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Reflections on a Homeschool Journey from 1987

Education, Guest Blogs, Mom Stories, Teaching
Family Photo 1987

By Guest Blogger: Diane Napierkowski

Written December 1987

Family Photo 1987

Homeschooling Pros

  • No peer pressure (parent pressure instead)
  • Able to get along with all ages
  • **More of our values
  • Already I feel ostracized at Bushnell
  • *Very much a family
  • Enjoying these years instead of enduring these years
  • *New nicer friends, friends who respect religious conviction
  • Easier vacations
  • More respect from kids
  • *Kids get to be kids
  • No Christmas compromise
  • *No Rock ‘n Roll on the bus
  • Less busy work
  • Less sickness
  • *Sickness won’t interfere with school
  • *Twins won’t miss the big kids
  • Won’t feel that someone else has control of our children
  • Less $ spent on clothes
  • Lots of fun!
  • *Field trips
  • **More excitement about parenting
  • Next kids esp.

Cons of Homeschooling

  • **Can I do it
  • **Can I do it well
  • *Less kids to play with
  • Ostracized by teachers if they return
  • Expensive
  • *No free time
  • *Hassles with family and friends
  • *Maybe new friends won’t like our religion
  • *Lunch-time and $
  • *Learning well already
  • Court case
  • Brethren reject
  • Less stylish clothes
  • Dad added: ***Is it the best use of our time, that is using the government (?) for the good it does and then adding our own good
  • May fear telling world about our religion

    pros and cons

    Homeschooling Pros and Cons Original List

The Decision to Homeschool

When I was in the middle of 2nd grade and Jarrod was in the middle of 1st, they pulled us out of public school to homeschool us. I ended up going back to public school in the 8th grade, my brother Jarrod went back in the 11th grade, and my three younger siblings, Andrea, Lisa, and David were homeschooled K-12.

More than anything, being homeschooled allowed us to follow our own passions. Sure we did our workbooks and mastered the necessary skills, but the majority of our days were spent engaged in creative and imaginative play, exploring nature, and pursuing our own interests. 

First Day of Homeschool: Jan 4, 1988

Wow! Was it scary! “Is the school going to call? What will the neighbors say? Russ? Mom? Can I do it? Do I want to?” I needed encouragement today. But Barb Welch is in California for the refresher. Rich calmed me down markedly yesterday afternoon. “Remember why we decided on this, Di? It was for good, sound reasons, well thought out. We have legal protection, etc.” I needed to be reminded of all of that. We worked hard and long. Flash cards, work books, 2 pages each book minimum. School zone book 1 pg. Jarrod. Stacey and Jarrod spelling words.

First Day of Homeschool

First Day of Homeschool

Family Photo 1988

Family Photo 1988

First Year of Homeschool: June, 1989

What about the cons? Yes, I can do it and do it very well! There are fewer children to play with, but it’s really special when they do come over. No problem with being ostracized if they return. The money is well spent and fun to spend! I have plenty of free time – they help out with the baby, twins, etc. Good kids. No hassles from family and friends. Very minor occasionally, but it doesn’t bother me. Money and time spent on lunch is no big deal. TV is no problem. Just hard, fast rules with few exceptions on TV and Atari. They are learning well now. Brethren don’t reject much. The kids do wear less stylish clothes. It is definitely the best use of our time. Our short comings surpass their strong points. Our religion just is. It’s not like we’re so different anymore.

What about the pros? 75% peer pressure gone. Definitely can blend in with all ages well. More of our values. No tug of war with school over whose kids they are (values, etc.) It is fun! We are very much a family. We are definitely enjoying these years. Jennifer Metskar – new good friend. Not many more. Kids are more respectful, polite. They are socializing and want to be cool still. Holidays don’t phase us at all. No bus ride. No busy work. Still get sick. Twins love them. No fear AT ALL that someone’s taking my kids away. LESS $ spent on clothes. Lots of fun. We need more field trips – Lansing, etc. Parenting is natural, what it was meant to be.

Family Photo 1989

Family Photo 1989

Homeschooling Goals for 1989-1991

  • Play the piano
  • Speak Spanish
  • Know all the countries, US States, capitals
  • Know the presidents
  • Do real well in math and enjoy it
  • Read avidly
  • Be into Church literature – studies, etc.
  • Be able to write stories (interesting), reports, letters
  • Get exercise, ride unicycle, water ski, snow ski
  • Be interested and self-motivated in science
  • Be very comfortable on computers
  • Type
Family Photo 1990

Family Photo 1990

Family Photo 1991

Family Photo 1991

Stacey Wants to Go Back to Public School (8th Grade): July 31, 1993

Pros of Going Back to Public School:

  • She wants to
  • More variety of involvement and education (pottery, woodshop, reports, sports, etc.)
  • Makes high school easier
  • More people
  • Easier to learn
  • Have a change to excel

Cons of Going Back to Public School:

  • Fear that she’ll go over the deep end (common sense, though, says she won’t)
  • Less free time
  • Mandatory learning
  • Not home until after 3
  • No sleeping in or up late
  • No after school sports
  • There are gangs
  • Lots of hallway kissing
  • Age in which most girls have sex
Family Photo 1993

Family Photo 1993

Update: Jan 25, 1995

Stacey’s in school – She has gotten into a “cool” attitude – disrespectful.

Family Photo 1995

Family Photo 1995

Update: Jan. 20, 2015

Stacey is considering homeschooling! I’m typing this up for her!! She’s a precious friend who uplifts me.

In Conclusion

So many of my young friends are asking me about my homeschool journey. It is so wonderful to see another generation of homeschool parents who are asking the same questions that I did. As time goes by, I feel even more happy about our decision to homeschool. A few doubts such as my inability to teach footnotes used to make me feel like a loser. Now I see that the greatest gift I could give my kids was to remove obstacles from them finding their own true norths. I think they each have.

Author Bio: Diane is a mother of five who home schooled her children and is passionate about learning, teaching, seeking the truth, living a healthy lifestyle, and spending time with her family. When not working as a Quality Engineer, she can be found supporting her husband in their family run fundraising business at Great Lakes Promotions.

August 16, 2017/0 Comments/by Stacey Maaser
https://embracing-motherhood.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/EM_Logo.png 0 0 Stacey Maaser https://embracing-motherhood.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/EM_Logo.png Stacey Maaser2017-08-16 08:32:132022-09-16 06:52:22Reflections on a Homeschool Journey from 1987

8 Things I’ve Learned from Being a Grandma

Guest Blogs, Mom Stories
Embracing Motherhood 9 Things I’ve Learned from Being a Grandma

By Guest Blogger: Diane Napierkowski

There’s a disconnect with being a grandparent compared to being a parent. As a grandparent, you don’t see the children every day, you don’t wipe their noses, fix their hurts, etc. As a parent, I thought my heart was full, but when I became a grandparent, it grew even more. There is never a limit to the capacity of your heart. My grandchildren continuously surprise me and melt my heart when I least expect it.

  • Grandchildren CRAVE your love. They need you, their hearts long for you, and it touches you so deeply. Their love is 100% genuine.
  • Grandchildren grow up fast. The moments you have with them are finite, and you only see them now and then. The moments you have together are special, but there are so many special ones that you miss along the way. Realize that life is a short journey in which your lives overlap for a time.
  • Grandparents get to fill in the spots instead of covering all bases. As a parent, everything must be in balance, but as a grandparent, you can be ridiculous! You can buy them a crazy toy that they might not even like, splurge on ice cream before dinner, and let them stay up way past bedtime during an overnight knowing that these things are the exceptions, not the rules.
  • There are still many things that are the same as when you raised your own children! Don’t be intimidated by new technology, and remember that hugs and kisses still pack a 100% punch.
  • Your kids are still your kids. See your children as little again. Pick up the pieces and give your own children the things you forgot to give them or the things you were too busy to see way back when. Realize that your children are reliving their childhoods through their children. Grandchildren are a medium for any healing that needs to occur.
  • Be HONEST! Be painfully honest. Show your true self and cleanse your heart with them. Be authentic. Deepen their hearts with the gift of who you really are.
  • Be vulnerable. Open up your heart, admit your faults, and let them see your flaws. Grandchildren are the most forgiving.
  • Encourage your grandchildren to love their nuclear family. Let them be refreshed and empowered by them. Strengthen and support their love for their parents and siblings.

Life is a journey, not a destination. You never arrive, but grandchildren are the Grand Canyons, the Yosemites, and the geysers of Yellowstone along the way.

Grandma Di with Elliot and Ruby

Grandma Di with Elliot and Ruby

Author Bio: Diane is a mother of five who home schooled her children and is passionate about learning, teaching, seeking the truth, living a healthy lifestyle, and spending time with her family. When not working as a Quality Engineer, she can be found supporting her husband in their family run fundraising business at Great Lakes Promotions.

January 18, 2016/3 Comments/by Stacey Maaser
https://embracing-motherhood.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/what-i-learned-being-a-grandma.png 400 810 Stacey Maaser https://embracing-motherhood.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/EM_Logo.png Stacey Maaser2016-01-18 16:55:202020-11-20 15:35:088 Things I’ve Learned from Being a Grandma

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