Comments on: Debunking Common Myths about Homeschooling

By: Rachel

Rachel — Mon, 19 May 2008 20:54:48 +0000

I was first turned-on to homeschooling when I read your post about unschooling. Now, my preschooler and I are going to "start" unschooling at the end of this week when she's finally done with her preschool program. I'm excited! I'm reading a book called "The Well-Adjusted Child" about socialization and how it relates to homeschooling. It's a great read for anyone who's asking the socialization question. Rachels last blog post..Popular Baby Names in 2007

By: Jai

Jai — Mon, 19 May 2008 02:27:44 +0000

Thank you for “debunking”-it was fabulous! I plan on homeschooling my 2 year old and I just know I will get flack from my family as they will refer to all the myths described here. I will continue to read your blog and all others that will define the facts concerning this topic, as I want to be prepared for the onslaught. Again, Thank you!

By: Summer

Summer — Thu, 15 May 2008 05:11:57 +0000

Great post, thank you! Summers last blog post..Removing Crayon And Much More

By: Rosebud Organics

Rosebud Organics — Wed, 14 May 2008 06:47:57 +0000

After working as a substitute teacher in the public schools when I was fresh out of college, I realized I couldn't send my future kids there. I plan on homeschooling my 9 month old when (as?) she grows up. Rosebud Organicss last blog post..Positive Post Tuesday- Things Worth Saving

By: Ellie

Ellie — Wed, 14 May 2008 00:36:03 +0000

I'm a regular reader of your blog, and first want to thank you for the natural deoderant (Miessence) reccomendation. I believe that all parents, if they are appropriately involved w/ their children, are homeschoolers. But I choose to send my girls to a public elementary school for part of the day. They learn a lot there, but not everything. The majority of kids in our country do not have parents qualified or willing to tackle the challenges of homeschooling and/or cannot afford a private education. We want our children to understand how vitally important public education is as a part of our nation's culture and future. It is most people's only choice. We are the parents in the community that are stepping up to the plate and making school a good place to be with our kids. There is amazing socio-economic diversity in our neighborhood (blue ribbon) school, and I have yet to find a home or private school that can replicate this environment for the girls. It is a crucial part of their upbringing as socially empathetic citizens. I still consider myself a homeschooler: just not all day. Ellies last blog post..Promenade your partner.

By: sommer

sommer — Tue, 13 May 2008 21:26:01 +0000

Hi Tiffany! I've commented before on homeschooling and I see both sides of the coin and I'm a teacher. I agree with you about both of these myths but I've seen both sides. I've seen kids not be very social because they're parent doesn't get them out to join activities, clubs or do community service. I agree, it isn't the majority. Most homeschooled children I've met and interacted are very social. As for the children not getting into college, I've actually heart the exact opposite. Most children I know were ready to graduate sooner and accepted into some great colleges with higher state or national tests. I have the concern that most do about parents not being able to teach their children but if they can get the help, network and seek help when needed on topics or subject then I don't think they need a degree. Great post, as always. sommers last blog post..A green office and some help (not mental)!

By: Almighty Cleanse

Almighty Cleanse — Tue, 13 May 2008 17:14:32 +0000

I think homeschooling on average when done properly lets the child test better. But at the cost of social skills.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Tue, 13 May 2008 16:59:02 +0000

Wow I just stumbled across your blog while doing a search for vintage Pyrex dishes...what a find! I completely agree with this post. I will be 30 in July and was home schooled from 3rd grade through HS graduation (at the age of 16) I took some time off and then went on to get my BA in Political Science from a great ACC university. Growing up, my parents asked me each year if I wanted to go to public school and each year i made a list of pros and cons, always deciding on home school. I like the model of letting your kids go to public K-5 through 1st or second grade because it gives them an idea of what "school" is and how it differs from everyday life. When our (future) kids are old enough I am thinking this is the route we will take. Great blog! Can't wait to check out the other posts! Andreas last blog post..Mmm...Chicken

By: Maria

Maria — Tue, 13 May 2008 02:45:15 +0000

I can see both sides. I went to a small public high school where I was provided a rigorous academic setting. I realize it is not like that everywhere, but I had an excellent educational experience in public school.

My husband was home schooled (and went to a Division I Top 100 University, where he played basketball on scholarship… how’s that for debunking myths). Homeschooling worked for him and his parents because they traveled a lot and it allowed them to stay together rather than spending a lot of time apart. Plus, his parents were not happy with some of the “other” things he and his bros were picking up on (cursing, etc). They wanted to model good behavior, and it appears to have worked.

Most likely our son will be going to a private school. My career provides the benefits and a stable income, and while my husband is bright, he does not want to teach the boy, which leaves us with public or private school. We don’t like the public schools near where we live now, so private it is.

BTW– we recently returned to the US from Germany, where homeschooling is not allowed. At age 6, all children must be enrolled in Kindergarten somewhere (public or private).

Marias last blog post..Happy Mother’s Day.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Mon, 12 May 2008 23:38:54 +0000

Amen, sister! I am totally on board with homeschooling. In fact, I just posted on my own blog about an excellent book called “Better Than School”. It is a great read.

By: Kristi

Kristi — Mon, 12 May 2008 21:33:24 +0000

Thanks for the encouragement. I am the product of homeschooling, graduated from a top state university with a 3.7 GPA and had the time of my life growing up as such. I had more time to play with friends & siblings, interact with ALL ages people, and receive a better education than many of my public schooled friends. I also taught school after college and must say that I was greatly disappointed in what I saw there. I mostly provided crowd control during class, with the actual “work” having to be sent home to complete. Now, fast forward a few years, and one child later, I plan on homeschooling him without giving it a second thought!

By: Orthodontics-Today

Orthodontics-Today — Mon, 12 May 2008 20:05:04 +0000

In Romania the public school system is going downhill so fast it’s shocking. Even if our society is not open to something like this, i consider home-schooling to be now a great idea. A good kid will develop nicely in any enviroment, be it at home or at school. As long as us, as parents, take care they’ll learn and develop nicely. All the rest is just excuse. Excellent article and blog ;)

By: Pam

Pam — Mon, 12 May 2008 18:17:51 +0000

Thank you for working to de-bunk these myths!

By: Dawn

Dawn — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:54:12 +0000

Great post! I home school my kids and I'm a credentialed teacher. I would say that the credentials really aren't necessary. Most of what I learned in teaching school was how to manage a classroom and this isn't really an issue with homeschooling. Dawns last blog post..First Fishing Trip

By: Tonya

Tonya — Mon, 12 May 2008 14:55:55 +0000

I’ve heard all of those, too, and eventually stopped being offended by them and just brushed them off as unintentional ignorance. I got fed up with the limitations of public school and started “unschooling” my kids when one was in 3rd grade and the other in 7th. After being unschooled for three years, my oldest took and passed his GED at 16 yrs old and was accepted into college for the fall term. And my daughter has a busier social life than I do between martial arts, the Boys + Girls Club and other activities.

We’re secular and I, too, have always been most offended by the religious assumptions. We’ve had a blast unschooling and the difference in how much I’ve gotten to know my kids this way vs. sending them off somewhere else for 8-10 hours a day (as much as 12 if you count after-school care) is the coolest thing ever.

By: Laundry & Children

Laundry & Children — Mon, 12 May 2008 13:54:57 +0000

I love this post because I have heard everyone of these. The only one missing is, “This is fine for elementary school, but you will put them in school for middle and/or high school?” I answer that one with, “We will take each year as it comes.”

The one about socialization always makes me laugh. We send kids to school to socialize them and then immediately tell them that they are not allowed to talk to each other during class. So I guess by socialization, people mean that kids need to learn to stand in line quietly. One trip to the bank and my kids had that one nailed.

And when it comes to the idea that we homeschool because we don’t want to integrate our family in to society, I just laugh. We are a transracial family. I am always telling people, “Yes we homeschool, but not in a live off the grid kind of way.” My kids interact with more of society than any kid sitting in a school for 8 hours with people solely from their own geographic and socio-economic background.

I’ve seen both sides of the coin, traditional school (with my oldest daughter) and homeschool. For us, homeschool is the way to go.

Laundry & Childrens last blog post..Happy Mother’s Day!