Who Homeschools Their Kids?

AllSouthwest News Service ^ | August 20, 02 | Bob Ward

[dd5339]

"My little girl is 10 now but we started reading to her when she was 6 months old SOUND SILLY?"

Actually we started reading to her in the womb. I read the Chronicles of Narnia to her then. Tonight we read some more of the Bible as she was having her good night bottle. Reading the Bible to her is something that I'm working on.

Both my wife and I are readers and have a good library. My only concern is that she reads to the extreme like her cousin. I've never thought someone could read to much but taking 4 hour showers while holding the book out of the shower so you can read is a little much!

Every day with my daughter is the greatest adventure of our lives.

Semper Fi!

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

I've never thought someone could read to much but taking 4 hour showers while holding the book out of the shower so you can read is a little much!

WOW well at least you'll know where she is huh? maybe sometimes we just gotta letum be kids too but its great that you read to her in the womb thats cool we just worked so hard during my wifes pregnancy we didnt think of that but all turned out well so far

[~EagleNebula~]

I love Saxon. I taught third grade in a school system for 2 yrs. What I like about Saxon math is that is it the only math curriculum I have found that will add a new concept, but continue to exercise the previously learned concepts. Kids need that, to retain some of those math concepts. It is especially important for things like algebra. Too many Math series will teach a new concept, give some practice, then leave that one behind to teach another new concept. Maybe the repitition aggravates a person, but, in my book...having been in the system side, and now on the homeschool side....I prefer the Saxon style. My 16 yr old learned wonderfully from it, as are my 7 and 10. My 7 yr old is presently in the second semester of 3rd grade Saxon. She will catch her 10 yr old sister before long!
:-) The blessings of homeschooling are that you can tailor it to each child and to your own teaching style! Blessings on your school year!

[~EagleNebula~]

My father just retired this year from teaching in a private college for over 30 yrs. When I told my parents 5 yrs ago that I was going to homeschool, they gave me a lot of static. I asked dad why, and he said it wasn't that he thought I couldn't do it. He knew since I have a degree in El. Ed. I could, but he was worried about the kids "socially". They didn't get it then, and they don't get it now! My mom keeps asking me to get them tested!

This year I have to work full-time. Finding a job in our area, with the job market as it is, is hard enough. But I insisted on only taking what I felt God was leading me to, and said that God knew I strongly believed in homeschooling my kids. PHEW! Did that complicate the job hunt! I had some offers I had to turn down. God brought one and I started this week....working for BankFirst! PTL! I am going to be working 2:30-11pm after the training is finished. PTL, I can homeschool the kids in the morning and then go to work! GOD IS SO GOOD!

After 5 yrs, my parents still don't get it. But that is ok. I see what my children are like, versus those put out by the local school. I see the curiousity and thirst for learning my kids have! I hear the thrill in their voices at new discoveries. That is all the understanding and thanks I need. I don't care if the rest of the family, or community ever get it....my kids do! :-) Blessings on your year!

[~EagleNebula~]

Thanks for the ping! :-) Have a great one!

[RightOnline]

We have seven children and have been homeschooling for nearly 17 years. I highly recommend it, for the results are terrific in far too many ways to describe in this brief reply. Do it, parents............but commit. It DOES take commitment, but you'll love it. :)

[TontoKowalski]

God is good, indeed. I can tell from your post that you're a Sister in Christ (or maybe a Brother?) Because of this, I feel comfortable in reminding you that God demands that parents bring their children up properly. I don't recall any Scripture referencing grandparents having a role in this particular process.

That sounds harsh, I know. I truly hope that your situation with your folks settles out; it was uncomfortable for me with my family until I was firm (but gentle), so I sympathize. You prayed for God about homeschooling, and he provided an answer. You prayed for God to provide a solution to your employment woes, and He has. Continue to seek His wisdom, and don't doubt that He has lead you in the right path.

[Constitution1st]

Per #19, it wasn't a home educated person that took the survey; must have been a public school grad!

[Constitution1st]

You just copy this article, and others like it, and show it to your parents/inlaws! That's what I did; my father still does not agree with it, but he will never get it! He's a diehard undereducated dimocrat.

You are doing the right thing, and we home educators support you and your husband in what you are doing! So does God! So, go forth, and know that you are doing the best and most right for your children.

Blessings on you and your family.

[Constitution1st]

What a good job you are doing with your child! Bravo for doing it while working; what an example you are for us all!

I have been HSing for 8+ years; switched to classical ed a few years ago. My children are taking classical courses over the internet, but I will be doing most of my son's instruction this year. He is a bit young for the rigors of the classical online classes. Next year he'll take more of them.

I am structuring his Great Books class this year; it will include Beowulf, Le Morte D'Arthur original by Malory, Spencer's The Fairie Queene, The Song of Roland, etc. He will check the historical period surrounding the book, and write a one page paper on the historical perspective of the book before reading it, and a book report about it after reading it. We are also studying Astronomy this year, with lots of nighttime observation and reading of Copernicus, Keppler and Galileo for historical significance.

Our daughter is taking Biology online, with ful labs here at home- we purchased full microscope and dissection kits, that make it easy. For her supplementary reading and research paper, who will read and research environmental overkill and the loss of common sense.

As you can tell, we are very excited! I also wanted to put this out here, for parents to read and discover. It CAN be done at home; even and especially high school homeschool.

No public school, and very few if any private schools, provide this type of education; it is vastly superior to anything out there, and here it is- right at home!

Blessings on you and all who home educate.

[CyberCowboy777]

Home School Bump!

I was Home Schooled from grade 5 on and I plan to Home School my three boys.

I thank God for the choice of my parents, it gave me a jump start on my peers and has been a determining factor in my early successes in life.

[~EagleNebula~]

Bingo! I am a sister in the Lord! Don't ya just love meeting new family? ;-)

It doesn't sound harsh. It is true. It would be nice if the rest of the family understood, supported, and assisted....but for me that is not being realistic in my situation. I am not going to allow their inability to understand to keep me from doing what I feel God leading me to do, however. I am leaning on the Lord! There are many circumstances in my /our lives right now that require just that! "what is impossible with man is possible with God" Luke 18:27! Standing and believing! The exciting part is waiting and watching to see how God will move in all these areas, and work His will! Have a great day in the Lord, all!

[kancel]

>>Also, contrary to a lot of popular opinion, only 12.1 percent homeschool because they object to what the school teaches<<

>>I think it's waaaayyyy higher than that.<<

I think what these polls leave out is that many families have more than one reason for homeschooling but the poll is only designed to get one answer. Then a parent has to pick one without his/her other reasons carrying any weight.Thus many answers show up with lower "scores" instead of everything getting high scores.