Home-School

[Hobit]

Whyzman,

My son Joshua married Carmen who as of this Jan 20th is one of nine children, all (or will be) home schooled. Her mom, Dana and my grandchildren’s (Jessa, 5 and Gabriel –cross him at your peril- 3) grandmother follows no set curriculum. Carmen benefits from her mother’s 20 years experience. Both draw on numerous resources. Broadly: spiritual, technical; including the use of educational programs and printed course material, as well as human and material resources in their community. I do not know precisely which programs and whose course material(s). However, Gabe and Jessa’s oldest aunt and uncle still at home, both adolescents, in addition to their school work at home take Latin and music lessons, participate in choir and community sports programs, as well as are active in 4-H. I live 60 miles south but see them often. If you are interested I will inquire as to specifics.

hobit

[Whyzman]

Hobit,

My wife and I also homeschool and have done so from the get-go with both our children (15 and 13). We primarily use the ABeka curriculum, but substitute as deemed necessary. There's so much available these days to help out...Discovery Channel, History Channel etc., Our local school district also has a standing invite for any course into which we might want to enroll our kids.

Since many will read this, I'd like to address the primary concern many folks have regarding homeschooling (the question inevitably arises whenever the subject is brought up)...the social interaction aspect. Our kids are will adjusted and interact well with both peers and adults.

I was having lunch one day and seated next to me was a Child Psychiatrist and friend...Okay, they were close enough, and loud enough...I was eavesdropping! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif The Psychiatrist was addressing this very issue in relation to his own children who were also being homeschooled. My neck was straining without trying to look real obvious! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/tongue.gif

His conversation attested to exactly what my wife and I have experienced with our children. They do not lack in Social Skills...but rather Survival Skills. They've not had to contend with the "class bully" or inappropriate peer pressure. I can deal with them not having to deal with these issues right now! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

It would be easy to misconstrue our intentions and desires for our children in contrast to those who's children are in public schools. I realize that for many reasons there are folks who's situations limit alternatives, or who truly feel/believe public education offers far more advantages. Our particular choices for education are not any different than respecting someones preference for a particular automobile.

We also see disadvantages! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[kayofcircles]

Home schooling never occurred to us, but it was always a regret that we couldn't afford to send kid to private school. What disadvantages? The only thing that I can think of is that son did the cheerleading gig for his 4 years of high school and beyond. (When he wanted to join up, there was a humbling parent to kid conversation where my own past words were used against me! Don't you hate that as a parent??) He was far more dedicated to that "social" activity than he was to his classwork..devoted many many hours to practice, and developed muscles to lift some hefty young ladies unto his shoulders, while waiting until college to develop mental muscles. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif Other than that, what sort of disadvantages?

[Paul Komski]

When I was a kid I remember visiting a local farmer called Tommy Kilkenny and seeing him teaching his kids around a hearth fire in the kitchen. He, for reasons I don't remember, had some issue with the state and had refused to pay his rates and to send his children to school.

He was brought to court for the latter. When he was questioned about not educating his kids properly, instead of coming out with a defence, he issued a challenge. "Get the smartest child from the local school and ask it a question. Then if that child can answer it and any child of mine can't then I will send them back to school"!

The challenge was not taken up and the Justice dismissed the case!!!! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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Take nice care of yourselves - Paul
Soup du jour: "I can resist everthing except temptation" (O.W.)

[Whyzman]

Paul,

Most States in the US allow/support homeschoolers. Here in Minnesota, if one or both of the partents hold college degrees, we are not required to furnish quarterly reports on our childrens' progress. We are required to test them yearly and submit the results to our local school district. 'Twas a homeschooler who won the National Spelling Bee recently. Parental rights have won out in nearly all court test cases.

Kay,

Disadvantages...hmmm, I'm the sole breadwinner in the family. It's simply not feasible for my wife to be employed outside the home...so, she spends her days tending to the needs of the children. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

Our children don't have an extensive "street" vocabulary! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

They've missed out on pre-teen dances. Although admittedly, I don't think they even know they exist! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

It's also been very difficult coercing them into wearing the latest Tommy H jeans and $150.00 Nikes that many of their peers seem to need for social acceptance. Something is definitely the matter here! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

Overall, we've noticed that they've been able to be "children" far too long! Much of it is my fault for taking my Father much to literally when I first wanted to get a job at 15 year of age. He looked me in the eyes and said: "Son you've your whole life to work! Take the free-ride for now!" So, I concentrated on my education...

He was right, work came soon enough and I'm still at it today...and the future doesn't look much brighter! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Don't get me wrong though, I pull out the old Bull Whip when it comes to yard work, dishes, vacuuming, and keeping the house clean! It's not all fun and games around here! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif




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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[This message has been edited by Whyzman (edited 02-07-2002).]

[kayofcircles]

We honestly didn't know it was an option. We had heard of home schooling, but only in connection with children too ill to attend class, or those who lived in isolated locations. Given it to do over again...

I fret a LOT for our kids. Son's high school got a lot scarier in the four years he was there..probably even worse now. Drugs and gangs, mostly. But I fret also for our society, and for our country's future, and maybe this just my fearful opinion, but seems to me that it is harder for our kids to survive than it was for us. And it looks like we're going be screwing with their legacy again.