As you know, I like to feature other homeschoolers who are working from home. This week, it is my privilege to introduce Ms. Marta Soto of Adventures In Music to you. She’s a single, homeschooling mother with a thriving business and family life. I’ll let Marta tell you how she accomplishes all that she does in her own words.
My name is Marta E. Soto. I was born in Cuba in 1956. My parents took me and my brother out of Cuba in 1967 to get away from the Communist regime of Fidel Castro. I went to school in Miami, Florida. I graduated from high school in 1974 from Miami Senior High. I attended a four year college to study music.
I grew up pretty traditionally. There was nothing in upbringing that led to my choice of homeschooling of my youngest son Sam. I have 2 sons — Ricky, 31 and Sam, 14. My main motivation for homeschooling was God given to me. There was nothing in my upbringing that led to my choice of homeschooling. I had never even heard of homeschooling, and to be totally honest, I don’t remember when and what prompted it.
That’s why I say that God’s hand and direction is in this. I do remember that before Sam was born I was reading everything I could find about homeschooling. And it was not even an issue of if to put him in pre-school or not. It was a definite 100% decision no regrets, no doubts – this was the thing to do. I wanted to teach my son good moral behavior, I want him to learn from a Biblical Worldview and be strong in his faith. I don’t want the garbage that pollutes our young kids to be a part of his schooling. But, the main reason has to be the desire to teach my son to love Jesus Christ and follow his teachings.
We do traditional homeschooling. We like following an established curriculum and curve here and there. My son likes ABeka a lot. We use different books for different subjects. Sometimes I go online and come up with something totally new, or different from what we are doing. Sam also likes to read a lot. I like the book The Well-Trained Mind. It gives a lot of information and ideas. I also look at various Christian College reading lists and read from their lists. We incorporate field trips, not as many as when he was younger – we try to be more selective now.
I don’t get asked silly questions about homeschooling. I try to avoid the narrow minded individuals. Actually, I have had more people telling me,”Good for you that you homeschool. I bet your son learns a lot more that in public school.” I find that to be interesting.
What a twisted view some people have about socialization. Who came up with the idea that having kids of the same age group in an enclosed environment for six or seven hours five days a week is the proper way to”Socialize”? My son is involved in sports (karate and baseball) He plays in a Baseball Travel team. He has been taking Taekwondo for 4 years now and getting ready to test for Black Belt. He attends a Homeschool Coop one day a week, where he takes four classes. He is involved with 4-H, Archery Club, Art Classes, has friends over and goes over to friends to hang out and play. He also attends his friend’s sports events. Obviously he’s socially deprived — LOL!
Next we’ll hear how Marta’s business has proven to be an asset (in more than one way) for her family.
photo credit: Ernst Vikne
