Homeschooling

[calibmom24]

I know I asked if there were homeschoolers on here before but I forgot if any of you were. I think I remember a few of you were. But I will be starting homeschool on Monday and I was wondering if any of you had any suggestions to make the transition easy for my children?Thanks. Brandi.

[new.slang]

You are planning homeschooling your kids? I don't think anything could ease the transition of taking away the rites of passage that go along with traditional schooling.

[calibmom24]

Oops just noticed maybe I should have put this in the ot boards!

[kutekim1217]

I homeschooled both of my kids from 4th grade to 12th through Christinan Liberty Academy. Excellent home school program. Kim


http://www.homeschools.org/

[x hannah x]

May I ask how you came to this decision? Becuase if it's purely for emet reasons, that you don't want your kids catching stuff, then it may not be a fair choice for your children.

[calibmom24]

Oh no it is not that at all. Trust me my children have tons of activities like dance, baseball, girl scouts and boyscouts. They can catch plentyof things there. This is a decision that I have thought about alot. The classrooms are overcrowded and the things that go on in the schools out here are not ok and we live in an affluent town (which I think are worse sometimes) alot of parents are trying to hard to keep up with the jones' and their kids are suffering and bringing that to school. And don't worry about their social life they have a great one. Sorry to go on and on I just want to be clear this is not emet related. ~Brandi~

[new.slang]

I can't say that I agree with homeschooling. Traditional school has so much to offer that I think children will take with them for the rest of their lives. It teaches how to be independant and think for yourself without your parent "holding your hand" through everything. It also teaches you to deal with a lot of different kinds of people. I think it's a shame to miss out on milestones like prom and walking proudly with your class at graduation. I'm not saying that it's without flaws, but public schooling is a way to help you deal with the world when you are an adult.

[sillygirl]

I'm not sure how I feel about home schooling. I could see both advantages and disadvantages. I agree with new.slang that the kids miss out on a lot of expereinces like prom ans stuff, buta lot of things that are going on in schools these days are downright scarey. With the school shootings and everything that keep happening. I know that the amount of shootings compared to the amount of schools is very small, but now that two have happened in my area it's a little nerve racking. I hope that by the time my kids are school-age a lot of this stuff will have stopped, but I have a feeling it's only going to get worse. I don't want my kids to miss out on the experiences of school, but as a mom now, I can definitely see wanting to keep your kids safe.

[jandub]

I homeschool my kids. I have to say also, that I have done my homework on the matter. I most certainly do not hold my kids hands through everything, that is not at all how it works. My kids are learning how to teach themselves through excellent curriculum and it is working wonders on them. My first grader is reading at a fourth grade level, and they are so involved with social activities that I have had to cut down some. I have not chosen to do this out of fear, but I could go on and on at the many reasons why this works for us. Overcrowded classes is definately a biggie. Behaviors in the classroom is another. I want to be responsible for what goes into my kids' brains. I don't feel I am taking away a rite of passage. They may be losing their class, but they gain more than I can say. Traditional school did not have much to offer us. That was when I started looking elsewhere and researched homeschooling, and liked what I saw. My kids are happy, smart as whips, well adjusted and are still able to deal with different people and situations because we keep them in scouts, sports, community activities and so many homeschool groups that I cannot even count. The homeschooling community has prom, has sports, has everything traditional school has. It is a decision I am proud of. I have good reasons for doing it, and everyone is entitled to their opinion, but it is a subjective matter. One of my sons needed more than the school could give, and I'm giving it to him. I'm not at all saying I don't agree with public school, because different kids require different settings. But I don't like it when people assume things about homeschooling. Its working great for us, and my sons are getting the most out of their education. Sorry so long here, I just feel pretty passionate about this. So to answer Brandi's question.....yes I do and we love it![img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img] Janna

[new.slang]

Homeschool events and Scouts are very sheltered. I've been to a few "homeschooler parties"and yep, I can say I was not offered drugs or alcohol. But when does that leave kids a chance to say no? When can your kids skip class and feel "badass" and "adult"? When can your kids look a teacher in the eye and say "this is crap!". Or kick a bully in the balls? And I'm sorry but being "smart as a whip" can very easily translate to "geek" or "nerd" outside of planned events. I have family and friends that are homeschool and the are different. Maybe it's for the better but until the rest of the world agrees then homeschoolers will just have to live with some wierd label. I am working to become a highschool teacher. I love what highschool has to offer, I want to be on the other side of the system when I'm an adult. I don't mean to be offensivebut I feel strongly on this also. I'm a highschool student in a public school. Overcrowed classes, perverts, druggies and all.

[spilled_milk]

See, I'm also yes and no about homeschooling. I can see the advantages, yet, as a sixteen year old, I just can't imagine a. being at home all day and learning without friends, and b. being taught by my parents. I'm sure that the kids would love spending the entire day with you and learning from you while they are younger, but as they get older...I don't know. There are other possibilities, I went to a private school on scholarship for elementary school, and then was put back into mainstream public for middle and high. I'm probably a little biased, just because I feel that social stuff at school is very important to my life. Have you talked to your kids about it and found out how they feel? Because if they approve and are excited about the idea, then there is no need to try too hard to "ease" them in, because they are already open to it.


<3 Anya--

[jandub]

Please do not assume my kids are nerds or geeks. They are not, and that did offend me. I don't care about what anyone thinks of homeschooling, but my kids are not what you described in your post. Why should I care about what the rest of the world believes? I only care about what I believe! Caring about what the rest of the world believes is called peer pressure. Listen, I'm not gonna get into an argument about this, but there is a way to get your message across without being offensive. My kids have had PLENTY of opportunities to "say no" to undesirable things. School isn't the only area of drugs and alcohol. We're not homebodies, we're not sheltered. I'm thinking I would not want my kid looking any adult in the eye and saying "this is crap." I call that disrespectful. I think its great that you feel strongly about this. But you don't know my situation, my kids, or anything about what is going on in our lives. You are entitled to your opinion on homeschooling, I'm happy to hear about it. But I take exception when someone suggests that my kids are weird, geeky or nerdy. I most certainly do not feel like I will just have to live with homeschoolers having some weird label! I live in a town of 3500, and there are 75 families here who homeschool. No one is weird here, and if they were, I sure would not make them feel like it based on their education. Janna P.S. My son knocked the crap out of a bully this summer who was pushing him around. Just thought I'd get that out there.....

[jandub]

Anya, I really appreciate your open-mindedness on both sides of the fence. I like how you get your point across on this. I was going to say that once my kids hit high school, they probably will go back in. That's what most of the kids around here end up doing I think. There are plenty of homeschooled high-schoolers, but we'll see what they want when they reach that age. Anyway, like you, I can see both sides of it when they get older![img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img] Janna

[calibmom24]

My kids are very excited about it. And my kids are not nerds or geeks at all!!


Janna, Just curious what state you are in. And thanks I believe we are doing what is best for our family and I am really excited about it!! ~Brandi~

[jandub]

We live in Kansas, and we've had problems all over our area with the school systems. I really put a lot of prayer, research and interviews into this, it wasn't a decision that came easy. My older son went to public school in kindergarten twice. And twice it was difficult. They're doing really well now. I think the first year is the hardest, just being unsure of yourself, etc. The second year is going so much better. I think a good transition idea would be to have lots of fun stuff for them to do, and lots of field trips, and things like that. My kids love going to museums and doing nature hikes and stuff like that. I would also suggest lots of support from homeschool groups and other homeschooling moms or dads. I think I would have gone crazy without that! My boys have about half their friends from public school and half from homeschooling. Its working out really well for us. You'll have to keep me posted on how its going! Janna

[new.slang]

Haha, I call beating the crap out of someone disrespectful.And yeah,telling an adult off might be disrespectful but you can't let people walk all over you because they are older and have authority. I have no problem letting my voice be heard even when it's a teacher. It sounds like you want your kids to be able to stand up for themselves yet you don't want them to have to. I understand. Maybe your kids are the exception to every homeschooled kid I've ever met in my life. I didn't say that your kids are nerdy but I did say that homeschooled kids I've met are. Which is 100% true. They might be learning "faster" than me...but does that prove who is smarter? No. Absolutley not. I'm the the top 10% of my class and I managed to learn to work around the difficulties of public school. And of course your kids wont have any label in a town were so many other kids are homeschooledbut in cities that aren't that way, they will have no choice but to carry a label, whether it fits them or not. Everyone has to deal with labels. Highschool has plently and it's there that I've learned to shrug them off. I'm all for the mainstream and being trendy. It's how you get by. Sorry if you feel the need to be offended.

[calibmom24]

Wow newslang you sure are against homeschooling. But everybody is entitled to their own opinion. I think it is wonderful that I am gonna get to spend that time with my children and once again they have a great social life. We have tons of homeschooled children around here and their public school friends think that it is cool and wish they could do it. But people will always have different opinions and I respect yours.

[jandub]

I respect your opinion, I just didn't like the way you came across. I never said I was against public schooling either, it just works better for us. I didn't "feel the need" to be offended, but re-read your post. How could I not have been? You can not agree with something but still be respectful about it. I never said my kids were smarter than you-hey, I never got personal with you like you did me. Anyway, I put the part in about my son DEFENDING himself because you wrote that when can a kid stand up for himself to a bully, remember? I'm done with this now, but let me say that I never got offended at your opinion, it was the way you stated it. Janna

[prncesspnk]

i was home-schooled for a few months during my junior year of high school because i was very very very sick (i had a horrible case of mono- went into liver failure, my spleen & liver were practically double the size they should have been, i slept for nearly 4 weeks straight, couldn't eat/drink, my eyes were swollen shut, i had a rash and fever for 25 days, then ended up with a kidney infection to boot, it was terrible) and i must say i enjoyed the one-on-one learning experience and having all the comforts of home (i wasn't having panic attacks!). andwhen i returned to school, i felt like i was at such an advantage because i had learned so much. however, i'm not sure how i would have felt about being homeschooled permanently. i missed my friends terribly, but i did learn substantially more at home, so maybe thats more important!

[christianne]

I think what calibmom24 was trying to do was get our suggestions on homeschooling, not get ambushed and attacked for her decision.

Bottom line is, homeschooling may not be for everyone, but it is not fair to say that homeschooling is not healthy for children and they end up missing out on alot. Maybe some of us aren't sure exactly what homeschooling entails, but it's alot more than just studying for a couple hours with mom every day. There are many events, groups and activities for these children so they do grow and become independent and social. Not to mention, there are plenty of activities for these children to mix with regular school kids through park districts and summer sports and so forth.

I've said this before but one of my best friends was homeschooled, and she is the most outgoing, amazing woman I have ever met. Growing up she had more friends than I ever had and was involved in many activities and sports---she never once regretted not going to a school like mine. I, on the other hand, at public school was a mess. No friends or social life to speak of, and I was teased and tortured on a daily basis. Public schools these days in the U.S. are absolutely shameful, and I wouldn't go back if you paid me.

Going to a mainstream school does not guarantee a bright, happy healthy child. Nor does homeschooling. It starts with good parenting and upbringing and goes on from there.

It's a choice, and not for everyone. I'm sure calibmom24 knows what's right for her children more than anyone else does. That should be kept in mind before we pass any judgements or criticize her for it.Edited by: christianne

[christianne]

Maybe your kids are the exception to every homeschooled kid I've ever met in my life.* I didn't say that your kids are nerdy but I did say that homeschooled kids I've met are.* Which is 100% true.*

Wasn't Bill Gates considered a "nerd" in school???? [img]smileys/smilies_02.gif[/img]

Edited by: christianne

[calibmom24]

Thanks christianne!!

[new.slang]

"Ambushed"...."attacked"? [img]smileys/smilies_10.gif[/img] No, I certainly did not attack. I merely stated that I think homeschooling is a bad idea. And I gave my reasons why. However- stating that US public schools are shameful is an attack. Some of them are and some of them are not. Some homeschooling might work out some some doesn't. Haha, yeah I guess Bill Gates was a nerd. He's also a genious....it was his destiny. I always leave room to be wrong. I could be in this case. I dunno.

[kutekim1217]

I mainly did it because my son, who was born premature, was having speech and language difficulties. The teachers wouldn't let him read aloud because it took too long. I was LIVID!! My son had zero self-esteem. My daughter, who is 1 yr. older, I decided that homeschooling would be best for her also. She is now a teacher at a private school, has a bachelor's and master's degree. My son is a manager at a company nearby. BUT, you REALLY have to stick with it. What's good about it is you can be VERY flexible, no rigid schedule, keep your own pace and what is best for your child. Also, my kids had more outside activities than kids that went to public school, bowling, girl and boy scouts, little league. Theyw ere rarely which was a good thing and are still very healthy at 25 and 26. Kim

[kutekim1217]

Theyw ere rarely which was a good thing and are still very healthy at 25 and 26. Kim





I meant to say 'rarely ill'.

[nicki77]

For some families, homeschooling is much better than public school. I would love to homeschool my daughter. She is 7 and already so advanced for her age. I have talked with the school and they will not advance her for several more years. Her grades are suffering and I know it is because she is bored in class. She is having to stick to problems like 5+7 when at home she does problems like 12*7+287-94. Same thing with most other subjects. At school it's basic stories with bigger print. At home she reads Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia. I get so frustrated with the school, but she does not want to be homeschooled and I am not sure that I would have the patience that it takes.


I have met many kids and adults that have been homeschooled, and in my opinion, none of them were nerdy. They have the skills necessary to function in life, do well in their careers and are creative and have no problem fitting in while still managing to express their individuality.


Enjoy the experience...not only will your kids benefit but you will keep your brain sharp as well!

[spilled_milk]

new.slang:


I dont think people were saying that your opinions or reasons why were wrong, I also don't really approve too much of homeschooling, they were just saying that the way you stated it was offending.


<3 Anya--

[new.slang]

Anya, I understand. I just felt bad that people thought I was ambushing and attacking.

[dan.21]

There's so much more to school than what you learn in the classroom. All the kids that I have come across that were homeschooled were definately innocent and or weird. Sure there may be a few homeschooled kids that were born with excellent social skills and they managed to have a thriving social life once they got out into the real world, but for most of us we have to deal with the a$$hole teacher or school bully and ask our crush to the school dance. IMO its depriving your children of the neccesities of childhood. Sure you can ask them and I'm sure they'll agree with you that they would rather be homeschooled, but then again they do not know what they are missing.

[nicki77]

Sure there may be a few homeschooled kids that were born with excellent social skills and they managed to have a thriving social life once they got out into the real world

Hell, I went through 12 years of public school and I don't have good social skills and a thriving social life! The memories I have from school are all horrible. Thank goodness that I am an avid reader...my knowledge comes from literature, not public school.