Mornings in the Tandarich household begin close to dawn when Mary Ellen gets up and has some quiet time for herself before working out.  Then she gets the kids up to go to Mass. 

Mary Ellen slips quietly into one of the back rows of St. Pat’s regularly, along with Kate Lynn, 12; Mary Beth, 10; Kelly Ann, eight; Gregory, six; and Janie Marie, four.  Michael, 14, serves daily Mass.

When the family returns from Church, they study religion first.  Then they move on to spelling tests and other subjects, which include math, science, history, language arts, art, music, and Latin.

“The children have gotten to the point that they can work independently,” says Mary Ellen.  “I start with Michael and I go through everything he needs me to help him with.  Then he goes off on his own.  Next, I help Kate Lynn and Mary Beth, and then they go off on their own.  Last I go to Kelly Ann and Gregory.” 

In between, Mary Ellen works with Janie Marie, who does her preschool work.  They break for lunch, work a while longer, then finish up with science experiments or music.  After the children’s lessons are completed, they finish their chores, and have some down time.  During quiet time in the afternoon, they read while Mary Ellen gets some of her work done.

Afterwards, they are off for a fun activity somewhere.  Sometimes they go to the Delaware History Museum with some friends who are also homeschooling their children.  Other times they may go to places like the Crayola factory or the Herr’s Potato Chip factory.  Many of these field trips are organized by their co-op or TORCH  — a Catholic homeschool group.

“I organize all the kids’ sports activities depending on what they like to do,” says Mary Ellen.  “There will be football, soccer, piano, baseball or horseback riding.”

Essentially, the children are busy year round with one thing or another.  Football is at Assumption BVM Catholic Youth Organization in West Grove.  Soccer and baseball are done through the YMCA. 

On Fridays, the family breaks from its usual routine to attend St. Joseph’s Co-op in Downingtown.   Here, mothers trained in various specialty areas teach the children, further enhancing their home learning experiencing.  It makes for a busy week at the Tandarich household.

“We were much less active as a family when the children attended school.”

All things considered, homeschooling is not as difficult as it sounds, says Mary Ellen, who always appears relaxed and at peace — despite her busy schedule.

“The Pope says that parents are the first and most important educators of their children,” she adds.

“I am taking it a year at a time, but I know this is where God wants me to be right now.”

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