Wednesday, May 7, 2008
To Homeschool or not to homeschool!
That is the big question going on right now in our house. I have been thinking about this a lot lately as our oldest will be going into kindergarten in the fall. I really want to be part of a co-op that meets once a week that way she can get the social interaction that she really needs. The area we live in though doesn't seem to have that many options. So then I go back and forth again between public or homeschool. Today though I just found out that our state is considering taking away the option of homeschool!!! What!? I couldn't believe it! This statement alone makes me want to do homeschool just so I can fight for the right to make my own choices for my children being a parent! The state wants to take over my right as a parent and I am not o.k. with that!!! Do they stay up at night with my kids when they are sick? How about potty training? When they scrape their knee does the state offer them their favorite Barbie sticker and give them a hug and kiss to make it feel better? I don't think so! Now I know that there are kids who don't have as nice of a family situation that might need help, but I just don't think that it's right to take away the rights of everyone because of those situations. Am I wrong in thinking this? O.k. I guess I just needed to vent! Sorry for those of you who were suckered into reading this! Leave a response if you feel as strongly as I do so maybe I can have some sense of comfort and if you don't feel the same let me know too. Maybe I am just being silly, but I feel my rights as a parent are slowly slipping away. That's all for now!
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8 comments:
I totally agree with you... and YES, I LOVE online school! I can't say it with any more emphasis. M&M are learning soooo much more than they did in the public school- did you know that there's more to history than Martin Luther King Jr? Wow- we do now! This year (6 months), we have learned about kings, queens, inventors, and countries all over the world. As well as fun facts that they wouldn't have learned about in our local elementary. Now, granted we are using the "K12" curriculum, but I really don't think I would ever go back to a brick and mortar school- ever... well maybe college. :)
Good luck on your decision!
Wow! This is definately a debatable topic. I don't really know what to say because I can see both sides, but in the end you are ultimately right: Why do the states think that they can control and/or take over the rights of the parents? i don't agree with that for sure..like if I want my child to stay home from school because i just want them to, I don't want to have to lie and say that they are sick,etc. I graduated in Elementary Education, but I don't know if I am ready to teach Livi by myself. Wow, that sounds stupid, but I don't know if I could teach her everything she needs to know, what if in the end it wasn't good enough, then I am the only one to blame...but by sending them to public school, at least I can blame someone else, right?!? ;) Haha, just kidding. It is something to think about though. Thanks for bringing it up! I am glad that Livi's birthday is late and she won't be going into K until next year.
BTW, I want to invite you to one of my other blogs: Rants 'N Raves. this would be a PERFECT topic to put on there..are you interested? I need your email address..
You go girl!!! Seriously I totally agree with you.
Well that is an interesting thought. Your kids must not be as crazy as mine are. There is no way in the world I could home school my kids. It's taken me almost a year to get Noah to learn his letters from me. He learns better from other people. Well he listens to them better. I don't really look at it as the state taking away your rights. It's public school you have to take the good with the bad. They have to make sure that everyone is taken care of. Let's face it not everyone has as good of a home life as you guys. Should the child that doesn't have good parents be left out because he can't pass all the standardized tests? No he shouldn't and that is where the state has to step in. If you ask me the whole education system is messed up and I could go on forever. Especially with the standards set for Kindergarten. I guess that is what you get for public school and the no child left behind act. They have to account for everyone. So yeah sometimes it's not fair to the good, but what are you going to do?
If you're thinking of homeschooling, then you're probably meant to homeschool! There are so many resources and ways to homeschool that you can't go wrong. Your God-given right entitles you to direct the education of your children, and your stewardship as a parent entitles you to the inspiration to know how! Allowing the government to determine the standard by which you raise or educate your children encourages socialism and communism. And as far as your qualifications--you know them better and love them better and that qualifies you! Children only need 50 hours of instructional learning before they become self-learners. If children show disinterest in learning, then school has stamped it out of them. Learning in the home can ignite natural curiosities, improve self-esteem, encourage greater concentration, and a number of other things. And if parents think they can't be around their children all day, then they haven't experienced the joy that comes from watching their children learn and grow! Oftentimes behavior problems are improved in homeschooling because they aren't competing with others, or being constantly entertained or eating a lot of junk. They begin to explore more, learn more, and love more. It adds an element of joy to family life that makes it all worth it!
I found your blog through Jane and Bob-love them. I've homeschooled 4 children 7 + years and love it. Agree with the sentiments about K12. We used that for the last 4 years. It's a great way to step into homeschooling. You'll love it and find the organization to be so helpful. The reasons you stated for thinking about homeschooling are so valid. I recently came across a blog that has given me enormous amounts of courage...Trust the children. I highly recommend you spend some time perusing the archives over there. I've loved it. Good luck with your decision. If you have any questions-I can help.
Sincerely,
Chari Bennett
)Jane knows how to find me :)
So, I'm nervous to add my comment here. Homeschooling - especially for preschool - is really popular here and a sensitive topic. I believe we have the "right" to decide how to educate our kids, but I think there are awesome benefits to traditional classrooms. The biggest thing for me is exposing my children to different people, viewpoints, and adults. I had some teachers who greatly impacted my life in positive ways and who's words encouraged me to go home and ask my parents what they thought. I also want my children educated by individuals who have degrees in education and child development. I actually have a lot of other thoughts, but I'll save them.
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