Today I warmly welcome Queensland homeschooler Tianny Bell!
Lusi:
How many kids do you have? Which area are you living in? How long have you been homeschooling?
Tianny:
I have 2 kids ages 8 and 11 .
We are in Maryvale QLD and have been homeschooling less then 1 year.
Lusi:
Can you tell us why you began homeschooling?
Tianny:
Our son was struggling at school and wasn't being taught as a individual more as a whole and he wasn't being taught to his ability, thus not being able to learn at all as he was struggling.
Homeschooling him has given us the chance to now teach him to his needs and understanding at his own pace.
Lusi:
How is the reality of homeschooling different to the idea that you originally had of homeschooling before you started?
Tianny:
In reality it is completely different but so rewarding to see him learn and be happy again. He loves to learn but hated going to school and not understanding what had to be done and hated getting bullied.
Lusi:
Have you had support or opposition from family, friends, your community? How has this affected you?
Tianny:
My husband, his dad, is our biggest supporter regarding homeschooling. We have had a few family members not understand why or if what I am doing is good for our son and even tried to get us to send him back to school. I listen to their concerns and then explain how since the start our son has improved and learned so much and with all the medical days off, homeschooling allows those days off and he still learns. Sending him back to school was not a option for us to even consider.
Lusi:
How do you look after yourself as a homeschooling parent? What self care measures do you put in place?
Tianny:
Not much has changed in regards to self care for myself. Due to my own medical needs, my husband is a full time carer for myself, so having our son at home to teach was not a big change for us. Although I do miss the quiet no kids time, going shopping alone is a good self care moment .
Lusi:
What do you love most about homeschooling? What do you find hard?
Tianny:
I love seeing our son's smile light up when he has learnt something new or if we have chosen a science project and it's his favourite subject as i know it will be a lovely learning day (with a lot less meltdowns). Knowing our son is learning because I taught him something new or because of what I have done is a huge proud mummy moment. I love it when he randomly comes up to us with a sum he has learnt and gives us the correct answer and his face lights up :)
I find socializing him with other kids hard due to our location and small town he has no socializing and with his own conditions he finds it hard to play with other kids but we are learning on that.
Lusi:
What can you not live without as a homeschooling parent?
Tianny:
A timer. a simple 60 minute timer that shows how long he has left of a subject..... I started of with just doing a number of pages then he could be done. that proceed with him then racing to get them done and have incorrect or slopping work. with a timer he would slow down take his time and we got so much more work done and more learning done. And a printer ( still don't have ink) but a printer is a life saver
Lusi:
Best advice for new homeschoolers?
Tianny:
Just do it. Don't stress. Don't worry about the 'what ifs'. Nothing in life is easy but we are the voice for our kids and teaching them what they are not getting from a school is an amazing feeling. You don't need to know EVERYTHING - Google is our best friend and there is so much help freely available so just do it.
Thank you so much for chatting with me Tianny! It's so wonderful to hear from new homeschoolers who have jumped in and given it a go for the best interests of their children. I really appreciated you chatting with me Tianny and wish you continued learning joy on this homeschooling path you have chosen - Lusi x
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