My one “negative” comment is with regards to Dr. Montessori’s status as Italy’s first female physician. I am not sure if that is quite true, especially since today on hearing a podcast of ” a book which I would never lend” featured the Trotula. To say that Dr. Montessori was a pioneering female physician from Italy would perhaps be more correct.

Have you ever heard of Minds in Motion? I attended a homeschool convention last month and heard a speaker present it. It focuses on specific physical motions to do daily to increase the maximum academic performance. Brain function strengthens with these specific tasks. It reminds me of your eye exercises you used to do to strengthen you vision. If you haven,t ever checked this out you might like it. I can tell you are like me in the sense of always researching for best practices for our homeschooling community whether it be at home or in a co-op. Thanks for reminding me of some things listed on your site. It,s always nice to read your ideas. You are an inspiration. We have a tree house too. Lol

Harmony,
If he doesn’t start school for almost an other year, this gives you time to test out if homeschool could work for you. I love the Montessori method and while I’m just learning it myself, I see the time before my son has to start some type of school as a phase to get into a school like routine including preparation of materials, occupying the younger brother while giving lessons etc. I want to homeschool but wanna feel like I can handle it before I commit to it. This gives me plenty of time to organize home, school and social life and to try out different ways to do it. Talking about socializing: we made some friends at a Gymboree class and while all of them are now attending preschools we meet them once a week for a field trip. I just tell everyone what we do and who can will come. We usually have at least a few kids and our group is growing.
Hope this helps! I can totally understand your concerns.

Hey Harmony,
As a home school mom, I would say the biggest factor should be what YOU as a parent feel is best for your child. You cannot make the decision based on what others think, either way! This will set the stage for all the choices you’ll need to make for your child. No one else is his/her mother, you are!
You really can trust your gut, and you can always change course if you have a change of heart!
The way I get my hubby to give me a real answer is to ask, “If I wasn’t here, (like I died etc) what would your desire be?”
Hope that helps ?

“How do you decide whether to do it or not?” Explore your possibilities. Ask to sit in on the classrooms in the schools your child could attend. Start reading material on homeschooling and begin planning your home school program. By getting involved you will accumulate much more information on which to base your decision. And remember, whatever you choose, it’s not necessarily permanent–if it doesn’t work out you will have learned from the situation and you can always switch to another form of education for your child.