I’m saddened by the numbers of homeschooling children “we” send to public school when they hit middle school and high school. It seems that we send boys in more numbers than we do girls.
I’m relatedly saddened by the fact that the homeschooling community has become “politically correct” and we seem to be adopting a “whatever works for your family” tone.
On one board I used to post, it was not okay that some homeschoolers did so out of political response to public school. The choice to homeschool for your family’s needs was accepted. Being against public school was not.
As we homeschoolers mainstream, we are losing the passion core. It’s a trade off, I know. One reason I hear less adversarial remarks about homeschooling now is because it’s become more common, known and the myths slightly less believed.
But we’ve lost something precious in the midst of honoring other choices.
I think, also, we forget that “school” is the ever present option, solution and remedy in our culture. “Going to school” is so indoctrinated that even for staunch homeschoolers, “school” becomes the default solution.
Homeschooling readers, I encourage you to stay the course. Evaluate each challenge, situation and nuance with the homeschooling status of your family in mind and seek solutions within the homeschooling resources. Chances are great there is one. Often, it’s as simple as focus, regrouping, discipline and time.
I’m about as militant as they come. Yet, I’m getting ready (I hope) to send my older daughter to a g-school next year. Why? Because homeschooling to a world class level in ballet just isn’t possible. At least not in the eastern half of the state of NC. The school offers that level of training.
Do I wish she could stay home? Sure. Am I willing to try to talk her out of it? Not a chance!
Joanne,
Do you remember me from Girl Scouts and the single parents’ meeting at the homeschooling conference in the Woodlands in 2006? I would really like to talk with you. Can you please email me?
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I too have been bummed to see the older kids, especially boys, your right, go off to high school. Most of them say it is for the organized sports.
I am a committed homeschooler also and I hope to homeschool them through high school, but I also told them that they can decide for themselves if they ever want to go to school. It just seems in line with the unschooling philosophy to me that kids should have control over their own educations. I would certainly try to address why they want to go and offer alternatives, but if they were adamant I’d let them try it.