A craft one of the girls made up. Crafting is definitely not my thing–but hey–it’s hers and that’s special.
This morning I cleaned up a crafting mess in the schoolroom, a beautiful beaded bracelet made by my 9 year-old daughter. Crafted all on her own. I had nothing to do with any of it because I hate crafts. On Wednesday, a homeschooled high school student is visiting my home to sift through my closet, with the intent to help me become more fashion savvy. To help me learn my body type, how I should choose clothes based on my body type, and which colors suit me best. Because I am stuck in black yoga pants and an Indianapolis Colts’ t-shirt. A few weeks ago I bought pumpkins from a seventh-grade homeschooled entrepreneur hoping to make some extra bucks selling pumpkins of all sizes from his family’s hook-up trailer. Because he was so cute and I wanted to make some pumpkin pie.
Homeschooling done properly strongly promotes individualism. Is that scary? Is that scary to a government? To an institution? To a person?
Homeschooling done properly strengthens families. Is that scary? To a government? To an institution? To a population?
However, consider too that homeschooling done properly also strongly promotes a clarity of how a student’s individualism fits into the context of a society, most often the family (for most of us, no small task)–and also commonly within a church community and/or in the teamwork of extra-curricular activities.
I am grateful for the opportunity to homeschool. To watch my children blossom and learn their individual strengths and weaknesses in the safe harbor of our loving home. I am grateful that they have the opportunity to become strong women, free to follow their own course, but learning that to succeed in life and relationships, it requires learning to respect and work with others to achieve a higher goal for all.
Is homeschooling detrimental to a society? To a nation?
Happy Thanksgiving time to all here in the US. Practice gratefulness in all things but don’t ever stop working and striving to make your world a better place in the small ways that you can. In your home, your workplace, your community, your dinner choices, your children, your homeschooling, your marriage, your church. In all things.
~~Terri
The HSD 
I give you huge props! I don’t even like to be home full time with my kids in the summer. I find it too stressful and it takes me too long to establish a routine. I always say I am a better mom because I work. You have the hardest job ever!
So true about the routine. When we get out of routine on weekends and holidays, I go nuts! (Singing: “Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again…”) Especially in the winter when there’s not much draw to outside. Work gave me an outlet. A way to channel myself into the outside world. I do miss that. But yet, being somebody who needs quite a bit of unwinding/self time, I felt so bad after working a long shift to come home and try to hide from my kids for an hour (who am I kidding–an hour and a half). I did not feel good about that at all. I know we are all wired differently, and I know this has been the best for our family. I am glad that you have found the balance that fits your family, too. Have a great week! Any new recipes in the mix?
I have yet to meet a family out here who home school their kids. I know many who complain about our education system and still sends their kids to a regular school.
Interesting! I Googled it and it looks like it’s legal there! Wonder how many there are homeschooling in the Philippines. We just love all the diverse opportunities, teaching Spanish, rich geography and history, healthy school lunches… There is definitely a growing population here in the US. I wasn’t homeschooled, but my mom always looked at every paper sent home with me every night and I had to explain what I missed, why I missed, and she’d help me.
An Indianapolis Colts’ T-shirt? Well, there’s your problem!
As for homeschooling: Several years ago the voters in my area elected me to serve on the Board of Education in a very large school district (the same one our sons attended). I have spent a LOT of time in public schools, know a lot of great public school teachers, and would like to think that I understand something about education. However, there is a reason that most of the school teachers I know send their kids to private schools!
I have gone from being a strong advocate of public education to a very strong advocate of homeschooling. Public schools have turned into government indoctrination centers, and the “Common Core Curriculum” makes the problem even worse! It’s not just that children are being brainwashed, but they can graduate from high school without being able to read their diploma!
On my shirt choice: I have 2 Colts t-shirts and 2 Indiana Hoosier t-shirts. I just go back and forth. 🙂
On public school education: Good to hear your take. I was public school trained (rural Indiana, 88 in my class) and my education for math and science was great. I really never thought I’d homeschool, until my husband “uprooted” us. (Wan smile. It has a been fun and not a bad thing for me.) However, I can definitely see the changes in my education compared to my youngest sister, 21 years younger than I. Interesting that the kids get sent to private schools.
On government indoctrination centers: I am very afraid of common core. Homeschoolers not be exempt. My curriculum is designed for my kids and for deficits I saw in my own education. I don’t want it tampered with. Many countries outlaw homeschooling, and the US is considering ratifying the United Nation’s Children with Disabilities Article. Extend the Article in some ways, and you can find grounds for no allowance of homeschooling in situations. Alarm bells for me.
On graduating without being able to read: I know it is true. We have a couple of college professors for friends. We have heard. It is sad. And it is a huge social injustice. Little money is needed to teach children. All the “standards” in the world mean NOTHING. The teacher’s class size is entirely too large considering the vast differences in children and their skills. And we just keep making schools larger.
I loved this. 🙂 Do people ever pay someone else to homeschool their kids? Is that legal? For example, say you had a friend with 2 kids who wanted their kids to have the personalized homeschooling experience, but they themselves want to work. Is the parent just sending their kids to you an option legally? I know some people share responsibilities of certain subject, but I am talking completely not having a part in the educating process outside of what you would in a “normal” school.
Good question! Yes, people do that! It depends on the state as to whether it’s legal or not! Some states have less stringent homeschooling laws than others. I have known two examples of this in my short years of homeschooling (5 years). (Good morning, by the way!)