A Slight Crisis of Confidence

[kitsonkittykat]

We have been homeschooling for three years now, have lots of support and activities outside of the home, the children are both doing very well both academically and socially.

I have just been worrying a lot recently about whether we are doing enough.

I suppose Im just a bit lacking in confidence that Im a good enough teacher, and am getting the best out of them! Dc3 is due in October, and Im also having a slight panic about doing everything with a newborn in tow.

I do not want them to go back into the school system, it really didn't suit dd. DS is already reading fluently and very confident in maths, so he is clearly thriving as well. I suppose Im just worrying about nothing!

Im not sure where the proposed change from GCSE's to O'levels leaves homeschoolers either! Im half considering seeing if we can find a good private school for dd from 11, though I know she would not be very happy about that.

Changes to the exam system are always being announced, so I'm waiting for something more concrete.

Home educators mostly take IGCSEs anyway because of controlled assessment.
edyourself.org/articles/examsreport.php

Looking at it tangentially, if you can afford private school, you can afford a Mothers Help for when you have new baby?

A mother's help is a possibility, Fiona. Perhaps it might be an idea just for a few weeks while I recover a bit.

I think Im just hormonal and unduly panicked. I do lesson share with another mother, and might see if she is willing to help me out a little bit for a couple of weeks. Im feeling a lot less worried now Ive been reminded why I started homeschooling the dc.

It sounds like you're doing a great job with your dcs, as they're doing well and are happy. I (and others I've spoken to) also have crises of confidence sometimes, especially when you're having a bad day. We also have another baby due this year, and it sometimes feels overwhelming. However, school kids get at least 13 weeks holiday a year (more for private schools!) so if your dcs have a bit of a lull in what you're doing at home for a bit while the new baby settles in, it won't hurt them.

As for GCSEs, it sounds like there are going to be a lot of changes in them in general. But I think you can cross that bridge when you come to it.

We generally work for about 4 hours a day on purely academic subjects, with 2 hours in the afternoon for crafts, projects, and busy work, and then sports/dance twice a week. We never stop work for more than a couple of weeks in the summer, and perhaps 5 days over Christmas. When I actually look through the last year's completed work I am actually very proud of what we have achieved. They are progressing very nicely. I know Ill need at least 6 weeks to get myself together after having the new baby, and it seemed so daunting!

Thank you for the confidence boost and reality check Dude !

It sounds like you're doing a sterling job kitson! It is daunting, I know, but your dcs are clearly doing brilliantly. What about putting a work pack together or project for them to do ready for the first few weeks, which would need very little adult input? Could have worksheets, games, books/ websites to research? Sure you will be fine, and hope you have lots of help and support too.