Quote From: jowens
I have homeschooled my children for the past 3 years with much success. My son was in a public school in Oregon up until 3rd grade. He came home from school with a hand print on his face from an older child that slapped him just because he could. This child had been suspended 5 times already that year and in my opinion had no business in school other than an alternative school. However due to special financing from the state on this child, he remained in school where he was in my opinion allowed to injure my 3rd grader at the time. So Julie in answer to your question about having bullying 101 I disagree. Yes they are taught and permitted in public school that bullying is acceptable. When I confronted the school they did absolutely nothing. That nothing which in fact is the same action that causes school shooting such as at Columbine. My children are too precious for me to hand off to some stranger to have them educate them, while their peers educate them all about drugs, bullying, sex, and worldly things. While the school educates them on the issue that we were monkeys and that God does not exist. Our country was founded on God, our constitution was written on the laws of God and yet, now he is not permitted in school. Why would any mother trying to raise her children in a Godly way, want to put them in a public school system where every effort that is made is undone by the school. This school system that is now apart of our society is currupt, allowing gay teachers, bullying, fighting, swearing, drugs, gossip, and pushing evolution on my so young and impressionable children. Public school may be fine if your standards are at that level, but I want more for my children, I want to teach them love, compassion, life skills, how to contribute to our society to make a difference, how to walk in the world to please our Lord. I'm sorry, but education is not all Math, English, Spelling, Science, History. It is first and foremost teaching them to live a life pleasing to God, to work as a family, all the book work is just extra, important as it is, it does not shape who my children will become. That is something that a school whether public, or even private can do for my children. I had my children to raise them, to teach them, to love them, not to hand them over to a liberal school system to turn them into what our system feels they should be.
I was reading of your son's negative school experience...sorry that has taken place in your public school experience for your son. I have decided to not homeschool my kidz. It was not a decision I made lightly as I did consider homeschooling at one time. I asked myself alot of questions as I did my homework of what it would take to homeschool. I noted early on that there is alot of sacrifice that goes into homeschooling and so I commend homeschooling parent(s). I was one of the influences in alot of my friends lives as they all homeschool their children and they have teased me once on why I was all elated about it and then I backed out and put them in school. I too felt a need to be my two kids number one teacher in life and I too wanted to prevent my children from being corrupted as I to have standards and want my children to have Godly influences in their lives too! I also did not want to make that important decision of my children future education out of fear either. I feel strongly on the need for my kidz to learn to stand up for their own faith and be the "salt in the world" as I knew eventually my children will have to re-enter the school system and engage this world for what it is at some point in their lives and I have a strong desire to help them be prepared for life's challenges. I have come to the conclusion that I am my kidz number one teacher and I am a powerful force of influence in their lives! My kidz , now ages 8 and 7, attend a public school system and have been since kindergarden and I am and always will be their number one cheerleader, supporter and teacher. I thank God for my kidz teachers, otherwise, I would have quite the lot on my plate. My son lastyear in grade two has had his first primary introduction to Evolution...he came home to my husband and I, with all the inquiring questions. So you see, I get to answer all his questions and help him to consider what he already knew in his grade two mind that how can this world begin with a big bang...he had the faith of our home instilled in his life already that there is a God and he questioned his instructions he was getting in school. Never underestimate what a child can learn in his home life and still attend school and be effective there too! We are always their number one teacher, whether they are homeschooled or not! To me the big difference is homeschooled children have different social experiences and homeschooling parent(s) have their work of preparation tougher...I only hope if you homeschool you have your support system the days you children are tough to teach or all the other dynamics that parents face in a day and the life of being not just a teacher, but a mother and wife and a sunday school leader or community volunteer etc. Life is busy and homeschooling is serious business and hard work that may be positive and negative effects on your kidz development!
Indeed there is definately more to education then Math, English, Spelling, Science, History! Indeed family and faith is of great priority in life. The basic elements of education is necessary and I hope as homeschoolers you will not underestimate that need for your child to succeed in such subjects. Skills are an asset to life and can be developed if you know what you are doing.
I chose to not homeschool so that I can free my life up to serve more, work part-time (administrative assistant in my home church) and be the learning supporter in my child's life. I suppliment my kidz education from what they get in school and I personally can only do that best if I have one less worry...educating their basics, like reading and writing with a good standard that is measurable and knowledge of the science that only points to the existance of God and giving my children the facts truthfully is my job and they will learn to discern and research and hence such educational tools are important and can be taught with excellent standards in school and homeschooling too, provided you yourself can teach them as there is much to consider, your chemistry teaching ability with your children, your teaching abilities in child development eg. are they at the level your child is ready to take in, does your child have hidden learning disabilities and are you aware of the level of knowledge they must aquire per grade level as you must adequately prepare them for post secondary education that is viable to their standard of living and their ability to choose a career. All that are very important in life too!
Homeschooling is a viable choice I believe in it. It is HARD WORK and you must be prepared to make sacrifices to your personal goals, and gain some teaching techniques as there are creative ways to teaching that are neat too! Public school is a choice and I believe in it too...there are some GREAT teachers out there and my children are blessed to have a new one every year! I am a full participant in their education as research shows strong parental involvement in schools and their children's progress and education creates successful students!
Parents want the best for their children, but what’s the best way to educate them? Dr. Phil’s guests face off in a debate about whether to school, homeschool or unschool. Dana and her husband, Joe, call themselves radical unschoolers. They say education happens as a side effect of life, and they don’t believe in tests, curriculums or grades. Are their three kids learning what they need to know? Then, RaeAnn says public schools are death traps and wants to homeschool her children. Her husband, Steve, says their kids are safer at school than they are at home. Can this couple reach a compromise? Plus, Nicole feels like an outcast at 26. She says she hated being homeschooled, and couldn’t relate to other kids. Share your thoughts here.
