I'm the first one to admit I'm a dork. I love getting the mail, and I adore getting a brown box from UPS. You never know which fabulous book will arrive on any given day.
Today I'm waiting for something a bit different. Math books for my four-year-old. You see, she loves math. Yes--math. We've worked through the little workbooks you can get at the teacher supply and she's ready for a real program now instead of waiting until fall for kindergarten. We'll work on this through spring and summer, but we have a big decision coming up.
Homeschool, public school, charter school?
With my oldest we've tried all three and she's now happy and well-adjusted in public high school. But with the little ones I can't help but think they'd do better at home. After all, Arizona is 50th in the nation for academics. (I have heard from a trustworthy source that we're actually 49th. But c'mon, even I can do better than 49th!!!)
Of course I expect to hear the usual protestations from people when they find out what we're considering, the number one concern: socialization. I have a few problems with this argument:
A. I send my child to school to learn academics, not to socialize.
B. Have you seen the way some kids act? I'd rather have my children socialized by wild chimps.
Anyhoo, I'd appreciate prayers for guidance as we make this decision. I want to do the right thing, the God thing.
If you have homeschool experience, as a student or a parent, I'd love to hear your thoughts!
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13 comments:
Sorry, no home-school experience here to share, but I can say that I sometimes regret never giving it a try.
There are many years of schooling ahead, what would be the harm in seeing how you and daughter find it? Around here many of the home-school kids get together to socialize as part of their regular home-schooling activities. Gives the parents and chance to bounce concepts, plans off each other too.
I'll pray for you with this decision making time.
Thanks for the prayers, Eileen!
Does Canada have many rules and regulations on homeschooling?
To be honest, I'm not sure. I'll ask next time I get a chance. I suspect not from what I've heard so far.
Hi Georgiana,
I hopped over to your blog from Eileen's. Your post today is very interesting and dear to my heart.
I have been homeschooling my children for many, many years now. And I have to say that in our area, we have SO many socialization opportunities that we could litterally fill our calendar and never be home to actually do school! :) And as you make the point, is socialization the world's way really the best thing for children?
I've found, the best thing to do is to find out what God wants you to do with the schooling issue. Then be obedient. Remember, to obey is better than a sacrifice 1 Sam. 15:22b
As far as writing and homeschooling? I have to be very diligent with my time! And I write a lot on the weekend.
Thank you, Jody!
I have heard from parents who homeschool their kids (and some kids themselves who were homeschooled) and they join groups geared towards homeschooled parents/kids. That way they all get to socialize with others. You could even get together with other families once a month or something and plan some kind of activity or something...
I'm actually in school now and will start my teaching career in the fall. However, I have nothing against homeschooling, and my hat goes off to those parents who do decide to homeschool their kids.
Besides, you can always homeshool for awhile and then let the kid(s) decide if they'd like to try public school for high school or something like that.
That's right--you're going to teach! Exciting times.
Good point on getting together. When I homeschooled our oldest for two years, there were very few kids her age still at home. Seems like there were tons of little ones, so that'll be good for us now.
I've homeschooled my kidlets for a long time, and I've also been a school teacher. Just last week my youngest's schoolbooks for next fall arrived. I was a tad bit more excited than he was. :)
I love homeschooling, but I realize it isn't for everyone. I'm sure when the time comes, you and the DH will make the right choice, and as you've proven with the eldest, no choice is irrevocable if the need to change arises.
As to the socialization? You're right, why would I want my kids to learn their manners and mannerisms from their peer group? There are lots of opportunities for kids to gather outside of public school. As someone once said after overloading their kids' social calender, "If this is homeschooling, why am I always in the van?" You can run yourself ragged taking your homeschooled kids to outside events. :)
ROFLOL!
We're homeschoolers right now, but we've decided it's a temporary thing. While it's working pretty well and our kids say they enjoy it, we'd like to put them back in the Christian school they were in before we got buried under two mortgages.
We're not wild about public schools either, but we do like the school setting and some of the things they'll experience there that they won't get at home. We do the basic subjects, but things like art, PE, music we don't do (although my son plays in local sports). I'd love to have my kids have the opportunity to play school sports once they get old enough and other extracurricular things.
I agree with Erica; homeschooling isn't for everyone. And you're not going to find perfect kids at a Christian school.
That's so true about the extra-curriculars. I think in our district they have to let homeschoolers participate in sports.
I'm not "experienced". Only been homeschooling this year, but I'm so glad we decided to do it and I wish we'd pulled our children from public school sooner.
I'll be praying for you guys as you make this decision.
I'm kind of like Sally. This time around (2nd time homeschooling) it's temporary. My 3rd grader went to school in 2nd grade and loved it, but I brought him home because I missed him, wanted to focus on other academics (writing and history) and it's also helped us financially. He really, really misses his friends, but he's still socialize. Plays, soccer, and an occasional play date keep him connected.
My first grader likes homeschooling, but misses friends as well. She does even more activities than her brother. But she's also very unfocused. I'd love to send my son back to school (private Christian) in 5th grade and my daughter, Maybe 3rd or 4th depending upon whether she's ready.
But I have strong opinions against public school at such a young age. Think about it, they'll spend more time at school then with you, whether they have a Christian teacher or a nice teacher, they're still being influenced by over a dozen kids around them! I want to have more control over who influences them and I can do that in my small Christian school. Though actually I've found family can be the worst influence.
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