Comments:

Inkdragon
When my boys were younger I was involved with quite a few moms (I've since conquered that bad habit!). Some were home-schoolers. There were precious few who were disciplined enough to follow a schedule. Now these kids have been put into the mainstream and they are struggling socially and some are having a very hard time academically. Of course, the parents are blaming these troubles on the school system, which is not the case. I recently had to call a woman about some information, waiting until 9:10 AM because she has elementary aged children. She answered and I told her I waited until the kidlets were in school and she said, "Oh no. I home-school." To which I replied, "So no time is a good time to call." You know what she said, don't you? "Oh! Any time is a good time." I am sure there are some good home school structures and qualified instructors in the world, but in my humble opinion, I have yet to find one.
[2004-03-20 10:43:03]

When my boys were younger I was involved with quite a few moms (I've since conquered that bad habit!). Some were home-schoolers. There were precious few who were disciplined enough to follow a schedule. Now these kids have been put into the mainstream and they are struggling socially and some are having a very hard time academically. Of course, the parents are blaming these troubles on the school system, which is not the case. I recently had to call a woman about some information, waiting until 9:10 AM because she has elementary aged children. She answered and I told her I waited until the kidlets were in school and she said, "Oh no. I home-school." To which I replied, "So no time is a good time to call." You know what she said, don't you? "Oh! Any time is a good time." I am sure there are some good home school structures and qualified instructors in the world, but in my humble opinion, I have yet to find one.

Audrey
It really depends on the child and how they are wired. If you have a really introverted child who can't make friends to save his life, he would be better off in public or private school. I'm a junior and have been homeschooled all of my life, and have more friends than most people who go to regular school. I really feel like I'm on the defensive here, I'm not trying to be, but I feel I have to state my case. I hope I'm not stepping on anyone's toes. Anyway, about the "What Mom says, goes" I get a lot of good advice from my mom, but that doesn't determine every aspect of my life. I usually test her theories out when I can and more often than not, she's right, but not all the time. She's actually a very good teacher (in every sense of the word), compared to some of the teachers I have heard about from my friends' schools. We basically run our schedule like our Christian school at our church does. We even take SAT's (the private school's TASS) every spring to see where we are and what areas we need work on. My two brothers did poorly in English last year, so my mom bought them workbooks for extra practice, and they are doing better this year. The reason we were homeschool stems from my mother's childhood and because we are lower middle class and cannot afford $2,000 a year per child. When my mom was growing up, her mother taught at a Christian school across town (We live in Houston; it took them about 30-45 minutes every day to get to school) so her my mom, aunts, and uncles could attend for free. My mom once asked my grandma why she didn't just homeschool them instead of what they were doing, and my grandma said she'd never thought about it. Anyway, I feel bad about the stereotype I get because other people can't pull their act together. My mom wouldn't mind relenquishing authority to a school at all, we just don't have the money. I don't feel cheated or anything that I did not go to a regular school. I feel completely prepared to go to college and have a career. In fact, I'm excited. I also like to think I'm well-adjusted:P. Sorry, this was so long, but I hope someday you have the chance to meet people who are actually doing it the right way. :)
[2004-03-20 17:27:52]

It really depends on the child and how they are wired. If you have a really introverted child who can't make friends to save his life, he would be better off in public or private school. I'm a junior and have been homeschooled all of my life, and have more friends than most people who go to regular school. I really feel like I'm on the defensive here, I'm not trying to be, but I feel I have to state my case. I hope I'm not stepping on anyone's toes. Anyway, about the "What Mom says, goes" I get a lot of good advice from my mom, but that doesn't determine every aspect of my life. I usually test her theories out when I can and more often than not, she's right, but not all the time. She's actually a very good teacher (in every sense of the word), compared to some of the teachers I have heard about from my friends' schools. We basically run our schedule like our Christian school at our church does. We even take SAT's (the private school's TASS) every spring to see where we are and what areas we need work on. My two brothers did poorly in English last year, so my mom bought them workbooks for extra practice, and they are doing better this year. The reason we were homeschool stems from my mother's childhood and because we are lower middle class and cannot afford $2,000 a year per child. When my mom was growing up, her mother taught at a Christian school across town (We live in Houston; it took them about 30-45 minutes every day to get to school) so her my mom, aunts, and uncles could attend for free. My mom once asked my grandma why she didn't just homeschool them instead of what they were doing, and my grandma said she'd never thought about it. Anyway, I feel bad about the stereotype I get because other people can't pull their act together. My mom wouldn't mind relenquishing authority to a school at all, we just don't have the money. I don't feel cheated or anything that I did not go to a regular school. I feel completely prepared to go to college and have a career. In fact, I'm excited. I also like to think I'm well-adjusted:P. Sorry, this was so long, but I hope someday you have the chance to meet people who are actually doing it the right way. :)

Barbara
I loved this entry, and I also agree. There are some Home Schooled Children who have done quite well and even received scholarships from Ivy League Universities. But that doesn't occur to often.
[2004-03-20 19:56:25]

I loved this entry, and I also agree. There are some Home Schooled Children who have done quite well and even received scholarships from Ivy League Universities. But that doesn't occur to often.

Magna Cum Spritopias
Yeah, you also have to love that 90% of home school kids drop out of college becuase they can't cut it without Mommy.
[2004-03-20 20:01:42]

Yeah, you also have to love that 90% of home school kids drop out of college becuase they can't cut it without Mommy.

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