Homeschool! Freedom! Great family bonding!

• POLL: Home School vs. Charter School vs. Public School vs. Priv ate School... - Teacher's Pet
  • Home Schooling - Deane Fowler
    • Virtual School - April
  • It depends. In the inner city, I'd say private school. - Suburban/rural areas, public school
  • Private School here for mine. - OPgal
  • Private Christian school is where my kids go. - Very small. Wouldn't have them anywhere else.
  • Homeschooling is the best - IndianaMT
  • The cost of running a private school or any school is expensive.... - tia
  • We are going to public in the Fall after 3 years at private - sm - Laura E.
  • Homeschool sm - me
  • I tried homeschooling - KB
  • My son is currently in 5th grade. sm - Public School
  • Homeschool! Freedom! Great family bonding! - SlowBoat
  • I am using public and private schools - sm

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Pros:  Wonderful bonding.    Flexible schedules.  We "do" school on our time frame, no getting up at 5:30 a.m. to get the kids ready for school.  We can take vacations whenever we want.  My children have thrived.  My oldest was in public school for 3-1/2 years, nearly destroyed not only his love of learning but his spirit.  My children have had time to explore their own interests in detail.  For us homeschooling is not what we do, it is a way of life.  We do everything together - grocery shopping, doctor visits, yard work, cook, etc. 

Depending on the laws in your state you can teach whatever you want, however you want.  What works for me might not work for you and that is okay.  It does take some trial and error though to find what works. 

Unless you live in a very rural area there are lots of support groups with field trips, park days, activity days, etc.   Most people think socialization is an issue, can't figure that one out though.  Our kids participate in community sports, scouting, play with kids in the neighborhood, plus in my area we have a weekly activity day during the school year, we have park days throughout the year, we have at least monthly field trips, the Y caters to homeschoolers with all kinds of classes, we visit nursing homes and do a lot of socializing with young and old. 

You don't have to worry about bullies, you don't have to worry about someone bringing a gun to school, you don't have to worry about having a school lock down while they bring in the drug sniffing dogs.

No one loves your child more than you and while there are some good schools and some good teachers, you can still do better.  It is not written in stone either that if you homeschool you can't later put them in public/private school. 

CONS:  It is hard work, especially if you work FT on top of it.   If you've ever had a child in school you may be like a lot of us who have a public school mentality and think you have to mimic the school situation, where you do every subject every day for 7 hours a day and it just isn't so.   If you're child helps you cook that is life skills, not only learning to cook but learning math by measuring.   You'll probably get lots of flack, especially about the "S" word as we call it (socialization), you're raising a momma's boy or a sissie, someone who will never be able to do for themselves, you're kid needs to learn the hard knocks of life. 

It is tougher beginning at such a late grade, but it can be done.  I started my son in 9th grade 9 years ago, so obviously I know a little bit about it.  I also had a great friend who homeschooled her high school kids, so she could get me started with a lot of support and encouragement.  Be sure you're ready to be with this child 24/7, because that's pretty much how it will feel.  We did have problems with the school but tried every avenue to solve them before saying, "We don't need to put up with this, we do have a choice," when the school counselor said that we didn't have a choice.  They thought they ruled my son's world;  they were WRONG.  I AM HIS PARENT, I believe I do have his best interests in mind when making choices for him.  We are a Christian family, so it was easy to start by investigating Abeka Books for materials;  bear in mind you'll have to buy all your own materials, nobody helps with that.  My son now has his degree and is IT manager at a bank, looking to make VP. 

You'll need to check out the homeschooling laws for your state, they vary.  Just do an internet search for homeschooling laws for your state.  Check around for homeschool groups, there are several out there.  But, the biggest thing is just to make sure that you and your child are committed to working together to do this.  It does take a lot of commitment and communication to do this and do it right.  BEST of luck to you whatever your choice.

So, PFFFT to the person who says kids need to be in school.  I know better and obvious hundreds or thousands of others do too.

tired of the "S" word.  I think most people feel like we keep them locked in the house all day, doing school for 8 hours a day.  They are community sports teams, the kids in the neighborhood, homeschool activities, park days, church, etc.   There are some families who isolate themselves, but the majority do not.   My kids are extremely social and on weekends we have a line at the door wanting them to come out and play.   I told DH we needed to put up a sign on the door that they aren't here so kids will stop knocking.    Not only are my kids very social, but they are as comfortable with someone 65 as they are with their own peers.  My oldest DS has kids 5 to 6 years younger wanting him to come play because he plays so well with them and they look up to him. 

Kids don't have much time to socialize in the public school setting and the socialization isn't always positive. 

constitution.  I once had a supervisor tell me he knew that his secretary and I had been talking about him, and he would terminate me if I ever talked to ANYONE about him again.   I actually laughed in his face (and never got terminated). 

This is really stupid that anyone or any company thinks they have the right to control what people can and cannot talk about.  Now, company information that can be damaging if disclosed is another issue.  However, salary info doesn't fall into that category.  It falls under the "How much do you make, because I want to be sure I'm getting a fair deal" category.   

Do they have SE and employee status or just employee? TIA!

for the most part are just  normal people, some do it for religious reasons, some do it because they have a special needs child whose needs aren't met in the public school system, some do it due to medical issues.    There are extremists in every segment of society, homeschoolers are no exception.   This is a very sad situation and I knew that the homeschooling issue would be picked up on and picked to pieces.   It is funny hearing all the news people trying to figure out how these 2 could have possibly met since they were homeschooled.   Unfortunately there is a lot of ignorance out there and people are quick to condemn that that they know nothing about. 

Since this has been on every news channel the past 48 hours I'm really surprised it has taken someone this long to post the comment you did. 

If anyone works for them, has worked for them or has any info (pay, flexibility, good to work for, equipment, etc.) I would appreciate it.   Thanks!

I have often said that if I met some of my family on the street and were not related often wonder if I would "like them" let alone "love them"  but because they are family we are obligated to instantly "love them."  Sorry to me blood is not thicker than water and my friends and part of my family are very dear to me and I would do anything for them as it has been a two way street with friendship and love.  Lover your parents though and do anything you can for them. 

Patti