What's so great about homeschooling?

[bear06]

I’m not talking about the forums. I’m talking about homeschooling cliques.
Don’t get me wrong, there are many great things about homeschooling. However, PaulinVA has some valid points that you just can’t blow off. There are many homeschooling families with a “holier-than-thou” attitude and it’s dishonest not to acknowledge that fact.

I can blow it off because I belong to a huge homeschooling support group and the “holier-than-thous” are few and far between. The ones that are “holier-than-thou” are that way with everyone including those who homeschool. I find those people involved with every aspect of my life, not just my homeschooling one. I find them on the softball team, you know, those who believe that anyone who does anything differently from them are wrong. I find it in my church, within my non-homeschooling social group and even on the good, old forums. Heck, I even find it in my family. Usually it’s just in my plain old Catholic groups so maybe Catholocism in general has a superiority complex.

Look at the sampling here. We went 32 post and not one person said anything about those who send their kids to school and then came the “holier than thou” post. We don’t even know each other and this is totally anonymous so it would be quite easy to say “You’re crazy!” if anyone truly felt that way.

I don’t think anyone has said that Paul is wrong for sending his kids to school. If you think that even 1/4 of the homeschoolers would think differently than I think you’d be mistaken. We simply think that there is a problem in the school systems (even many private ones) and this is just one of our reasons for homeschooling. So, if I’m holier-than-thou for that than so be it.

 

[luvmykids]

I can blow it off because I belong to a huge homeschooling support group and the “holier-than-thous” are few and far between. The ones that are “holier-than-thou” are that way with everyone including those who homeschool. I find those people involved with every aspect of my life, not just my homeschooling one. I find them on the softball team, you know, those who believe that anyone who does anything differently from them are wrong. I find it in my church, within my non-homeschooling social group and even on the good, old forums. Heck, I even find it in my family. Usually it’s just in my plain old Catholic groups so maybe Catholocism in general has a superiority complex.

Look at the sampling here. We went 32 post and not one person said anything about those who send their kids to school and then came the “holier than thou” post. We don’t even know each other and this is totally anonymous so it would be quite easy to say “You’re crazy!” if anyone truly felt that way.

I don’t think anyone has said that Paul is wrong for sending his kids to school. If you think that even 1/4 of the homeschoolers would think differently than I think you’d be mistaken. We simply think that there is a problem in the school systems (even many private ones) and this is just one of our reasons for homeschooling. So, if I’m holier-than-thou for that than so be it.

Hey, of course there’s problems in the schools! Did you think that there wouldn’t be problems? There are problems in the Catholic Church! There are problems in people’s homes! There are problems everywhere. We live on earth, not heaven.

I have absolutely nothing wrong with homeschooling, I think it can be a great thing for some people, but for those who are pointing out that there is a holier-than-thou-attitude amongst a lot of homeschoolers, they do have a point. Maybe not in your area, and you are very fortunate to be a part of that group if this is the case, but I have found in the area where I live, not all, but a majority of the ones in the group seem to have at one point or another, given statements of holier-than-thou-ness. This is actually one of the biggest turn offs for me as far as homeschooling my children. I feel that, in trying to protect my children from the poor language or behavior of the kids they go to school with, the alternative would be prideful, not-wanting-to-associate-with-anyone-that-didn’t-agree-with-their-faith, children. Whether or not it is like this elsewhere, I wouldn’t know. I want my children to grow up knowing how to deal with and love all other people, not just like minded ones, and learn how to respond to them in the process.

Now, please don’t take this the wrong way. I am not trying to say that ALL homschoolers are like this. And I know it is also not just inclusive to homeschoolers. This is just my experience in my area. There doesn’t seem to be many other resources for homeschooling as it seems there are in many other areas of the country. I also, am not completely opposed to homeschooling in the future (maybe highschool). That scares me the most!

 

[bear06]

Let me ask you this, do you think the ratio of “holier-than-thou” homeschooling parents is anywhere equal to the children with behavioral issues who go to school or even the ones who just don’t get a good education?

I don’t think I ever said there weren’t problems in homeschooling. In fact, I think I have said that I’ve seen some train wrecks in this area and have run into the “holier-than-thou” types myself. The fact is that problems I’d have homeschooling are way less than the ones that I’d incurr at school. Also, the “holier-than-thou” parents don’t affect my children. If I thought for a moment that they’d turn my kids into “Catholic snobs” we’d steer clear of them too. They can annoy me but I hardly focus on my annoyances when it comes to my children’s Faith, safety and education. I do focus on sex ed. classes, historically innacurate lessons, faulty science lessons, poor english, anti-Catholic sentiments, etc. which my non-homeschooling friends (and yes, I have many) have found.

 

[luvmykids]

Let me ask you this, do you think the ratio of “holier-than-thou” homeschooling parents is anywhere equal to the children with behavioral issues who go to school or even the ones who just don’t get a good education?

I don’t think I ever said there weren’t problems in homeschooling. In fact, I think I have said that I’ve seen some train wrecks in this area and have run into the “holier-than-thou” types myself. The fact is that problems I’d have homeschooling are way less than the ones that I’d incurr at school. Also, the “holier-than-thou” parents don’t affect my children. If I thought for a moment that they’d turn my kids into “Catholic snobs” we’d steer clear of them too. They can annoy me but I hardly focus on my annoyances when it comes to my children’s Faith, safety and education. I do focus on sex ed. classes, historically innacurate lessons, faulty science lessons, poor english, anti-Catholic sentiments, etc. which my non-homeschooling friends (and yes, I have many) have found.

The ratio is probably about the same or more with the homeschoolers in my area. I have not seen many behavioral issues thus far in the school where my son goes. The kids aren’t perfect, but neither are any of the kids that are homeschooled.

I don’t send my children to public school. I would probably homeschool before I did that. Mainly because I would refuse to put my child in an environment where he or she could not express their faith in anything they did, no prayer in daily activities, etc…I want their faith to be a part of their daily activities, ALL day, not just at home.

 

[Renny]

Renny,

I too have been considering homeschooling for quite some time now and may start in the fall. I think school is too easy for my son who is in second grade. He needs more of a challenge and I believe through homeschooling we can achieve that. The school he is at is our parish school and of course one track learning.

Also, I would like to add that today I did playground duty at his parochial school …and boy, did it ever make me realize why I am considering homeschooling. First off, a 1st gr. came to me in tears that some girls were picking on her. Then a KINDERGARTENER boy came to me crying that a GIRL was kicking him. I had no idea who it was but I turned around and caught her in the act of violently (imo) kicking another boy!! How awful!! And these are kindergarteners! They should not be bullying that young, nobody should be, but especially not 5 year olds!!
Then the icing on the cake was when I overheard 3 girls having it out about 5 feet away from me. These girls were in maybe 6 th grade at the most. This is what I saw and heard: Kayley get away from me. You are mean. then the girl “kayley” went to talk to her and the girl’s reply was “Kayley shut the * * * * up!” okay it was a four letter word starting with F. I refuse to type it. Now remember, this is a Catholic school, so it does happen everywhere, not just public. However I stopped the girl and said “excuse me, do we talk like that?” and at that point another mom came to my rescue that knew the girl’s name and said “come with me, we’re going to the office” Needless to say, I don’t agree with kids being so vicious…people say “kids will be kids” but I disagree with that, that is like excusing their bad behavior, ‘Let kids be kids’ is what I say but by that I mean keep them away from the violence that seems to be flocking our schools. It is our job as parents to safe guard our children from harm is it not? By that I mean the cursing, bullying, and whatever else I haven’t seen yet. But we shall see what my husband thinks!!

You’re singing my song here! Just yesterday, my 3rd grade daughter told me that a fellow classmate said to her, “Shut up your a**!” What??!!??
I’m not certain if he even went to the office for this, but I’ll find out!

And then another thing today that is a beautiful testimony to hsing in general (not necessarily Catholic hsing…) I met a young woman who has been hsed all of her schooling experience who just rec’d a FULL scholarship to a prestigous local university! & she is definitely no social misfit, she is poised, confident & super friendly & well spoken. I get excited thinking about the possibilities!! Ren

 

[eliza3b]

Good parents seem to instinctively know that they have a responsibility for their children’s education; I believe that instinct comes from God–who designed *parents *to educate children.

I totally agree with you! And actually, I do homeschool my children in religious education and I love it. I do it simply because I believe it is my responsibility as a parent to give them a formation in the faith. My husband & I are very happy with our children’s academic education outside of the home.

 

[drawnhome]

This is actually one of the biggest turn offs for me as far as homeschooling my children. I feel that, in trying to protect my children from the poor language or behavior of the kids they go to school with, the alternative would be prideful, not-wanting-to-associate-with-anyone-that-didn’t-agree-with-their-faith, children. Whether or not it is like this elsewhere, I wouldn’t know. I want my children to grow up knowing how to deal with and love all other people, not just like minded ones, and learn how to respond to them in the process.

I hope if you ever do consider homeschooling you won’t let those snobby attitudes deter you. It is really about being a family, and I know there are some families that would feel the same way you do about being prideful. Our group is SMALL compared to the more well-known group in the area but it really doesn’t need to be a big group. And really, so many of us have older kids or our kids will be teenagers one day at least, and those of us who have lived through that really don’t like to throw stones at anyone else! I know I don’t! Kids have a way of humbling the most confident parent. It’s really about doing the very best you can in whatever situation you’re in.

Kids in school have the opportunity to be an example and show real leadership skills. Schools need those kids! We all have to be prayerful in making these decisions for our families. Through prayer and heartfelt conversations with our family members, God will show us the way he wants us to go.

God Bless you and all your families.

 

[bear06]

The ratio is probably about the same or more with the homeschoolers in my area. I have not seen many behavioral issues thus far in the school where my son goes. The kids aren’t perfect, but neither are any of the kids that are homeschooled.

I don’t send my children to public school. I would probably homeschool before I did that. Mainly because I would refuse to put my child in an environment where he or she could not express their faith in anything they did, no prayer in daily activities, etc…I want their faith to be a part of their daily activities, ALL day, not just at home.

’

Well, I’d have to say that would be very odd for around here. I just got back from my daughters softball practice with a Christian team (figure it’s way better than what we’d be exposed to in Little League) and I can tell you that the kids that have trouble on that team alone excede that snobby homeschool parents I know. While it’s not nearly as bad as our Little League, I thought we’d see a little more morality out of them. The homeschoolers we hang with, while not snobby, aren’t talking about guys checking out their rears like I just head.

 

[PaulinVA]

Well, sorry, I’ve been gone from the forum for several hours. I was out coaching my Little League team.

I have been thinking about this for several hours, and, for the life of me, I just don’t have anything charitable to say, other than I have certainly learned a lot through this thread.

 

[bear06]

Holy cow! Do I now have a superior attitude because the Little League league around here is unbearably awful? I have many, many friends in Little League (since their daughters all aged out of our nice, family friendly league). They hate it. The language makes them blush, the girls talking about their pregnancy woes in the dugout stuns them and the opposing coaches getting hammered at the team pizza parties is too much and they aren’t even my homeschooling or even Catholic friends! They wish they could go play for the christian school team but they can’t because they don’t homeschool. They’d either have to attend the school or homeschool.

So again, feel free to think of me as a snob. The reality of the school setting is there and I don’t think God wants me to have my kids there

I don’t see why you’d have a problem being charitable. Not one person here has attacked you or those who don’t think God wants them homeschooling…

 

[PaulinVA]

bear06, I really was out coaching my Little League team. 15 -16 year old boys. I couldn’t resist mentioning it after your last comment - you were sort of asking for it.

I am so very sorry that you feel embattled to the point that everywhere you go you see people that are so disturbing to you. From what you describe, I’d be a little taken aback as well.

We must be coming from totally different places. My kids go to one of the best public school systems in the country. My county has one of the highest percentages of adults with bachelors and advanced degrees in the country. My kids have friends from all over the world. Life is good. Sometimes I forget that every place is not like here.

 

[maryjk]

I am so very sorry that you feel embattled to the point that everywhere you go you see people that are so disturbing to you. From what you describe, I’d be a little taken aback as well.

We must be coming from totally different places. My kids go to one of the best public school systems in the country. My county has one of the highest percentages of adults with bachelors and advanced degrees in the country. My kids have friends from all over the world. Life is good. Sometimes I forget that every place is not like here.

That is what you are forgetting. Not every where is like where you are. The people that you know are not the people we know.

The schools here are a joke. I attended, with my son, a middle school event held at the local college. I cannot count the number of times I was almost knocked over. Physically knocked over, I use a cane. The language left a lot to be desired. It burned my ears, I can’t imagine what my son thought. And I can’t even begin to tell you about what the girls wore. It made my son blush. This on top of the rude interruptions during the classes at we attended. And the teachers seemed fine with it.

The home school group that I am part of is a group of women that are very unassuming, humble. They are the most welcoming group I have ever been part of. There are women in my group that have home schooled for ten years or more and there is one that has home schooled for just one year. We have women that home school some and send some to school. They are not “holier than thou” and they don’t come off that way.

But they choose to home school so they must be pretty presumptuous to think they can teach their child.

 

[maryjk]

If someone came to you and said, “I will pay for your children to attend this wonderful Catholic school, I will pay for transportation, the school it true to Catholic teaching.” **What would you do? ** If you would even think about it or consider it, you agree that private school could be a better choice. Not that it IS. Just that it could be.

PaulinVA;

Lets add that the academics are second to none.

What about this? Would you consider it?

 

[monicatholic]

what’s great about homeschooling:
by a 17 year homeschool veteran who has graduated 4 homeschool kids and has 6 more to go:

(to be read aloud, in front of the class, like a ‘what i did on summer vacation’ report)

1. pajamas. can’t say enough about them.
2. having my kids home when my husband is home-- he works odd hours and used to be gone when kids were home and viseversa.
3. knowing what my kids know. learning what my kids love.
4. watching a 5 year old teaching himself to read.
5. watching a 9 year old teaching himself to read.
6. listening to a 12 year explain the difference between a saw-whet owl and a pygmy owl when i didn’t know he knew anything about owls. (see #3) looking it up and seeing he was exactly correct.
7. hearing the hired chemistry tutor exclaim “wow. this Apologia Chemistry text is one of the best texts i’ve ever seen” and also, “he’s doing GREAT!!. he’s so hip to the math already!”
8. seeing our kids enjoy each others company. watching them learn to navigate and negotiate the resources of time, space, privacy etc. seeing them use those same skills in the ‘real world’.
9. watching my social kids knock’em dead in the real world.
10. watching our academic kids knock’em dead in the real world.
11. watching our strugglers begin to find their niche. watching them be at peace with peace. watching them enjoy accomplishment. watching them carry love along with them.
12. believing that, like our family’s nutrition, our education is not the best of the best, rather it is very good, exceptionally good, maybe. and that it is enough because** God doesn’t necessarilly call the qualified, rather HE qualifies the called**.

What’s Not Great About Homeschooling
(written by the same veteran, to be read the same way)

1. the mess
2. having people ask, while you are IN the bowling alley, surrounded by your kids and all their friends, “… uh, yeah, but what do you do for socialization?”
3. homeschoolers who send out lots of email suggesting overthows of government/ local school district/ diocese/ parish/ other homeschoolere/ the world.
4. all the naysayers who not-so-secretly want to see our kids fail. after 17 years of moderate to high success, concluding “yes, but you’re family is different.”
5. being forced to listen to yet another parent explain (?) why they don’t homeschool.

i swear. i didn’t ask.
i doubly swear, i don’t want to overthrow anything more significant than my laundry room. please stop sending me emails.

 

[maryjk]

what’s great about homeschooling:
by a 17 year homeschool veteran who has graduated 4 homeschool kids and has 6 more to go:

(cut to save space)

i swear. i didn’t ask.
i doubly swear, i don’t want to overthrow anything more significant than my laundry room. please stop sending me emails.

Three things.

1. Thanks for the heads up on the Apologia Chemistry. We just started their program for 7th grade and we love it.
2. We love pajamas, too. We also love fireplace fires on those cool, wet days. Kind of like the sprinklers on the first hot day.
3. I so agree :** God doesn’t necessarily call the qualified, rather HE qualifies the called**.

 

[reganq]

what’s great about homeschooling:
by a 17 year homeschool veteran who has graduated 4 homeschool kids and has 6 more to go:

(to be read aloud, in front of the class, like a ‘what i did on summer vacation’ report)

1. pajamas. can’t say enough about them.
2. having my kids home when my husband is home-- he works odd hours and used to be gone when kids were home and viseversa.
3. knowing what my kids know. learning what my kids love.
4. watching a 5 year old teaching himself to read.
5. watching a 9 year old teaching himself to read.
6. listening to a 12 year explain the difference between a saw-whet owl and a pygmy owl when i didn’t know he knew anything about owls. (see #3) looking it up and seeing he was exactly correct.
7. hearing the hired chemistry tutor exclaim “wow. this Apologia Chemistry text is one of the best texts i’ve ever seen” and also, “he’s doing GREAT!!. he’s so hip to the math already!”
8. seeing our kids enjoy each others company. watching them learn to navigate and negotiate the resources of time, space, privacy etc. seeing them use those same skills in the ‘real world’.
9. watching my social kids knock’em dead in the real world.
10. watching our academic kids knock’em dead in the real world.
11. watching our strugglers begin to find their niche. watching them be at peace with peace. watching them enjoy accomplishment. watching them carry love along with them.
12. believing that, like our family’s nutrition, our education is not the best of the best, rather it is very good, exceptionally good, maybe. and that it is enough because** God doesn’t necessarilly call the qualified, rather HE qualifies the called**.

What’s Not Great About Homeschooling
(written by the same veteran, to be read the same way)

1. the mess
2. having people ask, while you are IN the bowling alley, surrounded by your kids and all their friends, “… uh, yeah, but what do you do for socialization?”
3. homeschoolers who send out lots of email suggesting overthows of government/ local school district/ diocese/ parish/ other homeschoolere/ the world.
4. all the naysayers who not-so-secretly want to see our kids fail. after 17 years of moderate to high success, concluding “yes, but you’re family is different.”
5. being forced to listen to yet another parent explain (?) why they don’t homeschool.

i swear. i didn’t ask.
i doubly swear, i don’t want to overthrow anything more significant than my laundry room. please stop sending me emails.

These are great lists! I can’t wait to get started.

 

[gardenswithkids]

… I really was out coaching my Little League team. 15 -16 year old boys…

Okay, Paul I’m kind of joking but I wish to make a point about homeschooling. What makes some parents think they are qualified to teach children to play baseball? I know a lot of parents who coach their kids’ sports, (including my hubby), who have no official degree or training to qualify them to teach young athletes. Now even if you do have a degree in sport education, there are lots of parents out there playing catch and tossing pitches at batting practice who don’t.

Earlier in this thread you questioned the very notion that parents have the ability to teach their children through homeschooling. I bet you coach baseball because you both love your kids and you probably also love the game. Parents who home educate love their kids and usually also enjoy home education. We don’t need a teaching degree anymore than a little league baseball coach needs a teaching degree. Just as very few coaches coach all by themselves, most home educators find the help they need to accomplish the task of educating our children.

 

[bear06]

I love the fact that my eldest was cheering on her little sister when she saw a snake in the field. She quickly identified it (correctly too) and then went and picked it up as if she’d done it all her life. Next she took it over to all of the little girls playing and shared the experience with them and told them everything she new about the snake.

PJs still rank #1 though.

 

[PaulinVA]

Okay, PaulinVA recants and disavows any statements made about home schoolers that they can not adequately teach their children or they are presumptuous in thinking they can. I’m sure you are all doing a fine job.

You do need to work on that attitude, though.

 

[rayne89]

Okay, PaulinVA recants and disavows any statements made about home schoolers that they can not adequately teach their children or they are presumptuous in thinking they can. I’m sure you are all doing a fine job.

You do need to work on that attitude, though.

It’s funny how we see flaws in others we can’t see in ourselves.
God bless you Paul, I’m sure your doing a fine job with your kids as well.