Thanks Mom.
I wanted to post my mom’s comment in my previous entry out in the open. It was in reply to a note someone (who is not researched on various methods of alternative schooling) left. For those of you who aren’t aware, I left public schools (by choice) two weeks into my junior year. I begged Mom to homeschool me, and really… it was a wonderful, wonderful experience.
Without further ado:
I believe in being informed on both sides of an issue. So to judge someone as a “bad mother” is not helpful, especially when the facts aren’t known. And actually, it’s not for other’s to inform you. Mother’s had to do their own searching and considering. They don’t have alot of time to completely educate everyone. They are busy educating themselves of the pros/cons.
There is so much social interaction in homeschooling. Church, sports, play groups, and classes that homeschoolers may attend. People may not realize that colleges, such as Rice, Harvard, etc….are promoting homeschoolers to come to their college. They say there is a great difference in homeschoolers who have been properly homeschooled.
Algebra is NOT my forte! But there are videos, games, tutors, classes, and work books for the child and answers for the parents. Same for other classes. In homeschooling groups, there are classes for students whose parents prefer some subjects be taught in a classroom setting with a teacher.
And there are so many ways to teach things. As they are older, let them buy groceries….there is math involved. They can cook – math is involved, among other things they need to know in life. And preparing for the SAT or whatever test you choose, there are CD’s/DVD’s that really help. There are distractions….horns honking, people talking, etc……, to prepare them for the distractions that may occur.
Again, it’s a choice. I realized that alot of my child’s day in school was spent in watching TV, and actually on a few hours on subjects. And the subjects are based on a broad range of teaching all types of learning abilities. Which is fine if your child is doing well. Homeschooling can be done in a few hours, and you actually get more done in one day than teachers are able to get done in a week. They are tested by the same tests that schoolers are, and usually are a few grades ahead.
So….it’s not a wise idea to call someone a “a bad mom” unless you really know both sides. And if anyone doesn’t agree with something a mom does (besides abuse!), then remember…..there are other moms who don’t agree with your parenting in certain areas. Everyone comments on the “social” limitions…..and that is very far from the truth.
We had no problems getting into college……and were actually welcomed with open arms!!
Everyone is always welcome to have an opinion – but opinions are best when every side is considered. Homeschooling is not for everyone…..but that doesn’t mean anyone is a good/bad mother. She is well informed and has made a choice that fits her and her children and is making a huge commitment, if she decides to homeschool. Libraries have plenty of information and homeschoolling groups, especially when they are older, are easily found. And there are stores that cater to this group and have wonderful ways to teach certain subjects, or to find tutors, etc….. And the graduation is very intimate, and the parents give the child their diploma after a short speech.
We teach our children not to judge, not to say bad things about someone, to be kind, and accept all races. Jumping to conclusions is an excerise that makes life hard when “socializing”, and not a good idea as an example. And isn’t that what parenting is all about? Showing our children to be open to ideas that seem “outside the box?”.
Amen, Mom. I wish more people would look further into homeschool before they make their judgements. My learning experience was much more fulfilling (and efficient) outside of public schools where I was allowed to learn in my own time and in my own way. I retained more of the information I learned in homeschool than those things I learned in public schools because they were better presented to me. I was not forced to learn something a certain way (like using a specific formula and showing my work in math when I could come up with the answer on the spot).
I hated spending seven to eight hours in school. I spent most of the time doodling and twiddling my thumbs. I wasn’t challenged enough. The lessons could have been summed up in fifteen minutes to thirty minutes. Why was I required to spend an hour and a half in each class? I wanted to learn. I loved to learn. But public schools were not teaching me much… except how to waste time.
So, homeschooling isn’t for every parent or every child.. but it was for us, and I know both Mom and I wish I would have made the switch sooner.
