Home school?

[Originalist]

Who here home schools their kids? What are the pros and cons?

[Scott Pitta]

I have only seen one home school story that ended well. That kid was a genius, or close to it.

I would not recommend home school for anyone.

Just my two cents.

[Jito463]

In my opinion, home schooling is only going to be as effective as the level of interaction that the parents permit. If the parents just throw a bunch of books at their child, and tells them to learn it, it's not going to be any more effective than a schoolroom with an overworked teacher. Conversely, if the parents spends time to truly teach their child, then it should be a rewarding and enriching experience for all involved.

It's completely up to the parents.

Considering I don't have any children of my own, take my opinion for what it is: my opinion.

[votivesoul]

We homeschool.

Homeschooling isn't just teach your kids at home from a textbook instead of in a traditional classroom. It's also about safety, protection, spirituality, and relational bonding between children and parents, WHILE educational learning takes place.

My children are best friends with each other, and are learning very valuable Christian lessons on, for example, patience and forgiveness because by being home with each other, being schooled together, they tend to get in each other's way, and we call them on it and address it immediately, so they can resolve whatever the argument or fight is about, according to the commandments of the Lord.

If we were sending them to standard school, they would be in separate grades and would barely see each other, not something we want for our family.

While it is important for children to have friends and be social (to a degree), the relationship that exist at home are more important. The things we are building here with our kids can't be recreated anywhere else, and we wouldn't, and won't trade that for anything.

[Godsdrummer]

Originally Posted by Originalist

Who here home schools their kids? What are the pros and cons?

Having raised 4 children, and now I have 6 grandchildren, I have been around the home school and church school people most of my life. At the time my oldest two children were beginning school age, I was involved in A.C.E. church school curriculum. There are several curriculums out there now that are great for using in both home school and church school environments.

In the 80's there was a big push to home school, and our state had a three day training seminar that certified parents to home school their children with state recognition.

I say all of that to say, my sister graduated from private church school, and went to college, I know several others that did the same. My own children had a combination of church school, and home school and public school education. None of them have problems pointing back to the forms of education they received. I attribute that to my wife and I's parental involvement in all our children's education.

I would say that is the single most important factor in your children's education. Parental involvement. Home school is a big commitment you better have researched it out before making the leap.

What curriculum, how many hours a day spent on core subjects, social interaction, etc.

[aegsm76]

We homeschooled our oldest two and are currently doing the same with our 10 yr old. Our two oldest did very well, the oldest scoring a 33 on his ACT and his brother 27.
We used a mixture from several different courses for schooling.
ACE, Abeka, Saxon Math and more that I cannot recall.
Home schooling is not for everyone, but I know far more success stories than failures.
Tim Tebow being one.

[Graham]

Investments. Votive and others here are making wise investments that will yield out of sight returns. If you are new to this country it might be ok to have your kids public schooled for a few years so they learn regular english.

[MawMaw]

Originally Posted by votivesoul

We homeschool.

Homeschooling isn't just teach your kids at home from a textbook instead of in a traditional classroom. It's also about safety, protection, spirituality, and relational bonding between children and parents, WHILE educational learning takes place.

My children are best friends with each other, and are learning very valuable Christian lessons on, for example, patience and forgiveness because by being home with each other, being schooled together, they tend to get in each other's way, and we call them on it and address it immediately, so they can resolve whatever the argument or fight is about, according to the commandments of the Lord.

If we were sending them to standard school, they would be in separate grades and would barely see each other, not something we want for our family.

While it is important for children to have friends and be social (to a degree), the relationship that exist at home are more important. The things we are building here with our kids can't be recreated anywhere else, and we wouldn't, and won't trade that for anything.

My own 2 sons and their wives could have written what you just wrote! They both homeschool their children (ages 4 to 16) and they are doing exceptionally well!

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by votivesoul

If we were sending them to standard school, they would be in separate grades and would barely see each other, not something we want for our family.

Good point.

[n david]

I have a question for the fathers/husbands, if I may: were you involved with the home schooling? If so, what type of job did you have to allow time to do this?