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| Name: Steph | Date: Oct 19th, 2006 10:06 PM |
| I homeschool because the Bible tells me that I am to be in charge of my childrens education. I homeschool because putting a 7 yr old in a class with 25 other 7 yr olds, and allowing them to be the main influence in each other's lives for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week doesn't make sense to me. I want my children to feel just as comfortable interacting with adults and children older and younger than themselves as they are with same-age peers. I want them learning how to behave in society from an experienced adult, rather than other kids. I don't like the way that schools imitate prisons, with kids being told what to do at all times. The teachers try so hard to have complete control of every minute of every day (though, it's impossible to keep so many kids under such control all day) that kids look like wild animals at the sound of the bell, when they are finally 'released' from prison. My children aren't sheltered at all. They don't spend their days just with me. They have cub scouts, homeschool phys ed classes (at the Y), soccer, art, basketball and storytime at the library. All of these activities are taught by people other thanme, and the kids are always the same kids (though they range in ages from 4-13). They get plenty of teamwork and social interaction, but needn't spend 8 hours a day together. Have you ever noticed how (in general) teens begin to lose respect for their parents and stop asking them for advice in high school? It happens too often, kids thinking that they know everything and not seeking the guidence from an experienced adult. Instead, they base their decisions on emotions, peer pressure, and not much else. They then end up with huge problems (babies, drinking too young, drugs) and aren't experienced enough to maturely handle the problem. My children, I'm praying, will grow up spending time with adults more than teens (I AM trying to raise adults, and the best way to learn about adulthood is by being with adults) and learning not to depend on other kids for advice. That's like the blind leading the blind, ya know? Also, the education that I provide is custom-designed to the needs of each of my children. How many children in public school (or private) can say that? My 7 yr old isn't limited to waiting on an entire class to finish up a unit before he moves on. He studies based on his needs, not the averaged needs of 25 kids. Someone has to lose when you average out the needs. I homeschool because it's right for my family. ↑ |
| Name: luckey_in_life | Date: Oct 20th, 2006 1:42 PM |
| What does the bible say about homeschooling? Anyway, if you want your children to be educated in a religious environment you can send them to a religious school. However, that ‘exclusivity’ of belief is remarkably unhealthy - I believe that religious believers shouldn’t shut themselves away, but rather engage in society, and understand other people’s beliefs and points of view. As far as kids not asking their parents for advice as they become teenagers, I believe that is a normal part of childhood development and not a product of the educational system. You also want your children spending time with adults and not other teens--Wow, you are robbing them of an important time in their lives! You stated that the education you provide your children is custom designed. It’s a pretty good bet that you won’t be as good as a teacher, unless you are one - in which case you home schooling your own children is depriving the educational system of your services. Furthermore, even if you excel in one area, how can you cover all the things a school does? The point of a school curriculum is that these are things that society has determined children need to learn. Your children will live in society someday when they leave your home. Even if you are strong in one or two subjects, it seems tremendously unlikely that you can cover all the required ground. Home school support groups can’t make a parent into a teacher, any more than a book on engineering makes one an engineer - the vocation of teaching is a much more challenging one than you suggest. Schools beat homes on two significant fronts – facilities and an atmosphere that encourages learning. Homes are very unlikely to have extensive science laboratories, sports facilities and more. It must be terribly confusing for your children to be asked to ‘switch’ to ‘learning mode’ and then back to ‘play mode’ in the same environment by the same people. For the older child, homeschooling represents ample opportunities for abuse -for pushing for activities they enjoy instead of a lesson, or manipulating you, the parent, into slacking off ‘just this once’. Schools are for learning - that's their function. The home is an altogether more complex environment, poorly suited for the purpose of instruction. ↑ |
| Name: luckey_in_life | Date: Oct 20th, 2006 2:32 PM |
| POST BY STEPH................................... ................................ Name : Steph • Date: 09/23/2006 07:37:40 ... and also layne do you know how traumatic an abortion is its f*cked and i know ive been there and never have or will get over it and i regret it everyday... and yes we will do wat we want if it makes us happy and we are comfortable wats wrong with that if we make mistakes we will learn and we are in this world for that reason to take risk to be happy... the ones that turn out the worst are the ones with no support and dont ever take risks .. so think about it carefully we are here for a good time not a long one.. ........................................ .......................................... .................................. Steph: Is this your post in the "moms with teens" forum. If so, it sounds like you are a believer in taking risks. So why do you fear the world so much that you won't let your children attend school. Is it because you have your own regrets? They are in this world to take risks, make mistakes and learn from them. It sounds like you are protecting your kids from this when I read your posts on homeschooling. ↑ |
| Name: Steph | Date: Oct 20th, 2006 2:47 PM |
| ***What does the bible say about homeschooling?***"And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up." - Deuteronomy 6:6-7 Jesus said: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher." - Luke 6:39, 40 ***Anyway, if you want your children to be educated in a religious environment you can send them to a religious school. However, that ‘exclusivity’ of belief is remarkably unhealthy - I believe that religious believers shouldn’t shut themselves away, but rather engage in society, and understand other people’s beliefs and points of view. *** LOL, thanks for giving me permission to have my children educated in a 'religious' school. I believe you missed the point of my earlier post. It's not only about my Christian beliefs, but more about schools not providing a healthy environment, or the best environment for learning. The constant noise and disrespectfulnes of kids to their teacher is not something I want my kids subjected to day in and day out. And I believe you also missed the point that we don't shut ourselves away. As a matter of fact, I'd say my children are out in the 'real world' more than school kids that must spend 8 hours a day in an artificial environment. Since graduating high school I have never been in a position to spend my entire day only with people the exact same age as me. ***As far as kids not asking their parents for advice as they become teenagers, I believe that is a normal part of childhood development and not a product of the educational system. You also want your children spending time with adults and not other teens--Wow, you are robbing them of an important time in their lives!*** Once again, you are missing the point. They spend time with people of ALL ages- older and younger. I said that I don't want them to become peer dependent, which happens when you are only around people your same age for an unnatural amount of time. My kids have plenty of time to play with others (all of their activities, plus church), but the kids in these groups have huge age ranges, which mimics society so much better, ya know? ***You stated that the education you provide your children is custom designed. It’s a pretty good bet that you won’t be as good as a teacher, unless you are one - in which case you home schooling your own children is depriving the educational system of your services. Furthermore, even if you excel in one area, how can you cover all the things a school does? The point of a school curriculum is that these are things that society has determined children need to learn. Your children will live in society someday when they leave your home. Even if you are strong in one or two subjects, it seems tremendously unlikely that you can cover all the required ground. Home school support groups can’t make a parent into a teacher, any more than a book on engineering makes one an engineer - the vocation of teaching is a much more challenging one than you suggest.*** LOL, no need to go over my educational background with you. I make a fine teacher for my children and would not sacrifice the education of my children just to go into a class and attempt to educate the masses. Teachers have their hands tied by ridiculus standardized tests and NCLB. They get little respect from students, parents and administration. Even with 25 kids in our classrooms (locally) the school won't hire more teachers right now anyway, because that costs more. They'd rather have the higher teacher/student ratio to save a few bucks. I don't feel the need (nor feel called by God) to give myself that headache. The student teaching I did was enough to open my eyes to the poblems in our school system. If I had no children, I'd teach. I refuse, though, to sacrifice my boys. When we reach an area that I feel that I cannot teach well, I will look for a tutor to specialize in that area or send my children to the local college. People seem to forget that most homeschoolers realize their own limitations and find creative solutions to the problems. Right now my children are only 4 and 7, so we haven't run into that problem. ***Schools beat homes on two significant fronts – facilities and an atmosphere that encourages learning. Homes are very unlikely to have extensive science laboratories, sports facilities and more. It must be terribly confusing for your children to be asked to ‘switch’ to ‘learning mode’ and then back to ‘play mode’ in the same environment by the same people. *** Heck, many high schools don't even have *extensive science laboratories*, LOL. At the age of 7, my son has already experienced many of the same science experiments that I did in high school. We are still waiting for our pig dissection kit to come in the mail, and we will go over pH tests in a few weeks. For sports facilities, we use the Y. It's minutes from our home and provides more choice than the local school gym. My children are no more confused by switching from 'play' mode to 'learning' mode than they are by switching from 'play' mode to 'chore' mode. At their ages, play is learning. They don't sit for hours at the table doing math, science and history from textbooks. They cook, learning how to read recipes and measure (math), they play board games that help with spelling and reading, they have shelves upon shelves of books that provide reading instruction, history, lessons on science etc... We do own textbooks, don't get me wrong, but they aren't the best way for a young child to learn. They are much too dry, and my kids learn better with hands-on stuff. Adding and subtracting (even multiplying and dividing)can happen in many different areas. My 7 yr old taught himself how to multiply at the age of 5 while we were playing with counting bears. He saw how a pattern emerges when the bears were lumped in groups of same numbers and it just clicked. These are only a few examples of the difference in how I teach and how a classroom teacher must teach (keeping order and using textbooks) just to be able to try to reach the average child. As they get older, of course, the way I teach will evolve with the child. Textbooks will become more common as they become necessary. They just aren't needed at this age. ***For the older child, homeschooling represents ample opportunities for abuse -for pushing for activities they enjoy instead of a lesson, or manipulating you, the parent, into slacking off ‘just this once’. Schools are for learning - that's their function. The home is an altogether more complex environment, poorly suited for the purpose of instruction.*** That's your opinion. My children know that what mommy and daddy says, goes. They sometimes do get to slack off, though, if I think that the time could be better spent doing something else. Example, a couple of months ago my aunt fell and broke her hip. Rather than continue with our lessons that week, we spent the time running her to doctors appointments and keeping her company at her house (so that she wasn't alone until her husband got home from work). The school lessons could wait. They learned a great deal about compassion and helping others that week. How much learning really happens in school? I learned more out on my own than I ever did in school. The chaos of a school is not condusive for learning- chairs scraping the floor, books dropping from the desks (sometimes on purpose), spitballs, boys snapping girls bras, passing notes, taking time to change subjects, waiting for the slower kids to catch up to where the more advanced children are, classrooms that get too hot or too cold because the heating system doesn't work correctly, police interrupting class for a drug search, having to walk around the couples making out in the back hallways, being offered drugs, alcohol and cigs every day, etc... The list could go on and on (and yes, every last thing on this list is what I experienced in school on a daily basis. It wasn't even a horrible school district). I think the home is a place where children can learn witout distraction, get schoolwork out of the way early in the day and then have plenty of time for play, jobs, activities, volunteering in the community, etc.... School was a complete waste of time for me and I don't see the need to waste my kids time. I'd rather that they get to experience real life, being out in the community around different people every day. I have experienced both traditional school (as a student and as a student teacher), and homeschooling (as a mom) and I must say, I see no advantages to school. That was hard for me to admit to as a college student, because I had grand ideas of being involved in the 'wonderful' process of educating the nations children. Once I was willing to really look at all of the problems, I realized that my children could not be put into a broken system. ↑ |
| Name: luckey_in_life | Date: Oct 20th, 2006 3:41 PM |
| It sounds like you attended a really bad school system when you where growing up. So did I. However, homeschooling is not the best option for my daughter. She is in middle school and in advanced math. She actually uses math questions from the SAT's in her math class. She tests in the top 97 percent for math on standardized tests. I could never teach her what she is capable of learning even though I have a four year college degree. Good educational systems recognize a child's strengths and weakness. I assure you that her school does not tolerate any of the social issues that you described. She attends a college prep school with 100 percent college placement. Yes, her school does stress the importance of compassion and values even though it is not a religious school. They are required to complete many hours of community service before they can move on to the next grade. The outside world you are protecting your children from isn't always a bad place. How will they cope when you are no longer there telling them how to think about everything? Will they be like a canary released from its cage who flys straight up in the air not knowing what to do? Private schools are expensive, but financial aid is available. ↑ |
| Name: luckey_in_life | Date: Oct 20th, 2006 3:45 PM |
| Do you want your children to attend college? Are you opposed to universities also? ↑ |
| Name: StephR | Date: Oct 20th, 2006 3:59 PM |
| No, that wasn't my post. Maybe I should start using my last initial also? I have only posted on this board before under the name 'hyperhomeschoolmom'. I just chose 'Steph' this time because my name is so much shorter than using my hyperhomeschoolmom name, LOL. I'll make sure to put an 'R' after my name from now on to distinguish the two of us. ↑ |
| Name: StephR | Date: Oct 20th, 2006 4:15 PM |
| ***The outside world you are protecting your children from isn't always a bad place. How will they cope when you are no longer there telling them how to think about everything? Will they be like a canary released from its cage who flys straight up in the air not knowing what to do? Private schools are expensive, but financial aid is available*** Again, my children aren't sheltered. They have many classes where I am not the teacher (sports, art, etc....) They live in the real world, where they choose their own schedules, activities that they are interested in, friends that aren't pushed together just because they happen to share a birth year. We could pay for private school, it's not that. I just don't believe that schools encourage natural learning. They have a curriculum that they must follow, rather than waiting until the child is ready for the next lesson. Most teachers are pushing reading in K now. Who says all 5 yr olds are automatically ready to read? That is a developmental milestone that is best achieved by watching for signs that the child is ready and then working from there. My children aren't robots being told what to think and how to feel. They are being raised as individuals, and each knows that. Their personalities are very different and they make choices based on different experiences. To think that homeschoolers only spend time at home with the same people all day, everyday is a false perception of what homeschooling really is. My school was an average public high school. There were worse and there were better. Sometimes the teachers just looked the other way, sometimes they never even saw what was going on. They had their own concerns. Yes, my children will attend college. My 7 yr old, LOL, came up with his plan for college a yr ago, and knows what goal he is working for. My children understand the value of a good education, as we show them everyday by our own actions that we value education. They will take the SAT's and/or the ACT's, have a transcript written up and will not have a problem getting into a college. College's are becoming very welcoming to homeschoolers because they recognize that many homeschoolers are motivated self-learners. ↑ |
| Name: luckey_in_life | Date: Oct 20th, 2006 4:19 PM |
| It sounds like you would like a Montessouri school environment for you children. Have you ever considered it? ↑ |
| Name: luckey_in_life | Date: Oct 20th, 2006 4:33 PM |
| It is cases like this that concern me with homeschooling: ------------------ ---------------------------------- ---------------------------- Ho me Schooling Nightmares LOS ANGELES, Oct. 14, 2003 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- (CBS ) It is estimated that 850,000 children in this country are home-schooled -- the overwhelming majority by parents who have only the best interests of their children at heart. But homeschooling is largely unregulated. A CBS News investigation reports how some children have suffered abuse -- and much worse -- while no one was watching. ------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------- Neil and Christy Edgar will be sentenced next month in Kansas for abusing and murdering their 9-year-old son. He suffocated after his head was wrapped in duct tape as a punishment for taking food without permission. It's a shocking case, but as CBS News Correspondent Vince Gonzales reports, not an isolated one. A CBS News investigation found dozens of cases of parents convicted or accused of murder or child abuse who were teaching their children at home, out of the public eye. "A lot of reports for suspected abuse or neglect are made by the schools when they observe children coming in that may be bruised or not well fed," says Marcia Herman-Giddens, of the North Carolina Child Advocacy Institute. In Iowa, a father is serving life, and a mother goes on trial later this month, for killing their 10-year-old adopted son and burying him at their house. Because they were home schooling, no one noticed he was missing for more than a year. There are two notorious Texas cases. Andrea Yates gained national attention when she drowned her five children in a bathtub. Deanna Laney, told investigators she beat her three sons with rocks, killing two of them. Both mothers taught their children at home. "The genuine home schoolers are doing a great job with their children, but there is a subgroup of people that are keeping them in isolation, keeping them from public view because the children often do have visible injuries," says Herman-Giddens. Even a very public home school success story can hide a private dark side. Marjorie Lavery says her father beat her before the National Spelling Bee then threatened to kill her after she came in second. He pleaded guilty to child endangerment after she testified about years of cruelty. Hal Young and other home school advocates vigorously defend the right to teach their children at home without government intrusion. "The cases that you've mentioned are very, very rare - extremely rare," says Young. "There's not a pattern there, there's not a trend," says Young. "It's not something you can point your finger at and say there's this vast undercurrent, because there's not." But it's hard to know how widespread abuse might be because the government doesn't keep track. It doesn't even know how many children are taught at home in this country. In eight states, parents don't have to tell anyone they're home schooling. Unlike teachers, in 38 states and the District of Columbia, parents need virtually no qualifications to home school. Not one state requires criminal background checks to see if parents have abuse convictions. The Edgars now face life in prison. The dilemma raised by their case and others: how to protect parents' rights to raise their children and still protect children from parents who abuse them. ------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------- Part 1: A Dark Side To Home Schooling © MMIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- Feedback Terms of Service Privacy Statement ↑ |
| Name: luckey_in_life | Date: Oct 20th, 2006 4:37 PM |
| I think Homeschooling needs to be regulated by the government. Then maybe I wouldn't have a problem with it. A Dark Side To Home Schooling SMITHFIELD, N.C., Oct. 13, 2003 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- (CBS ) The school bus never stopped at the secluded trailer on Hickory Crossroads in rural North Carolina because for five years Nissa and Kent Warren home schooled their children. Then, as CBS News Correspondent Vince Gonzales reports, county workers got an anonymous tip: better check on those kids. "This is one of those cases that will always haunt me," says Tom Lock, the Johnston County district attorney. For weeks, the parents tried to keep social workers out until the day detectives and Lock were called in. "I was stunned at the squalor that I saw," says Lock. "There was rotting food, animal feces on the floor. I can't imagine anyone living in a residence like this." A faded sign on the wall reads: "So this isn't home sweet home: adjust." In the bedroom, 14-year-old Brandon had committed suicide with a rifle after killing his brother Kyle and sister Marnie. Their mother discovered the bodies. "She stopped me in the road (and) said my children are dead," says a neighbor. Nissa Warren told a detective she'd "rather God had them than Child Protective Services." It turned out the Warrens had home schooled before, in Arizona, where they were convicted of child abuse. An investigator there wrote: "The children are tortured physically and emotionally." That's information North Carolina school officials are not required to collect. Since it became legal in North Carolina in 1985, the number of home school students has jumped from just a few hundred to more than 50,000. But there's been no change in the number of state employees overseeing the program - just three for the entire state. "I think there's so little supervision that they really are not protecting those kids," Marcia Herman-Giddens, of the North Carolina Child Advocacy Institute. Herman-Giddens is on the state task force that reviewed the Warren case. The conclusion: home school laws "allow persons who maltreat children to maintain social isolation in order for the abuse and neglect to remain undetected." "They deliberately keep them out of the public eye because the children do have injuries that are visible, and they don't want them to be seen," she says. But Hal Young, an advocate for home school parents, says most parents are loving and doing a very good job. He doesn't see a connection "based on one very tragic unfortunate case." "I don't see a connection that would say this is where the government needs to step in, this is where the government needs to come to your home, come into your life," says Young. The Warrens were acquitted of child abuse charges but spent 45 days in jail for failing to secure a firearm. Through their attorney they declined requests for an interview. "All they ever asked was that they be able to raise their children in the manner in which they felt was appropriate," their attorney Jonathan Breeden said. ------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------- Home Schooling Nightmares: In Part 2 of Vince Gonzales' report, how children nationwide have been put in danger, even killed, while home schooling. © MMIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. ↑ |
| Name: luckey_in_life | Date: Oct 20th, 2006 4:43 PM |
| I think if homeschooling was regulated and the children were checked on, I would have a different view on the subject. I know that these are just a few isolated incidents. ↑ |
| Name: StephR | Date: Oct 20th, 2006 6:01 PM |
| In most states homeschooling is regulated. I have to file a notice of intent every year with the local school board, give a curriculum list, and provide standardized test scores. What is sometimes hard to understand is that those families in that (very old) CBS report weren't homeschoolers. Let's call them what they were- TRUANT. Those parents wouldn't have submitted to testing, they wouldn't have sent in a notice of intent, they wouldn't comply no matter what the regulations were. They simply were not homeschoolers. In order to be a homeschooler, the children must be getting an education somehow. These parents were just hiding their children away, keeping them out of all schooling, which makes them truant. These parents would have been abusive even if the kids had been in public schools. And public schools miss many abuse cases. There are public schoolers being abused everyday, and teachers don't always see the signs. Sometime resources are stretched too thin for schools and social services to do anything. Whatever the reason, there are many abused public schoolers. That doesn't mean that it is a result of public schooling, just as people hiding their children away doesn't mean that the kids are abused because of homeschooling. Abusers will abuse no matter what. I have seen no recent studies to suggest that homeschoolers are more likely to be abused. Yes, Montessori schools are wonderful. I wish there were more out there, and that they were affordable to all students. I've seen many students not having their needs met in traditional school that could flourish in Montessori if given the chance. We don't have any local to us; If we did, I might consider sending one of my children (he's the type that would do well in Montessori) and probably still homeschool my other. We make our choices for our boys on an individual level. ↑ |
| Name: luckey_in_life | Date: Oct 20th, 2006 6:07 PM |
| We are discussing this subject in the stay at home moms forum if you would like to join. ↑ |
| Name: Patti | Date: Oct 21st, 2006 5:09 AM |
| StephR, I would like to commend you on the job you are doing! I am in my 2nd year of hs'ing my 11 yr old son. He is involved in church activities, scouts and 4-H. I have to admit, he's a social butterfly, and has more friends than I do! It's nothing for him to hold deep conversations with adults, and actually know what he's talking about! His dad is a truck driver, so he gets to travel alot. He has learned a lot about history, geography, etc. I own my own home based business and he's learning a lot more math and science than he would in public school in such a short amount of time. The stuff he's learning in 4-H and scouts compares to none. Sheltered? Far from it! Closely guided? Very much so! I am a single mom, but with the help of a few close family friends to help with projects that I am not capable of doing, he is getting the best education that can be provided for him. Well rounded and FUN! He's finding how all subjects apply to every aspect of life and reality of such. Keep up the good work! ↑ |
| Name: StephR | Date: Oct 21st, 2006 1:06 PM |
| Patti, It's nice to see another homeschooler around here, LOL. I was feeling very alone (I was involved in this same debate yesterday on the SAHM board, and there's a lot more in the anti-hs crowd over there). My husband is a truck driver also. My boys have been all over the US and love it. If my kids didn't homeschool they'd only see their dad on weekends (he goes into work before the local kids get home from school and doesn't get back until 4 in the morning and then has to sleep until 11 a.m.) That's awesome that you are able to homeschool while being a single mom. I admire that. It takes real dedication to do that. I have no experience with having a child in school and then bringing him home to school, so may I ask you something? My kids and I are extremely close, (I've always heard that homeschooled kids are much closer with their parents), did you find that you and your son became closer after you began to homeschool him? From what I've heard from other parents with kids in school, the school takes up so much time in so many ways that a parent doesn't get much quality time with the child. Thanks for replying! ↑ |
| Name: Patti | Date: Oct 21st, 2006 3:16 PM |
| StephR, we have a tight bond that none could break. We are pretty much inseperable, by HIS choice. If we're having an off day I'll tell him we need to get out of here and do something fun. He picks somewhere to go and out the door like a shot. He has a wonderful sense of humor and not a day goes by that we aren't cracking up about SOMETHING! His main thing right now is drawing cartoons, anime, etc. and he loves to sing and make up words to his own rap songs. We are much closer now than we ever were when he was in public school. We're best friends. Last night, he was asking me about the museum we went to a little over a month ago.... what my favorite part of it was ( was a Pioneer museum ) and asked if we could find another one to go to soon. How can you turn down a request like that?! LOL Anyway, his dad is home for the weekend, so we have plans. ( he's only here once every 3 weeks ) I will check in with you later on tonight. ↑ |
| Name: luckey_in_life | Date: Oct 21st, 2006 3:50 PM |
| Your comment that you and your son are best friends concerns me. It is healthy to have other children as best friends. A child only has two parents. A child needs a parent to be a parent. How can he view you as an authority figure if you are his best friend. ↑ |
| Name: hyperhomeschoolmom | Date: Oct 21st, 2006 10:19 PM |
| This is StephR... I do have a logged in name, I just didn't use it in this conversation yesterday because I had trouble remembering the password.. ever have days like that? LOL ***StephR, we have a tight bond that none could break. We are pretty much inseperable, by HIS choice. If we're having an off day I'll tell him we need to get out of here and do something fun. He picks somewhere to go and out the door like a shot. He has a wonderful sense of humor and not a day goes by that we aren't cracking up about SOMETHING! His main thing right now is drawing cartoons, anime, etc. and he loves to sing and make up words to his own rap songs. We are much closer now than we ever were when he was in public school. We're best friends. Last night, he was asking me about the museum we went to a little over a month ago.... what my favorite part of it was ( was a Pioneer museum ) and asked if we could find another one to go to soon. How can you turn down a request like that?! LOL Anyway, his dad is home for the weekend, so we have plans. ( he's only here once every 3 weeks ) I will check in with you later on tonight*** I think it's so sweet that you and him are so close. What I get a kick out of is watching my boys together. They say that they are eachothers 'best friend' and my older is (for the most part... there are the ocassional exceptions, LOL) very patient with the little guy. Cody, my youngest, just wants to follow Deuce everywhere and do everything he does. I hope ya'll are having fun while Dad is home for some down time. ↑ |
| Name: Patti | Date: Oct 25th, 2006 10:13 PM |
| Luckey...... your opinion is just that. Your opinion. My son and I are all the two of us really have. His dad is a dead beat, doesn't want anything to do with him, unless I push it. We have no family here, to speak of ( he has 2 older sisters, 1 of which has a family, the other is moving away in 2 weeks ). At least my son and I have fun being together and doing things together. He has friends he hangs around with, but prefers to be home, claiming I'm more fun LOL Not to toot my own horn, but I know I'm raising a good natured, well education child, who isn't afraid to speak his mind or explore the world around him. That museum I spoke of earlier is having Pioneer Days this weekend, so guess where we're going? hehehehe He just doesn't know it yet. I love to surprise him with trips like that. I hate to cut this short, but time for "home ec" ( ie. cleaning house lol ) Have a great evening, StephR ↑ |
| Name: StephR | Date: Oct 26th, 2006 1:34 AM |
| Patti, I think it sounds like you're doing great! I never listen to the naysayers. If you want to converse sometime (in a place that's not controversal, like this board, LOL) then stop by my blog sometime. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/sisterchicksteph If you go there, you can leave a comment or e-mail me. This board here will always have negative people that just want to try to 'prove' why homeschooling is bad. ↑ |
| Name: Lynne n | Date: Oct 26th, 2006 3:27 PM |
| Wrong,but up to the parents! ↑ |
| Name: pink | Date: Oct 27th, 2006 2:40 AM |
| ""Parents and children spending day after day at home can cause the closeness between them to become exclusive. This makes it even more difficult for the child to adjust to life outside the home. If you cocoon your children from the outside world you are just delaying the time when they will have to deal with it - and strengthen the impact of the shock they will feel when they see the element of society you find so unpleasant. I am not going to go into all the reasons why i homeschool, because i get tired of that questioned. I just want to point out that many homeschoolers are very involved in a support group, which provides plenty of opportunities to work together on projects and interacting with children of different ages (while most children in reg. classrooms usually can't seem to relate to any one not in their age group until they graduate and go into the "real' world), There are also organized co-ops where children study a particular subject or subjects in a "class" style and usually the mothers alternate teaching or the teaching is done by someone specialized in the desired subject. Homeschool students also participate in church or community organizations where once again are provided with good opportunities to develop in the areas you have mentioned. There are homeschool students that a very active in sports through a optmist clubs, a public school or private school athletic progams. Personally, my children have participated in a huge number of organized situations with our support group, a writing and art co-ops and they regularly participate in many activities in our church as well in sport through a private school in our neighborhood. Anyway, I just think you need to realized that homeschooling doesn't mean kids are "Always" locked up at home with their parents and do not interact with their other kids. I find it so interesting that my homeschool daughter has many friends that attend public high school and 4 of those girls consider my daugther a best friend. They attend a huge public school but their best friend is a girl that knows how to appreciate their differences, and doesn't expect them to become her clone in their style or preferences. We live in Miami, so we can not get away from the different cultures and diversity if we wanted to (which we don't because we love it!) I hope you would be a little open to the diversity of homeschooling. Not all homeschoolers educate their children the same. God bless. ↑ |
| Name: luckey_in_life | Date: Oct 27th, 2006 2:13 PM |
| Pink Quote: (while most children in reg. classrooms usually can't seem to relate to any one not in their age group until they graduate and go into the "real' world), ********* Why would you say this about children who attend schools? My only objection regarding homeschooling is that I think it needs more regulations and requirements. I think current laws allow any parent to homeschool. Including those who are unable to read or write. I garantee you that it would be very difficult to find a teacher unable to read or write in any public school. It would also be very difficult to find a school teacher who lacks a H.S. diploma or GED. I have heard the argument that formal education isn't necessary to homeschool, but I do not think it is unreasonable to set some standards for homeschooling. I do hope the HONDA bill passes. It will allow for more regulations. Even the HSLDA supports this bill. I think children should be protected under law to receive an education from an individual who has been educated themselves. Even daycare providers are required by most states to have some training and licensing. Why should homeschooling parents be allowed to teach without any training or certification? However, even if stricter laws are passed, some parents will argue that they violate their religious freedoms. Why should children suffer because of their parents' belief systems. Suffer in the since that their limited education, provided by parents who lack a deceit education themselves, will deny them opportunities later in life. ↑ |
| Name: Homeschooler | Date: Nov 2nd, 2006 12:12 PM |
| To luckey-in-life, are you a parent, if so how many children and how old are they? ↑ |
