Home schooling?

[Erinwilcox]

What are your thoughts on home schooling?

 

[Defcon]

I voted for it, and Lord willing if I am able to (read as "Able to support my family alone while my wife teaches") home-school when we have kids, I will do that - but not for their entire schooling. Probably mostly through grade school and then get them into a private or public middle school from that point.

 

[Paleoconservatarian]

As a product of government indoctri...schooling, I can definitely say that homeschooling is a much better option. I was homeschooled for "preschool" and kindergarten, and ended up taking 2nd and 3rd grade math and reading classes while I was in 1st grade at gov't school. Then the government taught me that every problem is someone else's fault, but by the grace of God, I'm cured of that way of thinking.

 

[calmcoolandelected]

We are in our 11th year of homeschooling. We began when my son was 4 by teaching him to read. He is now in a Classical Christian School for high school. My 12-yr old daughter is still at home. I have health problems so we take one year at a time.

CC&E

 

[edie19]

You don't have the response I need.

I'm an advocate of home schooling and if I had it to do over again, would most likely home school both of my children - at least through junior high school. Both went to private high schools (one Catholic, one non-denominational Christian) and I was very happy with both.

 

[HiredGoon]

It all depends on the ability and kowledge of the parents, and the quality of the schools available, public or private.

 

[Jon_]

Lord willing, if I marry and have children, I would do my best to school them myself. Not only is it better for their spirituality, but they'd get a far superior education. Public schools are a joke. They waste so much time and money filling the kids' heads with a load of nonsense. I've noticed the same is mostly true of undergraduate degrees in college now, too. My post-secondary education so far has been like High School revisited, except without the acne and melodrama. I hope I am able to homeschool my children, if it should work out that way.

If you think about it, your children could really be brilliant by the time they finished their required schooling. I mean, come on! They've been in school for twelve years by the time they graduate high school! With a decent education, they could bury any public educator and most of their college professors that have been through the public educational system.

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

 

[lmnop9876]

i was homeschooled from year 1 to year 10, then i went to a Christian school for year 11 and 12. all my brothers and sisters are and have been homeschooled, i think it's definitely a good thing, but it would be up to my wife if i actually did it or not.

 

[StAnselm]

Hey, what Christian school was that, pjw?

 

[lmnop9876]

Hey, what Christian school was that, pjw?

seabrook christian school
i'm in tassie.

 

[StAnselm]

I taught for a couple of years at Leighland Christian School in Ulverstone.

 

[lmnop9876]

I taught for a couple of years at Leighland Christian School in Ulverstone.

seriously? i know some people who went there, also to northwest christian school.

 

[JJB]

Our family homeschools. We love it! So that's what I voted.

I must say, tho, that it is not for everyone; so I almost voted that choice. Many people who desire to homeschool don't for financial or other reasons.

I recommend highly reading Sproul, Jr.'s book on homeschooling. It is excellent and challenges people as to why they might want to homeschool. Sorry, I gave the book away and can't remember the title, it's something like: When You Rise Up.

I don't think parents' educational levels have anything to do with whether one should homeschool or not. It's another ministry: if you're called to do it, you can't say no.

 

[Gabriel]

Before you homeschool, read "THe Well Trained Mind". It is an excellent book full of practical tips, great suggestions for materials, etc. and answers all the questions and doubts we come up with along the way.

My wife homeschools my daughters, 8 and 10. We took them out of private school a year ago when the baby was born and they have done very well. Of course, I have had to send my wife on a couple emergency Bed and Breakfast trips by herself. But all in all everyone is happy and the girls are getting a great education, we are all growing closer as a family and my wife and I are exercising our brains as well.

 

[HiredGoon]

I know there are some people out there who are homeschooling their kids, who really shouldn't. My wife recently had a kid come in for therapy who's mother had maybe a third grade or lower spelling level, (really horrible spelling) and this mother was homeschooling her kid. Then there's the issue of social interaction. I grew up in a church where the majority of the kids went to public school, but there were a few who were homeschooled. You could always spot the homeschooled kid a mile away because they were not as socially mature as the other kids. I'm not saying all homeschooled kids are like that, just sharing my experiences. I know if I were to teach my children I could give them a superior history education then they would recieve at public or private school, but there's no way I could teach them math. I absolutely hated math in school, I despise numbers, they just don't make sense to me, I have an artisitic temperament. I never advanced beyond the intermediate algebra level in school, and I'm fine with that. But I wouldn't want my inability in mathematics to limit my kids. I also do not believe all public schools are horrible. I was public schooled my entire life. But a kid's education doesn't end when they come home from school. My public school education was suplemented with christian education from my parents at home and at the church. Plus, my father who has been a public high school teacher for 25 years was constantly teaching me about art, history and literature at home, inspring me to study subjects that interested me on my own. There's both negative and positive aspects of homeschooling and public or private school to take into account when deciding on the education of children.

 

[moretap]

I went to public school, and I think it was very good for me. Some of my friends that were home schooled or went to private Christian schools came out of it unaware of the rest of the world and unaware of how to face it. They were too sheltered. Growing up in public school I socialized with many non-Christians, and I had a chance to be a light in the world for some of them. I also learned a lot from them. That being said, I also know some people who were home schooled very well and easily transitioned into college culture facing the rest of the world. They were prepared well.

I think home schooling or even private Christian school is something to be considered very carefully. It is important not to teach pharisaically or legalistically, and it is important to prepare for the real world. Merging Christianity with culture or schooling can lesson it and could add man-made aspects to it. (the same is true with the state)

I think with public school it is important to teach the kids more outside of school. I had sunday school, summer camp, and just talking with my parents.

but most importantly it is good for a student to prayer for understanding and wisdom from God (james 1:5) and continually be rereading the word.

 

[Radagast]

I've seen it work... and I've seen it go wrong...

-- Radagast

 

[calmcoolandelected]

I know there are some people out there who are homeschooling their kids, who really shouldn't. My wife recently had a kid come in for therapy who's mother had maybe a third grade or lower spelling level, (really horrible spelling) and this mother was homeschooling her kid. Then there's the issue of social interaction. I grew up in a church where the majority of the kids went to public school, but there were a few who were homeschooled. You could always spot the homeschooled kid a mile away because they were not as socially mature as the other kids. I'm not saying all homeschooled kids are like that, just sharing my experiences. I know if I were to teach my children I could give them a superior history education then they would recieve at public or private school, but there's no way I could teach them math. I absolutely hated math in school, I despise numbers, they just don't make sense to me, I have an artisitic temperament. I never advanced beyond the intermediate algebra level in school, and I'm fine with that. But I wouldn't want my inability in mathematics to limit my kids. I also do not believe all public schools are horrible. I was public schooled my entire life. But a kid's education doesn't end when they come home from school. My public school education was suplemented with christian education from my parents at home and at the church. Plus, my father who has been a public high school teacher for 25 years was constantly teaching me about art, history and literature at home, inspring me to study subjects that interested me on my own. There's both negative and positive aspects of homeschooling and public or private school to take into account when deciding on the education of children.

This is just a FYI reply, I'm not being combative. Homeschooling today is very different from even just a few short years ago. The resources that are available are plentious. There are subjects that I am just not qualified to teach that I hire someone to do for me. One example is Latin. My kids take a Latin course from an internet school. The class meets weekly via teleconferencing software. Technology is awesome! I know other parents that form co-ops and teach subjects in their areas of expertise in exchange for their children taking classes taught by someone in a different area of expertise.

As far as there being good and bad examples of homeschooling, you are correct. The same can be applied to public and private schools as well. There's plenty of socially immature children in public schools too. My question would be, what is your definition of socially immature? If you mean that they aren't well-versed in bullying, foul language, sex, drugs and rock and roll.....

Also to be fair, I don't believe homeschooling is for everyone. I do believe that each parent is responsible for the education of their child and it shouldn't just be left up to the "experts".

OK, off my soapbox and off to the laundry room!
CC&E

 

[moretap]

My question would be, what is your definition of socially immature? If you mean that they aren't well-versed in bullying, foul language, sex, drugs and rock and roll.....
CC&E

(This is coming from a male in his 20s, I understand that a female in her 40s has a totally different views of these )

These things are still all over college life and adult life; private schools and all socity in general. In public school I learned a lot about these subjects and this was important in my growth as a Christian and my maturity. I never really participated in them (except rock & roll), but I could relate to and befriend those who frequently do. Christianity is for sinners and evangalism starts with befriending someone, not condemning them.

Exposure to these sins doesn't always weaken someone into temptation. Remember God won't tempt us with more than we can bare and also that trials of many kinds lead to a stronger character and stronger faith. Also I tend to err on the side of being less legalistic than on the side of being more. It's just important to pray for God's guidance in these matters.

As for rock & roll It's been good for me to be well-versed in it (especially the more alternative side of it.) Learning from it's idealology has given me a bit of a disconnection to the culture that can confine Christianity under man-made ideas and creations. And plenty of it is really beautiful and glorifying to God, you just have to look hard for it. (but this is probably for another thread.)

 

[Erinwilcox]

I was home schooled from first grade to eleventh. Now, for my senior year, I am taking all of my classes at the local community college (earning high school and college credits). I had absolutely no trouble adjusting to college. Actually, the only trouble that I'm having is sitting through hours of English 101 lectures on stuff that I'd learned for the past three years of home school. I've had no trouble adjusting socially or even spiritually. Rather, on my first day of classes, I came home and told my mom about the Christians that I'd found in my music class (she was amazed that I'd found this out so quickly!). I have lots of "friends" at school. Also, I've been working part-time for over a year. I'm friends with all of my co-workers, young and old. I get along VERY well with my supervisors (A very rare thing where I work). While there are some at work who claim that I am sheltered (because they found out that I don't have a boyfriend and that I don't date), they will readily admit that I have absolutely no problem socially. I'm not bragging. I'm stating the facts. I know a lot of home schoolers. . .none of them are unsocialized. Rather, too many of them are OVER socialized. The nice thing about home schoolers is that they can interact with their peers and with those older and younger than them. So, then next time somebody complains about all home schoolers being unsocialized, remember that that isn't really a valid complaint. Yes, the occasional home schooler may be oversheltered, but this is pretty rare (at least in the circles that I run in-I'm familiar with the majority of home schoolers in Maryland). If the Lord grants me children some day, then they will definitely be home schooled. In fact, I'm trying to work my current "career" choices around the fact that I may one day be a home school mother. If I teach music, I can have a private studio in my home. If I write, that can be done at home. Home schooling has been a wonderful experience for me and I wouldn't trade it for the world.