How many homeschooling families are there on AFF?
 

Do you homeschool? Are your kids in private school? Do you send them to co-ops? Are they in public school?

And, if you do homeschool, what is the philosophy behind your decision?

Re: How many homeschooling families are there on A
 

Hi Miss Brattifield! I am not a mother (yet) but I have been homeschooled my whole life and have decided that when I do have children of age to homeschool, that I will. I believe that it is good for the parents of children to be spending time with their children and teaching them one on one. The parents know their children and their strong points and weak points. For instance, I know of someone who's child had a slowness in learning math and spelling. He was at least 3 years behind other children his age, but because he was homeschooled, his mother could just work with him on his timing and he wasn't rushed or humiliated that he was with the younger children just because he had a hard time reading or doing math.
I do believe though, that children need to interact with other children, so it's nice when you're apart of a group/church that all homeschools and you can get together and do "community" projects, like learning (for girls) how to sew or quilt, (for the boys) how to make a cutting board or build a kite. They need friends to be with. But I do believe that homeschooling where it involves the whole family, including the parents, especially, is great for the children.

Re: How many homeschooling families are there on A
 

Veteran - 15 years! :thumbsup My mother homeschooled in the 70's when it was against the law. :thumbsup

I homeschooled because I wanted my children to have time to make good grades and not be shuffled like cattle. I wanted them to take their time to experiment and explore.

My first decision came in Kindergarten when they sent a list of words home for my daughter to memorize. I asked them when they would be teaching phonics. Her reply, "Oh, sometime next year." Arghhhhh!

I also wanted them to be tested on their knowledge and not taught to take tests - TASP testing. :thumbsdown

Re: How many homeschooling families are there on A
 

Homeschooling is something I've always wanted to do, even as a child I wished to be homeschooled. When we had our first child my husband and I agreed we would homeschool but it wasn't something we could do right away. My son did K and 1st in public school. This year we were blessed to start homeschooling him for 2nd and my daughter is in K.

Life is actually easier for us without them being in school. I love it and my children do too. It's a win/win for everyone.

Re: How many homeschooling families are there on A
 

I voted other.

I have homeschooled my children in the past.

I would right now if I could.

And I possibly will in the future.

Re: How many homeschooling families are there on A
 

Home schooling is awesome. Home school compares with government school like home cooking compares with dormitory or prison food.

Horace Mann was an education reformer for gubment education. Atheist and communist and proponent of propoganda. The father of public education.

Re: How many homeschooling families are there on A
 

I voted other, because my kids are now grown/in college. Ashley home-schooled for six years, and Zac for four. The rest of the time they were in public school. I think there are pros and cons for both. We have a bunch of home-schoolers in our church now, but when Ashley started (1989), it was kind of looked down on by the community.

Re: How many homeschooling families are there on A
 

Awesome, Darcie! Let me just say that when I needed ANYTHING, I would pray and God would provide - knowledge, instruction, materials, supplies - WHATEVER - He provided!!! It's an awesome experience!! :thumbsup

Re: How many homeschooling families are there on A
 

Been there - liked it so much we bought the bell!
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z...weep/bell2.jpg

Re: How many homeschooling families are there on A
 

I completely agree. :thumbsup

My children went to public/charter schools for the past four years, and then we took up homeschooling (again) for 2008-09. (We had homeschooled before, but for various reasons, had to call it quits.)

Anyway, it is amazing how well-adjusted they are, and the almost immediate change in their dispositions. The most common objection by non-homeschoolers is the lack of "socialization", but I have found that my children are better able to socialize with other children and adults now than they were just a year ago.