just to vent... anyone here ever get the "recommendation" that you should put your kids in school for financial purposes? ex: you need to plan better for your retirement, you should be working during the day.(even though it was said with the nicest intentions.) We have made a choice to sacrifice a few perks in life so we could homeschool. it just is sometimes frustrating...guess you cant please everyone. :roll:
I have experienced non-family individuals make statements like that. I tell them that between the better prospects of my kids getting into college and being successful, and the brain-washing they are receiving, that I have no intention of working past their college graduations.
No I haven't got that one yet. That's kinda crazy. By staying home and hs'ing I am investing in the future of my children. The future of my bank account is less important to me. My immediate family is supportive but I try to stay as far away as possible from any extended family. They are all nuts anyway.
oh I hear all kinds of things you wouldn't believe it. Do you want to have more things. then put the girls in school and work. What do they think I do, sleep all day.
No, both sides of my family consider women at home very important. You might want to explain that most of the "extra income" a woman makes goes toward her maintaining the job. Example: nicer clothes, day care, eating out, gifts for people in the office, gas, etc.
So far everyone has been supportive of our decision to homeschool next year. My Grandmother was really excited about it. We haven't told my husbands family yet. I'm sure they will support it but if they don't oh well. It's a decision I made for my family and God is the basis of the decision. And that's all that matters. God is the center of it so It will all work out. Angela
I agree Jackie, but my family is not that way they are who has the best of this and that. Who wears this and that? They are always trying to out do each other. Not me that is why we are in Texas. Amy, I am with you I couldn't get by with the clothes I wear if I worked outside the world.
It is interesting how everyone has an opinion about hs and what's best for your family isn't it? I wonder what makes them feel qualified to offer such unsolicited advice? As someone who also works outside the home - we have uniforms to wear, toherwise it would be a nightmare! Karen
Most of the flack I hear comes from my MIL. She's never worked outside of the home and thinks it's great that I stay home with Will for the most part. She thinks he needs to go to school (even now, although he's only just turned 4!) so he'll have kids to play with. Just today she made the remark, "he'd have so much more fun if there was another little boy for him to play with." She says things like that all the time. I guess she thinks he'd enjoy life better if he was daycare or something. I don't know... I've gotten to where I just ignore her now though. Me and DH made the decision a while back that hs was the way to go for our family, and until God tells us differently, that's the way it is. It used to really make me mad and make me second-guess myself, but with DH's help I've began to just let it roll off.
My parents are supportive, MIL doesn't pay any attention to anything we do with the kids. That is annoying enough, I can't imagine if they were criticizing.. Know you're doing the best thing for your family and try to let it roll off your back. ((hug))
I hear that also. I don't mind making some sacrifices. I have heard the socialization thing also. Just let roll off your back. Next time give them advice about personal things and see how quickly they shut up about yours.
I so wish there were more kids in our neighborhood that the kids could play with, but there aren't. And the few that live close by have parents that have no idea where they are or what they're doing. These kids would be welcome in my yard, but wouldn't want to be confined there, or follow any rules. And I sure won't let my kids run wild with them!
We don't have any neighbour kids to play with either, but since they do one activity or another most days, it doesn't really matter. Maybe you could join a sport or music group or something? I also have a strong preference for having other kids to my house rather than letting my kids go - I know what they're doing this way. Even at homes of 'nice' families, they have seen movies that I would never have allowed. It's tricky isn't it?
Aussie, my kids are really active in other things. Two play soccer, the third does dance. We also do 4-H and AWANAS. In the summer, there's also a homeschool Pick-Up Baseball game once a week. But all those people tend to be rather scattered. It's not the same as "just playing".
Sometimes my parents will comment on the fact that I spend so much on my children. I did this before I started homeschooling my oldest. I am always buying stuff for crafts or project kits. It just now we have more time to do them. The only true added expense was buying a boxed curriculum. I HAVE to do this every year until DH changes and says I don't have to buy one no more. This is a rule I have to follow by him to homeschool our daughter. No ones else says anything about money. They are more about what about time for you, away from your kids? Who is she going to play with during the day?
What is 4-H and AWANAS? You're right though, it's not the same as just playing. we do play dates for 'just playing', but they tend to be fortnightly or less, becuase we are busy, and becuase of the geographical distances involved.
4-H: 4-H in the United States is a youth organization administered by the United States Department of Agriculture Cooperative Extension System with the mission of "engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development." The four "H"'s stand for Heart, Head, Hands, and Health. The organization serves over 9 million members in the United States from ages 5 to 21 in almost 100,000 clubs. 4-H clubs and related organizations now exist in many other countries as well; the organization and administration varies from country to country. The goal of 4-H is to develop leadership, citizenship, and life skills of youth through mostly experiential learning programs. Though typically thought of as an agriculturally focused organization as a result of its history, 4-H today encourages members to learn about many topics, such as geographic information systems, computer science, and even public speaking. In my area, there are no 4-H opportunities until 4th grade, although this article says as young as 5. Awana: (this is my papaphrase) Awana is a Biblical program. Awana stands for Approved Workman Are Not Ashamed. Kids ages 3 up are encouraged to memorize scripture, learn biblical principals, pray for others, and outreach. The goal is to reach kids for Christ. Go to www.awana.org for more information. I can't get the site to open right now to get a quote form it. My kids are involved in Awana, although the church we attend now does not implement the program as well as our former church. (too much focus on how much a child does/memorizes vs. what the verses and principals really mean).
Aussiemum, We don't use "fortnight" here, though I've heard it in British stories, etc. Is a fortnight two weeks?
