Mid-way through last year I finished writing about my experience of being homeschooled until the age of 8.
It was a very engaging experience… writing about it, I mean.
I had something unique to get down on paper.
With quite strong opinions.
It is interesting to see how you can lighten up on certain views – to see things from someone else’s perspective – while at the same time gaining a deeper understanding of things that were hanging around the edges of your awareness.
My wife offered very constructive feedback at certain stages.
Without her input I could have gone down an extreme path that wouldn’t have been useful to anyone or anything, except my ego.
I also got feedback from both of my parents.
One, because they were who chose to homeschool my brother & I, and I wanted to make sure I hadn’t just created anything in mind that never actually happened!
And, two. because at various times in their life they were both school teachers.
Here is a little teaser for my book – they didn’t try to be teachers at home with us or try to replicate a classroom at home at all.
In fact, it was the complete opposite.
Despite a common misconception, being a teacher is not a prerequisite for being able to homeschool your children.
If you can let your children play and follow their own interests & passions, then you could be a great homeschooling parent.
And that’s what I explore in my book.
My mother had a few interesting points to mention. For the most part, she just told me she liked it.
My father had a lot of useful feedback and points for me to consider, including some structural changes and a couple of confusing writing habits I had/have picked up.
I like to think I’m always working to improve in any area of my life I care about.
At this stage, I feel there is something I’d like to add at the end of this year having almost finished my third year of being a school teacher myself, before I publish my book.
In my first two years of teaching, I worked as a kindergarten teacher. My official role was as a native English teacher to kids whose first language is not English.
However, my actual role was also as a joint homeroom teacher.
The schedule was full and very draining which is why I chose to change to teaching 3rd grade this year.
It has been a further learning experience.
And it has all added to what I want to say in my manuscript.
I look forward to releasing the finished book when it is ready.
I know it won’t be for everyone.
But I also know it will be thought-provoking for anyone ready to read about a unique experience.