Gonna Get There Someday

Sorry for offending everyone.

Interesting...

10:10, Friday, October 10, 2008 .. Posted by wstoller

On the topic of socialization, I hear you. I to was homeschooled - lonely, stuck in a room by myself and yet... I also saw what went on in public schools. I hit culture shock when I came back to the US from overseas and hit the public schools. An interesting transition took place - I saught to be accepted (is this good socialization skills? Yet that is what US American public is all about - fit the mold or DON"T stand out - or you will be made fun of and ridiculed) Make a long story short -by the time I reached my senior year I realized this was so temporary, I'd never see most of these people again, and who really cared if I wore $50 jeans that my parents couldn't afford? I wanted something different for my kids. To be able to be challenged and learn and not sit in the back of chemistry class and play card games and still pass the class with a B without having any understanding of chemistry {as I did}. How does that happen? I played the system. WHen I hit college, I was challenged - I had a teacher who looked at us and said, "I will NOT spoon feed you!" and he didn't - I stepped up and excelled. It was a Christian college, CHristian environment, I would like that for my children. Learning to act in a social setting occurs through training, see the LIttle House books - Ma Said, "Laura I have taught you how to act in all situations, you should not fear them." Or something to that affect when Laura voiced her own ackward fear. So we must train up our children.

Edited by wstoller on Friday, October 10, 2008 at 09:11

Thank you!

10:25, Friday, October 10, 2008 .. Posted by mesarah011

Haha - Wendy, your high school experience sounds identical to mine! You make such a good point about training up our children to think and not be afraid - I guess *I'm* just the one who's afraid. That's really it, right there. I'm being very silly since this is all in the future anyway, but I have a tendency to think and get worked up about things beyond the present. >.< I think this whole experience is a good one for me to learn to let go a little and relax (not one of my better qualities - just ask my poor husband!).

Thanks for the response - it's very encouraging! :-)

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10:40, Friday, October 10, 2008 .. Posted by Jonash2004

Hey!

I read thought all of your comments on your previous post - maybe you got some personal messages? I don't think anyone sounded offended (although the person picking apart your grammer was rather rude!) they were just sharing individual experiences. :)

I was homeschooled all the way through. Like one of the commenters, I was extremely advanced in reading. Fortunately, my mom let me read what I was capable of! My dh, on the other hand, is super good at math, and was frusterated for years doing things he already knew. He had one instructor ask him to not come to anymore classes (he tended to teach classmates during class) and he'd give him an "A"!

My oldest son is 2.5yo and he is counting things up to 6 and recognizes even more numbers! He knows the difference between an 'M' and a 'W' and has picked up on so many letters it shocks me. For a boy this is fairly unusual. I know my niece learned to read, then had to go to her grade level and spend the year "learning" her letters! Her mom, who is a teacher, tried everything to get her moved up a grade to no avail. I really want my children to be able to move at their own pace - even if that means my first son reads at age 5 or earlier and my second reads at 8yo. I don't want labels because they are supposed to fit into certain places at certain stages.

I think it would be extremely hard to bounce back and forth from PS to HS the way you did. My mom gave me the option of public school in highschool and I schooled myself through a corenspondence program. (Yes, I was HS and can't spell. If the earlier commenter would like to make a 'gentle grammer lesson' out of this comment as well ... whatever! lol)

Anyone I've ever talked to, dh included, says the best part of PS is the "social" aspect. I want my children to have friends, yes, but I don't think they need to be around them 8-9 hours per day! There is a bond that is missing these days between siblings and parents that has been replaced by peers all the same age!

I grew up to a great degree isolated, which is wrong, too, BUT it did teach me to be thankful for the friends I do have and later I was suprised to learn that you can be just as lonely surrounded by peers that only know you superficially!

Anyway, I don't think people sounded that offended. :)

Ashley

hi

11:51, Friday, October 10, 2008 .. Posted by safords

HI there,

I was homeschooled... so were my sister and brother and my cousins and my friends next door... it was more norm than not. It was great. I loved it!

I am homeschooling my three and we are all enjoying the experience. My kiddos don't struggle socially at all... Most of their friends are homeschooled and they work together a lot. I think you would find homeschooling easier now than it used to be and there is so much more available and encouraging. For instance, I have a high school English teacher teaching our homeschooled kids grammar and writing in her home. It's so much fun! These kids love the classes and can't wait to share and learn together... it's not schooling at home, but it's still homeschooling :-)

I don't always proof read my stuff and I am sure that is the way it is for you. Don't feel bad, though, I think she didn't mean to hurt you but did misunderstand . Sometimes we just want to talk in "conversational tones" rather than be proper.

Blessings on your journey. Pray and God will show you what is right for your children and family. When we follow His leading He is ever ready to guide. We can't see the future, but He can and that's comforting.

Angela

Edited by safords on Monday, October 13, 2008 at 09:28

It's not you who needs to say "I'm sorry"!!!

07:53, Saturday, October 11, 2008 .. Posted by gokings13

Sarah,

When I read you last entry, I read it as this kind of question "What's your thoughts on home school vs public school".
I didn't think it was offensive.......I didn't think it warranted the grammatical critique, and I didn't think you were 'judging' (probably my personal 2nd most hated word) :-)

You keep on bloggin. If people get their panties in a bunch that's their problem!!

You asked a legitimate question (and a good one too) and you were searching for legitimate answers........

I hope some of the answers helped with your questions!!!
Laura

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10:20, Saturday, October 11, 2008 .. Posted by LivingSimple

I am really sorry if you took my comment as if I were angry...I was trying to show you the positives of homeschooling and how homeschooling does not retard 'most' children socially...just as public school does not fail 'all' children...The only rude comment I saw was the one, like the others, picking apart grammer...wasn't aware we had grammer police around...trust me I do not have the best grammer not because I do not know, just 'cause this is the net and I can make it how ever I want...guess I will just have to look uneducated...anyway I just want you to know I am very sorry if my post caused you any offense...it was certainly not meant that way...I totally understood you are searching for answers...and for that you are very wise.

In Christ
~Kris

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04:08, Saturday, October 11, 2008 .. Posted by kim2661

Hi,
I read your last post when you posted it. I did not comment because I also question whether to homeschool or public school sometimes, and I was hoping you would get some helpful input. I'm so sorry the input you received was hurtful. I do not feel your post should have offended anyone. My only advice about whether you should homeschool or not is; trust in the Holy Spirit, pray, and let Him guide you.
Peace and blessings and hugs, Kim

I didn't like the options either...

09:36, Saturday, October 11, 2008 .. Posted by mulberrylane

So we opted for a private school (christian), it was better than public school, but still had much of the same problems as public school. We eventually pulled our girls out and homeschooled them for ONE year as the school was making changes and the superintendent suggested it to us since the teacher was picking on our girls. I was upset, but didn't know what else to do and figured we could make it through one year.

I had to face all my fears of what if's and Oh no's... and I found it really wasn't that bad... and my kids... as normal as ever, I think, but they are a bit different... but not in a bad way... just not boy crazy, rather they are grounded in good teachings and don't jump because their friends say JUMP. My 19yo was scared about entering the "real" world thinking they would find her an odd duck, but in reality she has found nothing but admiration and she is also being flooded by offers for dates by countless boys... she tells them her ground rules... and it still doesn't scare them off, LOL. She's now wondering how odd she'd have to be to get these boys off her back! LOL.

Anyways, we found after one year that this was where we were supposed to be. If I had decided after a month, I would have sent my kids back to school as it took nearly a year to turn my heart to accepting homeschooling as a long term possibility.

Looking back, I can see how God led me here, but when I was back there, it all seemed so dark and scary. I was so unsure of every step. But with each step, my mind understood a bit more and I got to the point where I could "see the light" of homeschooling.

Granted it isn't for everyone. Whatever way you choose, most important is grounding our children. Training them up in the Lord, whether they learn how to read in a brick building or whether they learn to read on the couch at home. I've seen successful kids come from both sides. For me, it was a transformation process. Homeschoolers scared me and I found many to be weird... and now the ones I meet seem quite normal... I find it funny that I only met the weird ones when I was scared of them! LOL. Dh says maybe I became weird! LOL... no really, he has guys at the fire station that just are in awe with our situation and find our girls all friendly, normal kids who are willing to step up when needed. They all love how polite and warm our kids are. Dh says most the kids (of guys at the station) going to public school are snobbish and won't talk to the guys, but rather either laugh, giggle and mumble or are screaming with friends or sisters running down the halls driving everyone nuts. I think some has to do with how we've raised them, but also I think homeschoolers have the advantage of not knowing that it isn't normal to talk to an adult when they are 9yo. It's expected that they talk to all they meet in a kind and courteous manner. Public school kids find they only want to associate with kids in their "class", not the upper class snobs or the lower class nerds... (we found this partially true in church school, but not as much as public school).

Anyways, not sure I helped. Just sharing our experiences.

Warmly, ~Melissa