North Dakota Babies

Home School

What are your thoughts?

DH thinks this is a great idea, me not so much.

A & T Since 2009 Parents of A born July 2010

Re: Home School

  • Personally I'm not a fan. I have one set of cousins on my side, and one set of cousins on DH's side who were or are all being home schooled. From what I could tell it was an excuse to play video games until 4am, sleep until 1, and then maybe do something education related. Plus with both families the kids are all kind of... socially awkward or even stunted. They don't interact with other people well, and they really do not understand or respect authority figures, which I'm guessing stems from not having to listen to teachers and principals, etc.

    I know that isn't how all h.s. families are, but those are my examples which is why I'm not a fan.  

    I would imagine the whole social awkwardness & problems with authority figures could be lessened by putting home school kids in organized sports & activities, unfortunately neither of the families I know did that.


     

  • As a public educator myself, I have two MAs to teach what I teach--& I do it well. That said, I have about 8 years of education under my belt to teach ONE subject, so I really don't see how it is possible for the average person to do this & do it WELL. My SIL homeschools all 4 of her kids, & they're just fine socially but their reading & writing skills are SEVERELY lacking. I know that's just one example, but still, not a fan. I also know there are experiences that books can't offer & homeschoolers take advantage of life's daily lessons, but I still don't think this advantage outweighs the disadvantages of HSing. I might edit this later at home bc I'm having a hard time expressing myself from my phone.
  • Loading the player...
  • Also not a fan....My sister homeschools her 7 kids and they are all socially awkward and very sheltered. They only interact with their cousins and kids at church. This is a pretty touchy subject with me because of that and I could go on all day about, so I'll try to keep it in check.

    I think it can be okay in situations. I know another family that is part of a homeschool program where they got to a school 2-3 days a week and the other days are homeschooled days. That way they get the interaction with other kids and adults. I also think that if you're going to homeschool that you need to get your kids involved in community activities so that they can have experiences outside of the home (something that my sister doesn't do and it drives me nuts).

    For me I don't feel like I would want the sole responsibility of teaching my kids everything they need. To be honest I don't think I'd be good at it. I don't mind helping with homework and whatnot, but I wouldn't want to be the only teacher my kids have. Going to a school is so much more than just learning acedemics, it's also about dealing with different people. Being in a school setting will help kids learn how to interact with adults other than their parents and how to deal with kids/adults they don't neccessarily get along with, and so on.

    That's just my two cents

    Started TTC Nov. 2011 

    1st clomid cycle June 2012- No response :: HSG August 2012- Left tube blocked, right tube clear :: 2nd clomid cycle Aug. 2012 BFN :: 3rd clomid cycle Sept. 2012 :: BFP Sept 30th :: DS born 6/15/13 :: BFP #2 7/29/14 M/C 8/5/14 :: BFP#3 10/20/14 DD born 7/1/2015 :: Applied to be surrogate April '17 :: Transferred 1 Embryo for IFs Dec. '17 :: Surro Babe born 9/11/18 :: Started 2nd Journey May '19 :: Transferred 1 Embryo for new IFs 9/24/19 :: HB 138 at 6w6d


  • I think it takes a LOT of work to do it properly...to get your child all the necessary information at an appropriate level, to make sure they're at or exceeding the level of their peers, to get access to all the materials that you would need to educate your child, to make sure they are getting socially appropriate interactions with other adults as well as others their age...I'm a teacher and I am quite certain I would have anxiety attacks about all of that all the time.

    My mom did it for one year for my brother after outrageous cuts gave him a fourth grade classroom with 50 kids in it...but she was a licensed elementary teacher (not working that year) and had access to all of our district resources. It was still tough on both of them.

    married 7.3.08 - mc 8.10 - dd 6.4.11 cp 10.13 - bfp 11.13 edd 7.22.13 Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker BabyFruit Ticker
  • imagenatalie115:

    Also not a fan....My sister homeschools her 7 kids and they are all socially awkward and very sheltered. They only interact with their cousins and kids at church. This is a pretty touchy subject with me because of that and I could go on all day about, so I'll try to keep it in check.

    I think it can be okay in situations. I know another family that is part of a homeschool program where they got to a school 2-3 days a week and the other days are homeschooled days. That way they get the interaction with other kids and adults. I also think that if you're going to homeschool that you need to get your kids involved in community activities so that they can have experiences outside of the home (something that my sister doesn't do and it drives me nuts).

    For me I don't feel like I would want the sole responsibility of teaching my kids everything they need. To be honest I don't think I'd be good at it. I don't mind helping with homework and whatnot, but I wouldn't want to be the only teacher my kids have. Going to a school is so much more than just learning acedemics, it's also about dealing with different people. Being in a school setting will help kids learn how to interact with adults other than their parents and how to deal with kids/adults they don't neccessarily get along with, and so on.

    That's just my two cents

    this! I completely agree!!

  • I am a public school educator with degrees and constant professional development. There is a reason teachers have to have more credit hours (I needed 132 to get my BA, even else needed 120) and have to pass a test in order to be certified. It is not easy. I wouldn't mess with my kid's education by not giving them an education by an education expert. I won't even get into the social problems. I had a first grader who was home schooled in kindergarten and he was a mess. That was only being home schooled in preschool and kindergarten. Can you imagine being home schooled throughout elementary school and then going to middle school? Those kids would eat the home schooled kid alive. Sorry, this is a touchy subject to me. I've known kids who were homeschooled and never seen them turn into well rounded, properly educated children. I'm sure there are exceptions but why take the risk?
    Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all." -- Dale Carnegie DS: Born 2007 TTC #2- Diagnosed with secondary infertility, after 18 months and failed IUIs, we achieved success with IVF #1 DD: Born 2011
  • No way. no how. I can't even fathom what kind of person I would be today without the experience of going to elementary, middle & high school. There is just so much more than the education experience...

    I'm just curious how a HS'ed child handles the transition to college. I imagine that would be extremely difficult. It's hard enough transitioning from traditional high school to college. Could you imagine what it would feel like to a HS'ed child heading off to a state university?

    Plus, I would never want Sophia to miss out on middle school dances, homecoming, prom, etc. I suppose she would be able to go with a friend who goes to a traditional high school...but it just wouldn't be the same and she would probably know no one. Not to mention graduation day and walking across that stage. I would never want to miss out on those milestones, personally...

    imageBaby Birthday Ticker Ticker ashley jordan est. 06.07.08 | siesta key, fl
  • My cousins were all home schooled.  While they are all wonderful, responsible, respectful adults they are very sheltered.  Most of them had some kind of issues once they grew up and got out in the world.  All of them have had issues when they decided to go to college.  One of them failed out of college because it was just to difficult for her.  My aunt took their homeschooling very seriously but I believe there is only so much she could do without being a certified educator.  All of them have had issues dealing with other people and not knowing how to deal with things like drugs, alcohol, peer pressure, and being picked on.  These are things that we know our children are facing when they are going to school so we work with them so they know how to deal with it.  My cousins never had these experiences as children, which can be good but they honestly didn't know how to handle the situation and didn't have someone they could turn to when they were an adult dealing with these for the first time.  I don't think I'm expressing myself very well here but I noticed how badly their situations have turned out and it would make me never want to home school my children.  I know that not every situation is like this but I personally think going to school has a lot of advantages just in learning how to associate with people. 
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker BabyFruit Ticker
  • Peter and I were just talking about this last night.  We both think this might be something we're interested in - as a matter of fact, I even messaged Erin for some more info (she homeschools her first).  I am fully confident I would be able to teach my kids.  The only thing I'm even slightly concerned about is their social development.  They would have to be enrolled in like everything and even still, would they develop properly?  Who knows. 

    All I know is that I've been in the NYC Dept of Ed for 8 years and I absolutely hate the system, but "good" schooling will run us thousands of dollars a year.

    It's definitely something to think about.

  • Teachers go to school for a reason.  I will let them do their job.

    I see no reason to homeschool my kid.  She will get sick of me and she needs the social interaction, let's not even go into the fact that I am not educated in education and I am not qualified to teach anyone. 

    I will be a damn good tutor/homework helper/middle school drama guider/field trip parent helper etc.  But I will not take on schooling my children.  It is too important to leave to someone who doesn't know what they're doing.

  • imageAshleysred:

    Teachers go to school for a reason.  I will let them do their job.

    I see no reason to homeschool my kid.  She will get sick of me and she needs the social interaction, let's not even go into the fact that I am not educated in education and I am not qualified to teach anyone. 

    I will be a damn good tutor/homework helper/middle school drama guider/field trip parent helper etc.  But I will not take on schooling my children.  It is too important to leave to someone who doesn't know what they're doing.

    Ok, so, let's say you have a MS in Education and enroll them in A LOT of social activities, then what do you think?  Honestly, do you think I'm nuts (because I am definitely also concerned people will think we're out of our minds).

  • imageDreamsBride411:
    imageAshleysred:

    Teachers go to school for a reason.  I will let them do their job.

    I see no reason to homeschool my kid.  She will get sick of me and she needs the social interaction, let's not even go into the fact that I am not educated in education and I am not qualified to teach anyone. 

    I will be a damn good tutor/homework helper/middle school drama guider/field trip parent helper etc.  But I will not take on schooling my children.  It is too important to leave to someone who doesn't know what they're doing.

    Ok, so, let's say you have a MS in Education and enroll them in A LOT of social activities, then what do you think?  Honestly, do you think I'm nuts (because I am definitely also concerned people will think we're out of our minds).

    Cristina, aren't you a teacher? I would say if anyone is qualified to home school it's someone who's already a teacher. There are exceptions to every rule. I know there are even home school "groups" or something, where they go to one house and there are maybe 6 or more kids all being taught together. Obviously that's still different from a traditional class environment, and you would still have to do extra curricular activities and such, but I think it can be done given the right person & dedication. You already know this, but you have to do what's best for your child(ren) and family. 

  • imagesarlah:
    imageDreamsBride411:
    imageAshleysred:

    Teachers go to school for a reason.  I will let them do their job.

    I see no reason to homeschool my kid.  She will get sick of me and she needs the social interaction, let's not even go into the fact that I am not educated in education and I am not qualified to teach anyone. 

    I will be a damn good tutor/homework helper/middle school drama guider/field trip parent helper etc.  But I will not take on schooling my children.  It is too important to leave to someone who doesn't know what they're doing.

    Ok, so, let's say you have a MS in Education and enroll them in A LOT of social activities, then what do you think?  Honestly, do you think I'm nuts (because I am definitely also concerned people will think we're out of our minds).

    Cristina, aren't you a teacher? I would say if anyone is qualified to home school it's someone who's already a teacher. There are exceptions to every rule. I know there are even home school "groups" or something, where they go to one house and there are maybe 6 or more kids all being taught together. Obviously that's still different from a traditional class environment, and you would still have to do extra curricular activities and such, but I think it can be done given the right person & dedication. You already know this, but you have to do what's best for your child(ren) and family. 

    Yes, and a certified reading specialist Big Smile

    We literally just started entertaining the idea and I know we're going to face a lot of discouragement.  Peter flat out told me he'd love for me to homeschool. 

    I am so glad this topic was brought up on a night I have time to bump!

  • Oh, and I'd still want my kids to go to a more traditional private high school... I wonder if that's feasible.
  • imageDreamsBride411:
    imageAshleysred:

    Teachers go to school for a reason.  I will let them do their job.

    I see no reason to homeschool my kid.  She will get sick of me and she needs the social interaction, let's not even go into the fact that I am not educated in education and I am not qualified to teach anyone. 

    I will be a damn good tutor/homework helper/middle school drama guider/field trip parent helper etc.  But I will not take on schooling my children.  It is too important to leave to someone who doesn't know what they're doing.

    Ok, so, let's say you have a MS in Education and enroll them in A LOT of social activities, then what do you think?  Honestly, do you think I'm nuts (because I am definitely also concerned people will think we're out of our minds).

    I do think you're a little crazy.  Stick out tongue  But I am not a teacher.  I would put them in a ton of activities, where they have to sit at a desk quietly, like an art class, and they have to run around being crazy, soccer, hockey etc.  Maybe you can find other moms in your area that homeschool too and you guys can do fieldtrips together.  I think homeschooled kids also develop a little bit of a hermit syndrome because they're home all the time by themselves. 

    I would also say they need to go to high school.  But the transition is going to be so hard.  No kids to 30 teens.  Will they get the help they need in class?  Will they be able to deal with high school drama, especially little snatch faced 14 year old girls?  Mari could potentially be entering high school with NO friends.  My friends all decided they hated me my first week in high school.  That was the worst time of school ever.  But to enter a school where kids already have their crews from middle school, she will totally be the odd chick out.  Will she be able to handle that?

    I have no idea what the right answer is.  I would say homeschooling is OK in certain situations until a certain time.  Eventually every kid needs to go to a real school.  There are milestones that happen that you don't want her to miss out on.  She needs to learn to deal with the biitches.  She needs to meet boys and learn how to interact with them in a social and learning environment.

    It is a toughy.  I know NYC schools aren't great.  But you know better than me since you worked in one.  But you will also have the advantage of being an outside teaching resource.  Isn't there any public school in your area that are at least decent and safe?  You could always provide the additional learning and you'd be such a fab tutor, she'd be the head of her class and can you imagine the confidence that could build for her?

  • I actually taught at a homeschooling school.  I taught animal sciences at TLC Academy in Fallbrook, MN.  My class was AWESOME.  They ranged in age from 5-15 and with the exception of 2 of them they were all great kids, very intelligent or at least on par with what they should know for their age, and great socially or at least with me and the other kids in class.  Especially the older ones, since they always went to this school 2-3 days a week they learned to be in a classroom with kids of all ages and learned that they needed to step-up and teach along with the teacher.  This is the reason I fell in love with Montessori (which is basically homeschooling unless you can find a charter).  Of the two who were not in the range of "normal", one was autistic and one was a spoiled rotten brat who was a compulsive liar which I don't blame either of their situations on being homeschooled.

    But then I subbed for my co-workers class for two days in La Mesa, CA (also a TLC Academy but a different school) and I wanted to strangle half of the kids.  Horrible, horrible!  In a class of 15 only 5 or so could be considered "socially normal".  They were all behind (a 4th grader not knowing what a "mammal" was) and it just wasn't an enjoyable experience.  I actually watched one girl get so squirmy during a lesson that she shoved her entire fist into her mouth and then started singing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.  How two classes in the exact same school "chain" could be so different is beyond me.  But it just goes to show how they are hit and miss. 

    Then again, so are public schools.  I had a 5th grade class in a San Diego public charter school where not a single child in the 32-kid classroom who could tell me what the difference was between a mammal and a reptile.  FIFTH GRADE!!!!!!  That's something that's something they are supposed to teach at the first grade level in San Diego county!

    Really I think it boils down to what you have available to you.  In Phoenix I would never, ever put my kid in the public school system.  I'd even have to look carefully for a charter or private school and if a good one wasn't to be found I would take my children's education into my own hands.  In Chico, though, the schools (private, public, and charter alike) all get great ratings so I would feel fine sending my child to a public school there.

    I wouldn't judge anyone who decides to homeschool their children, especially some of the things I've seen having worked in almost every elementary school in San Diego Couty.  But if your ARE going to do it, you have to do it right and make sure to find a group where your children can get proper socialization.

  • I think it can be done well, and I think it can be done really, really badly.  I grew up with a decent amount of home schooled kids through my church.  They were all pretty weird & socially awkward.  I think the social benefits and life lessons of traditional school are huge, & that they are almost as important as the education.  

     I have a handful of HS families that are patients of mine now.   Some are weird, & some are very normal.  The normal kids are the kids who are involved in lots of extracurricular activities.  Oh, and their parents are normal too.  That's important.  I think it's crucial that HS kids are socialized, and by socialized, I mean with other kids that are NOT HSed.  

    I agree with PP that the transition to college would be TOUGH, & in some cases, dangerous if someone is overly sheltered.  One of my childhood friends was 17 years old, months away from going to college, & she did not know what the word "rape" meant.  That is not just ridiculous, it's dangerous.   Also, the transition from having your mother teach you everything to having professors who are going to have extremely high expectations is going to be difficult.  Will they have learned how to accept criticism & to accept responsibility for their own schedule/homework/studying, or will they be reliant on having a mother to guide them through every step?

    Obviously, the education of the parent who is doing the HSing is a very important factor as well.  I think someone with an education degree would be the most qualified.  I don't see how it can be extremely beneficial through the high school years.  Nothing can compare to having individual teachers who are highly specialized in their subjects.  How many parents can efficiently teach chemistry, biology, and trigonometry to their children?  Not many, I'm willing to bet.  

     So, I guess you could say that I have mixed feelings on the subject.  I'm not against it.  It's nothing I would do.  I know that it works well for a very select population, & I have seen it fail others.   

  • You also need to remember that homeschooling is a lot different now than it was during our generation.  It used to be only a few religious nutbags would home school.  Now it's all different types of families with numerous reasons to home school (religion, safety, poor schools, overcrowded schools, etc.).  Also the curriculum, requirements, regulations, and social networking among home school families are much different. 
  • If we did decide to do this, I think it would only be until grade 7 (which in this town, once you are in grade 7 if you go to one school you switch to a different school), or until High School.

    I have lots of time to think about it at least though.

    A & T Since 2009 Parents of A born July 2010
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"