Almost ten years ago, we never had any idea on how to homeschool.
In fact, when I pulled out our children from kindy, it was only meant to be temporary.
Little that we knew homeschooling will become our lifestyle for the next ten years...and more.
We never knew anyone in our family and friends homeschooling before.
Joining local homeschooling groups were like joining group of strangers,
but we survived.
Sometimes we thrived.
Sometimes we dived to our rock bottom too.
It has been a roller coaster odyssey.
In 2012, I resigned from a teaching job at university and pulled out all children from day care. Youngest were 1 and 3 years old, back then.
In 2013, we pulled out our twins, then 6 years old from kindy. We had one year to decide whether to continue homeschooling or return them back to school.
In 2014, we pulled out our first and second children from primary school. So our full time homeschooling 6 children begun.
In 2015, we homeschool on and off we various homeschooling communities, but most of the time on our own. Beta homeschooling year, trying out anything that may works.
In 2016, we homeschool in co-op of three families. Parents took turns to teach. Children learn together and make memories.
In 2017 onwards, we homeschool mostly on our own. Switching curriculum, classes, events and visits while finding directions for each child.
Until 2019, the twins went to tahfiz school. Our first child took iGCSE in November.
Our first public exam encounter.n
In 2020 Covid-19 forced us to stay indoor. So we proceed with SPM which was postponed to March 21 due to prolonged MCO.
So in 2021 immediately after our first SPM sitting as private candidature, we left the town all our children had been born and grew up. Selangor. Pack up everything and left for my hometown in Pahang.
Have we ever regret the decision to homeschool all our ten children?
Every other year.
Have we ever thought of homeschooling forever?
Every other year.
That's how life like, isn't it?
The ups and downs are real.
With pregnancies, breastfeeding and working from home in between homeschooling, it can be real challenge.
But so do learning and life. It has to be challenging enough if you were to survive or even better, thrive.
Grow or die. People say.
With ten children at stake, you do not have the luxury choice to give up.
But Subhaanallah,
Allah has been The Most Kind, The Most Generous to us throughout all these years.
We could not say that we did it all ourselves.
We received a lot of help and support too.
Family, friends, strangers.
May Allah rewards everyone whom we may not be able to list them all.
Thank you for being parts of our homeschooling journey.
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| Our very first event as homeschooling family. Cardboard Challenge. We won first place, biiznillah. |