Comments on: Homeschooling and our family…

By: Katie B

Katie B — Thu, 19 May 2011 21:42:58 +0000

Hi there. I stumbled upon your blog today and have read many of the entries. Let me first say that I am so so so sorry about your loss. I do not have children, but cannot imagine what you and your family are going though.

Our families actually have a few big things in common – homeschooling, brain tumors and autism.

I am one of 6 and my youngest brother and sister (they are 9 almost 10) have forms of autism. Our family adopted them from Guatemala and they were babies at the time – so at that point we had no clue that they would end up with that diagnosis. They are fabulous kids and I love going home or when they come to visit me – when I was 16 when we adopted them they were merely “babies” but now at 25, its so much fun having siblings who still get excited for christmas and birthdays and love to have fun.

One of my other brother’s was in a car accident two years ago and wasnt wearing a seat belt – he thankfully was okay but hit his head on the roof of the car so he was forced to get a cat scan to make sure there was no trauma. In what must have been God looking out for him – a lesion was found. It ended up being a low grade malignant tumor and he had surgery two weeks later to have it removed. He has since pretty much fully recovered but it was so scary for our family – but we are so thankful that everything turned out.

Lastly, my mom and dad pulled me and my brother (my two younger siblings at the time were in nursery school) out of public school because they were unhappy with the education we were receiving. They decided to do it on a year by year basis and I ended up being homeschooled from 5th grade right through 12th. I used a correspondence school for high school where I sent in my work to be graded and it was also an accredited school so I graduated with my high school diploma. I ultimately went on to Villanova University, graduated the top in my major and have been working in Jax, FL for the past three years as a paralegal. I start law school this fall and ALWAYS try to talk to people about homeschooling. Its not for everyone in every situation, but it can work and it can be a great thing. I fully value the decision my parents made all those years ago because it helped turn me into a well rounded, determined, efficient adult once I hit college.

I just wanted to let you know that I have been touched reading your blog – and hope that your family is healing and doing as well as they can considering the circumstances.

By: Tabitha Say

Tabitha Say — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 00:13:25 +0000

I have so enjoyed reading your blog. We, too are a christian homeshooling family. We have 6 boys ages 1-11. We just found out that our youngest son probably has mitochondrial myopathy. We are scared but at the same time the
Lord has given us an unexplainable peace about it all. Your words have given me such encouragement. Thank you so much for sharing!
Tabitha

By: Kristen Clippard Zamber

Kristen Clippard Zamber — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 20:07:13 +0000

Hey, Heather. ‘Been a really long time.
That’s so cool that you’re homeschooling. I’ve just spent about an hour and a half reading your story & Emma’s. Awesome stuff. Really goes down deep.
Love,
Kristen

By: Dianne - Bunny Trails

Dianne - Bunny Trails — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 01:22:25 +0000

Beautiful post, Heather! Homeschooling can be such a blessing and joy when we remember that our families and situations are unique. It’s so important to find what works best for each child. When that happens, we can really see them blossom. Thanks for sharing this! It’s a terrific reminder for me as I begin making plans for this year, while questioning the past four.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 03:59:29 +0000

Can I just say “wow”? This is amazing. And inspiring.

We have been homeschooling from the beginning. This year my daughter will be in 4th grade, and my sons will be in 2nd grade, preschool, and then the toddler. As challenging (and rewarding) as homeschooling is, I cannot even imagine having cancer. YOU are proof that it can be done. That love does conquer all. That a person CAN do what they set their mind to. Keep believing, trusting, persevering, and inspiring.
Thank you!

By: julie@love,laughter&laundry

julie@love,laughter&laundry — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 03:52:26 +0000

I couldn’t argree more with what a wonderful experience homeschooling is. I don’t think I could ever go back to the public school. We have been so blessed.

Julie

By: The Nester

The Nester — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:25:58 +0000

I loved that you homeschooled even through your sickness and what a beautiful answer to the question of why. My three boys will be at three different schools next year. I'll only be homeschooling one and part of me already feels guilt because I know the other two will want to be home. But, for next year, the best thing for the other two is to go. Once child, one year {day?} at a time. I'll meet you in a few weeks! The Nesters last blog post..Price My Space Party

By: Mary

Mary — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 16:29:29 +0000

Hello,
I found your blog off of one of my friends “Favorites” lists. It was like a breath of fresh air for me to read, since your homeschooling situation sounds very similar to ours. We began homeschooling last year, and like you, I was SCARED TO DEATH!!! It was a calling. I knew God was taking me in that direction. And although it is not always easy, it has been a wonderful experience thus far. Thank you for sharing your story. It literally put me in tears, and it is good to know I’m not the only one out there.
Blessings,
Mary

By: Anne

Anne — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 07:22:47 +0000

We took our children out of school for very similar reasons. I am a teacher with some 17 years experience, but I never realised until our daughter came along that school isn't for everyone. Homeschooling is not a good fit for every family; formal schooling is not a good fit for every child. The discovery I have made is that learning is nothing to do with the location, the syllabus, the day or the time. When our daughter writes me a love note, that's literacy in action. When our son calculates the cost of grocery items and figures out the change at the supermarket, that's maths in action. We had a geography lesson in front of Google earth looking at all the places our friend has gone to on a mission trip to Africa. We weren't doing geography, but it became a lesson. I wouldn't swap what we're doing for the world. It's worth more than all the money in the world. Annes last blog post..Hitting DEL in the family room

By: Keith Wilcox

Keith Wilcox — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 01:08:31 +0000

Homeschooling is a great experience (although it doesn’t always work for every family). It was nice to read about your experiences and determination, I’m glad homeschooling is working out for you. Best luck to you and your family…

Keith Wilcoxs last blog post..Friday’s Story #5

By: Kim

Kim — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:14:25 +0000

My kids have been homeschooled off and on since the oldest (15) was in kindergarten. He's been homeschooled more than the other two, because his needs and reality are different. It's such an awesome tool to have on so many different levels. And really for those who complain about you doing this with cancer... well... my kids would rather be home with me seeing what was going on than at school, worried. (if we were in the similiar situation). You make the choices best for your family and only *YOU* know what those are! Kims last blog post.."V" is for Victory part 4

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:46:13 +0000

I admire you so much for putting so much into your children especially when you yourself have been going through hardship health wise. I don't think you nor your children will ever look back and regret the time you spent together growing and learning. I honestly can't think of a better teacher for them. I don't think any of us look back and wish we'd done less... Thank you for sharing this. Blessings on you =O) Chriss last blog post..Wireless?

By: Mary

Mary — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:56:56 +0000

I can read, Heather, that you went into the homeschooling with the right thoughts – those of the children. My grandchildren are homeschooled and have done so well. They are beautiful, self assured Christian individuals whom I hope will grow to share Christian values with all they will meet along life’s way.

God bless you and your family.

By: Loretta McElmurry

Loretta McElmurry — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:44:02 +0000

Wonderful post! I agree that homeschooling isn’t for everyone, though I homeschooled my daughter from pre-K all the way through high school. She was so shy when she was little, she couldn’t even look people in the eye when they spoke to her. Interacting with others was downright painful for her. Through homeschooling, and keeping her involved in church activities and neighborhood friendships, tumbling classes, etc., plus the experience of being with her daddy and me out and about in the community, she has grown into a secure, self-sufficient, confident young woman who now works as an administrative assistant for our primary care doctor. Among her best attributes are her wonderful people skills and her ability to use diplomacy to work with difficult patients. These are things we couldn’t have imagined for her when she was a small child, because of her severe shyness.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer halfway through my daughter’s freshman year, and we still struggled on, though there were days that were very difficult, and we never did finish geometry. My “chemo brain” just couldn’t remember enough of it to teach it to her and we couldn’t afford tutors. But she got a lot of hands-on experience in science & health that year, taking care of me following my mastectomy, and in math, as she did all the meal planning and grocery shopping. She also did just about everything else around the house, so home ec was well covered, too, lol. I am now battling a recurrence of the cancer–in Jan., four years to the day after my first diagnosis, we learned the cancer is in my spine, sternum, liver, and the pleural cavities of my lungs. Because of my illness, even when it made homeschooling more difficult, I wouldn’t have missed one day of this experience. I treasure every day I’ve been able to spend with my daughter, and all the time we’ve been able to spend together as a family, because of the freedom we’ve had with homeschooling.

By: Tara

Tara — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:41:20 +0000

Fantastic explanation! You do the best you can for each child. Each of your three children is exactly where she (or he!) needs to be. Good for you! Taras last blog post..Works for me Wednesday complete with a *GIVEAWAY!*

By: (((((HUGS))))) sandi

(((((HUGS))))) sandi — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:40:22 +0000

Such a great post~it would be a really good reference for those in the midst of burnout!!!! I surely haven't been through what you have, but I can attest that the times we've done school around the bed have been THE BEST for some reason.... (((((HUGS))))) sandi (((((HUGS))))) sandis last blog post..About Preston…

By: Karla T.

Karla T. — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:17:47 +0000

What a wonderful, dedicated mommy you are! It’s so encouraging to read about what God has done and orchestrated in your life and your family. Thanks for sharing!