Posted on 09/06/2006 7:18:54 PM PDT by RKBA Democrat
Home-schooled kids really, really don't get snow days.
For two local families, though, the advantages of educating the kids at home are worth the sacrifices. And there are sacrifices.
"We drive used cars, we grow vegetables, we can food," Eagle homeschool mom Dee Dee Emmer said.
"When we first started, we lived in a one-bedroom apartment in a seedy part of town," said Chrissy Udd, a homeschool mom in Gypsum.
The Udds' three kids have taken a few classes at local public schools, but have never gone full-time. Two of the Emmers' three kids - the youngest, Joseph, is just starting first grade - went to school in Eagle for several years.
A few years ago, though, Maggie and Teller Emmer came home from school and asked if they could continue their education at home.
"I had friends who were home schooled," Maggie, 14, said. "They liked it a lot."
Teller said he thought school was "boring," and prefers to be able to set his own pace at home.
But the decision to keep mom at home, and let her run the kids' education, didn't come easily.
"I took a long time to decide," Dee Dee said. "I did a lot of research. But they wanted to be together, and with me, and I wanted to honor the relationship we have."
The decision for the Udds started early, when Kevin and Chrissy started a family. Chrissy started teaching kindergarten lessons when Clayton, her oldest, was just 4. By the time Kaylee, now 10, came along, Chrissy was teaching Clayton and middle kid Connor.
"She was in her high chair asking for her 'papers'," Chrissy said. 'It goes by so fast'
Chrissy has a hard time believing she's been home schooling her kids for almost 11 years now. She treasures the time she has with her children.
"It goes by so fast," she said of raising kids. "We started with kids young enough I'll have plenty of time for a career later on."
And, Chrissy said, by spending time with her kids, she gets to see almost all of their "aha!" moments.
"I love it when something with a kid really clicks," she said. "It's like their first steps. You're there for it, and it's really fun."
Dee Dee Emmer said there are good days and bad with the kids, "But every day is worth it."
There's plenty of hands-on instruction time with the younger kids. The older ones, though, mostly need guidance.
"I've become the manager of their education," Dee Dee Emmer said.
The Emmer and Udd kids know what they need to get done, and have their lessons and deadlines laid out from week to week.
But there's plenty of flexibility in the families' schedules.
Kevin Udd is a corporate pilot who flies out of the Eagle County Airport. He can be gone for a few days at a time, but he's also home for several days at a time. That gives Kevin a chance to help with lessons, and to teach the boys in the shop out in the back yard.
It also gives the family a chance to take field trips when buses full of school kids aren't at museums, zoos, and places like the Department of the Interior headquarters in Washington D.C. Those family tours can lead to other trips, too.
Clayton Udd said a trip the family took to the Golden office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration led to an invitation and a tour at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder.
"It was unbelievable," Clayton said. "It was just great."
Plenty of friends
While the Udd and Emmer kids spend their school days at home, all the kids have active social lives.
Both families are active in their respective churches, and the Emmer kids are involved in Western Eagle County Metropolitan Recreation District and 4-H programs. Maggie Emmer plays on the Eagle Valley High School softball team.
"Our yard is the one of the busiest in the neighborhood," Kevin Udd said.
"As soon as school's out, they're knocking on our door," Chrissy said.
The popularity of the Udds' house led to the family taking a summer vacation from school. There are just too many kids who want to play.
The Udd and Emmer kids said they have plenty of friends. And they all said they enjoy being taught by their moms.
"I like it," Connor Udd said. "You're not nervous when you get a new teacher."
For the parents, having firm control of their kids' education is another bonus.
"There are things we want them to know," Kevin Udd said.
It also makes it easier to drill the kids when they're out on field trips," Chrissy said.
"I know what they know," she said.
And the kids seem to know quite a bit. The Emmer and Udd kids do well on their school work, and all of them seem to like at least most of their studies. And, when the older kids graduate, they'll receive full high school diplomas.
All of which makes it worth the time, trouble, and cost, to these families.
"We adjust because this is a priority," Dee Dee Emmer said. But, she added, the kids won't be in school forever. "I know the things we say no to now, that's just for now," she said.
Staff Writer Scott N. Miller can be reached at 748-2930, or smiller@vaildaily.com.
My daughter married last year, and she wants 2 or 3 kids.
Very normal in this regard.
Sounds like you've got a wonderfully well-rounded daughter. I didn't mean to insult her or you with my earlier comment -- I've just heard of too many women who are career-driven who later in life sadly realize they forgot to marry and have kids....
"My daughter was home schooled until age 17. At 17, she entered Stanford. Graduated Magna. Now vice president of Microsoft Asia, at 185,000 salary. Age 25."
That's awesome! I hope you'll do us all a favor and tell your home education story far and wide.
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