The Value of Homeschooling
- and why we are glad that we did!
by Betsy Sproger

This week was all about spending time with my recent homeschool graduate, who will soon be commuting to college this fall.....  

She is excited, and already choosing her classes!  Me, well, I am the nervous one here.  It is such a big step to take, I guess for both of us, lol!

For those of you who have been following our story, you know that we have always homeschooled and my teen has been aiming towards college for a while now.  It is a thrill to see all our planning and work come to fruition, with college acceptance, and helping my daughter with making her college choice.  
 
Homeschool Graduation was beautiful and meaningful to me and my family. It marked an ending and also a beginning,..... or so I thought.  Actually, I am finding that even though it is an ending in many ways....it feels more of like a "continuing", so to speak.....Does that make sense to you?

I am finding that my daughter needs the same support and guidance that she needed during our homeschooling years.  And, as she is taking this big step, with all the newness of it, and all the  challenges of signing up for classes, etc, she actually needs me even more.  But in, maybe, a different way now....

Monday, we went to a new beach, and were chatting, and relaxing.....

I brought up college, and my daughter filled me in with the details.  This time, my daughter it was my daughter telling me the details, and then asking me for help and support on her decision making.  Why is it always, when we are out in nature, that we have these wonderful talks....

I am so glad that we homeschooled high school, as it has given me the time to really connect with my teen.

Wednesday, it was time to sign up for college classes.... already!  My teen wanted support for that. Did I mind? lol! And it reminded me of earlier times when I had helped her start a new activity.....

When my teen needed to contact her advisor, like she did today, she knew just what to do, and got it all set up.

She knew how to do this from all the practice she got in making phone calls/emails to her group leaders during her homeschool years. 

These previous activities also helped to shape her choices for her college classes for this fall....

As you know, from previous posts, we did  Youth and Government  Youth and Government activities during high school. So it was no surprise to me that she choose a government class for this fall....and something in leadership in the business school.

Doing electives and activities not only helps to build the college applications, but also develops  interests and talents, which may help with choosing a college major or a vocation.

And I was there beside her, as she decided..... and took this important step....

Then Friday, we headed out to our favorite marina, and spent the day...My daughter was done with her babysitting job for the week.

And we got to do our photography together again.... My favorite thing to do with my teen.  Photography was one of our homemade electives during junior year.

Homemade high school electives added a lot to our days, and alot to her homeschool transcript.

And have lots of fun!  My daughter is the bird photographer in our family.....

Parenting a young adult.....what do I know about that?  I am just learning as I go....

and my daughter is helping to show me the way....
Betsy is a unit study loving homeschooler, mom to her 18yo, consultant and blogger at BJ's Homeschool, who shares how she helped her always homeschooled daughter get accepted by four colleges.  Her series called - Our Steps to College., includes tips and advise for the college application process.  She offers free homeschool help to families here.