HOMESCHOOLING

I have never been homeschooled or homeschooled but a few of my friends do this! They seem to like it. One friend in particular is very frugal and she thinks by homeschooling her children, she has 5, that she is saving in the long run!

Quote

Hi, Erin. I homeschooled my 2 children...on a tight budget...despite the mundane! If I had it to do over, I would choose that route again. The public school system is much worse now than when I homeschooled. Good luck to ya!

Quote

MMe home schools if i'm not wrong.

i always wondered if homeschool could have an impact in the social aspect though..

Quote

Do you mean as in the childrens interaction with other children?

Quote

yes...

Quote

Hey Erin, we live on a very tight budget as well. I buy a lot of used stuff...and new but homeschooling can cost anything from 0 to a million $'s.

Quote

the social aspect is usually nothing to worry about...studies have shown that homeschool kids tend to have a richer social life than their public school counterparts

Quote

my child is involved in many activities outside of home. I get to monitor who she's doing those activities with and I'm around to monitor things. It's not about hiding our children from the world but being there with them as they learn

Quote

Well, speaking of the children I am around who are homeschooled, most of the homeschooled children hook up with other homeschooled children frequently!

For instance, one friend, who has 4 children has activities at least 2 to 3 times per week. She even had it set up where the children did experience the classroom setting one year, just for the interaction from other children!

But, there is one friend of mine, who the only time her children are around other children is when they are family get togethers, so I can understand where some may have concerns with that!

Quote

I agree lilolme. It really does depend on the parent's inituative to see that the children are socially interacting with kids. There are many oppurtunities...church, sports, homeschool associations..the park. It's just a matter of doing it.

Quote

HI Erin,

Here are some of my thoughts on Homeschooling. First of all, I have two sisters and 1 brother all of which were home schooled as well. I am the oldest in my family and my parents didn't start homeschooling us until I got jumped by a gang in 8th grade. My little brother who was in 3rd grade at that time had a b.b. gun pulled on him and a knife at his throat. I live in UTAH.

I loved being home schooled. I still went to prom in high school. I had a lot of friends through my church and our Home schooling group.
For me the positive things were.
I wasn't afraid to go to school.
I wasn't introduced to Drugs, Sex or beer, wine etc.
I was able to go at my own pace.
I actually entered the work force at age 16 in an office and made 8.00 an hour . That was pretty good for a 16 yr. old.
I had health issues so being home schooled also worked for me there.

NEGATIVES of homeschooling for me were......
I still don't have my GED. (because I haven't taken the test)
This has made it difficult to get any kind of job worth any real pay. I have worked at Walmart and such. But if I needed a job that could really pay, I wouldn't find one with out at least my diploma. I'd prefer to have a diploma instead.

If you choose to do homeschooling. I know they have made things a little easier.

I choose not to home school my own children for the following reasons. This is just what works for me and is only my opinion.
I don't think my children would listen to me as a teacher.
If you find this with your own children it's probably not a good idea. But if they listen to you and can sit still with out fighting you on learning than you are probably okay. It takes discipline both from the parents and the children.

You as a mom have to be disciplined enough to set a tight schedule when it comes to school work. There should be consistency. If that will work for you. Then I say go for it!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quote

Erin I know you said something about Christian school. It sounds like a great idea, but consider this: when kids get expelled from public school where do they go? A lot of them at least around here go to the private christian schools. It also costs a good bit of money unless you can get on some kind of scholarship program. Charter schools can be an option too...i do recommend finding out more about where the kids come from...that go there. Just something to chew on. My husband and I considered private school but it wasnt within our means. It took me forever to decide if I wanted to homeschool...up until the last registration day to be exact. I knew the Father was pulling me where I was scared to go. It was scary but not anymore....obviously or I wouldn't be going on and on about it.

Quote

Also I should point out that I preferred my children (girl7 and boy 5)to go to a private church school. Which are very expensive and I really can't afford at this time. So instead because they are in public school I make sure I am apart of the school. PTA volunteering and such has made a huge difference I think with my daughter. I actually had a fear of panic run through me as I registered her for kindergarten. But after volunteering at the school. I felt I knew what was going on. I was in the class room on a weekly basis. I knew the teacher and her friends. I'm not saying that I will always feel that way but for now it works.

Quote

NiciRici, why didn't you graduate if I'm not being too nosy? just curious :)

Quote

this is an excellent conversation

i like seeing the pros and cons discussed calmly :-)

Quote

I agree NiciRici, homeschooling is something that one has to really pray about. I know some public school kids that are turning out fine. It's a matter of how involved we as parents are in our children's learning and upbringing. The minute that we intrust the school system to instill THEIR values is when it becomes a problem. I give you props for being networked into your children's education.

Quote

dalila wrote:the social aspect is usually nothing to worry about...studies have shown that homeschool kids tend to have a richer social life than their public school counterparts

i disagree,sorry

Quote

Sum southern sugar, there are pros and cons to every situation. What's good for me isn't necessarily good for someone else. I will say this. It ticks me off when someone gives me a very blunt opinion and they make assumptions about my children's upbringing without doing proper research. Thats the only time I may not be calm b/c we're all doing the best we can as parents. There's no room for judgement for anyone.

Quote

still disagree,and even more sorry

Quote

Well I am 29 now, and I am not sure about the laws where your from. But here you had to have your credits so I think it had something to do with the fact that they wanted to know I had done everything. That my parents weren't just saying I had done the work. I could have gone and taken the g.e.d. but that's all it is is a g.e.d. I am still going to do that. I can still get a diploma but it wouldn't come from the highschool in my area that I grew up. It would come from the community college which isn't looked upon as favorable in the job market. Because that is where drop outs go. I never felt that stigma was fair. I didn't drop out of school. I was just taught at home. I plan to continue on getting something though because I actually want to go to college and get a degree of my own. In case something ever happened to my husband and he couldn't provide for us. I'd need a degree to get a job to help support my family.

I believe they have changed this law hence my earlier statement.

"If you choose to do homeschooling. I know they have made things a little easier."

In fact when looking at private schools weather they are church related or not. It's important to make sure that they are a credited institution with the state. Meaning any credits earned there are valid. If the school is not credited any school work done there will be a waste because it isn't counted towards an actual diploma. Just some research I had done here in my state. When looking for a private school for my daughter. =) This was very long winded of me. LOL Sorry.

Quote

Ghost_Writer37 wrote:still disagree,and even more sorry

I would like to know what makes you an expert on this. Have you been home schooled?

Quote

Ghost writer, I encourage you to look up studies done on this subject. :)

Quote

i will NOT!!!!!!!!
i quoted you saying it was BETTER for social skills,i disagree 100%

Quote

erinandhergirls wrote:There is even homeschooling on the computer. My niece does it and LOVES it!!!

Any experiences with this?

no experince but a speculation,odds are she will be afraid outside her "safe" zone,thats not good as an adult.thats what i think

Quote

NiciRici, it's nice to hear your opinions and your info. Here in my state my home is a state recognized private school. I am registered with the state. They'll count my children's credits when she is of age and I have to get her state tested every year.

Quote

and what test did you have to take dalila?friendly question remember

Quote

Ghost writer, it's better to do research before "speculating". I didn't make my decision to homeschool very quickly at all. I researched and researched and came into contact with many homeschoolers. I am a product of the public school system and had two younger brothers behind me and saw how much worse it got every year where we lived.

Quote

Ghost Writer, I can choose whatever state test I want to give...some tests require 4 yr college degree to administer. I chose the Woodcock Johnson for this year. I may do Iowa or Cats next year...very highly regarded tests.

Quote

I don't understand what your problem is Ghost writer. There is no need to be nasty. Perhaps that is a social faux pa you learned in public school.

Quote

Attezo wrote:MMe home schools if i'm not wrong.

i always wondered if homeschool could have an impact in the social aspect though..

I would recommend joining a homeschool group. Also, some schools will allow homeschooled children to participate in some of their programs (since homeschoolers are still required to pay school taxes).

Quote

Hmmm, I may be mistaken but aren't there some kind of tests that you as a parent have to give your children periodically to prove to the state that you are in fact teaching your children?

I always thought this was the only way to recieve your diploma!

*edited to add*

Was away from the computer too long before posting this!!!

Edited on July 21, 2008 at 3:11 PM Quote

Ghost writer are you asking me what test I had to take or what test my child had to take? Sorry I may have misunderstood :)

Quote

ok,i grew up in inner city,i was the minority for sure,it does have to do with ya area.

if its best in ya opinion then proudly homeschool them,i ONLY know of small safe town homeschoolers,thats why i speak.

city limits i understand

Quote

Yes, in order to receive a diploma children have to complete their credits just like public school kids. It's a whole lot easier for homeschool families to achieve this now. Actually, it's a funny thing b/c the colleges are actually starting to really pursue homeschool graduates nowadays b/c of their good portfolios.

Quote

NiciRici - i would like to encourage you to get your GED or high school equivalency diploma despite what you may feel about the stigma attached to it. Having the GED is much better than having nothing for the time and effort you and your parents put in for your education. And as you said, not having it will severely limit your job options. And having your GED would allow you to go on to college if you so choose.

For reasons I won't go into, I decided to pull my son out of high school, and he went on to earn his GED and get his diploma a year earlier than he would have had he stayed in school. He is now in college and doing well, and the GED should not negatively impact his job search when the time comes.

Edited on July 21, 2008 at 3:15 PM Quote

Ghost Writer, Just because I live in UTAH doesn't mean I come from a small town. I grew up in one of the worst Cities in my state. Where there are a lot of gangs. Granted they aren't as violent in comparison to California gangs but never the less there are still shootings, gang rapes and so forth. That was the reasoning behind my parents decision to home school.

Quote

I grew up in the inner city too and I'll have to admit I thought the homeschooling people were a bunch of crazies at first too. LOL :) It's amazing how the years of actually doing this and research have changed me so much.

Quote

FleaCDP wrote:NiciRici - i would like to encourage you to get your GED despite what you may feel about the stigma attached to it. Having the GED is much better than having nothing for the time and effort you and your parents put in for your education. And as you said, not having it will severely limit your job options. And having your GED would allow you to go on to college if you so choose.

For reasons I won't go into, I decided to pull my son out of high school, and he went on to earn his GED and get his diploma a year earlier than he would have had he stayed in school. He is now in college and doing well, and the GED should not negatively impact his job search when the time comes.

I totally agree with this!

I dropped out of High School for numerous reasons. The main one being I thought I knew it all and was going to do what I wanted to do! Stupid, yes!

Anyway, I went back and got my GED when I was 21 and can honestly say that I have held a few jobs that I couldn't have held without a diploma of any kind!!!

Quote

Ghost writer, A lot of my decisions about homeschooling are based on the fact I went to public school. I was involved in drugs by the age of 14, a teacher actually caught me smoking a joint in the bathroom in 9th grade and turned around and walked away. I know that this isn't the only school where things like this take place.

Quote

FleaCDP wrote:NiciRici - i would like to encourage you to get your GED despite what you may feel about the stigma attached to it. Having the GED is much better than having nothing for the time and effort you and your parents put in for your education. And as you said, not having it will severely limit your job options. And having your GED would allow you to go on to college if you so choose.

For reasons I won't go into, I decided to pull my son out of high school, and he went on to earn his GED and get his diploma a year earlier than he would have had he stayed in school. He is now in college and doing well, and the GED should not negatively impact his job search when the time comes.

Awwwwwwwww, Thanks Flea! I will be getting my GED, It's something my husband him self has been encouraging me to do. He wasn't home schooled and has a Masters degree in business and marketing. And what do you know he still fell in love with a girl like me. LOL. My husband and I both agree that Education is one of the most important things you can give your child these days. It's not the x boxes, televisions or trips to heaven knows where. But if they get the right education that could put them on a path with real job security. Weather its public school, private school, charter schools or home schooled just make sure they are getting a good education!

Quote

NiciRici, I have many friends that got their GED and my brother too. They have been very successful. My brother is a real estate agent and I have a good friend who works in a medical office and makes good money. :) It may have been frowned upon at one time...im not sure...but I know many people that have one nowadays.

Quote

i wasnt homeschooled myself but the very FEW i did were not used to social with different races and sexes. I just feel its better to have kids interact,i send my son from my small white town to a major city for camp,its so important in my eyes.
no offence

Quote

There are still downfalls to having your GED!

I know in my city, there are lots of businesses who once see that you have your GED and not a HS diploma, throw your application or resume in the trash! Yes, this is not right and may not even be legal (of that I'm not sure). However, it does still get done nowadays!

*edited to add*

I'm not knocking a GED!

Edited on July 21, 2008 at 3:22 PM Quote

lilolme wrote:Hmmm, I may be mistaken but aren't there some kind of tests that you as a parent have to give your children periodically to prove to the state that you are in fact teaching your children?

At the time I homeschooled, I was required to take a test. I'm certified by the state to teach up to eighth grade.

Quote

btw,i quit high school twice! even had superintendent offer me a real graduation but denied,it was too late!

Quote

Arizonagal wrote:

lilolme wrote:Hmmm, I may be mistaken but aren't there some kind of tests that you as a parent have to give your children periodically to prove to the state that you are in fact teaching your children?

At the time I homeschooled, I was required to take a test. I'm certified by the state to teach up to eighth grade.

I thought I had heard my friends talking about that before! Also that teaching the higher level grades required more education on the parents part!

Quote

I've known many people who have homeschooled their children and they have grown up to be well adjusted, socially active and in most cases, better educated. So, if you feel this is what you want to do, then go for it.

Quote