How many Dis'ers homeschool?

[dturner]

So, kids in public school do not get 'stymitized' or picked on ever....and homeschooling is a selfish deciscion ... I'm sorry that you had a bad experience, but you could not be more wrong.

I just saw a study recently that homeschooling families give up on average $35,000 in income so that one parent (usually a college graduate) can stay home with the kids, add to that the cost of materials time ect, and oh yeah, it's a real selfish decision, isn't it?

Selfish is mindlessly sending your kids to public school so they can babysit and you can have two incomes. (emphasis on mindless, it can be the right choice, but should be looked at in light of the childs best interests)

Fact is homeschool kids do better than public school kids in college, as well as socially almost across the board. I know something of this, as our 14 yr. old is preparing to start college in the fall, and only fear I have is that he will bust the grade curve, and the 18 and 19 yr olds will be mad at him.

Actually, your comments reinforce my decision to homeschool, as you seem to think that social conformity is a good thing, and that certainly is what public school teaches, go along with the pack or get picked on. Personally, avoiding that false and dangerous lesson is reason enough to keep our kids out of public school.

Sorry, meant to keep this freindly, it's just statements like the above get my dander up, since they are based solely on anecdotal evidence at best, and completely ignore the large amount of factual evidence readily available.

AMEN!!! I totally agree with you!!!!

 

[hokiefan33]

So, kids in public school do not get 'stymitized' or picked on ever....and homeschooling is a selfish deciscion ... I'm sorry that you had a bad experience, but you could not be more wrong.

Posts like this are exactly why I think some parents are NOT fit to homeschool their kids, partly b/c they have problems comprehending simple phrases or ideas that others may say. So, I'll clear this up - for the 3rd time. I did not ever say that homeschooling is a selfish decision (refer to my previous 2 posts). I said that some (not all, maybe not even most) parents choose to do it for what may be the wrong reasons, such as convenience, be it for themselves or for their kids. Never said anything about being selfish. Hopefully this is clear now that I've stated it 3 separate times. And I never said that kids in public school don't get "stymitized" (actually the word is "stygmatized", but I didn't use that word, either) or picked on ever - which has nothing to do with my bad experience at all, b/c as I said I had a great time in public school and a bad time in home school. Just so you can get it straight.

I just saw a study recently that homeschooling families give up on average $35,000 in income so that one parent (usually a college graduate) can stay home with the kids, add to that the cost of materials time ect, and oh yeah, it's a real selfish decision, isn't it?

Here we are again, back on the selfish thing. See my post above for my thoughts on selfish. And I personally think it's great that families who do choose to homeschool are willing to do so at the loss of potential income, that shows their resolve. This doesn't take into account, though, that some of the parents might already be staying at home and never worked even when their kids weren't of school age, so in that case they're really not foregoing the potential income b/c of school, but b/c they chose to stay home with their kids in the first place. Thus, homeschool is not the driving force behind giving up the potential income, but rather a desire to be there for their kids, which is quite admirable, in my opinion.

Selfish is mindlessly sending your kids to public school so they can babysit and you can have two incomes. (emphasis on mindless, it can be the right choice, but should be looked at in light of the childs best interests)

Hmmm...does this assume that every child who goes to public school has parents who send them there, rather than home school them, ONLY so they don't have to watch them and can earn more money? Since I will not jump to conclusions (as you have about my posts), I'll give you a chance to clear this one up before I comment further. I hope that's not what you meant, b/c my mom didn't work when I was in school (thus she didn't send me to earn more income), and I certainly wasn't babysat there, b/c kids in public schools DO work. And my parents both had a mind, so I don't think their decision was mindless. Boy, if sending your kids to public school means your mindless (again, I won't jump to conclusions so you can straighten it out), then there are certainly a lot of mindless parents out there, since the majority of kids are NOT homeschooled!

Fact is homeschool kids do better than public school kids in college, as well as socially almost across the board. I know something of this, as our 14 yr. old is preparing to start college in the fall, and only fear I have is that he will bust the grade curve, and the 18 and 19 yr olds will be mad at him.

Now, notice that you have stated this in terms of absolute fact - in other words, you have left no room for the exception. Based on what you said and how you said it, ALL homeschooled kids do better than ANY public school kids in college, and MOST homeschooled kids are better socially than public school kids. Hmmm... what about the autistic or special needs kids that are homeschooled, do they do better in college than most public school kids? I doubt it, since some of them may not even get to college, thus it would be impossible for them to do better. And socially? Please cite your examples and or facts to support this, keeping in mind that your opinions (like mine) aren't fact, but just opinion. You say you know "something" of this b/c your 14 yr. old is preparing to start college. I hope you haven't based those comments on the isolated incident of a 14 yr. old college freshman, b/c that is certainly not what I would call "across the board." And the 18 and 19 year olds won't care if he's smarter, they (generally) won't like him b/c he is 4 or 5 (or maybe more) years younger than they are, and haven't experienced what they have. Do you want him to be different to be different, or just b/c he is?

Actually, your comments reinforce my decision to homeschool, as you seem to think that social conformity is a good thing, and that certainly is what public school teaches, go along with the pack or get picked on. Personally, avoiding that false and dangerous lesson is reason enough to keep our kids out of public school.

Once again, I never said that social conformity was a good thing, only that certain stereotypes are often made of homeschooled kids. I never teach my kids to go along with the pack, even if it does mean that they will get picked on (and guess what, they go to public school, of all places!!). But NOT going along with the pack simply to SAY you don't go along with the pack isn't a very good reason to not go along with the pack. Don't go along with it if something "the pack" is doing doesn't conform to your beliefs, or isn't legal, or something like that, but "the pack" in and of itself is not a bad thing, only what you do as part of "the pack."

Sorry, meant to keep this freindly, it's just statements like the above get my dander up, since they are based solely on anecdotal evidence at best, and completely ignore the large amount of factual evidence readily available.

Amazingly enough, as I've shown above a lot of the statements you made are based solely on your opinion, and some aren't even stated correctly so as to stand up to reason. And you yourself have not cited any sources containing factual evidence to support your opinion. I support your right to have your opinion - we live in America. That means you should support my right to have my opinion. You don't have to follow my opinion, or even agree with it. But just b/c you don't doesn't make my opinion wrong, and yours right. And I've never said anywhere that homeschooling is wrong, only that I want parents to look at ALL aspects of the process before starting to do it, b/c it is a large undertaking and one that affects your children forever. That's all.

 

[DreadpiratK]

Well, I don't want to turn this into another debate about home schooling; I don’t think that that was the original intent of the thread. However, starting with the premise that anyone home schools because it's more 'convenient' (for themselves, which is of course another way to say selfish) shows a complete mis-understanding of what it takes to home school anyone. Home schooling is the complete opposite of convenient, it's difficult and expensive and time consuming no matter how you do it. No one who wants to make his or her life easier home schools. I can understand that if you've never done it, you wouldn't know how much work it really is, and how much it complicates your life, rather then simplifying it. We certainly didn’t when we started. Anyone thinking about home schooling should know this, I think. You would be right in saying that some people try home schooling for those reasons, but they don’t last long, believe me!

Lost income aside, curriculum and supplies are expensive, and we all pay school taxes like everyone else as well. Our yearly bill for school supplies could fund another week at Disney (well, almost)

As for the rest, well, if you want to argue exceptions, we could be here all day, and why bother? No one is arguing that home schooling is for everyone, least of all me. Plenty of kids do great in public schools, myself included by the way. I think I was pretty clear in saying that mindlessly choosing public school because it is the easiest path is selfish, without considering making the sacrifice to put your kids elsewhere that might meet their needs better. Nor did I imply that everyone who sends their kids to public school falls into this category.

As for it being just my opinion, well of course it is, who said otherwise? But, its an opinion informed by 10 years of home schooling, being involved with numerous home schooling families, and reading all of the literature, books, and studies about home schooling I could find. Because I do consider all the ramifications of decisions I make about my kids, and I want to know all I can about what we’re doing. And yes, all of the studies, including heavily biased ones funded by the school systems, point to the fact that home schooled kids do very well in college, and are well socialized.

With the number of kids being home schooled these days, there will be exceptions, and of course the media will focus on those, but if you believe that what the media presents about a predominantly conservative movement like home schooling represents reality, then well, I can't help that.

How does my disagreeing with your opinion invalidate your right to have it?

 

[Nik's Mom]

O.k everyone. Hokiefan33 is not a fan of homeschooling and this is all getting nasty. Let's not get too mean with the comments, otherwise the moderator might shut us down.
Deep inside, you homeschooling Moms (and Dads) know if you made the right decision, and those of us thinking of homeschooling will make the best decision for our children.

Now, back on topic.
I asked a question about how to make your WDW trips educational. Anyone have any suggestions on how to do a lesson plan. I'm currently working with my 5 year old ds after school ("afterschooling" I call it). I'd love to create a lesson plan for our up coming WDW trip.

 

[DreadpiratK]

agreed. Truce?

 

[Nik's Mom]

 

[beautybelle]

Just curious. Has there been anyone here who started HS and then, say, a few years later had to put there child back in PS and had problems like maybe them holding their child back a grade because they werent where they should be in their studies? The reason I ask is because I have been doing a LOT of research in HS because we are planning to starting the next school year with Calvert and I havent heard nothing but great things about it. BUT my son told his PS teacher what we were planning and she cornered me about it and said that if I ever decided to re-enroll him in PS they would hold him back a year. Has anyone had any problems here?

 

[DreadpiratK]

We have not done this, but several friends have, and the problem was not that the child was behind PS kids, but ahead. Two children I know went from homeschooling to high school, and were put in a grade ahead based on placement tests. I think that teachers may say things like this to scare you away from trying homeschooling. Just don't let them push you around, if you re-enroll your child insist that they be given a placement test, and put in the proper grade.

I don't know why public schools are so unfreindly, at least around here, to homeschoolers. They get money for educating our kids because they 'might' come to school, and yet have to do nothing, you'd think they'd thank us! We do more to support the school financially then anyone else.

 

[sanibelover]

I homeschool, but when we go to Disney I don't plan anything educational. I think the learning there just happens even if it's only the importance of family vacations.

 

[DreadpiratK]

My apologies for turning this thread neg. Didn't mean to.

How about listing some of the educational things at Disney, opotunities to teach kids things while having fun?

Obviously Epcot has lots. Another aspect I'm interested in pursuing with our oldest is looking into how some of the rides are engineered, he'd like that, but I dont know how much info there is out there on it, i know some things are trade secrets like the crystal ball in the haunted masion.

 

[iansmomm]

We hs our dd 16, and ds 5!!!

love it!

 

[thinkpinktink]

I do not know where you live, so it might be different there. When we put our DS in ps in 6th grade after hs since kindergarten, they put him right in without even testing. We do live in a small community and we are the only hs in town. Our son was just curious about what the other kids did in school all day. We talked with the principle and teachers he would have and told them we may only leave him 2 weeks, they said that was fine. They originally talked about putting him in a grade ahead, however my husband and I didn't want to do that because our DS's friends where in 6th grade. He stayed 3 weeks, when we had a conference with his teachers to tell them we were taking him out, they told us it was probably best. He was bored, he had done all that work 2 years before. As far as socialization they said he blended in great, he had good friends and bullies the same. So we felt more confident with our hs. Also when I tested him with a national standardized test in 5th grade he tested at high school senior and even college level. If I had to put my DS in ps or he wanted to go (high school, next year) I would send him with confidence that he would do great.

 

[Carrie Ellis]

Hokiefan33,
Why were the 3 years (4th-6th) so bad? I barely remember those years and I am just 34. Did you not get out much? Did you live in a rural area? Just curious.

I educate my children at home who are 8,8, 4 and 4. My boys wake up with a grin and go to sleep everynight with a grin. I know they are not unhappy because you can not fake it all the time!! I have them in basketball, iceskating, YMCA HS PE, and we do many fieldtrips. We spend 2 weeks in fall at WDW and go home to "Texas" for a month each year. We are not really "home".

Sorry I am just curious about Hokiefan33. I went to PS, college (BS and a MS degree) and now I work for the USDA part-time. But honestly PS did not help me. My mother was a stay at home mom and she did not know really what I was going through in Junior High and High School. It was a rough 5 years and I am lucky I came out alive.

I was shocked, though, at what my boys where learning from other students the first 2 years in PS (K and 1st). 5th grade is so far more advanced as far as sex and violance. I am not going to shelter them but I do not want others children teaching my children. I want my children to be children because once it is gone it is gone.

I also do not like standardized testing. I know that it is probably the only way to the masses accounted for. I have tutored on the side at a Learning Center and I have seen the results.

I want my children to learn and to enjoy learning. I can not remember wanting to learn in PS. I just did because I had to. Once the pressure was off (now and when I was in college), I really enjoy learning!

Anyway...sorry to ramble.

 

[Good Ol Gal]

How about listing some of the educational things at Disney, opotunities to teach kids things while having fun?

When we go to Epcot we like to have a seperate book for Cast Members of the Worlds. As we go through the Worlds we ask them to sign their name in their own language and English, what City/Country they are from, and their favorite things about their home Country, their favorite foods, etc. Really what ever they are willing to tell us.

When we come home we like to look up the Countries and find their City.
It also allows us to research the Countries further throughout the year by investigating more about their favorite things.

 

[hokiefan33]

Hokiefan33,
Why were the 3 years (4th-6th) so bad? I barely remember those years and I am just 34. Did you not get out much? Did you live in a rural area? Just curious.

I educate my children at home who are 8,8, 4 and 4. My boys wake up with a grin and go to sleep everynight with a grin. I know they are not unhappy because you can not fake it all the time!! I have them in basketball, iceskating, YMCA HS PE, and we do many fieldtrips. We spend 2 weeks in fall at WDW and go home to "Texas" for a month each year. We are not really "home".

Sorry I am just curious about Hokiefan33. I went to PS, college (BS and a MS degree) and now I work for the USDA part-time. But honestly PS did not help me. My mother was a stay at home mom and she did not know really what I was going through in Junior High and High School. It was a rough 5 years and I am lucky I came out alive.

I was shocked, though, at what my boys where learning from other students the first 2 years in PS (K and 1st). 5th grade is so far more advanced as far as sex and violance. I am not going to shelter them but I do not want others children teaching my children. I want my children to be children because once it is gone it is gone.

I also do not like standardized testing. I know that it is probably the only way to the masses accounted for. I have tutored on the side at a Learning Center and I have seen the results.

I want my children to learn and to enjoy learning. I can not remember wanting to learn in PS. I just did because I had to. Once the pressure was off (now and when I was in college), I really enjoy learning!

Anyway...sorry to ramble.

I had a horrible time b/c I didn't meet any kids my age during those 3 years. We lived in a small town in S. California, our church had only a few kids other than myself and my sister, and there generally wasn't much to do, so we didn't do much as far as the "school" experience other than our daily work. I realize many of you have some interaction with other homeschoolers, various extracurricular aspects of the local public schools, hobbies, etc..., so if your kids are doing those, then there is a good chance that they might not have the same feelings I did, as they do spend time with other kids their age. However, not having had those experiences, I know what it's like to not have that interaction at that age, and it's VERY tough. That is why I begged to go back to regular school. Maybe my parents just didn't think about that - they probably didn't. And I don't hate them for it or anything, I just want to make sure other kids don't have to go through that experience. I don't "hate" homeschooling, as some may think - it works for some, and doesn't for others, based upon how good your local schools are, physical or mental disabilities, etc... Public schools were good for me, and I thrived in them, but then again I wasn't from the inner city, either.

Bottom line - if it works for you, GREAT!! Just be sure you understand all facets of what you are getting into and how it will affect your kids on an overall basis. If, after researching that, you still feel it is the best decision for you and your family, go for it.

 

[Carrie Ellis]

Hokiefan33, I can understand your situation. I grew in a large city. My graduating class was 800. This will be my boy's situation, too, if we stay here. Plus many other things with this school district. We are meant to be social. Your 3 years sounded very lonely.

I am glad that we live in America where we have choices. But families see to be in a hurry and over scheduled. We made a choice to slow down and enjoy life.

Good luck everyone!

 

[Nik's Mom]

Carrie Ellis,
Wow! You have 2 sets of twins? That's a lot of work.

 

[Carrie Ellis]

Nik's mom! It is work but I love it!

Your footnote that reads that you are a proud mom and wife makes me proud! It is wonderful to see that when so many complain these days!

Happy homeschooling!

 

[TNKBELL]

Homeschooling is definately a priviledge that requires effort and it is not for everyone, but I do believe that those who have chosen this path reap great rewards!! I have friends who hs some with kids in ps or private and I do not feel any different. Parenthood is just as challenging for them and myself and everyone has different tolerance levels and unique personalities and I don't feel any worse or better for hs. I do however feel a bond with Moms who hs because they have a similar life situations and can relate to the ups and downs. Anyone can and should be involved in thier child's learning process regardless of where they attend school. Hokiefan, I hope after reading through this thread you have a better understanding of how wonderful hs can and should be. There are so many more resources available now as well as group support than what was available when you were hs. I'm sorry you felt so lonely, no child should ever have to feel that way. I had similar feelings you spoke of when I attended highschool. I think my feelings had more to do with my family situation than what was actually happening in highschool, but it took several years before I realized this. Sorry to yammer on and on .

 

[vmkids]

I home school my three... DD17, DD16, & DS13. We love the freedom of it and they are all very smart. WE have a church family so they get to see kids their age. (Trust me those church kids keeep them up on the "world") I would not trade all the talks we have had on and off subject most days. Homeschooling does not make you a good mom but it does make you a committed one. I would advise you to homeschool if you are ready for twelve years plus of no free time, no privacy, learning more than you knew in school, and keeping up on what is going on in the world so you can keep your kids innocent but not naive. That part is the hard stuff but the easy part is seeing your kids for who they are not what society wants them to be, kids who think peer pressure is just an excuse for bad choices, kids who talk to you not at you, and kids who I like as people. There are the other things too like sleeping in, saving money, and having kids that are teenagers and will still come in and snuggle in the morning to start their day!