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Seekers of the Lost Boy is my first novel. 12-year old Simon finds a bottle washed up on Muizenberg beach that dramatically changes his family's life. The story has all the elements that my kids and I love best: intrigue, adventure, history, gospel, and homeschooled protagonists! Click the image above to follow the process on Facebook.
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Recent Comments
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Hi Guys. Stumbled upon your blog as I was searching for photos for a SACSSA presentation which I will be doing at the ACE Admin Seminar (Mid July). I am the Vice-prinicipal at Sonrise Christian School in Kempton Park. I am a regional consultant for ACE and I have recently taken on the marketing responsibilities for SACSSA. Very impressed with your blog. I would like to ask your permission to include a couple of photographs in the SACSSA presentation. You can contact me on one of the following email addresses (below). Please CC on both (email addresses) though. Yours in Christ Grant Kauffman Vice-principal Sonrise Christian School grant.kauffman@sonrisecs.co.za grantkauffman24@gmail.com 079 879 0788
Hi there, I am Almari. We are considering homeschooling as an alternative for our family (currently 3 kids, hopefully 4 soon). I feel totally overwhelmed by all the info on the Internet. I have a few questions relating practical issues. Do you mind if I ask them here?
Almari, you are most welcome to ask your questions here. I’ll help where I can and direct you to other helpful places if needs be too.
Thanks Taryn,
Firstly, do you have to register your children with the Western Cape Department of Education if you follow a different curriculum to the national one? And if you don’t, can they still write matric? Or do you intend for them to obtain a different qualification such as O-levels? I would like my kids to be able to attend university.
Secondly, how are you able to manage the different ages of your kids while teaching? Do the older ones not get frustrated and the younger ones bored? If I have a newborn with lots of needs, will I be able to keep my eldest of 5 stimulated?
Thirdly, do you as mother and teacher ever feel overwhelmed by having to be everything to everyone? That is probably the most daunting thing to me. I am at home with 3 kids already and it sometimes feels like too much!
And lastly (for now), how do your kids feel about not being in school? My little ones have already been taught by family and society that they will be going to school and my eldest is currently attending a school and is in grade RR.
Almari! Wow – loads of questions here! I’ll try my best…
*Firstly, do you have to register your children with the Western Cape Department of Education if you follow a different curriculum to the national one? And if you don’t, can they still write matric? Or do you intend for them to obtain a different qualification such as O-levels? I would like my kids to be able to attend university. *
Some families do register; some families don’t. The arguments against registering is simply that the policy documentation for registering home schoolers is not in line with the constitution. Many homeschoolers choose to exercise their constitutional right to educate their children at home without formal registration. Some families choose to register and have had varying success with that – some are well-monitored and assisted; some never get any response from the WCED, some have lots of hassles and some none at all. It doesn’t matter what curriculum you use – the Constitution and case law protects the right of homeschoolers to use curricula other than the National Curriculum. Yes, your child can still write matric – however you may have to jump through certain hoops if you plan on them writing matric through the National Senior Certificate. There are plenty of other options, including just doing your own thing and presenting the tertiary institution of your choice with a porfolio of work. This is riskier than the more conventional routes, but has worked out well for some families. Other families choose to write the US (SATs) or UK (Cambridge) equivalents. There is a lot of support here in SA for the Cambridge route (the old A and O levels, now called AS if I remember correctly). Universities these days are increasingly requiring entrance exams from prospective students anyway, regardless of high school diplomas.
*Secondly, how are you able to manage the different ages of your kids while teaching? Do the older ones not get frustrated and the younger ones bored? If I have a newborn with lots of needs, will I be able to keep my eldest of 5 stimulated? *
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It’s not always easy, I must admit. So, yes, sometimes the older ones get frustrated and the younger ones bored. But, that’s not all day every day. When we are in a good rhythm, it’s great. My eldest works almost entirely independently now (she’s 9). My second eldest requires the most one-on-one attention, but that’s due to her personality and learning style. My 5-year old only does about 30 min – 1 hour of seat work, of which he only really needs me right next to him for his reading aloud bits. My youngest plays. When my eldest was starting out in grade R and 1, I would do most of her reading aloud time during baby’s naps. Now we use our whole morning for school time which means lots of juggling for me, but we get a lot done.
*Thirdly, do you as mother and teacher ever feel overwhelmed by having to be everything to everyone? That is probably the most daunting thing to me. I am at home with 3 kids already and it sometimes feels like too much!*
Yes, there are days when it’s all so overwhelming, but I know that I’d feel like that no matter whether I homeschooled or not. It’s just how I am. The “I’m so glad we’re homeschooling” days FAR outnumber the “overwhelmed!” days. It helps to plug into support groups. It helps to take breaks in the day – especially in the early days, I made sure that we ALL rested for at least an hour after lunch. Nowadays we still have rest time, but no one sleeps any more! But at least I get time out and they get down time. Honestly, though, the plusses far outweight the minuses – we absolutely love the flexibility and freedom of homeschooling, the amazing people we’ve met, the things we’ve learnt and done … the list is long! *
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*And lastly (for now), how do your kids feel about not being in school? My little ones have already been taught by family and society that they will be going to school and my eldest is currently attending a school and is in grade RR.*
My kids have only ever known school, although in the early days people would talk to Kiera about school as if she was going to go. But, she doesn’t remember that. My kids are not fussed at all about being homeschooled. My eldest attended “real school” for one day last year when a teacher friend did an assessment of her for me. She absolutely loved the experience and would quite happily have gone to school. But as the days rolled on, she kept finding reasons why homeschooling was more attractive. Before the week was out, she had decided, that despite the “fun” she experienced in the classroom (fun, for her was being the novelty in the class where everyone wanted to be her friend, sit next to her and talk with her; break-time and knowing answers to bunches of questions!) she didn’t like the idea of early mornings, homework, not being able to finish up with your work and do what you want to do next. She much prefers the freedoms we have at home. My second eldest would probably do okay in the classroom from a “please the teacher” point of view, but she hates the idea of school simply because she is emotionally not confident that she’d cope with not understanding. She has absolutely no interest in going to school. My boys have only seen home schooling modelled. When you say “school” to them, they think of Sunday School! Most of their friends are home schooled, so it’s 100% normal to them. The only thing the kids really remark on is how strangers / new people that they meet often seem taken aback when they hear that they’re home schooled. Mostly they just remark how similar the responses are and how funny they can be. Much like when people ask me “are they ALL yours?” My kids find that question hilarious.
Phew – I hope that was helpful! What are your plans for homeschooling?
Hi Taryn, I have been reading your blog for ages now, I always find it so inspiring. How honest you are and how much you do for your children – I know it exhausts you but that’s being a mom. My daughter is now 15 months old and I am really struggling with setting out boundaries for her… its getting harder and harder to get through the day without loosing all of my dignity! Do you have any recommendations of websites I could look at or authors I should be reading?
Thanks so much!
Lindsay
Hi Lindsay and welcome!
Oh, boy, yes – don’t I know how you feel. You know, when I had just one 15 month old, I read a ton of books and figured I had it all waxed. Now that I have 4 that have all been through that 15 month old phase, I feel like I know a whole lot less and yet a whole lot more.
What I *can* say is this: discipline and helping shape a child’s heart is a *process.* It’s on-going. Consequence A for Behaviour A doesn’t always equal Response A, despite what all the books say. I’ve told myself, and need to constantly remind myself, that disciplining and discipling my child is more about my sanctification (in the heat of the moment) than it is about theirs (in the heat of the moment). In other words – I need to try be as consistent as possible, as godly as possible in how I deal with it (patiently, kindly, fairly, firmly, consistently) and have no expectation that they’ll not repeat their mistakes/misbehaviours again and again. When I’m getting this thinking right, I’m telling myself, “Taryn, right now Micah needs to learn that hitting his sister is not right, but he also needs to watch mommy model consistent, patient behaviour. Right now, this moment is about YOU, Taryn, doing the right thing. Have no expectation that Micah is going to do the right thing. If he does, GREAT! If he doesn’t, that’s normal and is part of the discipline and discipling process. He will get there. But you, Taryn, *are* there already – you know what’s right, so do it!” When I give myself this pep talk, I usually cope so much better. Pity that I don’t remember to give it all that often!
My concern with parenting books is often they are “manuals” that misinform parents. So many of them – even the great ones – suggest something formulaic will “get results” from your child. But, having said that, there are some books that contain gold, even if they also spit out some chaff as well. These are some that I have found helpful, as long as I wasn’t reading them like a bible of parenting discipline, which, unfortunately, they can come across as:
Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp (http://bit.ly/QU8QeI) – the whole “heart” issue outlined in this book is so incredibly insightful – or it was for me at the time anyway – it’s not about shaping behaviour but about helping shepherd your child’s heart towards God. Their methodology of *how* to do that comes across very prescriptive and definitive – I think there is more room for interpretation than they give. It’s easy to read this book and feel like a failure when your kids don’t respond as the book suggests they should. The reality is that our kids are sinful to the core, just as we are; they’re just not as sophisticated about it. But there is a LOT of good stuff in here and I would recommend it *if* you are the type of person who is able to read a book like this and spit out the bones. Hmm, rereading my comment makes it sound like it’s not worth reading – but it really really is. Just watch out for formulaic concepts.
Don’t Make me Count to Three by Ginger Plowman (http://bit.ly/QU8ip8) is a practical book that uses the principles from Shepherding a Child’s Heart. Another great recommendation. But again, methodology doesn’t have to be exactly as they say. Personally, I find the whole “have to spank” thing too prescriptive. While we do use spanking, I’m not keen (anymore) on using it to the degree that they suggest.
Heartfelt Discipline by Clay Clarkson (http://amzn.to/QU91qp) – not so much of the practical, but an excellent book looking at how we can disciple our children’s hearts. I really really recommend this one!
Creative Correction by Lisa Welchel (http://bit.ly/QU98lM) Lastly – here are some GREAT practical ideas, but more for slightly older than your little one. It’s JAM packed full of great ideas for helping with correcting kiddies and guiding them towards better behaviour.
I hope that helps! I am by no means an expert and I still have a long ways to go on this parenting road! All the best with your little one – 15 months is a hard age as communication and reasoning is not the child’s strong point!
Which brings me back to my point in the beginning – try take every “battle” with your child as an opportunity for your to practise being godly. Oh – and one last thing: distraction is a VERY good thing! Honestly, fighting every battle with a 15-month old is not only exhausting, it’s counter-productive. Most of the battles with them are not moral or issues of the heart – distraction tactics are well worth it!
I do love Apologia science curriculum. We’ve done parts of Astronomy, Bussy with Flying creatures and will do botany with my daughter next year and General Science with my son next year. I think its just the best. They love it. My son loves Entomology and thus think he would love biology too. My daughter cant wait to do them all. She still have time to.
Hi Taryn, not sure that this is going to the correct place but here goes, this is for the entry into the Apologia – We have been using Apologia for the past few years and it is wonderful how God is brought into it all the time. It has been fabulous when Bible verses are given that we can look up. We are just about to finish the swimming creatures, and what a lot we have learnt, we can’t wait for our holiday to the coast in December. Kind regards Noelle
Hi
We have been home schooling our 7 and 9 year old for a few months and are loving it. We are using a “free range” curriculum at the moment but also have a 2 year old and have decided to buy a formal curriculum next year to ease the pressure. I see from your sight you use Sonlight and I have some questions. If possible, could you email me at eleanorknoesen@gmail.com?
Hope to hear from you soon
Eleanor
wow this seems fantastic !!! I have been homeschooling my son who loves
science but due to money constraints we have never really followed a
proper science curriculum and I can see all he wants to do everyday
seems to be science yet I am always trying to get him to do the maths
and English as its all quite overwhelming for us and many times I look
and wonder if God was sure about ME homeschooling my son Yet I know deep
down this is HIs plan. I would really like to have a science , biology
program that he will enjoy cause he is a visual learner. It really looks
awesome.
Thanks for this opportunity
regards Angie
lentex@me.com
Fantastic blog, keep up the good work of encouragement to other fellow Christians.
Hi Guys, my son is currently writing his Grade 8 exams at Table View High School and is doing very well. He came home last week and asked if he could be home-schooled for grade 9 to 12. I asked him to investigate and get back to me. He found this website AIU High School which is a web based High School Diploma program(American) which seems very credible.
My current struggle is trying to find out whether it is accredited with the Western Cape Education Department. They( WCED )told me to phone UMALUSI and UMALUSI told me to phone WCED.
My biggest concern is that when he is finished the course/diploma and then wants to go to a local Varsity like UCT or Stellbosch, that he may have to do a bridging exam which may be higher than the level of the homeschooling he was doing or his studies may not be recognised at all.
He has the self-discipline and I work from home and have the capacity and so I think it is a great idea but where do I start to make sure that the switch does not backfire further down the line when he wants to go to Varsity.
Any advice would be hugely appreciated.
Best regards
Clinton
Clinton, how encouraging to see such positive investigation into home schooling especially from your son! That is exciting. I’d suggest that you speak to the Pestalozzi Trust about the legalities. Unfortunately the various gvt depts are not that clued up. I’d also encourage you to join some support groups – see my page for links. There you will find a lot of advice regarding your question: http://www.hayesfamily.co.za/blog/resources/information-about-home-schooling-in-south-africa
Wow, Taryn, thanks for the warp-speed response. I have left my questions on their website.
I am beginning to realsie that it is not as simple a process as it seems (even with a brother in the Transvaal Education Department) I am struggling with another question that but this one is based not education but on ‘position’ – being in the right place at the right time doing the right thing.
My views of government schooling is pretty much an institution that teaches secular humanism and with children(1 boy and 2 girls) who have the Spirit of God living in them, decided that in terms of the light they carry, if this wouldn’t be the best place for them to express the Kingdom of God. Yes the converse is also true, that if there was no substance to their relationship with God, that I could loose my children to drugs and the like. My son recently adopted a friend who was on weed and fortunately had the sense to say no when offered. This friend has lived in our home the past 2 weekends and when offered weed by his dealer on Friday at Bayside refused and answered that he now believed in Jesus.
If my son were to be home schooled, what would his spiritual adventure look like in terms of his changed position/location?
From a Christian perspective, have you guys wrestled through a similar dilema(the will of God for your lives and your children) or am I taking a simple choice and over-spirutaulising it?
Hi again
Yes, it’s a very valid question and is often what tips the balance for Christians. My thoughts are that our kids are young saplings that need careful nurturing to grow strong and true. I’d prefer to equip them well while at home so that when they are older and stronger they will be better equipped to cope with the world’s onslaught. My
concern is that popular culture is relentless in its degradation of Christian values and I don’t want my kids receiving huge chunks of secular humanism shaping their thinking on a daily basis. This is not to say that they don’t have evangelistic opportunities. They do: through sports, extra murals, unsaved family, neighbours etc. But because of schooling through a biblical world view and constant discussion around what we believe, the kids ideally end up with a solid foundation on which to base the rest of their life of independent evangelism. Hope that makes sense bits a much bigger subject and I can spend hours explaining myself more clearly, but I don’t want to overwhelm either of us!
Thanks Taryn….I have caught the heart of it.
I grew up in a relatively Christian household in Cape Town. As a grew older, I was fortunate enough to get a very good all-rounded education at a prestigious school. It really opened my eyes and led me to where I am now. Graduated from UCT with a good job and my whole life ahead of me. And I am PROUD to say that everything started going well for me when I woke up and saw the light. Christianity is just one huge farce and yet another way for people to feel good about themselves without feeling guilty about anything. I find your blog quite eye-opening and scary, it reminds me of how deluded people can actually get. I really do wish the best for you and your family. I just hope your kids get the chance to choose what’s best, for themselves, WITHOUT any brainwash-enduced fundamentalism.
Hi Allan,
Thanks for stopping by here. As you’ve left your comment on this general post, I’m not sure which of my other posts you’ve read to prompt your thoughts you’ve shared here, or what led you here in the first place. I’d be eager to know. I’m also curious to know why you think Christianity is a huge farce. If indeed it is, it would be a great shame for me to hang my entire life on the gospel message of Jesus and His death and resurrection. You seem to feel quite strongly that Christians are deluded – if so, please consider sharing your view in more detail so as to help me better understand.
Dear Mrs. Hayes,
Hope you’re doing well. I would like to thank you for the wealth of information about home-schooling available on your blog its a great resource for the uninitiated.
I work for a company called Edutrade we manufacture & distribute educational materials, specialising in the subject matter areas of Mathematics, the Sciences & Technology.
You might know some of our work as we are great believers in and supporters of the Cape Town Science Centre and provide the majority of their educational materials, which get used in their home-school workshops.
We are a for-profit compnay yes, but this isnt a pitch, I will give some info about what we do so you can check us out, but my goal is to get a conversation going. Our core drive is to promote the development of Math, Science and Technology education in South Africa and to ensure that every child, whether at a formal or home-school has the opportunity and available resources to excel in these subject areas.
We’ve in the past worked primarily with schools, public & private but have recently recognised the growth in home-schooling as an educational choice for an increasing number of South African families. To that end we’ve developed a Natural Sciences and Technology kit for grades 4-7 that provides everything necessary to deliver all the educational objectives for 4years in one box, which includes all the apparatus, materials and consumables in an easy to use modular form for under R3000 (on Promotion for Feb, and just over R3600 normally).
We were quite chuffed with ourselves on that one I can tell you, but then we realised that this kit as good as it is, and I’m proud of our work and I can say with confidence its very good, wouldn’t necessarily be of use to all home-schoolers due the variety of curriculums on offer. We’ve generally produced kits compliant with the South African National curriculum, because we worked with schools, so this home-school kit is CAPS compliant. Now we’re busy working on producing kits which comply with the Cambridge IGCSE & AS/A levels but we see thats not enough. We need to speak to as many home-schoolers as we can to find out what you need so we can figure out how to give you that. As you well know the home-school community in South Africa is geographically very widespread and not centrally registered so I’m getting in touch with every online source I can to try and get the conversation going.
We’d really like to promote our current kit and get the details out so the home-school community can see for themselves, so if you have an advertising facility for your blog we’d like to get the details, but also we’d like your opinions, on our products yes, but also on how you best envision the Mathematics, Science & Technology education of your children.
I hope this comment isn’t so long that you’re bored to tears but I and my colleagues care a heck of a lot about math & science education & I had to convery all the pertinent information.
Best Regards
Eeshaam September
Hi there,
Was wondering if you have (or could) make your passover booklet (The Haggadah) available for us to use?
Thanks, from Sue
(Mother of 8 and a Home-schooling in New Zealand)
Hi Taryn,
We have just started looking into homeschooling, and i must say one can become overwhelmed by the amount of information out there. Its great when you stumble on a webiste/blog that you can relate to!! It would be great to be able to get some perspective and as you have been homeschooling for a while i would really appreciate this. It would be great if you could email me!!
Regards, Anya
Hi Anya, welcome to this page and welcome to the world of homeschooling, albeit still the investigating stage! Yes, it is a daunting path to investigate as there are just so many questions and a multitude of answers. I will gladly drop you an email. Chat soon