Is Anyone Homeschooling as a Safety Reason? Not THE reason...A reason

[northriver]

Safety was a huge reason we homeschooled - not school safety but school bus safety. DS was on the bus for almost 3 hours every day. Every year there was at least one nasty bus accident in our area - it was a huge rural district. I think state law says kids can't be on the bus more than an hour each way, but there was a transfer point - so he wasn't on the same bus for over an hour. Like that matters? We have moved back to the city now - he is now one half mile walk from school. They just hired security guards recently, will be installing new automatic locks to replace the guards soon. Up until recently the school was just wide open to anyone who wandered in, but still just as safe as anywhere else we go in our lives I guess, violence can happen anywhere.

One homeschool benefit I really miss is off season vacations, LOL! We used to go to WDW off season, this year we are braving the spring break crowds!

*Waving at all the homeschool parents* Keep up the good work everyone!

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Brier Rose,

Thanks so much for the hug and prayers. Yes, it is a lot to go through, but we've got the Big Guy on our side to carry our burdens.

DD was diagnosed right after turning 4 (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia), and with everything going right so far, she'll be taking her last pill and getting her last chemo in October this year (she'll be 6 1/2 then).

BTW, it's great to *meet* you. Sorry I sound like such a hs nutcase. I know that hs'ing isn't for everyone, but I don't take too kindly to the opposition. My brother is a high-school principal. Those are fun conversations. And my parents and in-laws tell people we only hs because dd is "too sick to go to school." Her health (which is fine - she's been in remission for 18 months!) has NOTHING to do with our decision, and we've sat each set of parent down for that little talk. But they still use the "sick" explanation. I guess they're just embarrassed of us.

There I go, preaching to the choir! Sorry.

Anywho, thanks again for the prayers and hugs (and coming to my aid in this thread). So glad to hear your own DD is doing so well!

Jill

Your aid? Give me a break! I think you are very defensive...interesting.

 

[momto2girls]

Your aid? Give me a break! I think you are very defensive...interesting.

Are you just bored? Had a bad day?

Why in the world would you care what schooling option someone chooses for THEIR child? Don't like homeschooling? Don't do it. I'm just not sure how this concerns you.

 

[Brier Rose]

Your aid? Give me a break! I think you are very defensive...interesting.

Is someone bored tonight?

She was just being nice because I said something in her defense. We were kind of having a moment there..both our kids going through cancer and all..not to mention that she is a new member!

you are being very argumentative and nitpicky...interesting.

 

[abookworm]

Who do your kids socialize with? Are they on any sports teams? Clubs? Do you teach them how to survive without you? Do they have playdates without you? Why would a parent want to shelter their children from the good? Selfishness?

TROLL alert-just ignore their baiting and they'll tire of the game when no one plays with them.

 

[ohiominnie]

If one teaches at home because of their own fear it is truly unfair to the child. Your can't go off to college with them or work in the future years. The world can be a very difficult place but you can't shelter them forever.

Who do your kids socialize with? Are they on any sports teams? Clubs? Do you teach them how to survive without you? Do they have playdates without you? Why would a parent want to shelter their children from the good? Selfishness?

Actually, no. Just think you need a reality check. To each his own.

Your aid? Give me a break! I think you are very defensive...interesting.

And I think you are very acusatory. No one on this thread said the ONLY reason they homeschool is to shelter their child from all evil in the world. People have cited many reasons and that safety is one of them, but not necessarily a major one.

I don't understand one thing....maybe you can explain it to me. You said "to each his own." So why don't you let us all do our own thing? It may not be your thing, and that's fine. Whatever your thing is, may not be any of ours.

I will say one more thing. Homeschoolers are very used to having people attack and judge them for their choices. Sometimes defensiveness is a knee jerk reaction that comes from being badgered by so many people who criticize what we do.

So yes, I agree....the world CAN be a very difficult place filled with bullies. Even right here on the DIS.

 

[Tess'smom]

For instance, the Amish School shootings and just violence in school period?

In my state, a student was abducted at school at gunpoint and their is now an Amber Alert on the child.

I just don't think schools are safe anymore...especially High Schools.

Donning the flaming suit...

It is a horrible thing to see the school violence, bullying and other agressive behavior that is prevelant in public schools now. The amish school violence is especially tragic given the fact that this small rural school was very much a "home school" in their community. I am seriously considering home schooling for many reasons including issues of violence and bullying. My DH thinks I am insane for even considering this as an option. One thing is certain in my mind though - each family should be able to decide what educational environment is right for them; without ridicule or disrepect for their decision.

 

[northriver]

So yes, I agree....the world CAN be a very difficult place filled with bullies. Even right here on the DIS.

Well said!

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

The original post needs to be read by all the hs.....This is a place for opinions, discussion, etc. If you don't want a topic discussed don't post it. By the way one of you hs friends is also a "new member".

Reminder that this was not a healthcare discussion it was about the choice to home school and as you can see I think it is a grave mistake. We all make choices for our kids based on our beliefs and my belief is unless you are in a very unsafe area children need all the chances to spread their wings and fly. Being home is not the way to make this occur.
Peace

 

[momto2girls]

The original post needs to be read by all the hs.....This is a place for opinions, discussion, etc. If you don't want a topic discussed don't post it. By the way one of you hs friends is also a "new member".

Reminder that this was not a healthcare discussion it was about the choice to home school and as you can see I think it is a grave mistake. We all make choices for our kids based on our beliefs and my belief is unless you are in a very unsafe area children need all the chances to spread their wings and fly. Being home is not the way to make this occur.
Peace

Duly noted. I'm sure you won't be surprised to hear that I couldn't possibly care less about your opinion on the matter.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Duly noted. I'm sure you won't be surprised to hear that I couldn't possibly care less about your opinion on the matter.

Then you shouldn't have wasted your time reading it!!!!

 

[Brier Rose]

The original post needs to be read by all the hs.....This is a place for opinions, discussion, etc. If you don't want a topic discussed don't post it. By the way one of you hs friends is also a "new member".

Reminder that this was not a healthcare discussion it was about the choice to home school and as you can see I think it is a grave mistake. We all make choices for our kids based on our beliefs and my belief is unless you are in a very unsafe area children need all the chances to spread their wings and fly. Being home is not the way to make this occur.
Peace

Ummm..I do believe the OP asked if anyone was homeschooling for safety reasons, not if she should.

Guess I'm a little bored myself tonight, so I'll ask just out of sheer curiosity..what exactly do you know about homeschooling?

You seem to have your mind all made up, so I assume you've done all the research on it. You know everything that it entails both academically and socially?

What exactly do you think the life of a homeschooler is like??

 

[jaycns]

In my mind, I can't fathom how homeschooling could be construed as "selfish."

Jill

I totally agree...and I am thankful for the chance to be able to do it for my children, it is a great blessing in my life...but make no mistake...if my children were not benefiting...I would not be doing it.

 

[ohiominnie]

You seem to have your mind all made up, so I assume you've done all the research on it. You know everything that it entails both academically and socially?

I will admit, before my dd went off to public school we did not know anything about homeschoolers. The only people I knew who homeschooled were some of the Mennonites who live in our area. I had an image of homeschoolers....they were doing it to go underground from the government or to avoid having their children immunized. Speaking of children, they all had about 10 of them. And they all wore denim dresses. And the children themselves were all homely and socially inept.

I had decided that homeschooling was NOT for me b/c I was SO not like what I imagined a typical "homeschooler" to be. Until I researched it and met several homeschool families. Turns out, these people are normal! Well, that blew my theory!

When I didn't understand homeschoolers, I never judged them for what they chose to do. I just knew it wasn't the right choice for ME and MY family. Hmmm, guess I was wrong.

Kinda like I don't judge people who chose to give birth at home. I wouldn't like it. I wouldn't do it, but if that's what they choose to do, then I need to keep my nose out of their business. Just because it's wrong for me, doesn't mean it's wrong for them.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Ummm..I do believe the OP asked if anyone was homeschooling for safety reasons, not if she should.

Guess I'm a little bored myself tonight, so I'll ask just out of sheer curiosity..what exactly do you know about homeschooling?

You seem to have your mind all made up, so I assume you've done all the research on it. You know everything that it entails both academically and socially?

What exactly do you think the life of a homeschooler is like??

Bored no...I am doing research for 3 events I have approaching.

I have a girlfriend who has 3 sons......so I have seen/experienced it and still do not agree with it.
The original post did have a piece about safety.....Goodnight

 

[jaycns]

Actually, no. Just think you need a reality check. To each his own.

Please read what you wrote. Does it seem like part of a respectful discussion? To be handing out reality checks to other grown adults just because you have a differing point of view?

Discussion with opposing viewpoints does not need to be combative...it can be intelligent, RESPECTFUL and constructive. I am not complaining about your viewpoints (though I do not share your world view). I would however ask for your respect when entering into any discussion. Please note, I never said you had to agree...I would just hope that as rational adults we could agree to disagree respectfully.

 

[Brier Rose]

*nevermind*

No since in taking this even more OT.

 

[jaycns]

*nevermind*

No since in taking this even more OT.

May I go WAY off topic?

Okay, I am giving myself permission...I always smile when I see the prince in your siggie! He is my son's soccer hero...that's one poster he didn't have to fight too hard to put up in his room! So which do I like better?? Him in his soccer uniform up in ds's room or dressed as a prince in your siggie...hmmm...it's a hard choice!

I now return you to your regularly scheduled topic.

 

[Brier Rose]

May I go WAY off topic?

Okay, I am giving myself permission...I always smile when I see the prince in your siggie! He is my son's soccer hero...that's one poster he didn't have to fight too hard to put up in his room! So which do I like better?? Him in his soccer uniform up in ds's room or dressed as a prince in your siggie...hmmm...it's a hard choice!

I now return you to your regularly scheduled topic.

Now that's worth going off topic for!

 

[writersblock42]

Homeschooling can be a very heated debate. There are many pros and many cons to homeschooling. I know a good bit about the topic. I have been homeschooled, I have attended a public school and I teach in a public school. My son goes to a public school. My biggest deterrent from homeschooling is that I see education as a cooperative learning experience. Knowledge is useless until applied. For instance, Columbus get have known all along that the world was round but could do nothing with it until he convinced somebody to loan him a ship to test his theories. The problem with homeschooling is that it lacks the peers, other teachers and the general audience to try out our skills of persuasion, oral speaking, writing and working as groups.
Now back to topic...safety...your child is more likely to die as a result of car crash then anything that will happen in school. My parents homeschooled for a couple of different reasons but safety was not one of them. I always felt very safe in the school I attended very rural area. BTW, I rode the same bus as the families of those involved in the Amish school shooting. Different school but we gave the families a ride everyday. One of the relatives delivered my sister in a birthing center.
I was watching on television that in Germany people do not have the right to homeschool their children. Just be glad that in America that we have the choices that we have and we can sit here and debate whether or not homeschooling is in the best interest of our children.