Have you ever tried to convince someone to homeschool?

[meowee]

Have you ever tried to convince someone to homeschool?

Is it "ethical" to try to do this?

I am in a situation with my sister where she keeps dropping hints that she wants to homeschool (even after seeing me utterly despair, totally burnout, and almost put my kids in school). I don't know if I should actively encourage her (send her books and articles) or if I should not do or say much of anything.

Have you ever been in a situation like this?

[teachinmaof3]

I wouldn't try and convince someone if they public/private school is working for their family. I know HS'ing isn't for everyone and each family has to do what fits them.

A year or two ago my SIL acted interested and was asking me questions. Even tho I could tell she wasn't really serious about it, I emailed her a BUNCH of links and info. I never heard her talk about it again. *shrug*

Have you tried coming out and asking her if she's interested? I would probably casually start giving her info.

[2tadpoles]

I don't think it's necessarily unethical to try and convince someone to homeschool, but I think it might classify as being rude. I've had people suggest to me that my kids should be in public school, and I really don't appreciate their unsolicited, uninformed advice.

If it was someone I knew well or a family member, and they were unhappy with their school situation, I would just remind them that homeschooling is an option. The next step would be up to them.

This is just my opinion.... but homeschooling is bucking the system, and bucking the system takes backbone and guts. If your sister (no offense intended, as I don't know her and this is pure speculation) doesn't have the gumption to actively seek out information, then she probably doesn't have the gumption to homeschool. It's not your responsibility to babysit her through her parenting choices.

Also be aware that I have no siblings, so my opinion might not amount to a hill of beans.

[Fieryfly]

I have never tried to convince anyone to homeschool, it just isn't me. I provide lots of email and telephone help to parents interested in homeschooling and am always willing to share homsechooling information with others who ask. However I would never try to tell someone that homeschooling would be the best choice for them.

I have a friends who's 10yr old has trouble at school, and as much as I think hs'ing would work wonders for her son, I would never attempt to convince her to do it. At one tough point she did ask me for information, but it ended at that. I do know that if she ever did want to homeschool, she would make up her mind on her own.

I have had those type of comments mentioned during conversations, and I usually just smile and mention that if they ever have any questions to feel free to give me a call. I leave it at that.

[onlyzombiecat]

I think I would just come out and ask your sister if she has questions about your homeschooling experience or would like some books/articles on homeschooling to help her decide. If she says she wants to homeschool or wants to know more about it I would give her honest answers and let her know I would give any support I could in whatever she chooses. I don't feel that encouraging or supporting an expressed interest is unethical. By not talking to your sister you could be sending negative messages about her or homeschooling.

If I was interested in homeschooling and my sister homeschooled at all I would probably turn to her for info about it regardless of how much other research I did on the subject. If she wouldn't talk to me about it I would feel kind of hurt. It would feel like she didn't think I could do it or did not support my choice.

[sha_lyn]

I tried with a good friend. Her DD had not started PS yet. The mother really wanted her DD in catholic school but couldn't afford it. They lived in the same school school district as us. It was only a yr or 2 after we pulled DS out of the school because it was so horrible. There was a lot going on at the county level here too. To the point where the superintendent was fired and sued, board members recalled, many teachers fired etc. I showed her all the info online as to the failing test scores at the school etc. However she believed someone in the front office who told her it was a great school. She had problems all yr with them. She has since moved out of state and we've lost touch.

[eilonwy]

I spent the first five years of my niece's life trying to get my sister to let me homeschool her. After two years of hell in the public school system, my sister pulled her out this year and I'm doing it. Well, technically, my mother is... but who's counting? :LOL

If someone mentioned to me that they were having major problems in school, I might ask if they'd considered homeschooling. I can't see trying to convince someone to homeschool (my sister is a special case) but I would certainly encourage them and tell them that it's not as difficult as you might imagine. Just like breastfeeding.

[SagMom]

No, but I've known many people who complain to me about their kids' school experiences. I once joined in with a "the trouble with school" conversation, but it quickly became apparent that I shouldn't have. (Kind of like criticizing your spouse's family, he can do it, but you shouldn't, yk?) Anyway, from then on, I just decided to nod in sympathy when people tell me their school woes. Depending on the vibes I get from them, I might say, "If you ever want to look into homeschooling, let me know." or something like that.

[splendid]

I don't think I convinced anyone, but whenever someone mentions they are thinking about it, I give them information so they can make an informed decision. I don't think it my place to convince anybody, just my place to give information so they can see things in a different light.