What do you think is a fair compromise on homeschooling between husband and wife?

Question

I am homeschooling my 6yr old son for K and my husband wants me to send him to public school nxt yr for social reasons. We only had one car this yr so I couldn't participate in any extra cirricular activities (all during day when he had car) or any of the hs parties or field trips. I think hubby is also worried about our son learning enough, which I know he is! He can write his name, knows letter sounds, can read few other words, very good at math and knows most numbers almost to 100, can count by 2's, 10s and 5's. I don't think 1 yr of hs is a fair compromise to me. Whats your opinion? And do you know of any activities in evenings until I get a 2nd car for myself?

Answer 1

The issue of socialization not being "taught" in a homeschool setting is ridiculous. I have three kids. My wife is their teacher and mom. We go to church activities at least 3 times per week. They have a fine arts program every Monday with 600 other home school kids from K - 12. They are part of a HS bowling league with 50 other kids as well. What other socialization do you want?

I understand you don't have a car. Maybe you could hook up with another HS mom who does and split the gas money. A perfect way to get him into HS activities that could benefit everyone involved.

For you that are against homeschool, here is a top 10 list for you...

Top 10 Ways to Answer the Socialization Question for Home Schools

10. We're training him to like isolation so that he can be an astronaut.
9. Socialization? We're Republicans!
8. Don't worry. We get together with other kids twice a week so he can learn how to spit on them and treat them disrespectfully.
7. We do Unit Studies on Socialization, and also Hair Washing, Clothes Folding, and other completely redundant subjects.
6. I'm sorry, I didn't hear you. I was mentally planning their week of fine arts classes, baseball, karate, singing class, church youth events, home school choir, museum trips. What were you saying about socialization?
5. If I could get him to stop planning so many group camping trips and book fairs, I'd be able to convince him to socialize!
4. Huh?
3. Please, just for a change, ask me about college, okay?
2. Squeak, dive under the nearest object, peek out, and mutter "who are you and what do you want?"
1. Oh, I know what you mean! That's why we're homeschooling, for the socialization!"

Answer 2

I don't know the real answer. We're in a similar situation. Money is so tight right now and it would help if my wife would be able to work fulltime for a while. She's almost done with k5 with our 6 year old and she's doing awesome. I've seen the public school system mess up kids really bad. The thing about "socializing" it's a bunch of BS. Kids don't need school to socialize. There are plenty of opportunities for them to socialize. This is only a problem for people who are totally isolated. I'd vote for homeschool anyday. I know it's tough and the job you're doing is a very tough job, but I think it's so worth it. I think our kids are worth our spending our time with them rather than letting some teacher fill their brains with weird ideas.

Answer 3

The number one problem of home schooling is that children do not get enough social interaction. They often learn more, academically, than do their counterparts, but they more often than not turn out shy, quiet, and unable to appropriately interact with other children (painful though that interaction may be at times). If you are able to find plenty of places for your child to interact with others, then there is no need to worry about public school. However, if it isn't happening, this isn't good. Be careful of how you measure your son's progress. It is very misleading to test your son against some standard that may have little to do with your family and economic class etc.

Finally, you are husband have to get on the same page as far as education and child rearing. It's not good when the two of you are so far apart. Sit down and talk. You both have the same goals so figure out what is best for your child and don't make the child the subject of fights.

Answer 4

There's a series of books out called "What your first (2nd, 3rd, etc.) grader should know." They might help to let you know if your child's education is on track or not. Any book store like Barnes and Noble or Borders have them. I taught kindergarten for two years and the children learned the letters and sounds by Christmas. We used phonics (long and short vowels, consonant blends and digraphs, etc.) and they were reading small books by themselves by the time they went to first grade. As for activities, there are ample opportunities on the weekends at Sunday School if you're religious. Or perhaps you could ride with another mother and chip in for gas.

Answer 5

Our son is 18 and in a school with 28 kids I LOVE IT, HE LOVES IT. It is much better than homeschooling for it is accredited, they are seperated by age so there is the social mixing that a child needs and he has friends and Its small.
You pay so much per month BUT WELL WORTH IT.
I have worked over time for 4 years to keep my son in Christian School and as I said HE LOVES IT

Answer 6

My personal opinion of home schooling is that it is a poor substitute for a school education. Beyond just the social element (which is critical in and off itself), a teacher knows exactly how fast kids should be going and has greater resources to teach with. That doesn't mean you step out of your child's education, you can bring in things the curriculum misses. That's my opinion, as I said, but homeschooling isn't that popular here.

Answer 7

I agree with your husband, send the boy to public school, he needs to learn how to behave in social situations a lot more that just ABC's. It is in the boy's best interests to get along in the world, he is going to have to sooner or later.

Answer 8

Studies have shown that children that were homeschooled tested higher than children that went to public schools. To simply put it, the homeschool kids were smarter.

Answer 9

Well, the homeschooling debate is always the tough one and no one never really ever wins.in an agruement against it....in cases that I have seen it has either been out of convenience or as a false hope of "protecting" their child...there is more to school than academic learning.....sometimes we all need to step of of our protective bubbles....e-amil me if you'd like

Answer 10

None. Barefoot and pregnant is bad enough. Than homeschooling? Ugh!

Go along with your husband. You can get a life, dear. Don't be scared.