Topic : 11/24 Great School Debate

I find it interesting that Susan B. Anthony is mentioned.  She was a pioneer, loud voice, and champion of women's rights and freedoms which in her day many people thought were completely unthinkable and outrageous.  I see the same thing happening with regard to how people choose their schooling.  There are many forms of schooling and child rearing that many  people simply cannot wrap their minds around, much like the idea of women having the gumption to be qualified in many areas of life was unthinkable in Susan B. Anthony's day.

Regarding drugs: Unschooled children encounter being offered drugs, just like public schooled children.  Drugs are everywhere.  While my children have not yet been in a position where they need to say "no", neither have many of my friend's public school children.  Whether they hear it from a teacher, a parent, a bus driver, a fellow student, they will still absorb the knowledge and utilize it "by experience" when the bridge needs to be crossed.  For some that bridge is reached sooner than others. (Some people's parents are users of alcohol and drugs for instance).

My daughter has already held a job (at age 10) and both kids help out in the family business.  I'm of the mindet that our work should be our play, and the day MY job is no longer fun is the day I retire.  I want my kids to follow their passions so that when they enter the workforce, they are eager to go to work, because work is fun!  Not all work has to be drudgery.

 

I was unable to see the show, but read it on this site. I am curious about the girl who had such a bad experience as well as interested in the research that Dr Phil referenced about middle schoolers. Anyone know where I can get that research info?

 

In all settings you can have both a good and/or a bad experience. Some people attend the same school but walk away with totally opposite feelings toward the experience-ie the poopular 'jock' vs the not so handsome 'nerd', the 'brain' vs the ADD kid.  Why do some people think that only one way can be right? I have both a child in public school and I homeschool my 3 other children. I have seen both the good and the bad of both worlds, however the public school system tends to have more negatives. I refuse to engage in bashing of schooling choice.

 

Those I meet and know who homeschool do not take their job lightly or naively. It is a financial sacrifce for most, and being with your or any child 24/7 can be trying. But for those who feel it is what they are to be doing, it is a journey that shouldn't be missed (and for our family one that has been filled with unexpected blessings). Besides who cares more about my child's education than me?

Likewise, and I agree!.

I don't think it is strange at all.

 

I just finished reading Jimmy Carter's book Our Endangered Values and he said practically the same thing about evolution. I think a lot of Christians believe in evolution. Our voices are just drowned out by those who insist evolution is a tool of Satan.

(grin) Welcome to the mutual admiration society.
 

Well homeschoolers can always homeschool their grandkids ;>)

 

As a taxpayer I work for change in the public school system.

 

As a parent I choose to homeschool because it is the best educational choice for my children.

 

I have noticed that those who demand parents leave their kids in public schools for the good of society tend to either be childless or they are able to live in high end neighborhoods with good school districts. It's awfully easy to condemn people for not doing things for the good of society when it doesn't affect you or your family. Also what possible benefit is it to society to leave a child in a public school that is failing him just so society can say he received a public education? Isn't it far better to homeschool your child and give him the skills necessary to get into college, have a successful career etc. ?

 

As for peer pressure. What is it with you anti-homeschooling people, you don't seem to have a clue that homeschooled kids interact with public school kids all the time. Our kids go to the mall, they play with kids in their neighborhood (and yes public school kids live in our neighborhood), they chat on-line with their friends, and homeschooled teens often work after school and their co-workers are often public school kids.

My kids play with their public-schooled neighbors every day.  My son (age 8) has his best friend who is 13 and in public school.  My son also attended a sleepaway camp for skateboarders and the camp had very little structure and all ages were cominging from age 7-19.  Definitely not sheltered and definitely learned to say no.

 

I support my children's right to educate their children as they choose.  I want my children to be able to think outside of the box of conformity, and to care more about the world than about getting an A on a project.  I think this world needs MORE independent thinkers and less apathy. 

 

When a child is told all day what to do, what to think, where to be and has no choice but to comply, I think this takes a lot of true initiative, creativity, and independent thought right out of a kid.  It's demoralizing.  I see a lot of the public schooled kids in my town just biding their time until they're free, until they're 18.  Life begins at 18 for most of these young people.  That, to me, is sad.

As for my 10th Grade English Class - what 10th grader is going to rat out a public school teacher that is letting him/her do whatever they want?

 

I was having FUN, I had plenty of class time to chat with my friends and socialize. It wasn't until 11th grade that I realized that skipping a whole year of English left me behind. Of course since I was an honors student and self motivated I caught up on my own.

I know the show is only an hour long, but many valid points are left out of his homeschool discussions.

 

One woman did point out the unnatural socialization of putting 30 same-age children together in a room. But that point was left untouched. Since socialization seems to be the major "problem" as far as schoolers go, this point needs to be addressed. Why don't we talk about what happens when that many children spend all day together with very little supervision? Why don't we admit that the pecking order takes place, bullying/bullied is enivitable, no matter how well or poorly the children are raised at home?

 

How about the moral/religious topic? Why do I want my children to spend most of their waking hours with a teacher who doesn't necessarily believe in the same moral or religious code as we do?

 

How about the wasted time in school where children have to wait in line for food, water, to use the restroom, etc.? Why can homeschooled children learn more in half the time? I am sure the counter point to that is if my children don't have to wait in line at school, they won't be able to do it in the real world. LOL

 

Someone stated that they are concerned because homeschooled children grow up to become part of society and will have a say in the public policy, health care, etc. Why didn't someone point out that our current policies need to be changed anyway? Do we think the schooled policy makers of today are making the best decisions for all of us? I am ready for change!

 

The 26 year old who laments missing out on prom, etc. I went to public school my entire life and guess what? I never went to prom. And I don't regret it. As adults we can look back at our life and embrace regret or make the best out of what we've received. This is personality, not homeschooling vs public schooling.

 

Finally, who decides what rites of passage our children should embrace? As a society we are more concerned with prom and senior trips than we are about our children's moral upbringing. That is just sad. I am more worried about the man who said he doesn't want his children missing out on their first teacher crush than my children being homeschooled.

 

I got my teaching degree in 1993, and after teaching middle school for two years I decided that I would homeschool my children one day. If everyone knew how easy it was to get a teaching degree, they would realize that ALL parents who aren't on drugs or have low IQ are capable of teaching their own kids. Dr. Phil needs to get teachers off that pedestal in his mind. I do have to say that just as kids thrive or not in public school, the same goes for homeschooling/unschooling. If we are as unattentive to our children at home as the teacher is to each of her 20-30 students, we will miss the signals our children send us on a daily basis. All it takes is listening, and we can make the decisions that are best for our children. No matter what type of schooling you are practicing, LISTEN DAILY and engage in conversation on a regular basis. Mine are 5 and 4 and they speak volumes about daily experiences. Imagine what older children have to say!