How do you know that homeschoolers spend all day watching TV and playing on the computer?

Question

Or rather, how many homeschooled students do you know who watch TV and play computer all day?

According to Mr. Z, who apparently is able to teach you ALL about homeschooling because he's a certified teacher and most homeschooling parents aren't, although he's never actually studied homeschooling:

" Well, you get to sit at home and play on your computer all day, and watch TV, and do just about anything you want, cause your parents quickly realize that they can't do the job, so they let the computer do the job instead. It's kinda like being turned into a robot, so that's kinda bad, but who cares...I get to do whatever I want! I guess it's up to you to decide which of this is an advantage and which is a disadvantage. Me, I love it. I don't have to do ANYTHING I don't want to do. "

Mr. Z (Douglas), and anybody else who believes this nonsense, please tell me how many homeschoolers you PERSONALLY KNOW you do this? I don't know any, and I know a LOT of homeschoolers.

Answer 1

PLEASE DON'T TELL MY KIDS! They'll think I deprived them of all that fun leisure time all those years! LOL

I do know of one homeschool family who did that with their son, and it was horrible! His mother claimed they were "unschooling" and all he did was play video games all day. My daughters were friends with him and couldn't believe how far behind he was. He couldn't read, write or do math anywhere near his grade level. It was very sad.

Anyway, that was only one of numerous homeschool families I was acquainted with. Unfortunately, that's the one everyone focusses on and talks about.

Sue

Answer 2

I am a homeschool mom and I bet Mr Z would probably think that I deprive my children because we don't watch TV at all. Video games are very limited around our house too. For most homeschoolers, we find educational moments everywhere we go (grocery store, the park, etc).

Answer 3

Homeschoolers don't spend ALL day watching TV and playing on the computer. A rather large chunk of my homeschool time was also spent pretending to read books. What my parents never realized is that I never had to study in order to complete my assignments. The work was easy, but the trick to being a successful student from home is making it look difficult when it counts.
My parents were clueless, as most homeschool parents are. After I got my GED and started attending college, I was able to use the skills of pretending to my advantage. This made more time for drinking, partying and picking up on loose women. All the while, my professors were convinced I was working very hard to maintain my grades. I graduated with a 3.5 and never studied more than 2 or 3 hours per week. I had so much spare time, I even got a job in sales, just to pass the time.
Every homeschooler I know was guilty of a similar behavior on a consistant basis. Lucky for us, our parents never had a clue.

Answer 4

I am home schooled by myself. I am my own teacher. I am self disciplined, and really, if you home school, you have to be. Many people have asked me, "When you don't feel like doing school, can you just lay on the couch and watching TV?", or "It must be wonderful being able to do whatever you want." I don't think so. The reason I am homeschooling is because of the curriculum. All the subjects link together in a certain way that enriches the way of learning. I am able to travel with my family and go ahead in my work so I am caught up. It is a wonderful experience for me.

Answer 5

I don't believe that kids who are home schooled are being turned into robots, but I have to say that a lot of home schooled kids I met during my High School and Junior High years were lacking in many social skills. This is just my experience however.
And, on the other hand, I finally met some kids who were home schooled until Junior High, and they are a lot more normal than some of the other kids in school. I guess it depends upon personalities more than anything, but I would still send my kids (if I had any) to school so they could be social creatures. That is what human beings are made for... being social. Living in solitaire would kill us.

Answer 6

It sounds like the teachers in question feel very threatened. After all, if the vast majority of children were home educated, then the "official" teachers would be out of jobs!

Obviously, the "teacher" has flunked the test of an open mind....

And that right there, ladies and gentlemen, is why many of us home educate our children. We don't want them sitting like robots in classrooms listening to idiocy like Mr Z has spewed.

It's hard to imagine universities handing out diplomas to people like that.

Answer 7

I'm home schooled (been home schooled all my life) and I sit watching TV all day. My parents don't have to time to educate me and they don't want to.

Most all the homeschoolers I know do the same thing. And half of them hate being home schooled, but the parents think its so great. I don't get that.

Answer 8

My son watches far less TV now that he is home schooled than ever before.Computer time is strictly for research.He much rather read a book or do experiments in the kitchen.He is a great little chef.All the while improving math and reading skills.

Answer 9

LOLOLOL You are so funny Glurpy!

I always love reading your questions and answers!

My kids "play" on the computer about 3 hours a week. They watch TV only when school is done. They play video games one hour per day, and only if it was a very good school day.

Answer 10

First you have to take comments from people like doug z or james in context. z has an extensive history on this forum of bashing people across the board. It's pathetic, really.
James is a newcomer but already I'm already seeing the same trend:
advice to a suicidal girl: kill yourself if you want to
advice to a sister concerned that no one likes her brother, both are models: tell him to get in a fight, it builds character and maybe people will begin to like him.
Now, honestly, is this the type of people that need to be taken seriously, especially when they have such a desire to continue to try to beat down strangers? Hardly.
It is my opinion that people who spout inaccuracies and insults at people they don't know about things they know nothing about are venting frustrations based in their own lives and are acting out of a deep seated fear of the unknown.
The second point is summed up in one word in your last paragrah:
nonsense.
Nonsense: that sums it up nicely, wouldn't you say?

edit to add:
One of these people have contacted me by e-mail accusing me of being afraid to defend myself because I must know I'm not qualified to teach my children, and offered me the chance to prove I'm worthy to teach in the privacy of e-mail.
hahahahahahaha
yeah, right.