What do you think of the homeschooling community?

[reiddb]

I know they come in all different ways, but what is the general feeling towards homeschoolers?

[patti4me]

I know they come in all different ways, but what is the general feeling towards homeschoolers?

I think that due to the deteriation of our public schools, home schooling is a great alternative for the right people.  It takes someone with discipline and lots of determination to home school.  The biggest downside would be the child missing the social side of public school.

[meguk]

What people choose to do with their own children is there own business.  Personally, I won't homeschool my kids for several reasons:

1) Having worked as a teacher for 8 years, I feel like it is unethical for me to say that the school system is good enough to pay me, but not good enough to teach my kids.  This, above all else, means that I refuse to even consider homeschooling.

2) Homeschooling focuses only on the academic aspects of education.  The purpose of public education is to teach children about how to be productive members of society, based on whatever values are considered important by the community.  Even if I fundamentally disagree with some of those values, I believe that it is important for children to learn how to negotiate these ideas as they will have to live in society.  Parents can only protect their children for so long. I would prefer that my kids learn to be part of such things at a young age when I am still able to help guide them.

3) I believe that the independence fostered by being away from the family unit for part of the day is important in a child's development.  The family unit is crucial, but I still believe that the gradual release into the world is greatly aided when mom and siblings cease to be the centre of their world.

4) Some parents to a good job of socializing, others don't.  I've taught some kids coming out of homeschooling that were unable to function in social circles.

[LenoraMinogue]

I think homeschooling can be a great thing, especially with committed, well-educated parents. I wish mine would have homeschooled me I don't really think the child has to miss out on the social side of school either. There are tons of activities kids can do with other kids outside of school, and there is nothing to say that a homeschooled kid can't participate in these. In fact, the kid may have even more choice about what they want to do and when they want to socialize. I think that encourages independence and self-esteem a lot more than some of the forced social gatherings in public school. Though I suppose that all depends on your viewpoint. That's just mine.

[sigmapi1501]

It makes Prom a weird night.

[Gerianne]

I can think of 3 of my friends who homeschooled their children until high school. At that point, the children made the transition. As parents, my friends made certain that their children were educated to pass the required tests' material.

[veronica773]

I think parents or friends that does home schooling is wonderful.  Especially want is going on in the schools with all the shooting, I would rather have my kids to be homeschooling.  What I have seen the children are more advance than being in the regular school system.

[shellyjackson846]

I would home school in a heartbeat i just cant afford to.

[springsgardner]

I know they come in all different ways, but what is the general feeling towards homeschoolers?

I think that due to the deteriation of our public schools, home schooling is a great alternative for the right people.  It takes someone with discipline and lots of determination to home school.  The biggest downside would be the child missing the social side of public school.

While we don't technically home school, my kids are part of a virtual charter school. In our particular situation, they go in one day a week for tutoring that lasts 1 hour, one day a week for "enrichment class" that lasts 2 hours, belong to the school's running club, we belong to a home school co-op where the kids attend classes from 9-2:30 (PE, music, art, science and history), and my kids take music lessons- two go to piano and one goes to a home school band.

Still, most of the kids' learning takes place at home, libraries, field trips, stores, etc.

[JediJohnnie]

I'm a big supporter of Homeschooling,I was homeschooled,myself.I think most people object to the lack of socializing the kids get,but from my experience,it means nothing.For example,I went to school for about a year and a half,and I've never been very comfortable socializing and I pretty much keep to myself.My brother and sister on the other hand,who never stepped foot in a classroom,have no trouble talking to a total stranger.We're all different,and react differently,regardless our method of schooling.

[amstewart]

As a former teacher, I completely agree with meguk!

[MessiahMews]

I think parents or friends that does home schooling is wonderful.  Especially want is going on in the schools with all the shooting, I would rather have my kids to be homeschooling.  What I have seen the children are more advance than being in the regular school system.

I agree.  There's too much violence these days and also in every school, there's gotta be that bully that wants to pick on other kids.  I had to deal with this growing up, and so did my own child.   If I had it to do all over again, I would homeschool for sure.  Protection of your child is #1.  They can still get their social skills from local activities.

[mardukblood2009]

I think it is a good idea. I have alot of BAD memories about public school.