Homeschooling, would you consider it? Why or why not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"O wonder if you might be referring to kids who homeschool through high school? I think a lot of parents just homeschol through middle school but let their kids go on to high school for more advanced study than they can get at home. Those who continue homeschooling throughout high school do tend to be more on the extreme end of things I think... and their kids do seem a bit awkward."

What do the stats say?

I'm not aware of any studies out there measuring "social awkwardness"

Some days, looking at the peer culture that is out there, I'd actually be happy for my children not to fit into it.

[Anonymous]

Haven't read the replies, but this is something I think about sometimes. When I hear stories of children getting homework in kindergarten and first grade, and the pressure to excel in this city, I think maybe I'd like to opt out. I'm pretty confident that I can teach my child well (and if I chose to do it, I would probably audit an early education class at a college somewhere in order to help prepare). But I also think school can be important. I have a view of college that is probably non-traditional, but maybe not rare: I think it's only real purpose, at least, purpose that can't be gained by self-learning, is to act as social training wheels. It's a separation from mom and dad, but in a very specific petri dish that, for better or worse, serves as a transition to adulthood. School can serve the same purpose. But sometimes I wonder if I think that only because it's "what has always been done" and not what is best? Do kids REALLY need the socialization? Or do they do okay without it? After all, the family dynamic is social, especially if there is a big extended family. And classes can be taken on weekends, etc. At this point, I am leaning toward public school, with a lot of parental involvement, starting in first grade. I'll probably skip PK3, and do a part time PK4 that is very much play-based and very part time. Then for K, we'll see how it works. I'll try to PS system, but if it's not working, I'll pull my child for private or home.

I guess that was a whole paragraph's way of saying "beats me!"

[Anonymous]

I know several people who have done a few years of school, a few years of homeschool.

This works if you don't have your child in a magnet or special program -- the problem can be he loses his "spot" if you pull him out for a few years.

[Anonymous]

I also haven't read all of the replies, but just like anything else in life - it's what you make of it. All of the "socialization" concerns are really not concerns if homeschooling is done in a way to not limit this area of development. My 2 younger siblings were homeschooled and they are now very socially outgoing (not awkward at all) and fit into college life without any trouble. There are families and circumstances that may not be the best fit for homeschooling, but for some it's great.

Last time I looked, statistics showed that homeschoolers performed better in college because of the style of learning. They have learned to be proactive and open in the learning techniques and are not spoon-fed information. They usually do very well academically in college and socialization shouldn't be an issue if handled probably while homeschooling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"I don't understand posters who chase after grammar and spelling errors and have nothing else to contribute, especially when the writer is making valid, intelligent arguments. "

Even when the topic is HOMESCHOOLING?

Paging Oscar Wilde & Noel Coward.

Another pp here. It's a discussion board, not a thesis.

I made one simple error in a phrase that was awkwardly worded to begin with (probably should have worded it better) I dared to make the mistake of saying "my sister and I" instead of "my sister and me" and someone got uptight. First of all I think they have too much time on their hands. Secondly - if small grammar mistakes makes it impossible for them to comprehend a paragraph it is their education that I am worried about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. I am a professor, and my colleagues and I do notice a social difference between the homeschooled children and the rest. It's as if they haven't developed the proper social "filters," for lack of a better word. They are generally bright, articulate students--good students--, but seem unaware of their own social awkwardness. They have no idea how to put other people at ease, and seem rather intense.

I have noticed this also. I used to teach at the high school level and students that were home schooled up until high school had a very hard time adjusting. They were very nice, bright, hardworking students, but socially awkward and other students found them strange. They definitely fell into the "weird outcast" group. Of course, I taught at an urban, inner city public high school so they might not have had as many problems at a smaller suburban or small town HS.

The lack of social skills that you are detecting may have been the precise reason that they were home schooled in the first place. How disappointing that a college professor (if you really even are one) would be perplexed by a young adult who is "unaware of their own social awkwardness". Kids are very cruel to each other, but you are the adult. How about if you model the behavior and put them at ease by reaching out to them. They lack filters, so gently, show them where the filters should be.

Professor here. Yes, I really am a professor, and I'd like to think that I am a good one who cares about my students.

The fact that you'd like to think you care, doesn't mean you actually do. You attitude is harsh. I would hope that if my kid is a freshman in college he'd have a more sensitive prof than you. I went to an ivy league school over 25 years ago and thank goodness, there was some significant hand holding for a 17 year old like me on her first time away from home ever.

It is YOUR job as a parent to ensure that your child can survive and thrive in multiple social environments.

Really? I must ensure this? What if a parent has done everything in their power to do so and the kid is still a work in progress when they get to college? Should those students be crushed by your big bad dose of "get over it"? Wow!

and it's because their parents were brave enough to let their child go.

Parents would hope that they would not be "letting them go" to the tune of 75k+ a year to be taught by such an insufferably arrogant adult as you appear to be here.

[Anonymous]

It's a lot of work OP.

You have to write a letter to the county and state saying you're are going to be homeschooling. Then you have to choose a ciruculum and be able to teach various subjects - everything from literature to math to science.

I encourage you to connect with other homeschooling moms and see if you can have one person teach X subject and another mom teach Y subject, etc. You won't feel so pressured to teach all subjects and you don't have to worry about teaching something you're not that well versed yourself.

OP - what age/grade level are you talking about? Are you thinking something "simple" like PreK or more along the lines of grade/middle/HS?

Don't forget that your child(ren) do need to pass the testing as everyone else. So, please take it seriously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. I am a professor, and my colleagues and I do notice a social difference between the homeschooled children and the rest. It's as if they haven't developed the proper social "filters," for lack of a better word. They are generally bright, articulate students--good students--, but seem unaware of their own social awkwardness. They have no idea how to put other people at ease, and seem rather intense.

I have noticed this also. I used to teach at the high school level and students that were home schooled up until high school had a very hard time adjusting. They were very nice, bright, hardworking students, but socially awkward and other students found them strange. They definitely fell into the "weird outcast" group. Of course, I taught at an urban, inner city public high school so they might not have had as many problems at a smaller suburban or small town HS.

I was homeschooled, along with my brother and sister, and I agree with those quoted above. I'll also add that I have no intention of ever homeschooling my own child. For myself and most of the other homeschoolers I've known, the transition to college/adult life can be very difficult. Even if the parents work to incorporate outside social activities, for most homeschoolers this really only amounts to getting out 3-4 times a week at most. It's not really enough for the child to feel comfortable interacting with peers. The poster who talked about all of things she imangined doing with her children if she homeschooled has a unrealistically rosy view, in my opinion.

For the posters who talk about all of the time wasted in school and how actual academic work can be completed in a few hours, you are spot on. Now imagine that you finish all of your schoolwork by 11am and you have the rest of the day to fill. Hours and hours of boredom spent at home with no one to interact with but your mom and siblings. That's the best description I can come up actually - homeschooling is really boring most of the time.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the toll that this lifestyle takes on the parents, mostly the mom, since that's who usually stays home and does the teaching. Your entire life will revolve around teaching your children, making lesson plans, trying to come up with activities to deal with their boredom, etc. My mom has done a pretty good job of finding new hobbies, but for a while after my youngest sibling left, she had no reason to get out of bed in the morning (her words, not mine). This is actually what bothers me about homeschooling more than anything else.

Of course there are good things about homeschooling, and there are people who do it successfully. But I'm tired of seeing so many parents jump into homeschooling without seriously considering some of these issues. When your child shows up to (small, private, Christian) college and is so overwhelmed that she can't bring herself to step foot in the cafeteria, that's a problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. I am a professor, and my colleagues and I do notice a social difference between the homeschooled children and the rest. It's as if they haven't developed the proper social "filters," for lack of a better word. They are generally bright, articulate students--good students--, but seem unaware of their own social awkwardness. They have no idea how to put other people at ease, and seem rather intense.

I have noticed this also. I used to teach at the high school level and students that were home schooled up until high school had a very hard time adjusting. They were very nice, bright, hardworking students, but socially awkward and other students found them strange. They definitely fell into the "weird outcast" group. Of course, I taught at an urban, inner city public high school so they might not have had as many problems at a smaller suburban or small town HS.

The lack of social skills that you are detecting may have been the precise reason that they were home schooled in the first place. How disappointing that a college professor (if you really even are one) would be perplexed by a young adult who is "unaware of their own social awkwardness". Kids are very cruel to each other, but you are the adult. How about if you model the behavior and put them at ease by reaching out to them. They lack filters, so gently, show them where the filters should be.

Professor here. Yes, I really am a professor, and I'd like to think that I am a good one who cares about my students.

The fact that you'd like to think you care, doesn't mean you actually do. You attitude is harsh. I would hope that if my kid is a freshman in college he'd have a more sensitive prof than you. I went to an ivy league school over 25 years ago and thank goodness, there was some significant hand holding for a 17 year old like me on her first time away from home ever.

It is YOUR job as a parent to ensure that your child can survive and thrive in multiple social environments.

Really? I must ensure this? What if a parent has done everything in their power to do so and the kid is still a work in progress when they get to college? Should those students be crushed by your big bad dose of "get over it"? Wow!

and it's because their parents were brave enough to let their child go.

Parents would hope that they would not be "letting them go" to the tune of 75k+ a year to be taught by such an insufferably arrogant adult as you appear to be here.

Not the professor, but child of professors and YOU are the type of parent that every professor dreads. I am constantly hearing stories about incoming college students who are utterly helpless, feel like they are entitled to a better grade/more accommodations/ less work etc. etc. My FIL has been teaching college students for 30+ years, and was Dean for part of that time, and he has noticed a marked difference between his current students and students of 5, 10, 15 years ago. Guess which ones are the self-entitled, helpless ones? YOU are the type of parent that is preventing your child from growing up. I moved from a tiny town out in the middle of nowhere, Montana, to Chicago by myself at age 18 to go to college. I sure as hell did not expect or ask my professors for anything beyond what was taught in class. What you are describing is NOT PART OF THE JOB! Spending extra time helping a socially awkward college student isn't anyone's job but his/her parents and that should have been happening BEFORE college, not during or after.

[Anonymous]

I would homeschool, but only if my public school didn't get my DC home until 4:30 and their parking lot was just so impossible.

[Anonymous]

15:11, your the exact type of parent that teachers or professors dread. You don't take any responsibility but think your check to the school should do everything for your kid in addition to TEACH them.

The professor was spot on about professional, yet sensitive, teaching at the college level.

[Anonymous]

I suspect 15:11 has a socially awkward college student and thinks because she's paying $$$$ in tuition at a fancy school that professors should provide training in all aspects of life, not just the subject at hand.

[Anonymous]

I would in a heartbeat if I didn't work outside the home.

We live in Montgomery County and I think the schools are just ok. I am confident that DH and I could do a better job of meeting our kids' learning needs.

[Anonymous]

Wow 15:11. Are you for real?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

It is YOUR job as a parent to ensure that your child can survive and thrive in multiple social environments.

Really? I must ensure this? What if a parent has done everything in their power to do so and the kid is still a work in progress when they get to college? Should those students be crushed by your big bad dose of "get over it"? Wow!

Two words: gap year.

If your kid isn't ready for college.... DON'T SEND HIM TO COLLEGE. It's not that complicated.

And it's certainly not a professor's job to get your child up to speed socially.

Heck, I went to a huge Big 10 college, and my freshman courses were a string of 400+person lecture-type classes. I certainly wasn't being taught social graces by my professors-- they didn't even know who I was.