discussing hsing w/o offending others - Page 2

[Dar]

When I first started homeschooling I was a lot more impassioned about Evil Schools that institutionalize kids and take away their freedom and creativity... but a dozen years later, while we're still happily homeschooling, I've pretty much left that way of thinking behind.

Some schools are like that, I'm sure. I was a student, and a teacher, and I subbed in many, many schools. Other schools are caring places where teachers work to engage kids, and where kids really enjoy being. Some kids are happy homeschooling, and others aren't. I know a mom who radically unschooled her oldest two daughters, and then wound up with a youngest daughter who wanted to go school, went at age 9 or so, and loved it and thrived. Truly she was much happier at school than she would have been homeschooling, and I think she learned more.

I'm comfortable enough in my choice that I don't need to disparage anyone else's. I know there are schools out there that are good places for some kids to be and grow and learn, and I hope that people who choose to school are able to find the schools that fit their kids and their lifestyles. Homeschooling fot ours... and that's all I ever feel the need to say.

[alegna]

Originally Posted by philomom

That is simply untrue. There's lots of ways that schools bend and are accommodating of students. I have two gifted kids... one with some special needs. He has always gotten the instruction he required.

It's fantastic that your kids have gotten what they need I've worked with the gifted programs and the special ed programs around here and I'm sadly quite comfortable saying most gifted and special ed kids around here DON'T get what they need. Never mind the 2E ones which with new identifying guidelines are pretty much guaranteed to get nothing.

It is heartening to hear that there are places where gifted and 2E kids DO get what they need though. There was a time that was much more the case here.

That's part of why people don't tend to give me a hard time though, I always intended to use public magnet schools... until I taught in them.

-Angela

[theatermom]

Seriously, when people ask me, I tend to frame it in terms of the aspects of homeschooling that we love. I leave the schools out of it entirely, for a couple of reasons. One, just as "I" statements are more effective than "you" statements, it's a lot harder to offend when you're talking about how something benefits you personally. Two, I don't want to be educating in a reactionary way. I didn't choose homeschooling as the lesser of two (or more) evils, and I don't want to frame it that way to others, or to myself. I do know a couple of families who only homeschooled because they had bad PS experiences, and they sadly never overcame that hump -- they never really enjoyed hs'ing, and it showed, and was sad to be around, really.

So, I say talk about why homeschooling makes your heart sing, the same way that other folks who have found a school setting that fits their child and their families do.

[raelize]

Originally Posted by theatermom

. Two, I don't want to be educating in a reactionary way. I didn't choose homeschooling as the lesser of two (or more) evils, and I don't want to frame it that way to others, or to myself. I do know a couple of families who only homeschooled because they had bad PS experiences, and they sadly never overcame that hump -- they never really enjoyed hs'ing, and it showed, and was sad to be around, really.

good thoughts. definatly something to frame it around. i don't want to come off like it is the lesser of two evils. and, though i had bad experiences as a teacher and a student and a sibling, i am willing to admit that the right kid in the right school can thrive, and that really, your average kid with involved parents will do okay- i mean, that's how most of us got through. but, something to think about in terms of presentation.

[Mama Rana]

I've been going with the "I was dreading the start of the school year--crazy schedule, busy work, homework--and so decided this was the best choice for us. Plus I was jealous of all the cool things my homeschool friends were doing!"
For a few people, I've gone on with the, "yeah, our schools are pretty good around here, but they're still schools, with classes of 20-25 kids, which means there's a lot of sitting and waiting, and DS doesn't do well with that." and/or "I'm a certified teacher. I know how to do it, WANT to do it, and this way I'm freeing up resources for other families who either don't know how or don't want to, or can't because of work."

I haven't had too much questioning yet, but it's still early!

Good luck, R!