Comments on: Things I Can’t Get Homeschoolers to Admit (Part I) http://getalonghome.com/2010/06/things-i-cant-get-homeschoolers-to-admit-part-i/ This blog for entertainment purposes only. Consult a physician before using. Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:38:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: So You’ve Decided to Homeschool http://getalonghome.com/2010/06/things-i-cant-get-homeschoolers-to-admit-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-6576 So You’ve Decided to Homeschool Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:49:42 +0000 http://getalonghome.com/2010/06/things-i-cant-get-homeschoolers-to-admit-part-i/#comment-6576 [...] is something to consider, too. I’ve found homeschooling to be somewhat expensive, but not prohibitively so. We survive on one fairly good income, but we’re nowhere near wealthy. [...] [...] is something to consider, too. I’ve found homeschooling to be somewhat expensive, but not prohibitively so. We survive on one fairly good income, but we’re nowhere near wealthy. [...]

]]> By: Cindy http://getalonghome.com/2010/06/things-i-cant-get-homeschoolers-to-admit-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-6540 Cindy Sat, 10 Dec 2011 02:31:00 +0000 http://getalonghome.com/2010/06/things-i-cant-get-homeschoolers-to-admit-part-i/#comment-6540 Oh, it's possible! Just not for those of us who lack that talent. ;-) Oh, it’s possible! Just not for those of us who lack that talent. ;-)

]]> By: Shalene http://getalonghome.com/2010/06/things-i-cant-get-homeschoolers-to-admit-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-6514 Shalene Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:19:27 +0000 http://getalonghome.com/2010/06/things-i-cant-get-homeschoolers-to-admit-part-i/#comment-6514 I would have to say that while I disagree that homeschooling is expensive, I can't honestly say that it is inexpensive either. Though I have found a way to do it mostly for "free" there are some things that just drive up the cost. I've used the public library, ample websites-- almost too many- sometimes, used books given to me by various sources, a homeschool curriculum lending library in the area, some leftover workbooks from last year's charter school, and curriculum that a friend was no longer using. BUT I do pay for the printing costs of all those eBooks I use, unit studies from websites and some worksheets. I also buy alot of art supplies for crafts, and I pay for gymnastics classes for my girls (but this doubles as a form of Occupational Therapy for one of them with Sensory Processing Disorder, and so is actually a savings over what we'd pay for the actual OT.) We will also be paying a donation fee for a performing arts group that some mothers and I have started, to cover the costs of materials. And we pay $20 as a family to belong to a Home Educator's group for some more social interaction. One of the biggest resources I've found is homeschool support groups. Everyone is really good about helping each other with resources if they need to.So anyway, it actually CAN be as cheap or expensive as you need it to be. Though, I will admit in some other areas, the resources I use aren't as readily available. And for those that REALLY need the help, there is at least one organization that I know of that will help homeschool families financially if they are members of HSLDA for 6 months or longer. (We aren't members because CA is actually a pretty homeschool friendly place.) And for those that REALLY REALLY need help, I actually would recommend a charter school that allows you to teach at home and that allows you to supplement with your own resources, if you desire (i.e. Bible study.) With the full knowledge and expectation that there are some things you just won't teach or will at least explain why it's wrong. (i.e evolutionary theory as fact.) Anyway, sorry for the hugely long comment, but I really do think it's possible to do on a very small budget, because I am. I would have to say that while I disagree that homeschooling is expensive, I can’t honestly say that it is inexpensive either. Though I have found a way to do it mostly for “free” there are some things that just drive up the cost. I’ve used the public library, ample websites– almost too many- sometimes, used books given to me by various sources, a homeschool curriculum lending library in the area, some leftover workbooks from last year’s charter school, and curriculum that a friend was no longer using. BUT I do pay for the printing costs of all those eBooks I use, unit studies from websites and some worksheets. I also buy alot of art supplies for crafts, and I pay for gymnastics classes for my girls (but this doubles as a form of Occupational Therapy for one of them with Sensory Processing Disorder, and so is actually a savings over what we’d pay for the actual OT.) We will also be paying a donation fee for a performing arts group that some mothers and I have started, to cover the costs of materials. And we pay $20 as a family to belong to a Home Educator’s group for some more social interaction. One of the biggest resources I’ve found is homeschool support groups. Everyone is really good about helping each other with resources if they need to.So anyway, it actually CAN be as cheap or expensive as you need it to be. Though, I will admit in some other areas, the resources I use aren’t as readily available. And for those that REALLY need the help, there is at least one organization that I know of that will help homeschool families financially if they are members of HSLDA for 6 months or longer. (We aren’t members because CA is actually a pretty homeschool friendly place.) And for those that REALLY REALLY need help, I actually would recommend a charter school that allows you to teach at home and that allows you to supplement with your own resources, if you desire (i.e. Bible study.) With the full knowledge and expectation that there are some things you just won’t teach or will at least explain why it’s wrong. (i.e evolutionary theory as fact.) Anyway, sorry for the hugely long comment, but I really do think it’s possible to do on a very small budget, because I am.

]]> By: Cindy http://getalonghome.com/2010/06/things-i-cant-get-homeschoolers-to-admit-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-6012 Cindy Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:52:40 +0000 http://getalonghome.com/2010/06/things-i-cant-get-homeschoolers-to-admit-part-i/#comment-6012 You make some very good points! I do think, though, that most of us lack the kind of resourcefulness (or maybe just the will) required to homeschool on quite such a thin shoestring. I admit that we're doing it much more cheaply than I expected to, and public school would probably end up costing me almost as much, just on non-educational expenses. You're probably more right than I am, here. Don't tell anybody I said so. This is an old post. ;-) You make some very good points! I do think, though, that most of us lack the kind of resourcefulness (or maybe just the will) required to homeschool on quite such a thin shoestring. I admit that we’re doing it much more cheaply than I expected to, and public school would probably end up costing me almost as much, just on non-educational expenses. You’re probably more right than I am, here. Don’t tell anybody I said so. This is an old post. ;-)

]]> By: Cara http://getalonghome.com/2010/06/things-i-cant-get-homeschoolers-to-admit-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-6011 Cara Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:29:05 +0000 http://getalonghome.com/2010/06/things-i-cant-get-homeschoolers-to-admit-part-i/#comment-6011 Honestly, while homeschooling is expensive, it doesn't have to be. I know one mom that uses mostly free resources to homeschool her children and is doing a darn good job of it. So you can homeschool cheaply, if you are willing to put out the time and effort. I tell people when they ask that it can cost as much or as little as you need it to, but there are resources for every budget. I have to add it up at the end of the year for tax purposes and I am spending no more homeschooling than I did sending my oldest to public school every year, I'm just spending it differently. In school there was uniforms, supplies, classroom fees for parties etc, this fee, that fee, field trips (we had to pay for the buses as well as the field trip) , fundraisers (our old school didn't do the normal have kids sell stuff fundraisers, their fundraisers were activities for the kids to participate in). Every week it was something different that I needed to spend money on. I am definitely spending less than I would have on any private school. And you're going to have club fees, music lessons, sports etc if your child is in school also. So I don't know if it is fair to add them if you are worried about the cost of homeschooling. So while homeschooling can be expensive, if you compare it to some public schools and most private schools. You could be coming out ahead money wise. Honestly, while homeschooling is expensive, it doesn’t have to be. I know one mom that uses mostly free resources to homeschool her children and is doing a darn good job of it. So you can homeschool cheaply, if you are willing to put out the time and effort. I tell people when they ask that it can cost as much or as little as you need it to, but there are resources for every budget.

I have to add it up at the end of the year for tax purposes and I am spending no more homeschooling than I did sending my oldest to public school every year, I’m just spending it differently. In school there was uniforms, supplies, classroom fees for parties etc, this fee, that fee, field trips (we had to pay for the buses as well as the field trip) , fundraisers (our old school didn’t do the normal have kids sell stuff fundraisers, their fundraisers were activities for the kids to participate in). Every week it was something different that I needed to spend money on. I am definitely spending less than I would have on any private school.

And you’re going to have club fees, music lessons, sports etc if your child is in school also. So I don’t know if it is fair to add them if you are worried about the cost of homeschooling.

So while homeschooling can be expensive, if you compare it to some public schools and most private schools. You could be coming out ahead money wise.

]]> By: Nebby http://getalonghome.com/2010/06/things-i-cant-get-homeschoolers-to-admit-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-5607 Nebby Wed, 22 Jun 2011 20:16:50 +0000 http://getalonghome.com/2010/06/things-i-cant-get-homeschoolers-to-admit-part-i/#comment-5607 I completely agree. Some may manage to do it cheaply but it is tough. I don't think I spend much on curriculum but we do on field trips and classes. Of course my kids' dance classes are full of public school kids so I guess we are not alone in that. I do think there are other more subtle costs too. I blogged on it here: http://lettersfromnebby.wordpress.com/2011/06/12/hidden-costs-of-homeschooling/ They may not be huge issues but I think they at least are on the level of "you will save money on designer shoes." I completely agree. Some may manage to do it cheaply but it is tough. I don’t think I spend much on curriculum but we do on field trips and classes. Of course my kids’ dance classes are full of public school kids so I guess we are not alone in that. I do think there are other more subtle costs too. I blogged on it here:
http://lettersfromnebby.wordpress.com/2011/06/12/hidden-costs-of-homeschooling/
They may not be huge issues but I think they at least are on the level of “you will save money on designer shoes.”

]]> By: Cindy http://getalonghome.com/2010/06/things-i-cant-get-homeschoolers-to-admit-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-5599 Cindy Tue, 21 Jun 2011 20:34:52 +0000 http://getalonghome.com/2010/06/things-i-cant-get-homeschoolers-to-admit-part-i/#comment-5599 Oh, it makes me feel just a little bit desperate knowing how much money we'd have in our pockets (well, to be fair, it would be in the pockets of various vendors and services because we are not exactly raking it in over here) if the rest of the parents took financial responsibility for their own spawn's education. My kids' education is worth it, but I can't bring myself to say the same for the "free" education that is costing us so much. Oh, it makes me feel just a little bit desperate knowing how much money we’d have in our pockets (well, to be fair, it would be in the pockets of various vendors and services because we are not exactly raking it in over here) if the rest of the parents took financial responsibility for their own spawn’s education. My kids’ education is worth it, but I can’t bring myself to say the same for the “free” education that is costing us so much.

]]> By: Angie http://getalonghome.com/2010/06/things-i-cant-get-homeschoolers-to-admit-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-5598 Angie Tue, 21 Jun 2011 20:17:33 +0000 http://getalonghome.com/2010/06/things-i-cant-get-homeschoolers-to-admit-part-i/#comment-5598 Don't forget the larger families that many of us have sired because of our lifestyle. I agree, it is worth every penny. And it is a pretty penny. I think many homeschoolers, myself included, resent paying for our children and the neighbor's children's education as well, and when the neighbors get all self-righteous about their 'free' education, it is enough to boil your blood. Don’t forget the larger families that many of us have sired because of our lifestyle. I agree, it is worth every penny. And it is a pretty penny. I think many homeschoolers, myself included, resent paying for our children and the neighbor’s children’s education as well, and when the neighbors get all self-righteous about their ‘free’ education, it is enough to boil your blood.

]]> By: Jimmie http://getalonghome.com/2010/06/things-i-cant-get-homeschoolers-to-admit-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-5572 Jimmie Mon, 20 Jun 2011 02:10:28 +0000 http://getalonghome.com/2010/06/things-i-cant-get-homeschoolers-to-admit-part-i/#comment-5572 What a great series. It really gives us something to chew on. I don't necessarily agree with everything you've said, but I do like thinking about these things. I do agree that HS is not cheap and that housework is not homeschool. When discussing HSing, we should be honest with the whole picture and not deny the challenges, costs, etc. What a great series. It really gives us something to chew on. I don’t necessarily agree with everything you’ve said, but I do like thinking about these things. I do agree that HS is not cheap and that housework is not homeschool. When discussing HSing, we should be honest with the whole picture and not deny the challenges, costs, etc.

]]> By: Things I Can’t Get Homeschoolers to Admit: Part 4 http://getalonghome.com/2010/06/things-i-cant-get-homeschoolers-to-admit-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-5505 Things I Can’t Get Homeschoolers to Admit: Part 4 Wed, 25 May 2011 02:05:54 +0000 http://getalonghome.com/2010/06/things-i-cant-get-homeschoolers-to-admit-part-i/#comment-5505 [...] Part 1 is here. [...] [...] Part 1 is here. [...]

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