Homeschooling Makes Parents Smarter

Everyone has heard the stories of how homeschool kids are really smart. They are winning competitions right and left. They do amazing things in their spare time to save the world. Let's face it they're a great group of kids! After all, isn't that why we homeschool?

But I think we have left out a very important and unexpected benefit of homeschooling. Homeschooling makes parents smarter too!

Just to name a few things, I know more about history now then I ever learned in school. I am writing more now in different genres, for different purposes and with a much larger reader audience then ever before. My math skills are at an all time high, and they are nothing compared to Mrs. Hannigan's. (The math involved in those coupon deals scares me!)

I recently started a home based business. This was directly linked to homeschooling. As in, I didn't want to have to send my girls to school so I could go back to work teaching, but my income as a teacher is being missed. Something about $4.39 for a gallon of gas + 1 '96 Chevy Suburban.

I had the great idea of linking my business to my blog. A new and separate blog but using a tradition web page, like a store front tying the blogs together. In order to do this great idea, I needed to change from Blogger to Wordpress. No problem. They are both free and Wordpress can't be that much more difficult right? After all, the really cool blogs are on Wordpress. So I started to work with wordpress. If I could just be happy with a premade run of the mill template, I'd have no problem. But...I couldn't. Part of the beauty of being a blogger is creating your own look. It goes with your own voice. After all, even if we all claim we shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, it's the first thing we all look at!

Sooooo I finally broke down and got Wordpress for Dummies. I can learn to do this no problem. I have a college degree. I am an intelligent resourceful woman (you can stop laughing any time now) I must say, I do think the book was great. It pointed out all my computer deficits. I had to go back to the book store and get Head First HTML, XHTML, and CSS.

Um, yeah, that means I am now teaching myself how to write HTML. Which is why I haven't been posting. The time I would normally be spending writing has been spent building my soon to be released new website. Which is really, really, bad for keeping my blog interesting and worth coming back to.

That isn't even taking in to account the new things I am learning about my new business! (More on that to come! I promise!) I haven't pulled hours like this since I was in college. Actually, college was much, much, easier!!!

So thanks to homeschooling I can now add that I am a small business owner, a freelance writer, and soon to be webpage developer!

Putting Things in Perspective

Evey once in a while something happens to help put the rest of life back into perspective. I can hyper focus on the stupidest things. Then something happens to help bring everything back into focus. What is really important and how do I really want to spend my time?

Thank you Punk Rock Mommy for taking the time to share your light with us. God Bless you.

Things I Love

Maybe I'm just bossy, but I really love telling people my opinions about homeschooling. I know that ultimately they will take what I tell them and go their own way. I know that they will make their own decisions and do their own thing. That is one of the things I love about homeschooling! But the time I spend with a mom who is taking those first steps into homeschool world are so priceless. I want to help ease the transition. I want to help her face her fears and doubts as she considers curriculum and plans her upcoming year.

Today was extra special because I have known this mom since we were in high school. It was so great to see her and see how much her children have grown. It was fun to hear how her oldest daughter was doing in school. Another area that I laughed about because it was the school I graduated from! Needless to say, things are not working out as well as could be hoped for. (After all if things were great, would she be considering homeschooling?)

I hope that I was helpful. I know she will do an incredible job meeting her daughters educational, emotional, and spiritual needs. Best of Luck! You know how to get a hold of me if you have questions or need help!

Thanks for the Advice!

I just wanted to take a moment and thank everyone for their input on my hair. I got lots of great ideas and really appreciate that you took the time to offer feedback! So Emama, Darla, Emily the Great and Terrible, Tracey, Abbreviated, Nette, Emileesings, and That Lady with Six Daughters, thanks for all of the advice!