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Parenting
Thoughts about homeschooling.
I was going back and reading a post from a couple of weeks ago about home schooling. I can't help but be surprised at how many people posted that they were very much opposed to homeschooling, that they would never consider it, that it doesn't fit into their family's value system, etc.
As for myself I don't have super strong feelings about homeschooling, public school or private school. They all have the potential to be fantastic or a total flop. While I personally don't plan on homeschooling I'm still open to the idea if for some reason it just seems like it might be the best thing for one (or both) of our children at some point in the future.
For example, I have a friend who works in the school system and has a special needs child. Even though she works in the special ed department she has had to really fight for her son and he really struggles in the classroom- school has continued to be a total disaster for him for the past several years. She's considering taking him out and homeschooling him because she thinks it may serve his needs better for right now.
I know of another family who had the chance to go to Africa for a year so they've sold their house and taken all 4 children to Kenya where they are being homeschooled- the opportunity to live abroad was something they could not pass up and their children will be so culturally enriched by the experience.
I guess I'm just really surprised that so many people say they would not do it ever under any circumstances. If you fall into that category is there any exception at all that would make you reconsider, even on just a temporary basis?
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Re: Thoughts about homeschooling.
I feel the same way as you. ?I can see how it could be a great thing, just as many other educational options. ?
I know that one of our new neighbors is home-schooling her kids and I'm really interested to get to know her and hear her perspective on it. ?
I'm not opposed to it, I'm just opposed to it for me. I think it can be great in certain situations for other people, just not me.
I would literally suck at it. There's a reason I'm not a teacher.
oh and ETA - we HAVE discussed doing it for a short time period, like a semester/year and using that time to travel b/c I think a kid can learn a lot from that. I just think that beyond that being a positive, for our family, it would just not work. It's not something I feel like I could do.
I wouldn't be totally against it but it is something I would rather not do. If the situation required it (live moving abroad like your example) or if there were no other options then yes I would do it, besides that no.
I've seen people do it and be very successful at it and I've seen others "home school" and they are doing nothing but a disservice to their child.
I am one that is not a fan of homeschooling. I work in a field that provided programs to homeschooled children, and after dealing with that for many years, I think that the majority of parents who homeschool are not cut out for it. The problem is not with the kids, it's with the parents. I am not saying that all homeschooling is poorly done, just that from my experience, the children do not benefit as much as the parents are hoping for.
I agree with you that in some circumstances, the chlid would benefit as listed in your examples above.
I am against homeschooling for ME. I wouldn't be good at it and it would be a disservice to DS. It is hard to judge without knowing the individual people involved, but I do admit to being skeptical that the majority of homeschoolers are truly qualified to teach all subjects through all grade levels that they do.
We are strongly considering taking a year off to travel the world when DS is older and obviously will homeschool in that situation. But, we will work with his school/teachers to develop a lesson plan that meets his needs for that year. Plus, either DH will have to be his math tutor or we would need to hire a math tutor. I am seriously incapable of math beyond basic addition and subtraction.
Ha, I've said the same thing. It's sad that at one point in my life I took AP Calculus and did okay on the AP test, but now? I can barely add and subtract to save my life! It was such a struggle for me at the time, it's like I've blocked out all math.
We've also thought about traveling if we could swing it, but MH would def have to be in charge of math.
this.
I am not anti-HS at all. I just know it would drive me crazy to do it! I want a break from my kids. I also would feel like to give thema good education we would need to stay home and actually teach/learn during the day, adn that would drive me crazy too.
If the right circumstances presented, I could see doing it short-term (like 1-3 years). Or, there is a private montessori school near us that is 3 days/week adn you homeschool the other 2 days (they coordinate what is to be taught at home and what at school). That I could see doing.
I think it can be fantastic for some families but it's definitely not right for our family. At the very minimum I like the time to myself each day and would struggle being with them 24/7<<<<(does that make me a bad person)?
But if someone can hang with the 24/7 kid thing and educate them appropriatly I say have at it!
I think it could be done right. I know for me, I am not smart enough to do it.
My neighbors homeschool and I think what they are doing is a joke. They are outside playing most of the day. There is a family in my church who homeschool and the oldest DD is 11 or 12 and is doing chemistry and physics already and is wicked smart and involved in activities to be around other kids.
I think it's too bad that it still has the stigma of something only done by wacko control freaks who want to shelter their children. Especially because this opinion was voiced by people who I thought were more open-minded than that. I think it can be done well, and many cities have strong support systems so homeschooled kids still get plenty of socialization, opportunities to participate in team sports, etc.
I've talked to former LA Unified teachers who say they would never let their child attend the public schools here - because of the low quality and some schools aren't physically safe. For parents who can't afford private school or to move to a better district, homeschooling is the best option.
My sister homeschools her girls because she works 2-midnight - she'd only see them for a few minutes in the morning if they were in school all day. It has nothing to do with not trusting her school system or wanting to be a control freak - her son is autistic, so he is in school because of the resources offered, the girls went to preschool, they take karate and piano lessons, they play with neighborhood kids, etc. She just wants to spend some time with her kids and would happily send them to school if she were able to change her schedule. It's a lot of work if done right! I have no desire to do it, but I respect people who make the effort.
Some of the comments from people on that thread really bothered me...and even hurt my feelings some. I hate that I'm viewed the way they view homeschooling moms.
I can admit I'm not qualified to teach high school math or science. But DH is more than capable of it, and with the help of wonderful homeschool groups and co-ops in our area, I know our children will have the resources they need to do well. I also know that if it became apparent that they needed something else, I would do it in an instant.
There's a big discussion about it on the AP board right now, and most of the nay-saying comments are from people who obviously don't have their facts straight. That's the most annoying part about it. I know I do a lot of non-traditional things that are very "out there" to most of the nest. But I never make these decisions lightly.
Homeschooling is something that has been important to me since Ethan was a baby, and I have put a lot of thought into it, I've done a lot of reading about it, and I've done a lot of talking to families who have chosen homeschool for a variety of reasons. I 100% believe I am doing what is best for our family, and I can't figure out why some people take such offense to that.
I don't know anyone who does it "just because." We all have a reason.
I saw that thread and was amazed at the snark from some ladies.
goodhearted: I think its great that you did your research and you feel prepared to homeschool. I think its more than great, actually. you are taking charge of something that is important to you and your goal is to do it properly to best serve your children.
I wouldn't take it too personally though b/c they are LOTS of people out there who do their research, work hard and get ripped apart anyway, right? I mean, pediatricians do their homework on vaccines and basically make healing children their life's work -- and still some parents might tell them they are nuts and wrong -- don't you think pediatricians are confounded by that?
debate is good. it might actually end up making homeschooling NOT so associated with 'religious people off the grid' --- it peaks interest across all types of families.