who does homeschooling?

Question

and do you think its better than regular schools? and why?

Answer 1

I homeschool my children. I can assure you that I'm not a mindless, religious freak, nor am I weird and ignorant. I would have to say that of the many homeschooling families I know, they are very far from being ignorant and most are not terribly religious. My kids meet other kids all the time, as well as other adults, so the idea they don't get to be with other kids is crazy. Besides, if a child has a sibling, they have CONSTANT social interaction with another child. For us, it's not very expensive because I don't buy expensive things for our schooling. We probably spend more on paper and pencils than anything.

I think it's better for *us* than sending our kids to regular schools. They are not growing up adopting a whole ton of unacceptable behaviours widely displayed at school, they are not exposed to totally inappropriate talk that they would be embarrassed to actually share with us once they got home, they're not being bullied or watching people be bullied, they get to work at their own pace, they get to be challenged more if they are ready for it, they get to truly use their attention and concentration skills by spending an hour or more on something at the elementary level instead of having to change work every 40 minutes or so, they get to be raised by me, they get to meet kids from all over the city, they get to meet new people all the time, people who aren't all the same age they are, they get lots of coaching on proper behaviour, they get to go to the bathroom when they darn well need to, they get to spend more time out in our community than they would if they were in a school all day... Lots of things that, to me, seem important for adult life.

Basically, I think it's better for my kids than regular school because they will spend their elementary years with adults as their primary behaviour models and will have an education that is truly tailored to them, the way highly educated people of the past did.

Answer 2

I pulled my son out of public school and began homeschooling for a few reasons. He has some minor health issues that require him to miss too much school. He was the target of bullies because I taught him that although it is okay to defend one's self, fighting is not the best answer (yes, I have been in my fair share of fights as recently as two years ago). He was not being challenged in public school and was so bored that he refused to pay attention and would talk in class while the teacher was giving instructions (yet he still made the honor roll). An education is so very important - especially elementary education since everything builds upon it. Am I opposed to putting him back in public school later? Absolutely!! Am I opposed to putting him in a private school later? No. But I can tell you this, it is not for the lazy, stupid idiots that some have called us. It takes lots of time and planning. It can be so much fun and creates/fosters a love of learning that will be so beneficial for the future.

The idiots are the one's who degrade and/or bash something that they obviously know nothing about.

BTW - Although I am a Christian, my decision to homeschool has absolutely nothing to do with my faith. I actually had several teachers from public school tell me that if they could afford to lose the income, they would homeschool their own children rather than put them in public school because the schools are so dangerous now and so regulated that most of the times they aren't allowed the time to actually TEACH and so many kids are just falling through the cracks.

Answer 3

We homeschool our three kid-os! And we have a blast!

We get up in the morning and eat and get our school work done. This takes all of about 3 hours. We play a bunch of games to reinforce what we have learned along-side the regular work that one would think of when thinking of school.

Then we have choir, Awanas, Basketball, Bowling and playdates with friends from public schools, private schools and other homeschoolers.

We are MORE social than social-retards sitting in a government issued desk.

We are done with "Class" in about 2-3 hours, while you spend 8 hours doing WHAT?

We feel sorry for those who MUST attend public schools. Not everyone has the ability to homeschool. I wish it were different, so that more people could do so.

But I am grateful even more that public schools exist. Why? Because people have OPTIONS. And that is what this great country is about; Options.

May you all succeede in whatever works for you!
Peace!

Answer 4

I have been homeschooled for gr. 1-5, went to a school for gr. 6 and 7 and returned for the rest of my grades. I am now heading into my 12th year and I am loving it. When I went into the 6th grade at school, it was a waste of my time since the material that I was 'learning' I had covered 2 years before. Most homeschool programs are a couple of grades advanced than the normal public school. Most homeschool curriculm is heavily based on parent teaching, which causes some parents to put their kids back in school because they burn out. However, the curriculm I am using is self taught. I am giving material that is explained well and I learn it myself. It is called the Robinson Curriculm for all you homeschoolers out there wanting to check it out. The guy who created it has 7 kids I believe and each of them had no high school credits but challenged the university entranced exams and skipped the first year or two of university because they had such good education. So, I believe that homeschooling is better because we learn more.

About us being religious freaks.... I admit that I am a Christian, but I am not a freak. Also, not all homeschoolers are religious. True, most of us are, but who cares. Maybe it is because we want to keep our kids away from bullies and away from the influences that cause our kids to kill themselves and shoot others.

I know 14 year olds who are homeschooled and can talk to young kids, kids their age, and adults with no problems. I also know kids around their ages who are not homeschooled and wish only to talk to those who are their ages. What good will that do them? When they get a job, will they only work with those their ages? Obviously not. Homeschoolers are a lot more mature and can identify with any age group; not just their own.

So, to answer your question, do I think homeschooling is better than regular schools, yes, I believe it is better than regular schools. Why? Because we know how to adapt to the world better. Also, we get a better education. Hope that answers your question. Oh, and for those out their that think we are brainwashed by our parents when we are homeschooled, we are not. I disagree with my parents ALL the time. Besides, where did you get that idea that we are brainwashed? Did you come up with it yourself or did someone plant the idea? So, who is getting brainwashed?

Answer 5

I could cite statistical studies saying homeschoolers score better on standardized tests.
I could cite studies that say grown up people who were homeschooled are found to be happier adults.

But instead i will point out my own experience. I find that public school is a waste of precious time. A child can get so much work done in a shorter period working on his or her own. That saved time can then be used tto spend with friends, loved ones, and outside activities.

If public schools allowed each child to work independantly with online programs and private tutors, and then spend the rest of they day exploring arts and playing, then they would be ALMOST PERFECT.. but then there is still the crime problems.

Answer 6

I did, believe me its alot of hardwork, it takes alot of dedication, self commitment, patience and to come up with new ways to keep yourself challenged. As for if its better than regular schools or not, I think it depends on the students personality and character. Im shy, so I prefer being homeschooled. my sister on the other hand does better when she is in school. but I believe homeschooling is getting much better with a growing number of homeschool associations that get homeschoolers to interact with each other. Unfortunatley, I didnt have the chance to get involved.

Answer 7

In my experience, our school fought with me for 8 years because they did not want to help both my daughters with special ed services. THe special ed in public schools is horrible.
The school rigged their grades to make out like they were doing 'good' so they could 'prove' my children were ok, so they wouldn't have to help.
Oh there are so many devious things the school did.
Even with kids who don't need help, it is ridiculous. My grandson is getting F's for work that the teacher does not even 'teach'.
She hands out sheets and says 'do it'
But when his mother asks teacher 'how' she is teaching this stuff, teacher doesn't reply to her.
And, With the 'no child left behind' crap in schools now, teachers have a set number of things they have to teach. So they fly thru everything, not making sure and not even caring if the kids learn it all.
When my child was in 2nd grade, teacher told me that administrators told her she could NOT help my child. She said she's never seen a child with those type problems. The school rigged the 'official' tests for special ed eligibility (I have official proof)
Anyway I could go on all day about the school crap.
Within ONE WEEK of doing homeschool, my child improved drastically.
Public schools teach in only ONE WAY, which is sitting at the books. No more creativity or individuality. Some children, such as mine, can NOT learn this way. THey have other learning 'strenghts'.
And schools do not care if children 'learn' in a different way than the school 'teaches'
SO, they put all the kids in one box. If any child can not learn in that way, the school says child is lazy, doesn't care, doeson't try, etc.
Teachers of ALL people should know that all children have different learning styles. But they kiss the schools butt and go along with ruining the childs self esteem and make him think he's 'stupid' instead of trying to help him

which is what we ALL as TAXPAYERS pay these stupid people for !!!!!!!!!

Answer 8

I was homeschooled through my sophomore year of high school. I think the people who bash homeschoolers are the true ignorant ones. To stereotype all homeschoolers as religious freaks and to label it as ignorance does not seem to be too smart to me. I thought the public schools taught tolerance...but I guess not!!

Answer 9

Homeschooling occurs everywhere. I've seen it more commonly in rural towns where transportation can be a problem. Depends on the parent or teacher and their education level when comparing this to public and private schools. Upside: More personalized education. Downside: Education could be skewed to the teachers liking or education level. Very little social interaction.

Answer 10

We do! We do!

I like it better than regular schools, mainly for the fact that my kids can spend as much time as they want on an interesting subject. They don't have to go by some school forced deadlines.

Also, I like that my kids are actually LEARNING. Not just learning to take a test.

I like the fact that my kids aren't learning to cuss and be wanna be bangers, or what have you. I like that they are home safe and I don't have to worry about them being shot up.

I like that my kids are learning to ask questions, not just taking orders from the teachers.

I like that my kids are home in a more relaxed atmosphere and not having to worry about bullies and fights.

As for the poster that said it's expensive, I've probably spent $200 in 3 YEARS. My friend spends more than that on school supplies for her kids every year. I don't buy the crappy boxed curriculum, though.

For the poster that said "religious freaks", we don't do organized religion.

For the poster that said "social retard", my kids are probably better behaved than any kid she ever saw. More considerate, better manners and can talk to people from any age group or nationality.