Let's update!

[Merrilee Morse]

Kay, please don't feel alone. I know you are a great mom; there are lots of kids out there like yours. I have one. Yes, he has his driver's license, which I am not so sure is a good thing. He failed community college, and has talked of going into the navy but thus far has not talked to a recruiter. He has no job, he is just drifting right now, and last night he got his second traffic ticket in six months. DJ is NOT a bad kid. He doesn't drink, have sex, or do drugs. He is in church every Sunday and volunteers to make coffee and serve between services and even leads a small group with the junior high age kids. He is just so directionless and unmotivated right now, and I am uncertain how to motivate him without it ending up a fight. It is so hard.

[Shelly in MN]

He is just so directionless and unmotivated right now, and I am uncertain how to motivate him without it ending up a fight. It is so hard.

Understand.

No, Kay, you are definitely not alone.

We had a graduation celebration for our son on June 2nd. I haven't posted anything about it, and I've been wrestling with sharing my facebook album of the day because I feel like I couldn't have done the whole homeschooling experience more "wrong" if I'd tried.

It's hard seeing others' shining success stories when the best I can say is "We made it through. Barely." Happy for them, but, well, you know...

[Lisalyn]

I'm not sure if I missed this thread back in April, or if I ignored it.

My oldest (and only dd) graduated in 2009 and immediately started cosmetology school. She was doing great--really a natural--when she became pregnant. She ended up missing too many days and had to drop out of school. Not long after that, she lost the baby.

She is now the single mom of a 3-month-old boy and working as a waitress. She loves the social aspects of waiting tables. She talks about finishing cosmetology school, but she has a full plate with the baby.

My oldest ds is 17 and beginning his senior year of high school. He has some LD issues and really struggles with math and essay writing/grammar. He is a wonderful musician, has his own band that plays locally, and writes great songs. We have used a lot of unschooling type learning---lots of videos, movies, etc., instead of reading. He knows a lot about American and World History (especially the wars). He speaks intelligently. His life is music. He has no plans for college. I'm not sure what he plans to do.

My 14 yr old goes to PS and will start high school next month. He is an artist--he won 3rd place in the middle school art show last spring. He is doing well in his studies and plans to go to college, but has plenty of time to find a focus.

My last two are also in PS elementary school, so....unless something happens to change our current path, this will be my last year as a homeschooler.

I sometimes feel defeated by the way things have turned out for my olders. I hope I have given them enough to become successful adults. I don't mind the idea of my kids being working class type people, but I'm not seeing a lot of effort when it comes to work.

[KatieCO]

Well, lessee. I wasn't going to post either since it's been so long since I've been here! BUT - I loved reading about all of your children and "catching up" with some of you.

Kyle just turned 18 yesterday. He graduated this May and has been trying to get into the Marines. We keep getting held up by paperwork issues, but dh & I both feel that he WILL get in - eventually. He does not have a license or a job (besides weekly mowing at church) - he spent most of the past year cramming to get enough credits to graduate a year earlier than planned. HUGE history buff. Unfortunately, that subject is not on the ASVAB (military entrance exam) but algebra IS! Poor kid.

Megan is 16 now (will be a Junior) and has a PT job working for an all-natural residential cleaning company. She is VERY involved with Frontier Girls (National Girl of the Month in Feb!) and hopes to go to China as a missionary to an orphanage when she graduates in 2 years. We still haven't found a way to help her learn to read after years of several different programs, tutors and tricks. I told her China was a good idea then - no one ELSE can read Chinese either! Loves children, old fashioned things and senior citizens. Meg spends all of her free time volunteering.

Emily is 14 (Freshman this coming year) and very bright, but very unmotivated. Also involved in Frontier Girls, especially for the social interaction! No idea what she wants to do when she grows up, but is great with children and wants to be a councilor at diabetes camp when she's old enough. Makes stunning jewelry and just donated her entire stock to the Waldo Canyon Fire victims.

Hannah & Jay are both doing BY this year, Sarah & the Twinkies FIAR, and C-pher & Sean will do B4. So glad I've got a lot of 'Rowing left to do!

[Heather (WI)]

Katie!! WOW, so good to hear from you!! Your kids are growing up so fast (aren't they all?!)
How neat that you still have so many little "rowers" left, though! I only got to do it one time, and I wish God would give me the opportunity to go through it again, but I trust His plan.

[Susan Seaman]

Somehow I missed this thread earlier. It was neat to read all the updates.

My oldest Rebecca (19), finished her first year at Milligan College. She did well with the academics and settled into campus life pretty well - but her relationship with her roommate was strained. They had not met before but they had so much in common that they both had super-high expectations for the relationship. But it didn't click. They never fought but just rarely spoke - which is strange for two very talkative girls. I even got on to Rebecca once telling her "What good is it for you and D. to be on the Dean's List if you can only just be cordial with each other? Don't fail at the more important stuff!"

So more than the grades, I was proud that during the second semester both girls seemed to make more of an effort to have a good relationship. They did not end the year as best friends but they are much closer and seem to look forward to seeing each other this fall (D. will be an RA next year, so they won't be rooming together anymore).

Also, this whole first year was a learning experience for Rebecca and me - learning how to be apart but still supportive. Rebecca said I actually gave her "too much space" and that she would appreciate it if I would at least email her daily.

[Nedra in California]

Hi everyone,

My oldest, 22, has been married almost 3 years. She isn't working or going to school but is very happy being home. We had a couple of rough years, but she has grown into a thoughtful, very helpful young woman. She is at our home a couple of days a week and is a huge help here. I know they could really use an extra income, but her hubby likes her being home so I leave this with them. They are adults now.

My next one down, 18, graduated this year. He is pursuing a career at In N Out. I know most of you probably do not know about this company. It is a fabulous company to work for with amazing benefits and very high pay. My son's manager in his late 20's makes well over $100,000 a year. He is doing a great job and moving up quickly. He has a beautiful girlfriend and they hope to get married May 2014. She also works for In N Out (a different store).

That leaves me with 3...happy sigh. My next one down is 14 and starts 9th grade in the fall. She is my high academic go getter. She is extremely independent in the way of school, chores, etc... and a tremendous help to me. So I am looking at a very easy year school wise with her completely on her own. My focus will be on my 2 - 1st graders, school and some nice relaxed art classes at our local studio. Feeling very peaceful and organized.

[Marcia]

Feeling very peaceful and organized.

Happy sigh....

In n Out is awesome! Love hearing about your family, Nedra!

[Becky in CA]

My oldest is still very involved in his church. I think that has sidetracked him from pursuing any long-term goal. His busyness made it hard for him to get a job with his schedule of ministries at his church. However, that seems to be changing. He will be starting a specialized program through his denomination to become an ordained pastor within 3 years and only having to attend a class one weekend (Fri/Sat) a month. That way they can still serve in their local churches on Sundays. It's a relief to see his life going in a forward motion again.

My daughter is still pursuing her CDA (Child Development Associate) certificate through Penn Foster. She actually started in May and is almost done with her first module. She has gotten at least 90's on all of her tests to date which has really helped to validate my homeschooling. (After my oldest, I was a little shaky on what was really accomplished considering he's floundered for almost 4 years.) Today, she's actually at a daycare center my mom works at to finish up her observation project. Once that's turned in, she'll have 3 more modules to complete and 480 hours of working with children before having her certificate in hand. I don't know if she'll actually pursue an Associate's degree or not because she really wants to be a nanny for a nice, Christian family.

My youngest is in 10th grade this year. (We school January through the first week of November.) Most days we're really enjoying what we're using. He does want to become some sort of engineer/mechanic.

I can't believe I only have two more years left of homeschooling! Where has the time gone!?! I love reading about everyone's updates...and your honesty.

[Heather (WI)]

My oldest is still very involved in his church. I think that has sidetracked him from pursuing any long-term goal. His busyness made it hard for him to get a job with his schedule of ministries at his church. However, that seems to be changing. He will be starting a specialized program through his denomination to become an ordained pastor within 3 years and only having to attend a class one weekend (Fri/Sat) a month. That way they can still serve in their local churches on Sundays. It's a relief to see his life going in a forward motion again.

My daughter is still pursuing her CDA (Child Development Associate) certificate through Penn Foster. She actually started in May and is almost done with her first module. She has gotten at least 90's on all of her tests to date which has really helped to validate my homeschooling. (After my oldest, I was a little shaky on what was really accomplished considering he's floundered for almost 4 years.) Today, she's actually at a daycare center my mom works at to finish up her observation project. Once that's turned in, she'll have 3 more modules to complete and 480 hours of working with children before having her certificate in hand. I don't know if she'll actually pursue an Associate's degree or not because she really wants to be a nanny for a nice, Christian family.

My youngest is in 10th grade this year. (We school January through the first week of November.) Most days we're really enjoying what we're using. He does want to become some sort of engineer/mechanic.

I can't believe I only have two more years left of homeschooling! Where has the time gone!?! I love reading about everyone's updates...and your honesty.

That all sounds so neat, Becky! Our dd will probably use Penn Foster, too, for her Associate's in Veterinary Technician, and she's starting 10th grade this year, too.