Homeschooling......good idea, or bad choice?

OK, if anyone reads this and home schools, I am not trying to attack anyone who does, or say they are a bad parent. I have thought about blogging about this subject, but a great friend of mine home schools, and I was afraid I would offend her. We recently had an exchange of ideas on the subject though, and it went well. :-) I am extremely anti-homeschooling, except in cases where there is no other option, or a very good reason to not send to the local Christian School.

My parents didn't become Christians until I was almost 12, and was in 6th grade. With a little persuasion from my mom's stepmother and my dad's mother, they sent me, and later, my sisters to the Christian school, even though they were not Christians until halfway through my schooling. I gained an appreciation for Christian education, especially in a school setting, and for their sacrifice. A friend of mine expressed surprise that I am not all for homeschooling considering the fact that I was picked on and bullied for so much of my school years. As I was telling my sister, if I could go back and change anything about the situation, I wouldn't pick homeschooling, I would pick that I would fight back and not let myself be a target.

If anyone is considering homeschooling, I hope they run into this blog and it causes them to reconsider. If you home school, and you aren't doing it right, and are determined not to send your kids to a Christian school, I hope it causes you to examine your methods.



One of my main concerns with homeschooling is the fact that it is slowly whittling away at our Christian schools. Every year, they get smaller, and smaller, and largely in part, due to homeschooling. Should this trend or craze continue, the day will come when no one can afford to run one. It has happened in the past. My one brother-in-law went to a Christian school in Alliance, Ohio, but it got to the point that "parents were deciding they could do a better job teaching their kids than the school did" (his words, not mine). And the school did end up closing, due mainly to homeschooling.

Another concern is too many do not do it right. A family in my church home schools, and their oldest daughter brags that she is done with her homework by noon. Most days. My niece Stephanie, 7th grade, and younger than this girl, has homework almost every night. What kind of discipline and structure does this other girl have if she is done with her work by noon and the rest of the day is play time? No wonder we see the mother and kids out shopping all the time. How fair is that?

My sister Vicki got in a discussion about homeschooling with one of the librarians at Salem library. This women is against it also, and says her daughter-in-law does it, but does it right. The kids are in school 8 hours. They get 2 hours of homework (2 hours seems a bit much, but hey, its homework!)

Along this line, I don't think there is enough accountability among home school moms. I think they should have to be accountable to someone about how much time their kids are actually being schooled, and if they are done at noon, should be brought to task for it. I don't wish homeschooling to be abolished, for some people do need it, when they have no good Christian school around, but I do wish for more accountability with the education system and homeschooling.

Authority. If kids only have mom all the time, when are they going to learn they have to obey other authorities? A friend told me the parents need to train the kids thus - true, but telling them, and the kids actually having to do it are two different things. I think homeschooling would be detrimental to my nephew at this point. That is the main reason he doesn't like school - they make him mind, and he is only used to his parents in that role.

I have seen too many home schoolers that are clingy with mom and babish way past the time they should be. The same family in my church comes to mind, though I have seen others. Kids need to be away from their parents! Otherwise, the apron strings will be chains by the time they are adults. :-)

My sister Vicki said she could never home school. As much as she loves her girls, it is nice to get them out of the house sometimes. She said summer was so tough - the girls never wanted to go grocery shopping, and would gripe and complain about it, and it so nice to do it while they are in school. If she home schooled, when on earth could she do that?

I don't know why any mother would want to home school - when would they ever get anything else done, if they do it right? But it has become the "in thing" to do. I read a comment left on a blog welcoming someone to the world of homeschooling, and said it was nice that it was becoming more "accepted now". Becoming more accepted? Sounds like they are talking about some until now frowned on sin or something - (no I am not saying homeschooling is a sin!)

I really do feel by homeschooling, all too many parents are doing their kids a disservice. Often no structure or needed discipline of a classroom. Usually no other kids to help their social skills develop with other peers. Often having a teacher that never went beyond high school - yet the same people wouldn't want their kids in a school taught by only high school graduates.

It does almost sound like a cult. :-) I mean that in a joking way. Mostly. :-) I was following comments on people's blogs trying to find people I knew, and kept finding all these home school moms raving about how wonderful it is, like their life is worth living now that they are cooped up with their kids playing school all the time. :-)

Why all this hype? Why is everyone so determined to not support their Christian school and make social hermits of their kids? I almost get the feeling from reading blogs that some mothers are doing it bcause it sounds fun, and they can jump into this new community that has risen up and blog with friends about it all.

In closing, one last interesting point - at least to me. :-) Most of the families that first jumped on the home school bandwagon from my church and school, have all gone an easier way now. They don't believe in the holiness way and standards. Was homechooling the cause? I really doubt it, but their drift began by withdrawing from the church and school social network. They ceased to be involved in the school, because their kids didn't go there anymore. Wednesday nights quit being important. Soon Sunday nights were sporadic, then Sunday mornings. Then before you knew it, they weren't there at all, but were going to the more liberal church downtown.

I hope I haven't ticked anyone off. That isn't my intention. Just as passionate as some people are about homeschooling, and want to blog and blog about it, I am just as passionate about my feelings against homeschooling, and my support of the Christian school. Where would I, and a lot of people, be without it. I am thankful my mom wasn't a home school mom, but sent us to a Christian school, and supported that school.

I know Christin schools aren't perfect, and have their faults, but I also believe the Christian school is fought harder than the church, and have heard preachers say so, so that isn't just my idea. Could it be that homeschooling is a very subtle attack on something Satan would like to see gone? I won't say for sure, as to not incur any more wrath on my head, but who knows?

Recently, there was an attack on homeschooling in California. I am glad it failed, but it does make me wonder how soon they will really go after homeschooling. The Christian school will follow, I am sure, but if homeschooling is made illegal, all of the people who didn't think the Christian school was good enough, perfect enough for their kids, will be frantically searching for one to enroll their kids in, but by that time, there may not be any left.

In closing, I honestly was not singling anyone out, or trying to attack home school mothers. Just figured since so many people are singing the praises, it wouldn't hurt to present the other side. So I have done. If I have offended you, forgive me, and pray for me. :-) If I have convicted you, consider the local Christian school, or improving your methods. :-)

One last note: I am aware that some familes may have a very good reason to homeschool even when they have a Christian school, but that is what it should be. A very good reason.

A P.S. If you homeschool, and leave a comment, I will approve it to be shown if you put in it how many hours your kids are in school a day. :-)