 3/28/15 cites a U.S. News and World Report article published in 2012 based on statistics provided by the National Home Education Research Institute.  These statistics indicate that more than 2 million U.S. students in grades K-12 were home-schooled in 2010, accounting for nearly four percent of all school-aged children.  The same Huffington Post page notes that, according to a study that compared graduation rates at one doctoral university from 2004-2009, students coming from a home school graduated college at a higher rate than their peers­ — 66.7 percent compared to 57.5 percent — and earned higher grade point averages along the way (Cogan, Michael; “Exploring Academic Outcomes of Homeschooled Students,” University of St. Thomas, 2009).”

• Take a deep breath and smile.

• I have smiled and laughed off so many misguided comments it is not even funny, but remember being defensive and upset only affects you.  The offending party usually just goes on about their business.
• Remember, anything they have to say is reflective of their issue, not yours.

• Remind them this was not a rash decision

• This is not a decision most make lightly and it is hurtful to have it questioned. But taking the time to remind “helpful” friends and family that this path is the one you thought best for your child can close a lot of detractors’ mouths.

• Walk away

• Sometimes the best thing you can do is let go of an unhealthy, unsupportive relationship. This is not easy or fun, and the hurt can last a long time. Remember that relationships are built on trust and respect.  If it is lacking in those things maybe it’s best to put some space between you and the issue.

• Find like-minded people

• We are living in an age where homeschooling is becoming more mainstream. You can find any number of support groups or co-ops to help you.  There are secular and religious groups.  Either or both are great ways to make friends and have a supportive system.

Remember that most of the negative comments are made from a place of honest concern or love and I usually say thanks for your thoughts but I have that covered, or I understand your concern but this is important to me and my family.  

Really it is all worth it at the end of the day, and you get to see your child live to his/her full potential because you made a choice to take a harder road.

Posted by

Heather Garcia

Support

How many times have I cringed when attending an event because I know the questions will arise? Making the choice to homeschool is a very personal decision for each family.  Each caretaker weighs the options and chooses the best path for their child.  I have been doing this for awhile so I can dodge the snarky comments and avoid the anger (mostly). Being judged by anyone is not fun, but what about when it’s your support system?

The decision made, you are excited.  You rush to tell your parents, your siblings and other close family. Only, you are met with doubt, confusion, and sometimes open hostility.  You put on a smile, (or not) while you try to put into words this deeply personal decision.  

Now the questions start.  “How will they learn to stand in line?” Yes, I was asked this.  “Will they even learn to socialize?”  Really? I thought we got past that one.  “How will you know if they are learning what their peers are?” I’m homeschooling for a reason. “Will they ever get into college?” Really?  Just really?

Then you go to your friends for support.  There you get, “I could never deal with my kids all day.” Maybe they don’t know how this sounds. Or better yet, “I wish I could afford to stay home and do nothing.”  Maybe they don’t know that the choice to give up at least a part-time income and at most a full-time job means you make choices. That you choose to spend money on learning materials, or field trips, instead of girls night out, or a concert.  For some of us it means driving an older car to avoid a new payment, or putting off buying ourselves new shoes because we saw a new learning aid that we have to have.  

Some of us search for a community that understands, one that embraces us and our choices. That is what I found with Wake Forest Homeschoolers.  If we are lucky we find a tribe where we can get advice on the best way to teach fractions, or someone to talk to after that last fight with your mom about socialization.  

Support is key.  If you don’t find it in your circle of friends and family, then extend your circle.  We are lucky to be homeschooling in a time where you can find a group by just searching the web. It may take a bit of looking, and not every group is right for everyone, but it is worth the hunt when you find your support.

Hang On Mom

“Hang on, mom!”

Famous words from kids all over the world who just want to stay, play or even sleep a little longer. Sometimes I feel like that phrase is said just to push my buttons.  This is of course not true.  It seems it just usually stems from kids, just being...well kids.  

It seems that when I give a warning about time, like we will leave in a half hour, I see better results.  I have three kids. Two of them are adults and I learned a long time ago, it is usually better to give a warning. They have time to wrap up whatever they are doing and prepare to change gears.  

That said it does not always work and I have had to drag a crying or upset child from a playdate or down to dinner.  Now that my last child is older, it is easier.  He knows when we serve dinner and is usually ready for the interruption.  

I think the more aware of time they become, the easier it is.  Younger kids have no real handle on time.  You say five minutes until dinner, but that does not have any real meaning to them.  So when the five minutes are up and you call them, they do not see that it has been that long.  When you are young it can seem like an hour or the blink of an eye.  

Somewhere someone has done some scientific study.  I am not that impressed with that.  I know that each and every kid is different and they all learn, grow and mature at their own rate. No amount of prodding, poking or pleading with change that.  

So we do our best to be understanding and get stern when we have to, but mostly we just continue to hear “Hang on, mom!” and sometimes smile knowing that all too soon they grow up and leave the nest.  That someday you will miss that silly phrase.

Posted by Heather Garcia

For Wake Forest Homeschoolers

Finding a Group

Finding other homeschoolers with whom you can exchange ideas and support is a key when embarking on this journey. I don’t know how we went so many years without this amazing asset. Now I can not imagine our lives without it.

There are tons of groups out there. With MeetUp, Facebook, and other social networking sites it seems the choices are endless. So with all of that, how do you find a group that fits you and your family?

I started by deciding what I was looking for. I needed a group with at least a few kids around my son’s age. There also had to be a good variety of events to choose from. Mostly I wanted to find a community that we could become part of, a place where we could both make friends.
Wake Forest Homeschoolers is that home for us. I am still a member of several other groups but this one is our home. I love the twice a year co-ops where my son can enjoy classes taught by other parents. The classes are usually fun and the five weeks seem to fly by.


At the end of the fall co-op we have a trunk-r-treat for the kids and even some of the parents dress up. I tell ya this has been so much fun. I can’t wait for this fall’s classes to start.

Finding a group of people you feel comfortable and safe with really is key.

　

Posted by

Heather Garcia

Event Success

WOW! What a fun night for the kids. The "Come As You Are Dance" was a success. The DJ kept the kids on the dance floor. They were well fed and had a great time. The pictures coming in are of kids dancing and smiling and having so much fun.

The community all rallied around Jessica and her event to see it become a success. There were tons of chaperones and lots of help to clean up. It is so exciting to see the kids enjoy a fun and safe event. Even more so to see them all be able to express their personalities and be accepted.


I am consistently reminded how diverse and bright the kids are. I talked to more than a few about music choices, and how they enjoyed the dance. All seemed happy and engaged. Other than feeling a bit old that my music is classic, I was amused at the results.

I was thrilled to hear that another dance might be coming. Seeing the kids have fun and dance makes me a happy mom.

Gearing up for co-op

We are less than a month out from our next epic co-op.  Starting on October 2nd and continuing for the entire month, every Friday will be full of fun, learning and friends.  Our fearless leader Kristie has been hard at work to make this a successful venture.  Making sure it all runs smoothly is no easy task and she makes it look so simple.  

The three hours we spend at the WFHS co-op are some of our most enjoyable times.  We all come together to share fun and learning.  Kids get to take some fun classes like “My Spidey Senses Are Tingling”, “Murder, Mystery, and Mayhem”, and “Cryptozoology”.

I have to tell you I often wish I could sit in on several classes to enjoy the lessons myself.  However I am teaching a class about money management, so I will be busy.  I get excited when I am teaching.  We have such a great group of kids who like to learn it is hard not to share in their joy of learning.

So on the last day of our co-op we are doing a Trunk R Treat.  We tried this last year and it was a success, kids and parents alike enjoyed it.  I loved seeing all the costumes, and of course dressing up.  So let’s see what this year brings.

Again none of this would be possible without Kristie’s hard work and the talent of our teachers and assistants.  They all deserve a great big THANK YOU!!!

Posted by

Heather Garcia