This has been my first year homeschooling, and a great percentage of this year has been DE-schooling. This has helped with my oldest's self-esteem and confidence that she is able to accomplish things. Today at church the youth group leader commented that my oldest daughter seems so much more sure of herself and less to zero worried about kids teasing her and being mean to her (she got a LOT of that in school with no time to come up for air).

It's a testament that my decision to just let her come into her own has worked.

All that being said, I think we're going to continue with the relaxed, eclectic approach we've been taking. We've been once or twice a week pursuing some literature, math, and current events; but for the rest of the time, they are free to choose what they want to do.

When I have really looked closely, I can see that a large portion of their learning fits some of the "outcome oriented" goals for the year, and I'm going to spend the next portion of the year writing out their report cards (where I live, we are required to do an end of term report).

So, as others have said, my advice, especially to those who have had children with especially BAD public school experiences, 1 month de-schooling per year of attendance in school.

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