Our first year we joined a homeschool group and at the first meeting a lady put down our choice of curriculum. She went on to say what she used and how much better it was. I felt like an idiot at that moment, but a wonderful mom that was there stepped in and started talking to me and helped me out a lot that year. We stopped going to the group because it was so dominated by a couple of ladies. That was when we first started homeschooling our girls. I know now how to handle people's opinions of our choices. Back then I was so afraid of making a mistake and ruining my girls.
Thanks ladies. I don't think either one of these ladies is trying to be condescending. It's just one of those situations where you really should THINK before you speak. Don't hand me the book and say, "That's just not enough," when it's obvious that I think it works. I have another friend who is WAY less structured than me. I love to talk to her, because she restores my faith in doing what works for you. Our HOA has recently started a homeschool group. At the end of August, we had a pool party, and one dad brought his kids. All the moms were discussing curriculum choices for the new year, and the dad said "I don't care what my wife chooses. I ask every few months to make sure the children are ahead of their peers. As long as they are, I'm satisfied." He went on to say he knew his wife did a good job, as she was a degreed teacher. And he even bashed moms who work part time, and whose kids use computer programs. We have 2 in our group that do. I work PT, but it's from home. All the moms were just looking at each other. I certainly hope he doesn't come to many events!
Sixcloar I had a like thing happen with a lady from our Homeschool group to which is why I rarely do anything with them anymore lol. I always have teacher review done at the end of a year and rarely test my children. Not that I don't like testing it is just for my kids at this point they hear the word test and clam right up. (Mind you I pulled my oldest from a public school setting.) Well I still have elementary age children and she flipped informed me that I needed to test my kids, put them in more of a "school setting" at home, and if I didn't do that when it comes to college they will fail because they didn't have the practice. Well after standing there completely gob smacked I said politely that it was great that that type of setting worked for her children and I am glad that they are doing well with that. She must have seen that as an open invite to proceed further with these are the curriculum choices that you need to make for your children to be successful. With the undertone that anything else was inferior. Needless to say I no longer talk to her. I no longer share any information with her. And my contact with the group as a whole is limited to if there is something I think will improve my kids they join. If not well we will do something fun instead lol.
Well, I do think it is important to realize that these women are probably just as insecure about thier choices...we all feel like that, what if I picked the WRONG thing and have now relegated my child to being a FAILURE...but what I am really worried about is that I am a failure. So, take it with a grain of salt. I like curriculums that many of my friends do not...and I don't like some of the things they use...so of course now I don't allow my children to play with those people. no really, we discuss what we like/dislike about our choices and sometimes if we are dealing with the same sort of issues with kids...like I seem to make much better choices with ds the elder than the younger, then we can say..."oh, little Johnny was having that trouble and this is what worked for us." That being said, as people do take comments personally, I might have to watch what I say closer...I was bagging on MOH at the last get together...It just didn't work for us, I didn't mean anything by it.
You guys, only 90-99%? Where are the 100%'s people?!!! Now, if you all used the curriculum I use.......................wait, I don't use one set curriculum. Hmmm, well, if you did things MY way.......well, that varies. Ummmm, well, huh! (I think it's funny when people can't truly refute what we're doing so they end up with the "Ummm, well, huh" comment! My kids do well on the Standardized Tests as well, and I use a variety of things. I've never understood why people think there is only one way to do things right...their way! Take Jackie, for example. Why, she actually thought she could teach Grammar without using Rod & Staff! Can you believe it?! NOW she's finally seen the light, and look how well her Faythe is doing! :lol: (Actually, my dd needed a break, so we're not doing R&S this year ) I like this joking way of dealing with it!
You are NOT using R&S this year?!?! Well, there goes that 100% test score in Language! You know she'll never get into a "good" college now, and it will be ALL YOUR FAULT!!! Do you REALLY want that for her? You better switch back RIGHT NOW, and hope the damage can be reversed!!!
You ladies are great! I have no idea how my kids would score on standardized tests. I did them once with my oldest 2 when we were in TN. DS scored above 90% in all but math, which has never been his strong point. He did fall in the average range in math. (I am SOOOOO thankful for TT this year!!!) DD scored in the perfect average range (uh-oh), but she has a witten language disorder as well as a visual perception deficit. I was happy for the average scores with her!
LOL at all of the responses, guys! Six, you said that you didn't think these two *meant* to sound judgemental but just failed to think before they speak (which I do frequently, LOL). Perhaps what they meant was "it isn't enough FOR ME" not in terms of you not doing enough? I put together my own curriculum, and while I know that I know what is best for my kids, some days I get very "am I ruining my kids education?! AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!". When my OCD friend comes along and makes some comment about the superiority of her curric and how it's the only way, I get extra neurotic. Frankly, in this particular friend, I've come to realize that, although she's a very sweet and giving person, she seems to think that everything she does is "best" and how we should all do it, and if we don't she tries to persuade us. I've had to learn to shake off basically everything she says about everything from HSing to church to H1N1, since it doesn't work for my family. I read an excellent talk in my church magazine once about how we can only be offended if we let ourselves. I know what a great talk it is because I have to re-read it about once a month.
Oh My Stars ladies I can't believe your children are only getting 90 % wow, My girls wow are perfect. Now if you all would use my choices you all would have perfect children like mine.LOL Jackie, what are you doing to your children? Deena, no R&S this year, poor girl will never make it to college. Mamabear, what only 90% and they hired you to work in a ps I don't know about that. LOL just picking. All the children are doing fine. We all have to remember each children learns and does things differently, (man I found that out with just 2 children). Pam, don't worry what those ladies say, if they say anything to you again. Say, hay thats the joys of homeschool, we all get to use what is fits for our children. Some children need alot of book work others don't. Some love alot of book work others don't. I do hope that homeschool dad stays away too. Doesn't sound like he is going to make to many friends. Or maybe you all need to step in and set him straight and say, hay there are many ways to homeschool a child and we have to do what we feel is best for our family and child. Pam, your children are doing great and loving what you do with them. You are a great teacher. Just think they could be in school with Jackie or Deena and not learning much because they don't do R & S this year. See your kids are ahead already. Keep up the good work.
I always tell new homeschoolers, friends and even my children, that two families could use the EXACT same resources and still homeschool completely differently. We use quite an eclectic mix even between my 3 kids and I know that who we use it isn't how some would do it. That's the beauty of homeschooling...that we can use them EXACTLY how it works best for us Rhonda
