We are one month into our high school at home trek. Even though we are only month into it, I have learned a few things.

1. It takes a large portion of my life.

2. I have to educate myself. (See #1)

3. Lots of extras aren’t really necessary. (See #1)

4. My house is going to be messy for about the next 9 years. (See #1)

5. I really need the support of other homeschoolers. (See #1)

This is not to say that I am not enjoying having my high schooler at home. I am. It is just that the days of being done with school at noon are long gone. Thankfully, he has also accepted this.

Some homeschoolers use co-op classes to handle classes they can’t or don’t want to teach. This is fine. I have just found for us that getting our school work done at home is much more efficient. We belonged to a co-op for awhile. While it was great to meet other homeschoolers in our area, it didn’t really add anything to our academics and took us away from the house when we could be getting something done. Do I want my kids to have friends? Of course I do. I just think that socializing with their friends can come outside of  academics. We just get so much more done when we  stay home and out of the car.

This leads back to number two. If I am not delegating portions of their academics to other parents, then I am going to have to step up to the plate and educate myself. This takes a large chunk of my time. Fortunately, I remember a lot of my Algebra classes, but I know no Latin. I am currently working my way through my son’s Latin text in order to stay ahead of him. I am also reading The Illiad which I find extremely boring, but if I plan on being able to grade any of his writing on the book I had better know what I am talking about. (And thank heaven for Sparknotes)

I am going to have to come to grips with living in a messy house. I am also developing a very special relationship with my crockpot. It is Ok, though. I was never real big on house work and I don’t like to spend the money on fancy foods when I can make something for half the price. As long as we are comfortable and I am not embarrassed if someone needs to use my bathroom, I think we will be fine.

I am so thankful for my other homeschooling friends especially those that are homeschooling high school. All support is important, but high school is proving to be a unique beast all its own. I am currently on the look out for great blogs about homeschooling high school. I would love to see any links that you have.

I am sure that I will have LOTS more to talk about. These points may even change, but for now this is where I am.

In other words, no more Farm Town for me.