Determining Unique Child's Needs
Dear Holly,
I have homeschooled my 13 yr old son for the past 2 yrs. Last year we decided to bring our 10 yr old daughter home as well. We have found that homeschooling has been very beneficial for our son but are uncertain if it is the best option for our daughter. We saw our son grow in confidence and his drive to work hard, but our daughter seemed to have just the opposite experience. She began not to care about even doing school work, it seems that she works better having healthy competition. She began to have bouts of what appeared to be depression. She is much more social and really misses seeing her friends every day at school. We made a point of getting her together with her friends as often as possible and she does interact well with the homeschool kids but she still really misses the school environment. Because of how her demeanor changed so much for the negative I am concerned to continue homeschooling her. With the Bishop mandate virtues "sex-ed" programs beginning this fall in the schools I really feel that we should keep her protected at home as long as possible yet I do not want live life in fear either. How do we know where that fine line of being prudent and trusting in God lies? Is it true that some kids do better in a school setting than others and we should read each child seperately or is homeschooling in our world today the only safe and logical answer to raising them up as saints?Labels: Homeschooling
posted by Holly at 1:36 AM
1 comments
Accomodating Teens' Schedules???
Dear Holly
I am a stay at home mom, married 19 years. I have six children, ages 2 to 15. The older ones all attend Catholic school, with the two oldest going to a high school about 20 minutes away from here. How can I cope with the irregularity of their after school activities once school starts again in a month? Once school starts I will need to be available to drive the kids back and forth to their practices etc. after the school day is over. Do you recommend that I just work this time period into the rule? That's my only choice I guess. Only the 4 oldest ones are in this situation right now, but it does get complicated .Labels: 4th P Parent, About a Rule of Life
posted by Holly at 4:37 AM
5 comments
A Child's Rule of Life
Dear Holly,
When helping your children to make their own rule of life, what are the Five Ps for them? Our nine children are ages 3 to 22. Two are going off to college.Labels: 4th P Parent, About a Rule of Life
posted by Holly at 10:21 AM
2 comments
Helping Husband Discern Homeschooling
Dear Holly,
I have greatly enjoyed your book and am in the process of forming my own rule. We have 5 children ages 4-10 with another on the way. Our children have attended a Catholic School 30 miles from where we live since our oldest was in kindergarten and we are set to have 4 in school this year. Since reading your book and other Catholic materials, I am feeling pulled toward homeschooling. I've prayed and just feel it is in the best interest of our children and family. My husband doesn't feel the same way. He has negative "stereotypes" of homeschooling and when we begin to break through those he still has concerns. I am having a hard time putting into words the why's to him as it's just something I feel in my heart is right and I don't need a lot of explanations or justifications for. As the head of our family, he has the ultimate decision but I would like to be able to give him a little more to base his decision on. I know very little about how homeschooling actually works and am discovering a lot as I search for information. Any suggestions on where to begin and how to at least give my husband an objective look at the options?Labels: Homeschooling
posted by Holly at 10:59 AM
15 comments
My Kids are Too Little
Dear Holly,
I am overwhelmed. I can't implement a rule because my kids are too little. What can I do until they grow up and I can start mother's rule?Labels: 4th P Parent, About a Rule of Life
posted by Holly at 10:47 AM
8 comments
Teens: "Buying Into" the Rule...
Dear Holly,
I have just read your book. I decided to read the first couple chapters to the family to try to get some "buy in". Everyone loved the first chapter and the next. I finished reading it myself and have developed a basic starting version of the families rule. My biggest challenge will be to get my teenager (15 yrs) to follow it. If he doesn't then the younger children (10,7,3) take leads from him and stop doing things. I know I have parenting issues with my teenager which don't help. I go from being soft to hard. I need to find a middle ground but he tests me constantly. Any ideas on how to get a teenager to participate and/or a method of discipline for when he refuses?Labels: 4th P Parent
posted by Holly at 9:01 AM
1 comments
Help
With Your Rule
