My husband and I have decided to home school our children because we do not feel that the public education systems are very good these days. When we were in public school the teachers spent more time trying to control and disipline the class or individual students then they spent teaching. I also feel that the public school system is too focused on passing standardized tests then on real education. And it seems to be getting worse as the years go on. (I have a 13 yr old sister in the public education system and I am appalled at her reading/writing skills!) My husband and I feel that education is important and we want them to have good and strong educations, as they are already very bright children and at three years old, my twins can already spell a few words. Since there are four of them, we're not very concerned about their social skills. My kids have great social skills already, and besides, the husband and I decided we are going to get them involved in other activities that they show interest in (such as music or sports or art) outside of a school setting so they can make other friends and explore their interets. We also live in a neighborhood with lots of families who have young children as well.

However, my mother is so ANTI home school that she says it borders on child neglect and that parents who home school are lazy and bad parents. Yet, she always comments on how smart my children are and she's amazed by how much they know. And I ask her where she thinks they learn everything from? She quickly changes the subject and gets angry if I tell her it's because I'm already home schooling them on a pre school level. She's convinced that public school is the best way to go and I'm horrible for thinking otherwise.

So my question is - for those who home school, AND for those in the public school system to share your thoughts and experiences and how you think it's positively or negatively effected your children? Or if you are a child who has been home schooled/public schooled - your thoughts are welcome too.

I'm just looking for outside input to share with my mother because this is an issue she and I both get very heated about.

Thanks!

*EDIT* My kids already have Florida Prepaid set up so they can go to college when the time comes for that and my husband and I agree that we both feel college is important to their continued education so they can have good careers when they become adults.

ruizhouse77

I haven't read ALL the comments, but it seems that a lot of people have given you a ton of info (some good and encouraging, others, just ignorance). But, one point that I believe that wasn't touched on and is REALLY the heart of your question is your MOTHER.

Her anger about you homeschooling your children is because she feels it is a backlash to her own parenting to you when you were a child. She sent you to public schools. She believed that she did a great job raising you. If you do not do the same as her, she takes offense, because TO HER you have said, "mom, I believe I can do it better.". Sooooooooooooo, let her know that you home schooling has NOTHING to do with the choice SHE made as a mother.

It is unfortunately a very HUMAN response to feel that everything and everyone should be the same-- call it jealousy, socialism-- whatever. Just reassure her that you raising your kids differently (ie. homeschooling) does not mean that you think what SHE CHOSE for you was wrong.

Best of Everything to you and yours!

De Maria

That isn't necessarily true. No man is an island and by extension no family is an island either. There is such a thing as homeschool cooperatives. You would be surprised at how many skills ordinary people possess. Other homeschooling families are a rich resource into which we tap. We have homeschool cooperatives where parents and children with special skills share them with other parents and students.

In addition, although there are certainly many good and even some great teachers in public school, the law of probability dictates that most will be mediocre and some just plain bad. And we see that proved with the mediocre level of education which most children are receiving in Public Schools.

The results are clear, homeschooling is far superior in educating children to any other form of education.


And I agree with the gist of what you are saying. But for me, there is another benefit of homeschooling which outweighs them all. I get to teach my children my faith.

Unfortunately in Public School, they forbid religion. And my children's presence there for the better part of the day would severely reduce the time which I had to teach by example and by organized lessons our Faith.

But you are correct. Homeschooling is not for everyone. It takes discipline.

Sincerely,

De Maria

double dutch

children are going to be influenced either way, homeschool or public. i have children in public school and homeschool. i homeschool for different reasons other than peer influences, though that is a good place to start if you are looking for reasons. but the sad truth of the matter is, you can't stop your children from being influenced, you can only teach them how to handle the madness...what to stay away from and what to accept.

you make the choice.

DoulaLC

>>>>The results are clear, homeschooling is far superior in educating children to any other form of education.

When done well, the results truly are wonderful....as it would be expected when you have one on one, or small group, instruction throughout the day. When not done well, the results are truly unfortunate.