Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Mike:
Today, we get to hear from Valerie Monk. Welcome to the program, Valerie!

Valerie:
Mike, glad to be here.

Mike:
Valerie, how did you persuade your parents to become involved in the homeschooling process, and how has that impacted your children’s homeschool experience?

Valerie:
Well, in the beginning, both sets of grandparents worked and lived about an hour away. So we started sending our young children’s paragraphs and stories to them by mail. The grandparents loved them, and even started writing back to each child. Even now, they eagerly await our older teens’ high school and college essays. We also invited them to our history fairs and talent shows, where they could serve as judges or coordinators, and to the end of the year celebrations, where they could see the children’s schoolwork and accomplishments.

When my parents moved closer, they hosted several high school biology and chemistry labs in our homes for our children and their friends, although we did most of the teaching ourselves. Even my father did my high school son’s labs in his garage where he has a small machine shop. He’s also been the driver for several classes and co-ops.

Our children began to see that it wasn’t just mom and dad who were interested in this education thing, and our children and their grandparents have developed a close relationship, where they really know each other.

Mike:
Valerie, thank you so much for sharing with us today! And until next time, I’m Mike Smith.