[CaptBlack]

My sister is married to a priest and they have their kids in govt. schools. They seem to think they're good enough to keep the kids in. No matter how many articles from FR I have sent to her, she still turns the other way. She also feels that her kids need to know how to live in the real world. Like homeschooled kids don't know how? It really makes me want to shake the you know what out of some people and tell them to get a clue. Homeschooling is not good enough for people like her. I know it's not for everyone but there are alternatives to govt. schooling.

Our relatives give us the same song and dance. Meanwhile, of the 9 children (6 of schooling age) that my 3 siblings have produced:

• THREE of my nephews/nieces have been diagnosed with ADD.
• ALL but 2 of those school-aged have been diagnosed with learning disabilities
• THREE do drugs regularly and one of those has conflicted with the Law (maybe FIVE as the other two adult aged ones aren't telling)
• THREE have failed to graduate (one went back to college and got his HS diploma at 19)
• One is in a state detention center for youth
• Nearly ALL of them have TVs unmonitored in their rooms
• ALL of them have gaming machines, e.g., Nintendo, Sega, etc., UNMONITORED

By the sheer Grace and blessing of God, none of my children have any of those issues above (despite the fact that my 12 year old is an unmitigated knucklehead). All three perform WELL above their peer group in the public schools (as adjudged by standardized test scores), both girls are in ballet, one is in piano, my son is learning guitar and self-defense and the TV and/or game machine stays off except on Friday nights and Sat afternoons where Dad or Mom has final say over what is watched/played, and yet, when the adults get together to talk about how the kids are doing, I'M THE WEIRDO for homeschooling/private schooling my kids!!!!

And, I forgot to add, that of COURSE part of the problem according to my family, is that we do, after all, live in a racist society (we are black).
BIG SIGH.
I can't think about it too much or I'll run off a cliff somewhere.

[Notwithstanding]

Its funny to think that it is "suspect" to NOT let the kids watch whatever they wish to on TV and engage in whatever sort of unsupervised pastimes they choose.

I would think those who fail to monitor the kids consumption of such trash are guilty of child neglect.

[concerned about politics]

And, I forgot to add, that of COURSE part of the problem according to my family, is that we do, after all, live in a racist society (we are black).

I'm glad you brought that up. We're "white", and our homeschooling group has a number of wonderful families . The great part? No one even notices "color". We have some from China as well. We have all colors (but no purple). The children all play together. Because the "race issue" is not an issue, it doesn't exist. There's no difference at all. The "racist society" is kept alive in the public schools. That's where it is bread and nutured!

[concerned about politics]

PS....

We have all colors (but no purple).

As a matter of after thought, we do have a "purple" dad that pops in once in a while. I think he has really high blood pressure or something. I hope he takes medication. I worry for him whenever I see him around.

[hsmomx3]

Sounds like you are doing quite well with "your" children. You hit on something about relatives in the public schools.

My sister has six kids. The oldest, age 17, may have Parkinson's Disease, the 15 year old girl has a growth disorder and has been on growth hormones for about three years, the 12 year old has been labeled as having disabilities. He can't comprehend or remember things. I told my sister to homeschool but the bottom line is it would cramp her style. Sometimes I think God gives us problems such as the ones mentioned as a wake up call to take better care of the family.

Just my .02 worth.

[Joe Driscoll]

By the sheer Grace and blessing of God, none of my children have any of those issues above

I'm guessing there is a little bit of hard work necessary from you too. Keep up the good work.

[ELS]

I can't think about it too much or I'll run off a cliff somewhere.

Please don't do that. The world needs more loving, caring parents like you.

[rb22982]

ALL of them have gaming machines, e.g., Nintendo, Sega, etc., UNMONITORED

Heh, gaming machine's are evil, EVIL I tell you. Dont be silly, most gaming 'nerds' are the ones making straight As in school and most druggies, etc even if they do play video games are playing sports games, because its about as difficult a concept as they can understand. Believe me. Very very very few games have ANY sexual themes in them at all. The only one I can think of that is mainstream that did was Duke Nukem 3d which came out in 1996 I believe and it wasn't even close to the main theme.

[whipitgood]

Don't you DARE run off a cliff! Understand that you are a pioneer in a society gone to ruin. You will always be the butt of nasty jokes and comments about your 'weirdness'. My philosophy is this: The more people tell you you are doing the wrong thing, the greater the likelihood you are doing the RIGHT thing. Learn to appreciate that you are going against the accepted norm for this society and accept the taunting as confirmation that your direction is correct. The ones who step out of line are ALWAYS made fun of. Time will vindicate you.

[thunderdome]

I'M THE WEIRDO for homeschooling/private schooling my kids!!!!

Funny how liberalism has mad good bad, normal weird and left right. It will be the children who have been properly raised that will be the only ones capable of leading the next generations....keep up the great work!

[scholar]

THREE of my nephews/nieces have been diagnosed with ADD. ALL but 2 of those school-aged have been diagnosed with learning disabilities ...

The most common way for teachers and the school system to shift their failure to the child.

I had similar problems until I put my children in a Christian school--funny how those problems disappeared. They a better curriculum, made better grades and were happy to go to school.

[Spirited]

"I can't think about it too much or I'll .."

Please don't. You and your family constitute the rare hope the thinking older generation has. Your analysis of the selfishness which produces the whirlwind we are reaping is exact. May God sustain you and your family in the face of Job's enemies and bring you honor as the ultimate reward.