Thread: Weekly Poll: Who/what has inspired you most since you began homeschooling?

Since I began this journey/adventure of homeschooling with my boys, going on over 4 years now, I have been inspired by a lot of things. Its hard to narrow it down to just one person, website or place we have gone but I want you to try and think if their is one person, website or place has made you feel like you can keep going to the end! You know when you were at the breaking point, and you got inspired to go on. Maybe it is even from something your kids said or did or a close friend that gave you the much needed pat on the back! So take the poll and then tell us all why you chose what you did, who knows maybe someone else will be inspired by YOU!

Ok, this will not be a popular answer, but it's the truth. I honestly cannot remember having a single serious doubt about our homeschooling. I've had the occasional passing doubt (mainly about if my patience will hold out through graduation), but never a real doubt. The passing doubts are easily dealt with. All I have to do is think about the year Dea spent in public school & why we chose this particular path. That's always been enough.

That's awesome Brandi I think that it is an popular answer among the folks on here.

I am inspired everyday from my kids,hubby,my close friend K and this site with all the wonderful members. I wouldn't say that I have had doubts (well maybe after the year end testing!) more like fears that I am not doing enough for my boys. I thought of this poll kinda of to make us think about why we are doing this amazing adventure with our kids and maybe give some credit to someone, etc that helps us discover all the possibilities I know on more than one occasion the folks on here have bought me back from the edge of the cliff of self doubt that I have from time to time

Thanks for sharing

This year has been rough for all of us, as it's our first year of homeschooling the kids. They were both in public schools for a long time, so there have been a LOT of bad habits to undo and a lot of learning for all of us. We've changed the curriculum twice since September. It's been rough.

Having said all that, I was recently at jiu-jitsu with the kids listening to the parents and kids all complain about "practice TAKS." This is a time-honored public education tradition where the students are essentially locked in their classroom all day and take "practice" TAKS tests. At the last school our kids attended they even had lunch delivered to the classroom; there were NO breaks all day long. They do this for about a week leading up to the TAKS tests for each subject.

In addition, the kids' grammar, vocabulary and writing have all drastically improved. Our older son has moved up 2 grade levels in Math in the 6 months that we've been homeschooling. They're getting a much better education, seem happier, and we no longer have to deal with all of the drama from the public education system in Texas.

At times it has been trying but the kids have inspired me to keep going. Every time I ask if they want to return to "school," I'm always met with a resounding "NO!"

I didn't mean to make it sound like I don't get inspired. I get inspiration from here, other forums I've been part of, and the blogs I read. It's not inspiration to keep going, but inspiration for different things to do. I read about the different things people are doing with their kids, and it sometimes gives me ideas. Of course I am inspired by many of the people in my life, in various ways & areas. Homeschooling is one area that I have always been totally confident, though.

I'd love to list some of the people or things that have inspired some of my ideas. Unfortunately, I'm bad at remembering exactly where inspiration comes from, since so many things inspire me in different ways & not all of my ideas make it to fruition.

Originally Posted by Sam I Am

This year has been rough for all of us, as it's our first year of homeschooling the kids. They were both in public schools for a long time, so there have been a LOT of bad habits to undo and a lot of learning for all of us. We've changed the curriculum twice since September. It's been rough.

Having said all that, I was recently at jiu-jitsu with the kids listening to the parents and kids all complain about "practice TAKS." This is a time-honored public education tradition where the students are essentially locked in their classroom all day and take "practice" TAKS tests. At the last school our kids attended they even had lunch delivered to the classroom; there were NO breaks all day long. They do this for about a week leading up to the TAKS tests for each subject.

In addition, the kids' grammar, vocabulary and writing have all drastically improved. Our older son has moved up 2 grade levels in Math in the 6 months that we've been homeschooling. They're getting a much better education, seem happier, and we no longer have to deal with all of the drama from the public education system in Texas.

At times it has been trying but the kids have inspired me to keep going. Every time I ask if they want to return to "school," I'm always met with a resounding "NO!"

It sounds like you've made some great progress this year! You must be quite proud!

Originally Posted by Busygoddess

I didn't mean to make it sound like I don't get inspired. I get inspiration from here, other forums I've been part of, and the blogs I read. It's not inspiration to keep going, but inspiration for different things to do. I read about the different things people are doing with their kids, and it sometimes gives me ideas. Of course I am inspired by many of the people in my life, in various ways & areas. Homeschooling is one area that I have always been totally confident, though.

I'd love to list some of the people or things that have inspired some of my ideas. Unfortunately, I'm bad at remembering exactly where inspiration comes from, since so many things inspire me in different ways & not all of my ideas make it to fruition.

I didn't mean to call you out girlie I didn't know if I worded the poll right so I wanted to give who what and where inspires me in our homeschooling. I totally got what you meant!

I'd have to say my husband. He surprises me at every turn with homeschooling. I think he's more passionate about it now then I am. He's a police officer and works with school kids on calls all the time. Yeah.... This job pretty much sealed out any doubt he might have had lingering. The fact that he's supportive to the point of doing half the schooling (on top of working and going to school full time), is inspirational to me. I find inspiration on this site as well, it's been a great source of comfort recently.

Originally Posted by Sam I Am

This year has been rough for all of us, as it's our first year of homeschooling the kids. They were both in public schools for a long time, so there have been a LOT of bad habits to undo and a lot of learning for all of us. We've changed the curriculum twice since September. It's been rough.

Having said all that, I was recently at jiu-jitsu with the kids listening to the parents and kids all complain about "practice TAKS." This is a time-honored public education tradition where the students are essentially locked in their classroom all day and take "practice" TAKS tests. At the last school our kids attended they even had lunch delivered to the classroom; there were NO breaks all day long. They do this for about a week leading up to the TAKS tests for each subject.

In addition, the kids' grammar, vocabulary and writing have all drastically improved. Our older son has moved up 2 grade levels in Math in the 6 months that we've been homeschooling. They're getting a much better education, seem happier, and we no longer have to deal with all of the drama from the public education system in Texas.

At times it has been trying but the kids have inspired me to keep going. Every time I ask if they want to return to "school," I'm always met with a resounding "NO!"

I agree with Busygoddess! Sounds like you did an awesome job this year! For me just saying that we were all alive and learned something was how I kept going after that first year!

Originally Posted by Jeni

I'd have to say my husband. He surprises me at every turn with homeschooling. I think he's more passionate about it now then I am. He's a police officer and works with school kids on calls all the time. Yeah.... This job pretty much sealed out any doubt he might have had lingering. The fact that he's supportive to the point of doing half the schooling (on top of working and going to school full time), is inspirational to me. I find inspiration on this site as well, it's been a great source of comfort recently.

That wonderful to hear, sometimes the spouses are who need to be convinced that homeschooling is a great thing! I think he is a "keeper"