We have 2 girls, 2.5 & 7. We're new homeschoolers, and live in Northern VA. We are using a mix of resources, and just trying to figure out things right now. Our current hurdle is less about the schooling and more about the social aspects. We're trying to meet other families, but we're liberal, Mormon hippies, which kind of makes us fit nowhere :D Suggestions are welcome!
And I can't figure out where to set a signature on this :/
Welcome, Shelli. Thank you for your post. Hopefully people will chime in.
As to the Signature issue, that was my bad. I thought I had enabled it, but I hadn't. I appreciate your bringing this to my attention, and this has now been added. Just log into your account; click on the "Account" tab at the top; and then "Personal Information". The Signature area is about halfway down.
Please let me know if you encounter any problems. And, again, welcome, and thank you for your post.
I am feeling really stupid. When it comes to putting the account photo up....I am used to the option to browse and upload. I am not computer savvy on how I am supposed to be doing the Account Photo section. Are we supposed to put a link in there for another location where we have photos...such as facebook? Is that what it means when you put www.mywebsite.com?
We're new to the forum, but are in our 4th year of HSing in southeastern VA. We've got 2 boys, 12 and nearly-10 and are using a classical method to HS.
In our 7th year of "special ed" home schooling in VA. Looking forward to the warmer weather, just around the corner - we hope - so we can go on some wonderful, educational field trips. Would like to recommend "HomeSchooling at the Speed of Life - Balancing Home, School, and Family in the Real World" by Marilyn Rockett. Hope everyone is having a blessed week.
Hi everyone! I'm in VA Beach. This is our first year homeschooling. I have a 6 year old boy with ADHD and a 2 year old girl that we believe has Aspberger's. We tried sending my son to public school for Kindergarten last year, which turned out to be a disaster because he requires constant prompting to stay on task. He has thrived in first grade at home, and I fully intend to homeschool my daughter when she's older. Shelli, as far as socialization, perhaps you could look into sports or martial arts. My son takes taekwondo lessons three times a week. Not only does it give him a chance to meet other kids, but it also has helped to teach him respect and discipline. A lot of places also have homeschool sports leagues, or you could check with local organizations such as the YMCA.
Hey I am in Ashland. I have two girls in 3rd and 6th grades and will start homeschooling in the fall. Thanks for all the tips. It is soooooo helpful and inspiring! Would love to meet the Mormon hippies even though we are conservative Catholics! We are probably just too far away. Just keep looking. I think we all have the most important thing in common!
Hi everyone! I live in Richmond VA. My daughter is 10 in the 5th grade and my son is 13 in the 7th. I am not currenlty homeschooling, but have just decided that this will be thier last school year in the public system. I have homeschooled before, I taught my son for his 1st grade year, then for his 6th grade year and I really didn't think I"d ever do it again. But...as the Lord leads my hubby likes to say. We are non-denominational, we just know God loves us and wants to take care of us and He will provide. I was raised BAptist and my hubby was raised Presbyterian. (I don't even know if I spelled that right).
This is the first time I will be homeschooling for religious purposes so I'm a little nervous. I worry 'they' will come crashing down on me asking me to prove that God told me to teach my kids. (biting nails) Anyone have experience with that?
Hi, Joyplustwo. We, too, homeschool under religious exemption. Here in Fairfax County, we have not had any issues since we began. Probably a dozen years ago or so, one family had some real issues with the school board challenging their beliefs, but the family persevered. If you have real concerns, I'd encourage you to join HSLDA and ask them what their experience in your area has been. Or HEAV will probably have some idea, too.
I wouldn't worry one bit about taking a religous exempt for homeschooling. I was homeschooled all the way through with that exempt & we only had difficulties once. If you do have problems, just submit scripture references & quote them about parents teaching their children, ect., especially out of Proverbs. If you need to, see if a pastor can help. I doubt you'd ever have any problems, but this is how you do it.
To make it one step easier, just join http://www.hslda.org for legal protection. They know the homeschool laws (they are lawyers), so you can be sure that you're fully protected. We have always been members and they protect you, answer questions and just help with the daily stuff you might need mentoring on.
I did forget to tell you that in VA, the religious exempt is often considered the best because the public schools aren't allowed to ask for testings, examinations, school work, etc.