I do want to say that I do agree with the points made about socialization as far as mmm....I'm not sure what I'm trying to say. I guess the more "social" aspects--manners, morals, etc. I just think that to say that all ps kids are required to sit at a desk and not talk all day is the same as saying that all hs kids have to sit at home all the time.
My take on the whole socialization thing is this. Put a room full of ps kids of the same age or grade level and then put a room full of hs kids different age and grade level and see who interacts better. 9/10 times it will be the hs kids. Why because they are use to dealing with adults and other children. I remember my youngest being in church and one church member was talking to her. I guess our family is interesting because we are the only hs'ers in our church. Anyways my youngest was being "talked down too" like a little kid. Mind you she is 5. She was being asked questions like what grade are you in now, what do you do for fun, did you do work over the summer so on. I was just about ready to step into the conversation when my little smarty pants chimed up and informed her interrogator that she does anything and everything any other kid would do "mommy does so much with me" was her ending comment to that. When it came to the grade question she announced that right now I am in kindergarten but mommy does some first grade stuff with me as well. "I am always trying something new"! And to the do you work in the summer question she informed that she works all the time that everything she does she learn something from, but she didn't like dusting lol. So this is my point. I am raising and teaching kids that can work and function in a social world but yet still uphold our moral values. I don't think the social aspect is the real underlying question. I personally believe is what are you doing, how do you do it and instead of asking and not condemning until you know facts you would rather let ignorance take over and fear what you don't understand. Just my thoughts.
Well it was jury duty, the odds are the defendant was ps'd so perhaps the structured environment to prepare them for is prison?? okay cheey and unfair but outside of that no where else in teh real world is. lol
This is one thing that has bothered me. The reaction of my family. Keep in mind that I live in GA and my family is in MI and my sister is in UT. When I first told my mom, she wasn't supportive at all. She made the whole "socialization" comment to me. I explained our views...and got upset with her. Then the next conversation she starts in on the whole thing again, so I purposefully changed the subject. Then spoke with her on Monday...and it comes up again. I guess she assumes that we would have changed our minds. She thinks I am gonna ruin HER grandkids. <rolling eyes> I also have heard the whole, I need to consider that I need time for myself, and that I wasn't going to be able to handle it. <roll eyes> I admit, I am going to have some adjusting to do. Since this is my first year with it. And Dr.Russ and I are taking the hard route and building our own curriculum, and lesson plans. But, I know he is qualified to do that!!! But, what I don't like is having to explain to my family and get defensive over what they say to me constantly! It's irritating! We are doing this for the kids...and while we do have some concerns, and know that this is an adjustment, we also know that we have approached parenting with showing the kids that learning starts at home. I realize that my family is saying these things as they are ignorant of what hsing is. And, I also realize that I have a unique way of looking at things...as if I don't understand something, I am gonna figure it out so I don't make the same mistakes as them and because I want to understand. But, I do happen to have the love and support of my husband, and I do have some great kids, and some great friends. I think that people should understand before they try to pass their thoughts on you like it is law. Diana
I believe public schools do teach socialization but not the kind I want my child learning. When people talk about my child learning to deal with conflict, I cringe. My child does not have to be beaten up or locked in the bathroom or shot at to know that this is wrong behavior. Same as a wife does not have to be beat to know that spousal abuse is wrong. Unlike homeschools, public schools do not teach children to live in a real world with people of all ages and beliefs. The perfect example, our children are not able to share about Christ or be taught Christianity. The public school pushes for an exceptance of what they believe but forget that everyone is unique. Many homeschool children are able to carry on a conversation with people of all ages and experience the everyday life that public school children miss as they are behind a gated institution. I think this is isolation. Granted, it works for the system because they have so many children for so few teachers. But again, this isn't okay for my child. I want her to grow in her talents and gifts. She couldn't take painting lessons or do ballet if she was in ps because it would have to be done after school which would take more time away from the family and I am a huge fan of the family. It is what is missing in our culture today. Patty
I have noticed this summer that children who are used to "going" to school don't know what to do when they are home for a whole day... I like having the opportunity to teach contentment, and creativeness...
Of course it is. . .but it's equally dumb to say that you have to prepare kids to 'socialize' in a structured environment.
I agree. I was more commenting on some posts I have read (not in this thread that I can remember!) about ps kids sitting in their desks all day. Does that happen sometimes? Probably. But is it the case in most classrooms? No.
I don't let other peoples opinions bother me. I can point to results and they speak for themselves. One thing I've noticed is that it seems that women get substantially more grief from people that don't get the homeschool movement than I do. Do your husbands catch flak from coworkers, associates, etc? Are any of you from around the Dallas Fort Worth area?
My dh has been asked the "S" word question reguarding homeschooling our children. I agree that results speak for themselves.
It is strange because we had not mentioned anything about it to dh's co-workers and they started asking if we were going to hs. Maybe I give off vibes? :lol: But another guy in his office is thinking about doing it, too, and he has not received any negative comments. I think one time someone did say something about ds maybe going to something more organized (they didn't say it in a negative way) and he just responded that we did tons of stuff here at home and he was always busy going places and doing things and that was organized enough. He's only 3. How much organization does a 3 year old need?
Hmmm. Interesting point, Dichotomy. I don't think DH has ever caught a comment like the ones I have. Perhaps it's because women are more likely to butt into other people's business and less likely to do so to men? I don't know... just guessing.
I live north of Houston. Actually my husband get no flack whatsoever from anyone except our neighbors who happen to be horrible parents and we both get flack from them. Like we would take parenting advice from them! HA! Other than that he has never told me that anyone of his friends or business associates have ever said anything negative. His best friend was actually a little concerned at first and he asked us a lot of questions but not in a negative way and he is fully supportive. I haven't heard a negative comment in a very long time - except for the neighbors and we have distanced ourselves from them a great deal.
Nope, my husband doesn't get any flak from co-workers. Helps that he works with his friends! But any comment the he gets is pretty positive. And since we hang with his co-workers, they know our two kids. And we always hear how smart they are. Of course, I am biased! But, one friend of ours in particular gives high compliments on us hsing, and he and his wife don't have kids and they love ours. I take it as a high compliment!! Like I said before, I mainly get flak from my family! Diana
My family gave me some grief at first because they all work or worked at the local high schools in one capacity or another. I shut them up pretty quick when I said 'remember all those horror stories you told me about how schools are not safe anymore? That factored into my decision'.
Yes, my husband has received an earful a time or two. He is open to questions because he is a strong advocate for homeschooling. Some people do not understand and some people like the idea. He said the question that comes up every time is the socialization question. Patty
My husband doesn't care anyway. He is so laid back and he just doens't care what someone else thinks about decisions we make for our family. He totally thinks hs'ing is the best thing for our family and he will quickly tell you if you ask that we hs. But if you have a negative reaction it isn't a big deal. "You do your thing and we do ours way" of thinking.
First...we all know that socialization thing is a myth...so whatever...morons...as Tiffany said. lol. Secondly, my dh gets no flack at work...his boss also homeschools his kids. lol.
