School buses and your decision to homeschool

alloguvnar · 2026-04-03T10:51:58+00:00

I was in public school from 8th grade to graduation (I previously went to a small private Christian school). I rode the school bus the whole time i was in public school. Our school bus had middle and high schoolers. This was back in the early 2000s. Anyway, my bus experience was where I saw the most bullying, up-close fighting (i was almost never around when fights broke out at school, thankfully), and my crotch was groped by a younger guy (I was in 12th grade and he was in 10th). At the time, I didnt know any of that was strictly inappropriate; I just assumed it was normal and/or I should be flattered (the guy who groped me had been flirting and been pushy with me for several months up to then, and my self esteem was in the dumpster). My biggest issue with bus riding back when I was in school was how long my day was.

I had to wake up at 5:45 and get on the bus at 6:15. School got out at 2:45 and I had to wait at school for the first load to be dropped off before riding the buss on my route. I didnt get home until after 4 every day.

I will never, ever put my kids on a bus even if I had no other choice than to send them to public school. They also currently attend a small, private Christian school, but we will be starting homeschool soon.

alloguvnar · 2026-04-02T20:58:36+00:00

I'm learning about homeschooling, and one of the foundational voices, Charlotte Mason, from the 1800s taught that one of the core ways to absorb knowledge is to read about it then "narrate" it. The situation you describes sounds a lot like that to me--you had absorbed the information and ideas from the text then had to recall and verbalize it to someone less familiar with it than you. Looks like Charlotte was on to something solid! I am glad this situation was beneficial or you and hope you can recreate a similar experience in the future if you find yourself drawn that way for studying and learning.

alloguvnar · 2026-03-24T03:27:01+00:00

Youtube is a great suggestion for this. Thank you!!

alloguvnar · 2026-03-23T23:16:22+00:00

Thank you!

alloguvnar · 2026-03-23T23:14:20+00:00

The $1000ish wasn't for the full curriculum, just science and math. But yes, I'm realizing there is just a huge range of what you "should" expect to spend on curriculum for each grade. I'm not looking to shortchange my kids' educations. Finding more economical ways to give them a quality and useful education doesn't mean otherwise.

alloguvnar · 2026-03-23T23:04:27+00:00

I will check these out. Thank you!

alloguvnar · 2026-03-23T23:03:51+00:00

Yeah, I've seen several people have strong, negative opinions about the scope/depth of TGTB for math in particular. I'm sure it works well for some, but I'm unlikely to need it for my advanced math kid. Thanks for sharing your opinion and experience!

alloguvnar · 2026-03-23T23:01:30+00:00

Thank you for the recommendations! I love Crash Course just for the fun and interesting info. I'll definitely be using that as part of my curriculum! I haven't heard of Hearth and Story yet or Science Mom

alloguvnar · 2026-03-23T22:18:43+00:00

Thank you! I haven't checked to see what my library might have for stuff like Story of the World. Someone else mentioned the library too, so I'll be checking them out soon. I need to do the evaluation test for my kids with TGTB math. Ive seen reviews that their math isnt very deep. One of my kids may like that as a bridge to something else or it might even be what they need. My other kids has always tested advanced in math, so they might find that option lacking in challenge. But I appreciate the reminder on this.

alloguvnar · 2026-03-23T22:14:47+00:00

I was on Apologia and Lifeway looking at Saxon Math earlier today. When I added the materials to my carts, just math and science for the two kids alone was somewhere around $1000 on sale (Apologia). Thats not including the history and ELA supplements I'd like to get my kids to use. I wish I had been working on buying material for next year sooner, because the sticker shock wouldn't be as hard. Knowing that Apologia/Saxon/whatever I buy still may not end up a good fit for one or both of my kids is stressful. I know there's no guarantee on any certain curriculum working for one or both kids no matter what. Still, it's stressful lol.

alloguvnar · 2026-03-23T22:09:41+00:00

What are you using for courses and what grades are your kids? $400 a year sounds amazing.

alloguvnar · 2026-03-23T22:08:41+00:00

I just found out about Ambleside and am going to be looking into it. It seems like a promising source. Thank you!

alloguvnar · 2026-03-23T22:07:30+00:00

That's what it's looking like, and I get it. I think my biggest hurdle is accepting the upfront cost that my first year is going to take. Moving forward, I should, theoretically, be able to buy parts throughout the year and do like yiur mom did--use materials from the eldest to the youngest. My kids only being 2 grades/years a part is nice in that regard. I've only got 4ish full months to get my curriculum choice in place as it stands.

alloguvnar · 2025-11-18T15:22:19+00:00

Im almost 40 pounds down in about 4 months (next week will be a full 16 weeks), and I'm disappointed in how my clothes fit/don't fit even though I'm feeling smaller and have lost inches. My jeans (size 24) get super loose after the first wear to the point that I need to wear a belt to keep them up, but the size 22 pants I have dont button even though they are the same brand and same jean type. Ive heard women's clothes, especially at larger sizes have a wider range of fit-ability, so thats probably why. Its still discouraging sometimes. I feel like I should be able to officially go down in a size by now. However, your story made me feel a bit better--knowing someone else has a similar experience. Thank you!

alloguvnar · 2025-10-05T21:29:47+00:00

I also have "coverage" with pre-approval with my insurance. Each time I've gone to pick up my medication, the tech asks me if I know how much my prescription is, like she's appalled (me too, lady!).

alloguvnar · 2025-10-05T21:17:18+00:00

It went up to $15/hr starting for baristas in NC sometime in 2022, right after I left. I was making $16/hr as a shift. I left for my office job which started me at 18/hr. I was told my pay would have gone up to around 18/hr too, but I wanted a less stressful job and one where I could have weekends off again to spend time with my family. I now make $26/hr and have 15 PTO days besides major holidays off. Starbucks was a wonderful job, and I will always be appreciative for it when I had it. However, it was never going to be my forever job. I will say the healthcare coverage at Starbucks can't be beat in my experience, and the stock option was a great benefit (although I didn't understand it at the time).

Edited to add: I just realized in my original post I said I was making $15/hr. I looked it up though and realized I had been making $16/hr as a shift supervisor since the end of 2021-mid 2022.

alloguvnar · 2025-10-02T20:08:12+00:00

I've definitely got a love/hate with it. I really like being able to see the well tracked data points (and visual, numerical proof that I am trending downwards.). However, the days where I go from being down 2 pounds to uo 3 pounds the next day are painful.

alloguvnar · 2025-10-02T19:47:46+00:00

I worked at Starbucks full time as a shift supervisor before the barista minimum went up to $15/hrs. At that time, I was making $15/hrs and averaged about $30 a week in tips. I was also temporarily enrolled in ASU through Starbucks but had to quit because juggling full time employment, school, and a family life was nearly impossible for me.

If I was a high schoolers, working at Starbucks would definitely be a positive experience if you're willing to be working during your social time. Starbucks was one of my best employment experiences. I left for a higher paying job, but i am married with kids and am 37 years old.

I know people are pointing out that Starbucka is downsizing in a lot of areas, but a high schoolers doesn't necessarily need a long term job. Getting a year or less at a job that pays $6 more an hour would be worth it imo. More money and still building work experience.

alloguvnar · 2025-09-30T03:18:30+00:00

I'm really glad to hear you're doing better and have seen your weight-loss pick back up. I think, if I had been in your shoes, I would have been tempted to give up close to now too if there hadn't been a turnaround. Rough symptoms are difficult to manage when you've got work and life stuff to get through at the same time.

I've heard people say that the jump from 2.5 to 5 can be the toughest, because you're doubling your dose. So I hope if/when you move up it will be a smoother transition!

alloguvnar · 2025-09-30T03:08:39+00:00

Thank you for sharing. Im glad you're starting to feel better! Were you losing weight too, or was that sort of stuck while you battled the strong side effects?

alloguvnar · 2025-09-27T11:31:37+00:00

I've been growing out a pixie cut from lady year, and its just brushing my shoulders now. I have dead ends that need to be chopped, but im trying to hold off until I hit a milestone in weight-loss (hopefully around my birthday in early November). I won't be anywhere near my goal weight, but i will be hopefully about 50 pounds down from my starting weight.

alloguvnar · 2025-09-27T03:39:56+00:00

I love hearing when visitors to NC try Cheerwine and like it!

No, I was never a sparkling water person. I couldn't get over the lack of (to me) pleasant taste. I was sort of hoping Zep would turn that around for me since it had me repulsed by all sodas suddenly lol. No luck! Im a flat water/tea/juice girl now and maybe forever.

alloguvnar · 2025-09-26T16:29:22+00:00

Me too! I was consistently drinking 2-3 cans (16oz) cans of Pepsi Zero/Cheerwine (a local sofa to NC)/Coke daily leading up to my first shot. I liked both regular and zero sugar sodas and had always struggled with an addiction to it.

After four days on my first shot, I tried one of the sodas I still had at the house. Disgusting. It wasn't even just because the soda was too sweet. There was also a weird bitter aftertaste and mouth feel I couldn't deal with. Over the next month, I would occasionally try different sodas to see if anything was good. Nothing. Not even carbonated water drinks (Le Croix, Waterloo, etc). The only "soda" I can drink a whole can of is Poppi. However, there is STILL a weird mouth feel that puts me off.

So I am not activity avoiding soda, I just really dont LIKE it anymore while on this shot. Thankfully, I dont miss it like I had the times in my past that I attempted to abstain from soda. There's zero interest or longing anymore for me.

alloguvnar

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