HOMESCHOOLING (WHO DOES AND WHY?)greenspun.com : LUSENET : Countryside : One Thread |
How many homeschool and why?Tiller
-- BILL (TILLERBILL@WEBTV.NET), June 02, 2001
Well, Bill, hope you have plenty of time for reading the responses you'll get on this one - personally, the reasons I homeschool my boys is myriad. The list is added to daily! Besides the fact I have them for such a short time (18-20 years is an eyeblink!), just look in the newspapers everyday - plus, I drive a schoolbus and can see the results of not only the public system, but also the local catholic school. I won't get into a long-winded dissertation at this time, but suffice it to say that I thank God for the honor and delight of watching my boys grow in mind, body, and spirit.If you'd like some additional discussion, email me.
-- Judi (ddecaro@snet.net), June 02, 2001.
Well like Judy the list grows daily,to start with the schools in this area are a joke .I cant imagin sending my girls to them,I feel so lucky to be able to spend the time with the children too.
-- renee oneill{md.} (oneillsr@home.com), June 02, 2001.
Oh my goodness the reasons I homeschool are sooooo many. I got tired of my kids getting beat up. In first grade they taught my son about homosexuality(without asking my permission..no note..nadda). They were teaching a method of reading that had no chance of working (sight reading). The kids kept coming home with interesting new words that they certainly weren't learning at home. My bright boy was bored silly. Other children kept conning my daughter out of her lunch money (bless her heart she is so sweet and nieve that she'd give anyone anything). Last but certainly not least was the change in my kids. I sent them off to school well mannered, bright, inquisitive and well, just pretty nice kids....they came home sullen and disrespectful. I was desperate. I knew I couldn't afford private school and then a friend said well why don't you homeschool. I said homeschool...what is that!? It took me about 2 days to do my research..figure out it was legal and take my kids out of school. My son went to public schools until about 3 weeks into 2nd grade. My daughter went just the same time into 1st grade. I started doing more research(back then it wasn't nearly as widely known as it is now) and discovered that homeschooling was far superior to public school. Real experts had researched this and proven that it is an excellent form of education. I did backslide a bit a couple of years ago. My grandmother begged me to put the kids back in school(she was dying...kinda hard to tell her no). She just couldn't believe they were getting a good education.....no matter how much proof I showed her. So I put the kids in school for about 5 weeks. In that 5 weeks my son managed to get his arm broken....there were several weapons threats at the school(this is a tiny rural school)...my daughter came home crying every day(one girl figured out she wouldn't hit back so she beat on my daughter daily). On top of everything else my kids were bored silly because they were so far ahead of their grade levels. That was the last time they were in public school and as far as I'm concerned they won't ever go back! Some of the enormous advantages of homeschooling are constant parental supervision and fewer trips to the doctor. Ever try to get in trouble when Mom is around?....kinda hard huh? When they went to school we all stayed in the doctors office. They brought all kinds of colds and such home(I'm very susceptible). Since we have homeschooled we rarely get sick. Another huge plus is that I can feel free to teach my children my morals. I can teach them out of the bible and even assign them passages to read as a reading assignment. No way you could do that in public school. I also teach my kids a great deal about work and everyday things that they wouldn't learn in school. Well Bill if you want proof homeschooling works......come visit my kids...they are my best argument :o). God bless ya'll.
-- Amanda in Tx (mrsgunsmyth@hotmail.com), June 02, 2001.
Okay, you asked for it. I'll try to keep it short:o) Conventional schools waste lots of time in the classroom as well as on the bus. Friends of ours in Texas see so little of their boys; they get on the bus at 6:30 a.m. and come home at 4:45 p.m. I was shocked by that; at least three hours of that is time on the bus!I want to be sure my children are learning what I want them to know, not a lot of garbage and sex ed. We do a lot of what I guess would be unschooling; we teach them to read and do math and they do lots of reading and studying on their own. They also are learning about chores, gardening, and responsibility, and are doing a lot of other projects they wouldn't have time for if they went to regular school. They are learning practical, everyday stuff right here at home.
I do not want my children socialized by all the ADD doped up kids, kids with guns, boys that wouldn't leave my girls alone, etc. Not to say there aren't any decent kids in the schools here, but how can one teacher or bus driver really control every thing that goes on in the halls, playgrounds, and busses of today's schools? Besides, children cannot learn to function in the family or in any other multi-aged group (which is most of life) by spending 6-12 hours a day with 20-40 kids their own age.
Now, if we went back 50-100 years to the rural one-room school house, then you MIGHT persuade me to send my children there.
Our six children are OUR responsibility, and we refuse to delegate that task to someone who cannot possibly care for them as much as we do.
Last, but certainly not least, we are Christians, trying to raise our children according to the Bible, which is outlawed in the public schools today. As for Christian schools, well, I went to one of those myself, and I am here to say they can be no better than the public schools as far as what the other kids are like.
-- Cathy N. (keeper8@attcanada.ca), June 02, 2001.
Each family has a different set of reasons. Some do it out of fear, some out of a sense of protection from ideas, but many more do it becase they want quality and a better environment for their kids. HSLDA has many fact sheets on how well most kids do when they are taught at home, as well as statistics on how many and the laws in each state. Most families are real kind, loving folks, want the best, many are Christian and don't want the public value systems seeping in. Without bashing the teachers in the institutions, I know first hand what they are up against. I see my parents, both public school teachers, daily battling kids who don't care, parents who don't care, fights, divorces, and constant schedule changes, curriculum changes, and pressure to do way more than they can handle. Now add to that guns and law suits, crowded classes, low pay,...still many do an outstanding job! My parents say the home schooled kids are the cream of the crop, and when they leave, it just makes the schools look even worse. Lots of public school parents don't do anything to help, don't even make the kids do their homework. Some come unwashed and unfed, some are taught horrible values at home. The kids are largely untrained and unsupervised when in their social groups. I personally believe kids need to be taught how to relate and not just thrown in a pot and told to "mix." Academics can be better at home, but not always. Just depends on the kid and what is done. Sometimes teachers do a better job on that front. If you want to know more, you can E-mail me. I run a support group in CA.
-- Margaret (tmbroberg@hotmail.com), June 02, 2001.
We have two children, a son who is practically 15, and a daughter who is 8. I homschooled both up till the beginning of this past school year. We put them into private christian schools, even though the cost is exhorbitant, and I dont think we can really afford it. Homeschooling went well. My son was at his grade level when he entered the school. I hadnt realised, however, that I was not teaching him as well as I should have in certain subjects. Writing was not emphasised in the curriculum I had him in, and it IS in the school where he is attending now. It is a struggle for him to learn, as it is not naturally a strong point for him.I am glad we chose to put him into school for more than one reason. He is learning how to interact with a group, how to stand up for his beliefs while still respecting other christians who feel differently. He is less critical, less of an introvert. He is learning how to stand up for himself without lashing out in frustration and anger. He is learning how to love kids who are on the wrong path, and greive over them, instead of standing back and judging them... He says he feels like he has broken out of a cocoon, and is discovering the world of people.
The little daughter was put into school because of a parsonality clash between her and I. I felt I was losing control over her, and really didnt know how to handle her. She was just too strong natured and stubborn, and yet extremely sensitive. I didnt know how to discipline her without hurting her too deeply, yet she didnt listen to me. I really needed to have other adults help with her.
School has been an extremely good thing for us. I dont knwo if we will continue on in the path we are now, but it was right for US at this point to put our kids in school. I feel we should not say homeschooling is best for every child, because it ISNT. Every family is different, and God leads us accordingly.
-- daffodyllady (daffodyllady@yahoo.com), June 02, 2001.
Wow, we started out homeschooling over 8 yrs ago when I thought I could not. I gave myself every reason to not home educate. God, however, had it in his plan for us, and we have been home schooling every since. Now, I can't see any other way. It truely is the best for our situation. We have had our tough days, but overall, I wouldn't trade any of it. We have lots of friends who have high schoolers who are home educated. They are the most self-confident, reliable, respectful, creative, and intelligent kids I know. I guess I look at the fruit, and I know that is what I want for my family. I have a list of scripture verses and my own responses, when I find it I will post them. I compiled them years ago. Blessings Maylene
-- Maylene (Zedanka@aol.com), June 02, 2001.
Wow....I don't think this space is long enough!!!We homeschooled our son Nathan until he graduated high school two years ago. At age 19 he was the YOUNGEST person ever to buy a house at a big certain bank here WITHOUT a co-signer. His RESPONSIBILITY, integrity, and his long and good work record was the reason.
That's usually how homeschool kids turn out! We homeschooled our last daughter for her last two years of high school. (Kids were 10 years apart in age so that's why son got the most homeschooling)
Anyway, I wish NONE of our four had ever gone to public school at all.
For one thing, they get a better education at home with a determined and loving parent. Two, public schools say they want parental involvement but the majority of them actually believe they are the ones who know best at how children should be raised. (I know there are some exceptions but I'm saying the majority are that way)
I have been an investigative newspaper reporter for 21 years and cover three major school boards around here that oversee schools in two counties. If most folks knew how their schools were run they would be shocked! Events, finances, lack of integrity, etc is sickening.
And I've lived in other state so it's not just in Alabama.
I think parents are ultimately responsible for their own kids' educations and it's time parents reclaimed that right. Parents, not the government or some board, no what is best for their children.
As for the argument that homeschooled kids don't get enough socialization...my son was an active Boy Scout, played soccer with a city league for several years, and was active in church groups. He also had a best friend that was the best man at his WEDDING last Sunday. During his homeschooling he built a robot, did an indepth study of the Vietnman war, and won the junior high award for best private school science student in our state....
I MISS homeschooling now that mine are all grown!!! hope this helps!
I NEVER regretted homeschooling one minute even on those days that were frustrating!
-- Suzy in Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), June 02, 2001.
Suzy I am soooo glad to hear that you miss homeschooling. Just tell me where to ship my 12 yr old boy :o). Hmm what size box should I use. His hormones have kicked in...he got taller than me...and he noticed girls...all within the last 6 months. I can just feel the grey hair popping up all over the place!
-- Amanda in Tx (mrsgunsmyth@hotmail.com), June 02, 2001.
Just a couple of quick reasons: my husband teaches freshman science in a rural high school and can see the result of the local grade school education received by most of his students, very inadequate. Also, we have a niece and nephew in the same rural gradeschool system and we constantly hear about the field trips to the local movie theatre to see movies! Our four year old will not go into this school system, we will homeschool. On the other hand, while raising our 24 year old daughter, circumstances were that she went to large city schools gradeschool through highschool, went on to college, received a bachelor degree in psychology and is doing wonderful in her life. So, I guess we will see the results of both systems by the time our son is finished with his education.
-- Rose Marie Wild (wintersongfarm@yahoo.com), June 02, 2001.
I homeschool because I LIKE my kids and I like who they are. We did the public school for a very short time and I visited the classrooms. My kids came home angry and frustrated and didn't learn a thing. It was be a shark or be shark food. They were labeled weird because they choose to abstain from ungodly activities and liturature that are daily fair at P.S.Twice a month we spend an afternoon with public school kids 5th-8th grade, many of them are from supposed Christian homes. Their favorite words are "gay, gay sex, vagina, butthole." I am sorry to share this offensive language, but this illustrates why we homeschool. It is terribly offensive to my kids and they don't want to be exposed to it non-stop 9+ hours a day. Th public school kids don't see anything wrong with it since it is taught in school and is there favorite topic.
Meanwhile my kids are learning creative writing, practical application of math skills and several viewpoints of history. They are learning problem solving, critical thinking and to question and research everything and not just take someones word as truth. They like using the Bible as their standard of measure. They like that stability instead of the changing rules of secular thought. They choose their friends for common interests and morals, not for age or gender or peer pressure.
I enjoy watching them discover new ideas, grasp new concepts try new methods and grow in wisdom. I let them make choices and watch them grow with the consequences of their choices. This is the best part of being a parent, watching them grow to be responsible, loving, healthy adults.
-- Laura (LadybugWrangler@hotmail.com), June 02, 2001.
Hi Bill, I do it because for one reason, I love them. Period!!!!!
-- Karole (Biz3boymom@aol.com), June 02, 2001.
I'll try to keep it short. When we took our oldest daughter out of school over 17 years ago it was to give her a good education. That was not happening in the schools we tried (public and private, Christian). The public school teacher and principal told me when I took her out that they knew they were not capable of giving her the education she deserved! The only one who gave me a hard time was the secretary there. At the Christian school, I pulled her out the day her teacher told me that she was not going to pay any attention to my daughter because she asked too many questions. I was paying money for my daughter to be ignored? I don't think so. After starting homeschooling I found many, many reasons to continue. I've now graduated 2 children, with 3 more to go including a 3 year old so I'll be at it a long time. But I wouldn't have it any other way. The lady who said her child was an introvert in homeschooling I can't really identify with. Every one of my children are outgoing, most of them very outgoing, one not quite so much. They take charge of whatever they're doing, even when it's with regular schooled kids. And never back down on their convictions. One, in particular, witnesses to everyone she meets. We have no problems with socialization and one of the things I've noticed over the years is that the kids that are homeschooled for several years or more are much more willing and able to converse with people of all ages. I've had a number of people make that point to me who were not homeschoolers. All in all, it's a wonderful way to raise children but that's not to say there aren't hard days too.
-- Deena in GA (dsmj55@aol.com), June 02, 2001.
I have to concur with every point already made. Public school was simply not acceptable for us. Other children in PS were not being taught discipline, morality, respect for themselves and others, even common civility. I (on more than one occasion) had to explain to my older two children (then 7 and 9) "Yes, I understand that that is the way your teacher spelled the word in the flyer she sent home, but she is mistaken." Everybody makes a mistake, but don't they CHECK???Our children were bored, unhappy, and increasingly unpleasant to be around and became more so as their time in public school progressed. Now they're happy, well-adjusted,they socialize with other homeschooled children, and the PS children in our neighborhood, who hang out at our house with our rules (which, BTW, the neighborhood kids are willing to follow, if only when they're here) They don't mumble, they can speak easily to a new acquaintance of any age, and they're ahead of their grade levels. Also, they don't spend unnecessary time with busy work, bus rides, class breaks, and waiting for the class to calm down, be quiet, get it together. They learn more in less time, and enjoy it! Plus, they're learning practical skills as well as regular subjects, i.e. cooking ( 6yo son), carpentry (10 yo daughter), gardening(4yo daughter), and animal husbandry (8yo son)- projects THEY chose to undertake. I could go on forever, but I think I've given enough reasons to make a dent in the list
-- Kristin, in La. (positivekharma@aol.com), June 02, 2001.
Tiller, we had alot of reasons to home school our children, but I'll just give a few and then climb down off my soapbox. When my daughter was two years old, we were rear ended by two other drivers while our vehicle was stalled at the side of the road. My daughter struck the back of her head on my breastbone as she was sleeping in my arms at the time. She hit it hard enough to fracture my breastbone. By the time I got out of the hospital, my daughter had regressed to infancy and lost all ability to talk. (At the time of the accident she spoke in four and five word sentences.) When she did start to speak again at the age of four, she had alot of attention deficit problems and her speech was garbled requiring a therapist. To make a long story short, I couldn't get the public system to give her the remedial work she needed and she fell further and further behind. At the same time, I watched my precious little girl come home day after day crying and ever more angry with herself and everyone else. By the end of fourth grade, they had her reading on a first grade level, her math abilities were nil, and they kept saying she would catch up. To add fuel to the fire, the following year she was slated to have a teacher who unashamedly ignored the slower learners and had a habit of ridiculing such students (this I knew as a friend's children had already gone through his class and wound up hating school). We figured we couldn't do any worse than the public school had and pulled her out.---It was a struggle, but she now reads quite well, has beautiful handwriting, has excellent math skills, loves to write letters, does beautiful handcrafts, holds down a steady job and is saving to take training as a signing interpreter for the deaf and wants a certificate to be a massage therapist. Yes, she still has attention deficit problems, but she likes herself and has learned to work with her disabilities and maintain her self respect. I feel the public system would have crushed her like a bug if we had left her in its grasp. My son was taught at home so he would not feel treated differently from his sister. He has grown up to be a compassionate, fair-minded, and gentle human being who is, by the way, well on his way to becoming a crack mechanic. We call him our gentle giant. We are not sorry we didn't give in and send the kids through the system. Home schooling helped us create two mighty fine human beings.
-- Sandra Nelson (Magin@starband.net), June 03, 2001.
Wow, this is encouraging! I think I am going to print this entire thread off. Think I will tape it to my fridge so I have reading material for those frustrating days.Blessings Maylene
-- Maylene (zedanka@aol.com), June 03, 2001.
We started homeschooling 12 years ago,and we really had the kids in a good school with no problems(yet)I brought them out because i love to be with them ,they are some of the nicest people I know.and why would I send them to be raised by someone else just when it starts gettin fun!!!
-- teri (mrs_smurf2000@yahoo.ca), June 04, 2001.
Just wanted to add my 2 cents worth. We have 6 kids, 5 of which have been homeschooled. We have tried public and private school and are convinced that homeschooling is the right choice for our family. As mentioned there are sooo many reasons. First and foremost I want my children to know their Creator, and when we cover the evolution theory in science I want them to realize it is a theory (in public school it is now presented as fact). I want my children to love learning and become independent learners. My ten year old is constantly looking up information in encyclopedias, something he could not do in a "reg" school, at least not as the question comes up in his mind. My 6 yr old is ADHD and in homeschool we can work 20min on then take a break so he can run some energy off. My 16 yr old loves to read all the time so we do history through literature. so that she can read Anthony and Cleopatra by Shakespeare instead of having to read dry text book. Lots of resources at your public library. Hope you will do your own research, and soul search. Takes a lot of time (I just mean you have to be there for them) and you sacrifice second income but rewards are great!
-- Fabienne (resourcefulhome@conninc.com), June 05, 2001.
I homeschooled because we moved with my husband's job alot, like oversees a few times. Now after 12 years they have both graduated and are in college with no problems and have plenty of good friends plus they are best friends. This will be my first year without them and I will miss them terribly. Homeschool if you can!
-- Debbie (bwolcott@cwis.net), June 06, 2001.
We homeschool and we love it! Let's see,as to reasons why we homeschool is kind of a big thing,I think. We all have Lupus and can't handle the UV lights in public schools. And,well,my little brother also keeps getting beat up. I guess that's a reason too. If you're thinking about homeschooling,you should go for it.Everyone I know has closer family bonds then anyone who public schools their kids. It's really a wonderful experience. :-) Hope I helped!
-- Cosmic Country Girl (CosmicCountry@yahoo.com), June 07, 2001.
I am adding a note to Country Cosmic girl (she is one of my children). In the same year that I pulled her out due to lupus, my oldest daughter was "slam dunked" onto a concrete floor and had to have very special care for 6 months to recuperate, and my oldest son (then only 7) got beat up by older boys and put in the hospital. I had never really considered it before because I didn't think it was legal. I was so glad to hear it was!! We have so much fun! :-)Cindy
-- Cindy in Ok (cynthiacluck@yahoo.com), June 07, 2001.
I agree with so many of the answers above. I want my children with me! We do have some tough days but the good far outweigh the bad. If they went to public school they would spend so many waking hours away, it seems to me it's giving your kids to someone else to raise. It wouldn't matter how good the academics are at ps, I want to raise them! Homeschool just sort of seems like a natural way for a family to live to me. Ps is a manmade institution that has only been a recent thing in the course of history. So many great minds of history were homeschooled and some were even self taught (Benjamin Franklin and Abraham Lincoln to name a couple)! Our forefathers lived in harmony with the seasons learning the practical things in life right along with the formal year round. The way kids live now with their full schedules and hectic routines isn't natural. I want my children to be the authors of their destiny not just be given something they think they SHOULD do. I could probably tell you more reasons but I fear repeating my self or others. I like homeschool! Oh and did I say I like homeschool!I asked my teen if she had any comments to add and she says she thinks it's better because you can learn at YOUR pace and in the order you want to. She thinks also it's better to be able to expose yourself to the people you want to be around which takes away the peer pressure and distraction. It makes her want to do it more because you can be around more encouraging people. She also thinks it's a plus to get up when your rested and not half asleep. Don't get the impression she gets up at noon. She's usually up by 9 at the latest! And she said to add that she can graduate faster if she chooses.
-- Denise (jhammock@cinci.rr.com), June 08, 2001.