I'm a homeschooling mom AMA

[Anonymous]

How often are your children in a situation where they have to work with random peers? A homeschool co-op, no matter how large, strikes me as a pretty self-selecting group. And while I see the appeal of the independence and autonomy of homeschooling, I also think there's a lot of value in the tyoe of learning that starts with, "There's a kid in my class who just won't stop [doing x] and it bugs me!"

[Anonymous]

What are you teaching your children, and at what ages/levels, about the history of race and racism in the United States?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm glad this works for your family. Personally I think it's a mistake to think you can do a better job than trained professionals. Yes, there are poor teachers and poor schools.

Not sure what you will do in HS. Chemistry, Physics, Computer Language Classes,Computer Hardware classes, etc..Are you experienced in these classes or Advanced Calculus?

Exposure to other minds is a great thing. Sheltering is not.

No, I am not qualified in these more advanced subjects. Please see other responses for more detailed answers, but when my children reach this level we plan on using either a distance learning school, online classes (like AoPS for math), community college, co-op, and outlined curriculum/some combination thereof to ensure that my children continue to receive a rigorous education through high school.

I would also not be opposed to enrolling them in a school for high school if they asked and it met their educational needs (ie able and willing to make appropriate accommodations for my 2e child), but since my children are in elementary school, we plan on crossing that bridge when we get a little closer to it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How often are your children in a situation where they have to work with random peers? A homeschool co-op, no matter how large, strikes me as a pretty self-selecting group. And while I see the appeal of the independence and autonomy of homeschooling, I also think there's a lot of value in the tyoe of learning that starts with, "There's a kid in my class who just won't stop [doing x] and it bugs me!"

It is not really any more self-selecting than a small private school. And they have certainly encountered instances in their co-op classes of "So-and-so would not stop talking during class and so we didn't get to do XYZ!"

They also encounter a variety of peers from all backgrounds in their community activities, which also means having to work with people with different strengths and weaknesses. This includes having kids who act out, having to work in small groups, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not a question for you OP, just praise. And some envy.


Ignore the Bitter Barbies and Catty Kathies here. They hate you because they're jealous. And they hate your kids because they know they're smarter than their kids.

Keep up the good work.

Thanks! It is hard work but we really enjoy it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not a question for you OP, just praise. And some envy.


Ignore the Bitter Barbies and Catty Kathies here. They hate you because they're jealous. And they hate your kids because they know they're smarter than their kids.

Keep up the good work.

I am a NP. Your post is equally offensive. All parents make decisions that they feel are best for their kids and their circumstances. Some people have good reasons why they do not believe in homeschooling. Who are you to say what is best for them or how smart their children may be? There are tons of bright, successful children in public and private schools. And I can guarantee you there are plenty of lackluster or average kids being home-schooled right now. You can't make sweeping generalizations about one or the other.

I wonder what is up with you that you have such an awful reaction to this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are you teaching your children, and at what ages/levels, about the history of race and racism in the United States?

A lot. For one, I am not white. I am native. They know A LOT about native history in this country, particularly (of course) about the experiences of our tribe.

Then, my husband is an immigrant who grew up in desolate poverty (outhouse, no shoes, one shirt, eating rotting meat, the whole 9 yards), so they no what it means to struggle.

They also have friends from all backgrounds and races, as do my husband and me.

We also read a variety of books about characters of all races and understand on an elementary school level slavery and the racism that that resulted. We have also discussed how things have gotten better and how they have stayed the same.

They also learn a truly global history. In other words, we discuss the advancements and civilization of the Aksum Empire at the same time as the Roman/Byzantine Empire at the same time as the Mayans. Mali is then discussed alongside feudalism, the samurai, and Aztecs. Europe is not viewed through an isolated lens. In a classical curriculum, you study history in four year cycles of Ancients, Medieval, Early Modern, Modern and you look at what happens around the world during those time periods.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not a question for you OP, just praise. And some envy.


Ignore the Bitter Barbies and Catty Kathies here. They hate you because they're jealous. And they hate your kids because they know they're smarter than their kids.

Keep up the good work.

[Anonymous]

I never understand why so many people believe homeschooling is isolating. I have homeschooled one of my kids on and off. The years he's homeschooled, he's had so much contact with other people. Other home schoolers, neighborhood friends, friends from extra-curricular activities, family friends etc etc. There's no isolation at all. My other child has gone through regular school the whole time and there is absolutely no difference in their level of socialization. It's definitely the #1 completely way off base idea people have about homeschooling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I never understand why so many people believe homeschooling is isolating. I have homeschooled one of my kids on and off. The years he's homeschooled, he's had so much contact with other people. Other home schoolers, neighborhood friends, friends from extra-curricular activities, family friends etc etc. There's no isolation at all. My other child has gone through regular school the whole time and there is absolutely no difference in their level of socialization. It's definitely the #1 completely way off base idea people have about homeschooling.

It's mostly mediated by adults, though. I looked seriously into homeschooling and one of the reasons I decided against it was that I couldn't find unstructured social opportunities that were like the neighborhood recess/lunch/after school experience. The co-op groups I observed were much more closely monitored by adults.

That's okay and could be what you want, but it's not the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I never understand why so many people believe homeschooling is isolating. I have homeschooled one of my kids on and off. The years he's homeschooled, he's had so much contact with other people. Other home schoolers, neighborhood friends, friends from extra-curricular activities, family friends etc etc. There's no isolation at all. My other child has gone through regular school the whole time and there is absolutely no difference in their level of socialization. It's definitely the #1 completely way off base idea people have about homeschooling.

It's mostly mediated by adults, though. I looked seriously into homeschooling and one of the reasons I decided against it was that I couldn't find unstructured social opportunities that were like the neighborhood recess/lunch/after school experience. The co-op groups I observed were much more closely monitored by adults.

That's okay and could be what you want, but it's not the same.

Well, again...that has not been my experience at all. Plenty of socializing, playing, interacting. Absolutely zero difference between my kids in their ability to socialize and their opportunities for social interaction despite their differing school experiences.

[Anonymous]

Do homeschooling parents who have always homeschooled realize some of their kids really need to work on waiting their turn and not monopolizing conversations or activities? I just started homeschooling my 4th and 6th graders. My kids can't stand going to homeschooling activities run through museums or other places where instructors try and teach and kids are supposed to listen and wait their turn to speak. Many homeschoolers are incredibly rude to the instructors and will not wait to be called on and will want to monopolize the instructor's time by not quickly answering a question and moving on. Or the feel the need to add their own commentary and their parents smile and look so pleased at how clever they think their kids are. I am seriously appalled at some of the behavior of these kids. Of course it isn't all of the homeschoolers but is enough to make these outings irritating. I noticed that it tends to be the ones who have never attended school so have never had to wait to be called on or never had to take turns while 24 other kids wait for the teacher to notice you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do homeschooling parents who have always homeschooled realize some of their kids really need to work on waiting their turn and not monopolizing conversations or activities? I just started homeschooling my 4th and 6th graders. My kids can't stand going to homeschooling activities run through museums or other places where instructors try and teach and kids are supposed to listen and wait their turn to speak. Many homeschoolers are incredibly rude to the instructors and will not wait to be called on and will want to monopolize the instructor's time by not quickly answering a question and moving on. Or the feel the need to add their own commentary and their parents smile and look so pleased at how clever they think their kids are. I am seriously appalled at some of the behavior of these kids. Of course it isn't all of the homeschoolers but is enough to make these outings irritating. I noticed that it tends to be the ones who have never attended school so have never had to wait to be called on or never had to take turns while 24 other kids wait for the teacher to notice you.

+1

I am the PP who decided against it, in part because of the behavior I saw at the co-ops.

[Anonymous]

OP: Do you read the Reddit homeschool survivor subreddit? If so, what do you think?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not a question for you OP, just praise. And some envy.


Ignore the Bitter Barbies and Catty Kathies here. They hate you because they're jealous. And they hate your kids because they know they're smarter than their kids.

Keep up the good work.

I am a NP. Your post is equally offensive. All parents make decisions that they feel are best for their kids and their circumstances. Some people have good reasons why they do not believe in homeschooling. Who are you to say what is best for them or how smart their children may be? There are tons of bright, successful children in public and private schools. And I can guarantee you there are plenty of lackluster or average kids being home-schooled right now. You can't make sweeping generalizations about one or the other.

I wonder what is up with you that you have such an awful reaction to this thread.

I guess that must be why virtually the entire thread (except for a few posts) is people making generalizations about home schooling, home schooled kids, and making passive aggressive and mean comments to the OP, huh?

My "awful reaction" isn't to the thread - it's to the nasty a-holes of DCUM who hate everyone who isn't a striving, pathetic bubble dweller like them.

Perhaps you should look in a mirror. Your behavior indicates you are just another one.