Article by Membership Coordinator, Emily Doran
Andrea has been a member of the MOB for 11 years, and in the Brentwood community for 23 years. If you know Andrea, you know she is a passionate traveler and homeschooler- both things can seem overwhelming to any mom. But Andrea has boundless energy and a sense of fun that comes across immediately. And she doesn’t drink a sip of coffee! I sat down with her and was also joined by her husband, and younger boys who happily jumped in to help.
Tell me about your family…
My husband and I both went to San Diego State. We had mutual friends, I was bringing lasagna over to a friend’s house, he saw me walking and gave me a ride. We dropped off the lasagna and went for a three to four-hour drive. We have been married for 27 years this June. We have four children, Maria (24), William (21), James (10), and Joseph (9).
What brought you to Brentwood?
Both my husband and I got jobs as teachers at Bristow Middle School. It was an affordable community with good schools.
What made you join the MOB?
I wanted to get connected with other moms in the community.
How did you decide on Homeschooling?
I taught in the public school up to the point of my oldest being a kindergartner. I was very involved, from the school site preparation (for opening Loma Vista) to the parent’s newsletter. I loved her teacher and the principal at Loma Vista. I was in the classroom volunteering and realized it looked like fun and I wanted to do it. The second half of the year I pulled her out and started homeschooling.
What’s the difference in Homeschooling now vs when you began?
There are a lot more people homeschooling for different reasons. I think the schools here are good. Some people are homeschooling for safety or for other motivations.
There are also more resources now. We are part of two large social support groups- Homebuilders and Explorers. They organize co-ops (families gathering together to share teaching), park dates, and field trips.
What’s your advice for parents thinking about Homeschooling?
Ask me! What is your ‘why?’ When you put your kid in school, think about how much you are already involved with your child’s education (taking them to and from school, working on homework, helping in the class). I think homeschooling is easier, it’s the ultimate IEP without the meetings. I have great class sizes and ratios. I love the flexibility. If your kid isn’t understanding the subject (in school), the teacher will have to move on, or if your kid understands something right away, they can’t just move on… you can’t draw on their strengths or improve their weaknesses in the larger classroom setting the same way you can at home.
Let’s talk about your travels…
My dad (in the 1950’s) went to Europe and traveled for six to eight months and then ended up in Hawaii. My mom was working her way around the world. She landed in Honolulu, and they met, married, and went to Europe to meet her parents all in a six-month period. I grew up going to Switzerland to visit my family. I have traveled with our kids from the beginning. I did a one-month camping trip when my older kids were four and six years old. When my youngest was 11 months old, we went to France, Morocco, and Switzerland.
You’ve traveled internationally, camped, traveled with younger and older kids, you make it look easy! What’s the secret?
Start early! Our kids are good travelers because that’s what they are used to. I think they build up stamina. The last trip to Disneyland felt like a short car ride to them. We don’t have screens in the car, we listen to books. We enjoyed ‘Diary of a Mad Brownie’ on our last trip.
Ken added: Do your research and go places they will enjoy. We went to castles and playgrounds in Ireland. When you’re traveling you have a lot of different stressors, so we have gone to different grocery stores and found familiar foods to make it easier.
Andrea added (with a laugh): we frequently find local bread and Nutella to supplement!
From Joseph: we have tried a lot of different bread!
What are your favorite vacations? (to James and Joseph)
The cruises! Alaska, Caribbean, and Hawaii!
From James: The Caribbean was my favorite!
What’s the place you think every family should visit?
Andrea and Ken: Southern Utah (Zion, Bryce, Arches) in Fall ideally! The camping is fantastic, and you could spend a couple of weeks seeing everything. Don’t go in the summer, too hot.
James: Yosemite!
What do you always carry in your purse?
Sunglasses, phone, tissues, wallet, pens
Favorite restaurant in Brentwood?
Mi Jalisco’s Taqueria (on Balfour Rd)
Best part of being a mom?
Being able to see the world through their eyes. Places are fresh and fun, you explore in a different way. It’s a different pace. I still have the most energy (with a laugh). And of course, my secret is a lot of bread and Nutella!
