Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

Can I vent for a minute?

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread
Home » Discuss » DU Groups » Home & Family » Homeschooling Group Donate to DU
 
wildeyed Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-26-08 05:13 PM
Original message
Can I vent for a minute?
Why is it that so many people are so mortally offended by the idea of homeschooling. I have decided to homeschool my two kids 5 and 7 next year unless they get into a charter school I have identified as an acceptable alternative to our local elementary. I have done a lot of research on different options, and in our area, with the special needs of our kids and in our budget, homeschooling is the best option right now. And I have a plan for academics, socialization, etc, as well, so I am not rushing into this blind.

So people are beginning to ask about what my plan is for the kids next year. My mom is very uncomfortable with the idea of homeschooling, even though neither I nor my sister succeeded in a traditional school environment. Today I was complaining about something or other related to my daughter, and she busts out with "Well, you know that kids don't like to learn things from their own mom. They are much happier learning from other people." I am thinking, yeah, right, I never learned it from other people either, and you weren't patient enough to do it, so I didn't learn it at all. So I guess we have two layers of issues here. One, my mom sniping at me about parenting decisions and two, my own unresolved childhood issues. Sigh.

Then later in the day my best friend from all the way back in high school calls and asks very specifically about my plans for the kid's school next year. I know she is not overly excited about the homeschool option, so I haven't brought this topic up in a while. So she starts going off about how tired I will be and I will never have time to run errands by myself if I homeschool and I won't be able to work. This from a woman who just gave birth to her fifth on-purpose child with her much older and unsupportive husband. And I haven't worked consistently since we had the second baby, so that is not a huge issue either. So I don't even know what to say to that. I shouldn't give my kids the best educational opportunities I am capable of because I won't be able to go to Costco by myself anymore? Which isn't even true.

I guess I am surprised by the attitudes. This seems like such a logical choice. The research on hs'ing all indicates it is a fine option for many families. So why do people have this visceral anger about it? And personally, it bothers me that people closest to me doubt my parenting. I try hard and usually make good decisions for my kids, even if I am not perfect. If I am wrong about hs'ing, I will find a good schooling option for them one way or another. :shrug:
Refresh | 0 Recommendations Printer Friendly | Permalink | Reply | Top
Kerrytravelers Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Jun-26-08 08:10 PM
Response to Original message
1. I understand you vent.
I am a teacher within a chartered homeschool. Basically, what I do is meet with my students and their families every 20 teaching days and lend them any support they may need. As part of our school, each family has an instructional funding budget in which they can pay for materials and classes. I am in California, which has some of them most lenient homeschooling laws in the nation.

So, from my perspective, I see all kinds of homeschooling families. And honestly, the overwhelming majority are very successful. And the ones that aren't can often see it on their own. I find that homeschooling families are constantly re-evaulating their situation, seeing what works, what isn't working. Part of this stems from self-doubt that is projected on them from others, and part of this stems from their incrediable dedication to their children.

I applaude your desire to homeschool. I could never do it successfully, so I always encourage and appluade those who want to and go for it. It takes an emense amount of dedication.

I'm sure you've done this already, but be sure to get all the necessary paperwork in and make sure all your bases are covered.

If you ever have any questions or want objective suggestions, please feel free to PM me at any time.

:hi:
kt
Printer Friendly | Permalink | Reply | Top
 
wildeyed Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Jun-27-08 06:54 AM
Response to Reply #1
2. Thanks for the support kt.
I am signed up for an intro to hs'ing class at the local hs curriculum store. In addition some info about curriculum, I think they cover state requirements for hs families.

I am in NC, and we have good laws here too. I think you fill out some paper work initially, then once a year do achievement testing, but the state can't force you to quit based on the test scores. Just for parental info. So the requirements are not too onerous.

Other than that, we will take it one day at a time. I expect that there will be a learning curve for me as the primary hs parent. That is true with any new job or activity. But I don't think I will do a whole lot worse than the regular school, and if I do, I can always re-enroll them. So no worries.
Printer Friendly | Permalink | Reply | Top
 
lostnfound Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Jul-01-08 02:12 AM
Response to Original message
3. Trust your own judgment. This is about you and your kids.
Not about you, your mom and your kids. Not about your best friend and your kids.

When my little one was born, the very first thought I had when he was laid down on my chest was "you and me will get through this together".

Your friend may be doing a little "projecting" because perhaps SHE has no time to run errands and SHE is tired. Your mom may be feeling a little defensive in seeing that you are making a bigger investmnet in parenting than she did (or was able to do) herself.

It is a shame that parenting gets made just a little bit harder by all of the doubting Thomases and backseat drivers.
Printer Friendly | Permalink | Reply | Top
 
elleng Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Jul-12-08 09:00 PM
Response to Reply #3
5. Ditto;
trust your judgment; it will carry you through it all.
Printer Friendly | Permalink | Reply | Top
 
Maat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Jul-12-08 08:14 PM
Response to Original message
4. I've homeschooled for a year and a half now ...
and my 11-1/2-year-old is thriving.

Don't listen to the naysayers; what they are telling you is BUNK!

And, I agree with KT up above - what she said.

My daughter and I are having a great time.

I go through a charter school, like KT is talking about above (I'm in Southern California); there is a credentialed teacher to help me out and guide me. It's great.
Printer Friendly | Permalink | Reply | Top
 
funflower Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-29-08 04:29 AM
Response to Original message
6. We've homeschooled for (let's see now....) 7 years, and our kids are happy, curious and motivated.
Edited on Fri Aug-29-08 04:31 AM by funflower
You should see the group of homeschooled pre-teen and young teen girls my daughter hangs around with. Confident, happy, smart, self-directed, nice.... Someone asked my daughter recently whether she knew girls who were on diets. Her reaction said it all: Like, NOooo. Why on earth would they be on diets???

You'll eventually get used to the doubting questions. And then your kids will turn out to be unbelievably fantastic human beings, and they'll start telling you that you're one of those rare people who has the (fill in exemplary quality) smarts/organization/discipline/creativity/patience/money.... to pull off successful homeschooling. It's the rest of us hillbillies who are ruining our kids by denying them the pleasures of the public school system. Then you just smile and say "thanks" and figure it's their loss - or maybe their kids'.
Printer Friendly | Permalink | Reply | Top
 
Maat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Aug-30-08 11:40 PM
Response to Reply #6
7. I hear what you are saying (n/t)!
Printer Friendly | Permalink | Reply | Top
 
DU AdBot (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view 
this author's profile Click to add 
this author to your buddy list Click to add 
this author to your Ignore list Sun Dec 22nd 2024, 03:58 AM
Response to Original message
Advertisements [?]
 Top

Home » Discuss » DU Groups » Home & Family » Homeschooling Group Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators


Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC