Any Unschoolers here who ditched that method?

[knitster]

...and I will refute that. I, and my children, all went/go to public school (gasp! and horror!) There is a 5 year age gap between my brother and I, there is a 7 year age gap between my son and daughter. I was an advanced reader. I read every single book my brother brought home from school throughout school. I have 4 kids. The older 2 (10 and 14) go to public school. The 3 year old goes to a private pre-school, but that is only because our district doesn't have pre-school. My 10 year old comes home and explains all his school stuff to his younger sister. How much of it she "gets" I don't know, but she is definitely exposed to it.

What are you refuting, exactly? I stated in the post that you quoted that I'm well aware that the benefits I listed could be achieved without homeschooling. I'm telling you what *my* experiences have been with *my* family and how homeschooling has had a positive outcome for *us*. Trust me, I'm well aware that close sibling bonds have existed for centuries with or without homeschooling, I was simply mentioning a side benefit that homeschooling has given *my* family.

My gasp was aimed toward the poster I quoted because he/she seems to have a real issue with brick and mortar schools.

Seriously?! Please point out to me where I've ever said a negative word about public schools. I would be happy to take responsibility for, and apologize for any negative thing I've said about them. I don't have any issues with them at all! My entire family - aside from my children - all happily attended and graduated from public schools and enjoyed it. I loved high school, in fact, and have yet to decide whether or not I want to keep my kids from that experience and thus there's a good chance that they'll end up in a public or private HS in a few years.

I think it's funny that the accusation of defensiveness has been unilaterally hurled at the homeschoolers in this thread, when it's clear that we're not the only ones getting our panties in a bunch.

 

[badblackpug]

What are you refuting, exactly? I stated in the post that you quoted that I'm well aware that the benefits I listed could be achieved without homeschooling. I'm telling you what *my* experiences have been with *my* family and how homeschooling has had a positive outcome for *us*. Trust me, I'm well aware that close sibling bonds have existed for centuries with or without homeschooling, I was simply mentioning a side benefit that homeschooling has given *my* family.



Seriously?! Please point out to me where I've ever said a negative word about public schools. I would be happy to take responsibility for, and apologize for any negative thing I've said about them. I don't have any issues with them at all! My entire family - aside from my children - all happily attended and graduated from public schools and enjoyed it. I loved high school, in fact, and have yet to decide whether or not I want to keep my kids from that experience and thus there's a good chance that they'll end up in a public or private HS in a few years.

I think it's funny that the accusation of defensiveness has been unilaterally hurled at the homeschoolers in this thread, when it's clear that we're not the only ones getting our panties in a bunch.

Please go back and read your posts. Whether you intend it or not, your posts definitely give the impression that you think your children are receiving a superior education because they are homeschooled.

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

Please go back and read your posts. Whether you intend it or not, your posts definitely give the impression that you think your children are receiving a superior education because they are homeschooled.

Of course she thinks her kids are getting a superior education because they are homeschooled. Why else would she take all the time, effort, and money to do it?

 

[MoonFaerie]

I've never heard of homeschooling for ballet, but I live in an area with company schools, so I suppose serious people just go there. Not suggesting you're wrong, I assume you're doing what people do in your area, just saying I read the original post and went 'eh?'

How old is your daughter? Has she done any summer company programs?

It happens here. Most of the top dancers at the studio DD went to were all homeschooled.

 

[MoonFaerie]

I've seen that type of thing from a lot of unschooling and homeschooling parents (not here, on other forums where I've seen a lot of those families posting), and I've never gotten that either.

There's a lot of 'we take our kids to the museum!' 'we took our kids for a walk and discussed why leaves change colour and collected leaves!' 'we got our little kid a science kid and do experiments!' 'our X year old already knows about Y!' as if that stuff doesn't happen in other families. My parents sent me to school, and yet did every one of those things with me, regularly.

I used to be given sentences to correct as little kid busywork; I had a whole leaf collection kit; I had numerous science kits; I had my own little microscope and terrorized everyone around me taking samples of various cells - most of this stuff was done looong before it was ever addressed in school. In my world, my parents were not at all unusual. I know there are many parents who aren't involved and etc., but plenty, especially those who value education, are. That behaviour is normal to many people, hence science kits and all exist to be sold to kids.

I don't know where the idea comes from that parents who send their kids to school don't do that on top of schooling or that it somehow substitutes for schooling. We did entirely other experiments in science class in school - and had to work together and discuss the different possible outcomes and things that would cause them and etc., etc., etc. that I didn't have to do at home.

Like I said, I know there are parents who don't know, don't have the time and/or funds or etc., but plenty of parents do as a matter of course AND send their kids to school.

Unfortunately it's not the norm here. I help in the kids classes weekly and go on field trips and such, and most of the parents are very un-involved. Most of the involved ones are only involved to the extent that they check the folders and make sure the kids do their homework. It's bizarre and sad.

 

[Jessica14]

I am very pro homeschooling, but I totally agree with this.



Jessica, I think I know which Yahoo group you are referring to.
I am a member there, but I don't post because once awhile back I made the mistake of posting a comment such as

"if there is junk in the house my 3 yo will eat that and nothing else if i let him "

well they jumped on me, and one person even posted my comment on her blog
http://www.sandradodd.com/ifilet
Its about halfway down the page.

I was so annoyed I never posted there again.

anyway, my kids are not unschooled in the true sense of the word, I guess.
they have always been homeschooled in a child led way though.
they were reading by preschool age, and continue to be avid readers.
they are motivated though, and I do participate in facilitating learning for them.
Unschooling is not just sitting back and letting the chips fall where they may.
that does a great disservice to the kids.
they do need some guidance so they can get the learning experiences they need.
we do use curriculum for math, but do follow child led for other subjects, although I am thinking of changing that only because my dd is approaching middle school age, and I want to use an actual science curriculum for that.
I do believe in unschooling IF IF it is done correctly.
I don't want to hinder my kids future in any way.
If they want to go to college to be a Vetinarian, Nurse, Doctor, Lawyer, or teacher, I want them to have the skills to succeed.
and that is what drives me.
If they don't want to go to college right away, that is ok too. but I want them to have the skills to do what they want in life.

This is the website and the associated yahoo group. I agree with what you are saying. I don't unschool though I do ask what their interests are and follow them.

I agree also that before we homeschooled, we went to museums and gave many life expereinces to our kids. We just do more now that we have a flexible schedule.

Sukhakuli said "I haven't read all the replies, just some, but if the OP is really looking for unschooling horror stories, there are plenty of them. Can we mention other forums here? Because there is one that is a doozy. And they seem oblivious that their kids are basically illiterate. There is one that sticks out to me about a woman who made up her ds's high school transcripts based on his video gaming that was pretty shocking. She gave him all A's, of course. I'd c/p, but I am unsure if it's allowed here, but there's a lot of instances on that board of serious educational neglect. I think my favorite part was that she gave him credits in debate for arguing with her so much. Classic."

I also have read this at a website and I have a huge problem with it. Video gaming is huge and apparently playing at all hours of the day and night is creating very educated children according to them. They are actually pretty proud of the fact that their kids "naturally" came to reading past 10, because you can't teach it, just like you can't teach walking or talking. Unclear how I was able to teach reading to countless kids for 12 years when their kids were incapable, but I digress.

I don't think one type of way to educate you child is better than another way. Kids get good educations in public or private school and they get good educations homeschooled as well. You can have disasters with both as well. Nothing is perfect. We are taking this journey this year because my son needs lots of one on one and a teacher with 24 other kids in the class can't possibly give him that no matter how good he or she is. DS came from a great teacher and was going to great teacher. He just wasn't quite ready for 2nd grade and I wanted to get him to a more comfortable place where he wasn't always struggling and thinking he was dumb.
Jessica

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Ever hear of Dexter Manley?

No, I haven't. I did take the liberty to look him up and it is a very sad commentary. So is he your example to defend your position on the academics of Tim Tebow? Are you suggesting that all football players are illiterate? Was Dexter Manley homeschooled?

I mean--I get they have a reputation for being dumb and statistics show they score overall lower on sat's and have lower gpa's and all that..http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/paper-trail/2008/12/30/athletes-show-huge-gaps-in-sat-scores , But one would have to blame the school system for that one, no? Since the vast majority of athletes in football and basketball would be products of traditional schooling. (ETA: Tim does fit the bill here with a very low score of 890--former version of SAT, I think. But that doesn't prove him to be a poor student any more than it proves someone with a higher score must be a genius.)

And if you want to use that to discredit my opinion, that is fine.

While I do not personally know Tim Tebow's academic achievements pre-college--using the example of a former pro-athlete with a college degree who was actually illiterate isn't proof either of Tim Tebow's intellectual acumen.

But I will keep that in mind next time someone mentions they have a degree since it is now meaningless due to the small percentage of people who graduate as an illiterate individual. (trading one extreme for the other)

But one doesn't have to "unschool" or even home school to teach those basic skills. That is the role parents have always played. Mine gave me chores so I knew how to sweep or vacuum or clean a bathroom. I helped with laundry so I knew how to do it on my own. I helped prepare (or when I was in my later teens I made the meal entirely) dinner and engaged in other cooking activities so I knew how to cook. I emptied the dishwasher, fed the animals..etc. It's a basic part of parenting to teach your children "life skills" like sweeping, laundry, cooking..etc and the type of education they receive (public/private school, home school, unschool) should play no role in a child developing those skills.

I agree--it kind of makes me giggle when I hear things like that.

But on a sidenote--there are ways to teach material in an alternative manner. I just think that some descriptions take it to an extreme. No--mopping the floor isn't PE.

Just curious, don't many dancers consider some type of performing arts school?

It could be a cost issue. I would think they are not cheap unless one is fortunate enough to live in a location (such as New Orleans) where there is a public school established and is free to students. When I lived there, students would complete a half day of academics (either in the morning or the afternoon depending on their creative art) and then transfer to or from NOCCA. I had a few friends who did that. Then they practice there discipline in the daytime hours 5 days per week. Sometimes going past the end of the school day depending on what was going on. (While I say free--I do not mean to imply that there is or is not a cost to lessons--but there would be no academic tuition or anything.)

I've never heard of homeschooling for ballet, but I live in an area with company schools, so I suppose serious people just go there. Not suggesting you're wrong, I assume you're doing what people do in your area, just saying I read the original post and went 'eh?'

How old is your daughter? Has she done any summer company programs?

I cannot speak for ballet--or maybe I can because I know people .

I do know that when one gets in higher and higher levels in dance or gymnastics and has high aspirations in those activities, the practice time can be hours and hours after school. I genuinely wonder how those kids get in adequate homework time. Sure they do manage their schedules well and some might falter. But a homeschool child would not have "homework" to worry about. They would do all of their work during the day and make sure it was done prior to practice/rehearsal.

It doesn't mean they are incapable of managing their time--it just makes things more manageable. Much like in College where you can plan your semester around whatever you need to plan it. Grouping you class days so they are only in mornings or just on Tuesdays in Thursdays (with exceptions of course).

If homeschoolers feel there is bias towards them (and there no doubt is from certain people), they should be aware that very frequently (including repeatedly thoughout this thread) many homeschoolers come off as exceptionally holier-than-thou condescendents.

My DD6 does all the things that the homeschooled kids do (as listed in this thread), plus more that I have not yet seen referenced, and she's in public school (which is stunning to me, because I expected to send her to private school, but where we live the public school is better).

Involved parenting is the variable that must be controlled, in my opinion.

And lastly, I'd be a TERRIBLE teacher to my children, and I have two terminal degrees, so it's a darn good thing that I'm not a homeschooler!

The bolded can be said for either side of this discussion. In fact, you very coyly just did it yourself. How? Well--traditionally schooled families in such debates feel very compelled to bring up their child's education. They like to say "oh we do that and more even though my child is in school all day". It almost feels like the Working Parent/SAHP debate. I'm sure that is not how you intended it--but again, that is simply how it comes across.

You don't have to defend your choices unless you feel that homeschoolers are of some biased opinion that your choice is terrible.

The only thing I defend for myself is my right to do what we have chosen to do. You already have the right to send your child to public school. You don't have to fight for it. Perhaps you feel under attack because you feel homeschoolers must hate public schooling. I sure don't! We chose homeschooling because it fits with our family and it is our constitutional right to chose it.

I don't make it a contest of which one is better. No one can ever guarantee how their kid will turn out despite any preconceived notions that they think they have the greatest school system and would stink as a teacher OR that they and no one else could teach their kids so amazingly.

I have no idea how my kids will turn out any more than you do. But I do know that my kids are doing well with what we are doing. I know they are doing well because they are learning and meeting our educational goals for them just as you know about your own children.

I'm curious though of what your child does that you haven't seen anyone else mention. I am curious because I wonder if that is just your way of proving that we are not making the right choice of our kids.

I had pondered writing earlier some of the things my kids do study--but I think I changed my mind. I did mention my 3rd grader's history as it pertained to traditional lessons on history versus chronological history. But I opted to not go into detail because it really doesn't matter. I don't feel my way is BETTER as some of you perceive of homeschoolers. We chose our way after much research based on the goals we had for our children. But I have no need to defend our choice to that level of detail.

So why assume that your kids have something "better" just because something wasn't mentioned? Don't make assumptions based on 1 thread from a discussion board of mostly Disney loving folks.

 

[knitster]

Please go back and read your posts. Whether you intend it or not, your posts definitely give the impression that you think your children are receiving a superior education because they are homeschooled.

Of course she thinks her kids are getting a superior education because they are homeschooled. Why else would she take all the time, effort, and money to do it?

That's right, I do feel like my kid's are receiving a superior education, but not because homeschooling is innately superior but because it is the best possible fit for them. If, conversely, public or private school is the best fit for your kids, then they are receiving an education superior to what they would receive at home. I don't think any form of education is more or less effective than any other - unschooling not withstanding - as long as it meets the child's academic needs.

ETA: please, again, excuse typos and brevity - I'm on my iPad.

 

[mjantz]

It happens here. Most of the top dancers at the studio DD went to were all homeschooled.

Nice to know I'm not part of some weird ballet school/homeschool cult.

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

That's right, I do feel like my kid's are receiving a superior education, but not because homeschooling is innately superior but because it is the best possible fit for them. If, conversely, public or private school is the best fit for your kids, then they are receiving an education superior to what they would receive at home. I don't think any form of education is more or less effective than any other - unschooling not withstanding - as long as it meets the child's academic needs.

Couldn't agree with you more.

 

[torinsmom]

I don't get why people are so polarized over home schooling. I know several people who homeschool and their kids are doing great. I'm a teacher, but if I were to have another child and I could afford it, I would homeschool in a heartbeat. I can't spend more than 10-15 minutes 1 on 1 with any child during the school day. If I could spend even 2-3 hours 1 on 1 with a child, the results would be amazing. The people I know who homeschool are part of homeschool groups and get together several times a week, so the kids are socialized, do group projects, etc. They report to the state, take standardized tests, etc.

Now the radical unschooling thing described by the OP I do have a problem with. It sounds like that mom is doing an injustice to her kids.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

The bolded can be said for either side of this discussion. In fact, you very coyly just did it yourself. How? Well--traditionally schooled families in such debates feel very compelled to bring up their child's education. They like to say "oh we do that and more even though my child is in school all day". It almost feels like the Working Parent/SAHP debate. I'm sure that is not how you intended it--but again, that is simply how it comes across.

You don't have to defend your choices unless you feel that homeschoolers are of some biased opinion that your choice is terrible.

The only thing I defend for myself is my right to do what we have chosen to do. You already have the right to send your child to public school. You don't have to fight for it. Perhaps you feel under attack because you feel homeschoolers must hate public schooling. I sure don't! We chose homeschooling because it fits with our family and it is our constitutional right to chose it.

I don't make it a contest of which one is better. No one can ever guarantee how their kid will turn out despite any preconceived notions that they think they have the greatest school system and would stink as a teacher OR that they and no one else could teach their kids so amazingly.

I have no idea how my kids will turn out any more than you do. But I do know that my kids are doing well with what we are doing. I know they are doing well because they are learning and meeting our educational goals for them just as you know about your own children.

I'm curious though of what your child does that you haven't seen anyone else mention. I am curious because I wonder if that is just your way of proving that we are not making the right choice of our kids.

I had pondered writing earlier some of the things my kids do study--but I think I changed my mind. I did mention my 3rd grader's history as it pertained to traditional lessons on history versus chronological history. But I opted to not go into detail because it really doesn't matter. I don't feel my way is BETTER as some of you perceive of homeschoolers. We chose our way after much research based on the goals we had for our children. But I have no need to defend our choice to that level of detail.

So why assume that your kids have something "better" just because something wasn't mentioned? Don't make assumptions based on 1 thread from a discussion board of mostly Disney loving folks.

I'm confused, because it seems that we're making the same point. I referenced in my thread that there is bias against home-schoolers from many people, but also pointed out that many home-schoolers exhibit similar biases and self-aggrandizing tendencies against those who do not home-school, but don't seem to recognize those biases in their own behaviors. Nowhere did I say that my way is better; in fact, I indicated that I believe that I would NOT be a good teacher of my children and therefore traditional schooling is a better fit for my children. They inherited my DNA and my wife's DNA, and that will provide the professionals plenty of material with which to work as they go through school. I don't think teaching them at home would be healthy for them, or for me.

As to why I don't detail my daughter's accomplishments in this thread or others, it's because she's not a pawn for me to use in proving that my choice is better to a bunch of strangers on the Internet. Nothing personal, but her successes are really none of your business. I've slipped on a few threads, because I'm proud like you are, but I really don't want her story "out there". My point in making that statement is that a ten year old understanding the double helix model of DNA seems to be nothing out of the ordinary, based on my knowledge of the science curriculum in our local schools, and that ten year old sharing their knowledge with their five year old sibling isn't, either. It's kind of like bragging that you're normal; it just strikes me as unnecessary.

I think that's enough for now. I don't want to hurt anybody's feelings.

 

[pacrosby]

Unfortunately it's not the norm here. I help in the kids classes weekly and go on field trips and such, and most of the parents are very un-involved. Most of the involved ones are only involved to the extent that they check the folders and make sure the kids do their homework. It's bizarre and sad.

I'm just curious. Checking up on the daily schoolwork and making sure a child does his homework is not involved enough? After 7 hours at school we have assorted afterschool activities, an hour for dinner, and 2 hours homework....what exactly am I supposed to be doing? And exactly how much time do I have to do it?

 

[knitster]

a ten year old understanding the double helix model of DNA seems to be nothing out of the ordinary, based on my knowledge of the science curriculum in our local schools, and that ten year old sharing their knowledge with their five year old sibling isn't, either. It's kind of like bragging that you're normal; it just strikes me as unnecessary.

I wasn't bragging about my 10 year old understanding DNA, nor was I bragging about him explaining it to his 5 year old sister. Actually, I wasn't bragging period - I was stating that watching my kids work together - and with others via web cam - served as a pleasant reminder of why I do what I do - because I enjoy being present for those moments with my kids everyday.

P.S. My 10 year old *doesn't* understand DNA. The lesson he was taught yesterday was his first introduction to the concept, so he most certainly does not understand it. So let the record show that I am not bragging about my children's academic prowess or lack thereof because, according to you, he's behind the average 10 year old who does, apparently, understand DNA.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'm confused, because it seems that we're making the same point. I referenced in my thread that there is bias against home-schoolers from many people, but also pointed out that many home-schoolers exhibit similar biases and self-aggrandizing tendencies against those who do not home-school, but don't seem to recognize those biases in their own behaviors. Nowhere did I say that my way is better; in fact, I indicated that I believe that I would NOT be a good teacher of my children and therefore traditional schooling is a better fit for my children. They inherited my DNA and my wife's DNA, and that will provide the professionals plenty of material with which to work as they go through school. I don't think teaching them at home would be healthy for them, or for me.

As to why I don't detail my daughter's accomplishments in this thread or others, it's because she's not a pawn for me to use in proving that my choice is better to a bunch of strangers on the Internet. Nothing personal, but her successes are really none of your business. I've slipped on a few threads, because I'm proud like you are, but I really don't want her story "out there". My point in making that statement is that a ten year old understanding the double helix model of DNA seems to be nothing out of the ordinary, based on my knowledge of the science curriculum in our local schools, and that ten year old sharing their knowledge with their five year old sibling isn't, either. It's kind of like bragging that you're normal; it just strikes me as unnecessary.

I think that's enough for now. I don't want to hurt anybody's feelings.

I completely agree--I don't think you were aware of how it might come across. I was simply making a point.

I don't share much about our homeschooling experience except on threads where folks want suggestions and I might suggest what works for us. I don't go into great detail for the same reason you don't. It isn't anybody's business.

I did not get the impression you were speaking about both sides. Long and exhausting day, so my apologies for missing that point.

Personally, I do get impressed when a kid spontaneously decides to build some DNA out of legos. I am impressed because, to me, science for fun in my spare time was a foreign concept as a kid. I do tend to hear that example more from homeschoolers as a spontaneous activity (DNA specifically ) than I would about a traditionally schooled student in their spare time. That isn't to say that a traditionally schooled child would or would not do that. My daughter does science experiments in her spare time-but she'd probably do that anyway if she were in traditional school. Totally foreign concept to me.

I on the other hand did math for FUN. Foreign concept to my mom and my husband.

 

[princessmom29]

I completely agree--I don't think you were aware of how it might come across. I was simply making a point.

I don't share much about our homeschooling experience except on threads where folks want suggestions and I might suggest what works for us. I don't go into great detail for the same reason you don't. It isn't anybody's business.

I did not get the impression you were speaking about both sides. Long and exhausting day, so my apologies for missing that point.

Personally, I do get impressed when a kid spontaneously decides to build some DNA out of legos. I am impressed because, to me, science for fun in my spare time was a foreign concept as a kid. I do tend to hear that example more from homeschoolers as a spontaneous activity (DNA specifically ) than I would about a traditionally schooled student in their spare time. That isn't to say that a traditionally schooled child would or would not do that. My daughter does science experiments in her spare time-but she'd probably do that anyway if she were in traditional school. Totally foreign concept to me.

I on the other hand did math for FUN. Foreign concept to my mom and my husband.

But as I understand it the DNA example used on this thread was not a kid saying "hey, let's build DNA". It was part of a web based cooperative learning lesson. My DD likes to do science experiments for fun too. It probably has something to do with the fact that I am a chemist however, so I cannot claim anything special there. She goes to a private school that offers a lot of enrichment in everything from science to music and foreign language so they do things like DNA models at school in Math and Science lab. She takes violin lessons and a foreign language every year. Last year was German, and this year is French. In 4th grade they choose a lnguage path to follow into high school. Not every school provides for things like this, but there are traditional school options that offer a balance of academics, arts, and enrichment. For DD, it is the best choice. Evey though I am a teacher I accept the fact that I couldn't teach her at home. She is too social to function at home with me all the time. I am NOT a social butterfly and arranging playdates and activities over the summer was a stretch for me. Summers at home with her show me that I could not keep up with it all day every day. She is getting a great education AND the social interaction she needs.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'm just curious. Checking up on the daily schoolwork and making sure a child does his homework is not involved enough? After 7 hours at school we have assorted afterschool activities, an hour for dinner, and 2 hours homework....what exactly am I supposed to be doing? And exactly how much time do I have to do it?

I don't get that jab either.

While my parents weren't supremely involved in my education--there were other children and a military career to attend to. But they did interject and become involved when necessary or if it was something VERY important to me and they could fit it in.

With the high number of dual-income households--I think it is judgemental for other parents to assume that parents are no-show for volunteer work and whatever because they are uninvolved.

 

[pacrosby]

I don't get that jab either.

While my parents weren't supremely involved in my education--there were other children and a military career to attend to. But they did interject and become involved when necessary or if it was something VERY important to me and they could fit it in.

With the high number of dual-income households--I think it is judgemental for other parents to assume that parents are no-show for volunteer work and whatever because they are uninvolved.

oh...do you think that's what it takes to be 'involved'? Silly me I guess that makes me uninvolved.

I have 4 kids...in three different schools. They are out the door at three different times. Return home at four different times (one's a 1/2 day kindergartener). These kids have a total of 15 extra curricular activities between them. I stay at home but, believe me, I don't eat bon bons. My schedule, just trying to keep everything running smoothly, is bonkers. I've stopped beating myself up about not volunteering.....I know my limits. My true responsibility, first and foremost, is to my own kids, not everybody else's. My willingness/unwillingness to volunteer at the book fair, collate papers for the 2nd grade teachers, chaperone a school field trip, and/or make myself available to flip pancakes at Santa's breakfast, is hardly a measure of my interest/involvement in my child's 'education'.

 

[knitster]

oh...do you think that's what it takes to be 'involved'? Silly me I guess that makes me uninvolved.

I have 4 kids...in three different schools. They are out the door at three different times. Return home at four different times (one's a 1/2 day kindergartener). These kids have a total of 15 extra curricular activities between them. I stay at home but, believe me, I don't eat bon bons. My schedule, just trying to keep everything running smoothly, is bonkers. I've stopped beating myself up about not volunteering.....I know my limits. My true responsibility, first and foremost, is to my own kids, not everybody else's.

It seems like no matter what we do - public school, homeschool, work out of the home, stay at home - we can't escape the volunteer guilt trip from schools, churches, and the like. Several people in my church assume that because I stay at home, that means I have all the time in the world to volunteer for every activity that comes down the pike. They also erroneously assume that because I homeschool, that means that I want to teach sunday school. But that's an entirely different rant all together

 

[cornflake]

I do know that when one gets in higher and higher levels in dance or gymnastics and has high aspirations in those activities, the practice time can be hours and hours after school. I genuinely wonder how those kids get in adequate homework time. Sure they do manage their schedules well and some might falter. But a homeschool child would not have "homework" to worry about. They would do all of their work during the day and make sure it was done prior to practice/rehearsal.

It doesn't mean they are incapable of managing their time--it just makes things more manageable. Much like in College where you can plan your semester around whatever you need to plan it. Grouping you class days so they are only in mornings or just on Tuesdays in Thursdays (with exceptions of course).

I don't think 'they don't do as much work' is a big selling point. I've heard the whole 'we get everything done in 2 hours a day!' thing and the justification that because it's one-on-one somehow it's the same amount of work as in an 8-hour school day but... well, I just don't buy that kids are getting the same amount of work or experience with a topic or etc., personally.

However, the pre-pro company school I looked at, all levels (I think except for one day for the oldest level) end by 7:30 at the latest, so they're over by dinner and there's plenty of time for homework and etc. It's no different than going to music lessons or fencing or whatever other class after school and out with friends for an hour or what have you. Then you go home, have dinner, do homework, go to bed.

I don't quite get the collegiate analogy either - in college, yes you can plan to stack your classes but you still have plenty of homework, papers, etc., that stretch over days.

Unfortunately it's not the norm here. I help in the kids classes weekly and go on field trips and such, and most of the parents are very un-involved. Most of the involved ones are only involved to the extent that they check the folders and make sure the kids do their homework. It's bizarre and sad.

I agree that that doesn't read 'uninvolved' to me, reads 'normal, involved adults with jobs.'