[HPFGU-OTChatter] Re: Unsure About Home schooling

[Rose Woofenden]

Jenny from Ravenclaw said:

>I, too am very unsure about homeschooling.  I may be biased because I
>am a public high school teacher, but I know personally I could never
>ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever
>stay home all day with either or both of my parents.  I love my
>parents but even now as a 31 year old I can only take small doses; if
>I was a teenager I'd go mad being home with them every day.  I think I
>might have also been a bit biased because the only homeschooling
>situations I have heard of are parents who are fanatically religious
>and overprotective and want to teach their children a very narrow
>curriculum of subjects.


I understand what you mean about staying home with parents. Sometimes it 
can get to be a bit much. But having that time to spend has given me the 
chance to have a better relationship with them.  And especially at this 
point in my life, I am in no way staying home with my parents. I have a 
*very* busy life. I work two days a week at a local story/deli. I am gone a 
day and a half a week with the three classes that I've decided to take. I 
go to a youth group once a week, and am part of the band there. I find 
myself wishing for more time to spend at home with my parents!



>I can see the benefits of homeschooling; I love what both Amy and Rose
>said.  What about socialization?  Isn't it important for children to
>learn how to get along with their peers?  I always wondered how
>homeschooled children dealt with social situations as they got older.
>How do they date?  What is it like for them during their first year of
>college?  Is it hard to have jobs where supervisors expect certain
>hours after having such freedom and flexibility for so long?

Well, at least in my case, socialization has not been a problem. I am a big 
part of my church and youth group. I have many, many friends there, and 
have learned a lot about my peers that way.  For non-religious people, 
there are lots of home school groups, or other activity. My older brother 
wasn't part of my youth group at all, and didn't really have a lot of 
friends while he was living at home. Now he is at college, and is having no 
problems on the social end of things. When my sister went to college for 
the first time she didn't have a lot of problems. She was on Dean's list 
twice, had good grades, friends, etc. As for dating, I don't personally 
have experience, because I have decided not to date. (I feel that I don't 
want to get into that until I'm ready to get married, and I can have much 
better relationships with guys on the friendship level until then.) But I 
know home schoolers who date, and it isn't an issue. As far as jobs go, I 
have a job, I'm not having problems with that. But that is me. I can't 
speak for everyone.


>My point is that there are some alternative programs around that are
>much more flexible and attentive than your average public school,
>which is, IMO, like a combination jail/factory.  I'd like to hear more
>about homeschooling, though.  It sounds fun and rewarding the way it
>is described by Rose.

I think that for a lot of people, familys, etc. a school like that is what 
is needed. Some single parents can't stay home with their kids. And they 
need a school like that. That is great.  What is good for them may not be 
good for me, but if it works for them, that is great!



-Rose (who really better get her reading done, or she will be up until 
doomsday getting it done...)


Current book:  The Moon By Night- Madaline L'Engle
Current Song playing:  Stevie Wonder- I just called to say I love you.
Last Words Spoken by me: Nothing worth mentioning









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