Discussion forum: General discussion

I would like to see more discussion on the topic of single parenting and resources that others have found that make them able to make home tutoring possible on a single parent/part time income.

I know it is possible – I have been able to do it thus far for going on seven years. I am open to sharing and receiving ideas about the ever present challenge to make it work.

Anyone game?

I am also a single mother that is homeschooling two boys in 1st grade. It has been rough, but after a few bumps I have kind of gotten the hang of it. Would love to chat about ideas for improvement. Thanks—Jennie

That is encouraging that you are getting through the bumps. What are your biggest ‘bumps’ yet?

I have to admit mine is involving others in our lives since I don’t believe we are to be an island. But sometimes it is hard to ‘break in’ to peoples lives without feeling intrusive or unwanted or forcing the issue.

We have had some success with inviting others over at lunch (sometimes they brown bag it) it offers the children some friends and myself some ‘adult time.’

I am sure there is so much more (I would also like to offer a private email if you would like not to share your ‘stuff’ with the world. It is themillers3@gmail.com.)

Okay it is interesting to me that this is the third most reviewed topic but no one has posted any replies…I am going to give this another go.

I will offer some resources that I have found useful and walk through a normal day (if there is such a thing).

As a single mom (by choice – meaning I adopted – wasn’t abandoned, divorced, separated from, made poor choices, etc.) I have discovered I am making other choices – to home school.

I choose to arrange my life (with God’s grace) to accomodate being the primary educator for my children. I have chosen dog sitting, cat sitting, foster and respite care, conducting classes for my home school community needs (and what matches with my talents). I also freelance as an artist for portraits, banners, personalized paper dolls and much more. I have dabbled in web design and constantly have my eyes and ears open for opportunities to stick with my choice/my privilege to home school.

I have used resources such as http://www.angelfoodministries.com/ and online curriculum and clothes swaps to supplement our income. I am open to house guests on the short term or long term to share what we have.

I am ever expanding and ever stretching and my children are too. They have started their own business to help – car washing,pet walking, wild flower sales and soon will add baby sitting to their skills. I dare hope they have seen a mom who will do what she can to lighten a load (and when hers is too heavy – who will call for help). Yes I do that too – I am not superwoman nor do I care to be!

Our day consists of reserving morning for face to face school time. (We occassionally surrender this if the need calls.) I save afternoon for independent projects at which we all work (mine happens to be seeking income). I often integrate every day tasks such as gardening, cleaning, organizing and other items into our “curriculum” for real life education. Yes we talked about erosion in our gardening and have done math comparisons of seed planting versus buying tomatoes at the store for example.

I recently engaged them in a grocery challenge – if they got their math right within $10 of the bill they got an extra treat. I must say it was one of the more peaceful trips to the store and I had time to think.

We do go year round so that we can retain a continuity and take breaks when the load seems too heavy (or the train just insists on wrecking). I will occassionally plan a date night for myself (just as a married couple would).

That’s my life in a nutshell – anyone else care to share?

I am a single mom that works full time outside the home and homeschools too. I’m praying that soon the Lord will open doors for me to launch out into an at home business, that will enable me more time to spend with my daughter. My mother lives with us and she helps out a lot when it comes to supervision and just being there. However, all plannning, tutoring and extra curricular activities are up to me. It doesn’t leave much time for myself but I know the investment I am giving my daughter will last for eternity. I will only need to do this for about 6 more years; It’ll pass so quickly. I will have plenty of time after that for other less important tasks. I set goals on Sunday during “family meeting time”. We discuss the weekly schedual and get materials ready. She works on her assignments while I am at work and we go over any challenges in the evening. I have a great job at a library so she can even come to work with me sometimes. I take 1/2 to 1-day vacations periodicly to cover feild trips etc… We are involved in local sports and dance classes and various church activities to help with socialization. It’s a tough road – I do a whole lot of praying!