If the Lord allows it, I WILL be homeschooling all the way through high school, without a doubt. High school & even junior high are dangerous places in my opinion. Emotionally, physically, and even intellectually ... I'll learn how to spell that before I start homeschooling high school
I agree that it depends on the child but, that being said, I also agree that high school is a critical time when kids are becoming more independent and deciding what *they* believe SO why put them in an environment that challenges everything you've taught them to be true? Some kids may be able to handle this but, honestly, being in an environment like that is tough on adults. I read an awesome analogy by Voddie Bauchum which, in paraphrase, was: "If you send your new recruits to the enemy training camp, don't be surprised when they return wearing the enemy's uniform and waving their flag." This definitely made me think!
hmm..well..I was just planning to homeschool until the kids were in an older grade like seven or so. But the more I see PS changing in our Province to a larger more cookie cutter style the less this appeals to me. My DH is fine with whatever I choose. And I choose to limit the exposure to the negative where ever those influences are. I went to PS all through so I know how hard it can be to remain free of temptations and peer pressure. I also know that there are a lot of other issues like peer groups and segregation that can take over. Around here we call high school a soap opera and it's not far off. Highschool kids are generally too emotionally wrapped up in fitting in to concentrate on the real reason for schooling. And therefore I may end up homeschooling if able all the way through.
Our children are still young, but Dh and I have agreed to revist the topic of education each year and make a decision year by year as to what we will do, because we don't want to make the wrong choice and we don't want to feel like we failed if we don't do all we commit to.
My dad was a middle school teacher for 40 years and he asked me how long I planned to homeschool. I told him about various amounts of time different families I know had homeschooled. When I told about a family that only homeschooled through middle school, he interrupted me and said that's the ideal time because "middle school is so brutal on kids". I think he's right. My friend works at the local middle school and the things she tells me makes me cringe and feel sorry for the good kids who are trapped there.
I appreciate the last few comments from Brooke. We had a similar experience last year when we put our three in public school. It was such a disaster. After the year we had trying public schools, my husband and I agreed that God was telling us "You satisfied now! Don't do it again!" We are starting one doing 9th grade, one doing 7th and one doing 1st grade. We're in for the long haul, as well! Oh and LOVE what Dr Laura said!
How does one "homeschool" college? I was think maybe a homeschool family deciding to do an online program-like many working adults do to get their degree....I think that's a totally doable option for college for most people. Our plan is take it as it comes-I hope through high school-but we shall see where life takes us.
Well, one of my reasons for homeschooling before I read any homeschool literature is because I found high school a waste of four years of my life. What should have been the most productive years of my life were completely squandered in the high school settings and I was an honor student. Now honestly not all school districts are as bad as mine and some people would have worked the system a little better to their advantage but I really want my children to expand their horizons during their high school years. Learning things I hope beyond my capabilities because it's things they enjoy, are passionate about or talented at. There is so much to do in life and that is a time of life where you have the mental capacity although not the previous knowledge or wisdom of an adult but almost none of the responsibilities which make it so difficult to learn new things as an adult.
Agreed. Middle school IS brutal, High school is brutal as well, and elementary school can be as well. There is always going to be that group of kids that takes pleasur in bringing your kids down to their level of self esteem. I will be homeschooling, God willing, until my kids decide to attend college, however our plans have flucuated slightly. If we find ourselves in a good position, we will send the boys to a great Catholic school in Maryville. But we really want to homeschool all the way through.
My plan is to homeschool them through high school. My intention is also to allow them to explore professions in the high school level; if my daughter still wants to be a vet, we'll see about her getting a part time job with the vet instead of at Mickey Ds; if she wants to work at the zoo, we'll get her a job at the zoo. Or the animal shelter. That will give her - and the rest - the opportunity to be certain that is the job they want, before they invest the time educating for it; it will also, I think, help their college education be less abstract and more concrete as they see the things they are studying unfold. Not to mention actually helping them to get a job after-college, as they will have experience already. All of that said, it depends on the child and the Lord. If my kids really think that public school is the best place for them, and they can make a realistic case for it (not an emotional one), well, we'll be open to it, I suppose.
I think Homeschooling is a way of life. Period. I consider myself "homeschooled after ps" because I am learning aLL the time. LOL!!!! I hope, God willing, to school all the way through. My oldest has even asked if you can homeschool for College. She was pretty ecstatic when I said yes! LOL
Oh it is awesome. I went to college to be a nurse-I had been working as a CNA for a few years before I start college-when we moved I took a job at a hospital (vs the nursing homes I had always worked in) and though I preferred the nursing homes-it was very cool to see 1st hand things we were studying when I went to work. It never seemed to fail-every weekend when I went to work I'd see something new we had studied the last week or two LOL
Oh I'm 33 and currently unschooled! LOL And loving it! I have learned waaaaaaaaaaaay more outside of school walls and textbooks than I ever did in the public school system (or even college)
We plan on homeschooling through high school. I'm excited at the thought that we can get our kids to college without using the traditional school systems. I really don't want to homeschool college simply because I think college is where people should learn to become independent and be there own person, but in the end when it comes to college, my kids will decide.
I was in public school all the way up until my last year. I had two friends who were homeschooled up until high school, and then they went to the public school. Let me just say that it did not go well for them. All of a sudden one of them changed his wardrobe to fit in, and he tried very hard to be one of the popular kids. That being said, he did go on to become a youth pastor for a couple of years. The other one stayed on the fringes of high school, never really fitting in with any but those of us he was already friends with. Ten years later, he still hasn't found his "thing" although he is married with two kids. He just quit his latest job (one that he shockingly kept for about a year). Did I mention that he is my BIL, and I am not super fond of him? Because I got to watch those two adjust to public school, I got to get a view of how it can work out for hs'ers going to ps. I have not started hs'ing yet, but I am already fairly certain that I will not be sending my children to ps when they are in High School.
Our plans are to school for as long as God leads us and provides a way for us too. I am hoping that means through high school, but we shall see.
I homeschooled my older 2 girls (29 & 31) all but 4 years in grade school that they were in PS. I am presently homeschooling my 7, 11, 14 & 15 year old and will till college. They have never been to a PS. Plan on homeschooling my almost 4 yr old grandson in another year when he is ready as well. We live with my 29 yr. old daughter to help with babysitting the grandson after the dad left them. She helps me with the schooling as well. She loved homeschooling & is presently taking online college classes to get her degree in graphic design & works full time.
