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Monday, April 23, 2012

Lies About Home Education You Might Believe

It's been going around, some of the lies you hear. I am not sure why it comes up this time of year, but it does move in cycles. In case you believe some of these common myths lies told to discredit the value of home education, well here I go with my opinion and experience.

Usually someone starts off a sentence with something like this, "I do not want to home school because........

1. I want my child to be socialized. This one is by far the most common lie out there. What exactly do these people want from socialization? Lots of friends to invite to parties? A child who must sit in a class with lots of children the same age all day is NOT socialization. Are you expecting them to learn great adapting skills by standing in line at lunch? By dealing with crappy bullies? Exactly what is it that makes folks think home educated kids are not socialized anyway? Home educated children are socialized with several people who are of different ages (parents, siblings, friends) and because of this they learn to interact with many different people resulting in a wide  social circle. As the main parent who teaches, my kids learn many of their behaviors from me, for better or worse, and therefore tend to act a little more mature. What if you don't have many kids at home? Well, there are coops in nearly every city PLUS I am sure your kids have a couple of close friends they can get together with for social time. What about coop and extra curricular activities? Socialization can happen in many different ways. My kids have a couple of close friends and that's all they need. It's immature to think a person needs more than a few friends and a family to be happy in life! I don't buy the socialization lie at all and those who know my kids know it is indeed a lie.

2. I do not have the patience. Guess what? None of us do! We are willing to learn it though, and that requires trying. I bet at one time you couldn't do many things until you tried and over time you learned those things well. It's a lie to think that you must already be a patient person to educate your children. Ask any mom who does and she will tell you patience is learned by doing.

3. It's too expensive. If you buy all inclusive curriculum, then yep it's pricey. Like most things you can get by with very little spending and walk away with a great education plan. I always advise  people to look into Charlotte Mason because it's a great way to educate and many of the books can be found in the library. I have many friends who teach at home with a very limited budget and do great!

4. My kids would fight all day if they had to spend that much time together. All siblings get on each others nerves at times, but people would be surprised that the more time spent together the easier it is to learn to work things out. Most government schooled kids fight so much with their siblings because they have been raised (socialized) by kids of their same age all day at school!!! This "sibling fighting" is the direct result of NOT being together and becoming friends. Ask any large family who home educates!

5. My child needs to be prepared for college. This lie amazes me because home educated kids have proven time and time again to be more than ready for college. Could it be that these home educated kids have spent years studying and learning on their own and have not been spoon fed information just to pass tests?

6. I want my child to be the "salt and the light" at school. I am not sure if this is an actual lie or if some parents are just ignorant enough to think a child is prepared for missionary work. Seriously. It would be a much greater duty to raise your child at home with a Godly worldview and then send them out into the world mature and secure in their beliefs versus teaching your 6 year old to tell his friends in first grade that they should accept Jesus into their hearts. Leave the mission work to the adults, let the kids be kids.

7. I need "me" time. We all need some time to ourselves, but if you had kids then sorry. "Me" time is whittled down to a sliver and sticking your kids in school so you can eat lunch with girlfriends and get pedicures is not a wise use of your time. That's crass, I know. I don't care. I find "me" time and still home educate. The "me" time is usually after I get kids to bed (early and regular bedtimes) or when Devin is off work and I schedule a quilt class or dinner out in advance. The idea that we need "me" time everyday is a lie.

8. I am not a certified teacher. Neither am I or most of the moms and dads who educate their kids. That's actually a good thing because then you do not have the predisposed thinking of what education looks like. Home education does not "look" like government education and don't forget that no matter how wonderful your kid's teacher is, no teacher cares as much about your child's education and future than you!

9. I am not religious. Sadly, there are many, many people who think all home educators are religious fanatics. It's a lie! It is, in fact, a pretty hilarious lie at that!

10. My kids attend a fabulous school. I am sure they do, really. This lie is based on the notion that you  think government schools can be fabulous. Like most home educators, I am biased and believe that no school is as good as an education at home where life is centered around family and real life. Your child might have a great teacher this year, but what about next year? Plus there are the other negatives that go hand in hand with a government school such as lack of creativity, age segregation, inferior curriculum, and the general dumbing down of students.

Now, before anyone gets all defensive and starts chiming in on their personal reasons to not home educate, let me state that I am not oblivious to the woes of some families. I was raised by a single mother for some time and I know that this would be a significant challenge to home educating.
I also know that there are many reasons people do not home educate. I have friends whom I love dearly who do not share the same zest for home education as me and send their kids , whom I also love dearly, to government schools. Seriously, I am not that woman who is so rigid in thinking that all my friends must do as I do!
There are many reasons to not home educate (legitimate reasons)! I have just simply discussed the lies people believe. Lies that people use as an excuse to not home educate. These are two different things entirely.

Now, did I leave any lies out? How many lies did you subscribe to?

Wednesday will be a lighter post, complete with a new Raw Milk Ice Cream Recipe!

 *Just another day of school at home*



22 comments:

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    1. I might have an ice cream addiction. We had more tonight!

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  2. Very good! I agree 100%. We have been homeschooling for 20 years. The two oldest are in college on scholarship and doing very well. The third is very musically talented. The two littles are still young enough for me to ruin, Ha Ha. This is all done without curriculum, without tons of kids to 'socialize' with and without the religion. Can it be???

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    1. Some of the colleges around here have over 10% of their students who were home school graduates! Ahh...you had some children spread out in age!

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  3. After seeing some of the moms that I know become homeschoolers, I think it is such a positive thing for both the kids and the parents. It is amazing to see the moms* learning so much and getting so excited about teaching. Considering how the school systems are struggling, I think it's time we take a more home/community approach to learning.

    *I don't know any home schooling dads. :(

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    1. Schools are so different from when we were there and yes, I agree it can be such a positive thing for families! Amazing what can be done at home with very little money!

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  4. Nice one Samantha, it makes me want to roll my eyes when I hear "We would love to homeschool but...". But I also don't care what choices anyone else makes. Just don't bother me about mine! April- my husband does a lot of the schooling around here because I work full time. And Dad's do a lot of schooling that doesn't exactly look like school too!

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    1. Imagine all the life skills our children are learning along with academic! I think that aspect is overlooked too often! How are the bees?

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  5. Thanks for writing this post, this is just what I needed to read today. I was feeling quite down and wondering if I was doing the best for my children by home schooling them (over emotional with pregnancy hormones!) but you have just reminded me of all the positives. Thank you X

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    1. You're welcome! There are many times when I feel like a total failure, especially during crazy weeks when we don't get much "done" school wise. I try and remember that there is more to education than math and reading. Your kids are learning many life skills as well and those will enrich their lives as much as the academics!

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  6. Ouch! At the beginning of this post, I was feeling defensive - and I homeschool! But I read on, and felt better after reading about legitimate reasons vs. lies (I prefer "excuses"), as well as accepting friends who choose differently. (sigh - I feel less tense now... : ) )

    I really enjoy your blog - I homeschool and quilt, my sister is beginning to get into the farming life - I love reading about both together..

    How's Lucy, BTW? Milking any easier? (Sis has chickens, and would like to talk her landlord into goats - a cow sounds overwhelming!)

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    1. Milking is getting better! She can still be impatient but I just leaver her in the stanchion and do other chores so she learns that I will make her stay if I have to! It is fitting into our routine and I have gradually pushed the milking hours...so I now milk at 8 am and 7 pm. Much better! :-)
      My oldest wants a milking goat!

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  7. Sorry...thought of another misconception, sort of related, though not a reason not to homeschool:

    "Religious people who homeschool do so for religious reasons."

    I am religious (but blech, I strongly dislike the word "religious") and I do homeschool, and although I enjoy the opportunities to share my beliefs and worldview with my children throughout the day, it is not even ONE of the REASONS I homeschool. It's just a benefit.

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    1. I agree 100% with that one! Soooo true! I think the Duggars have left an impression on the general public and so they tend to think all homeschoolers are like the Duggars!

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  8. I just want to add I have read every book and watched every episode of the Duggars. In the past year alone Michelle and Jim Bob said that they were not against public school and that they think it is very important. They did say that this was the best choice for their family. I have never heard them say they homeschool for "religious" reasons. I happen to LOVE the Duggars and take a much greater stance and say I think public schools are bad..bad..bad...for many many reasons..lol

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    1. I have seen a few episodes of their show but have not read their books. I don't think Michelle Duggar has a mean bone in her body and would never say anything to offend anyone! She's soooooo nice! :-)

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  9. Awesome post. Thank you for sharing, not only that you have come across these misconceptions, but for standing up to debunk them. We home educate and I am very appreciative to read another families voice on the subject.

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  10. Thanks for this! I agree with so much of it - but it is great to see it all written down like that. It is encouraging to know there are others who feel as passionate as we do. I have heard all of these 'lies' - the biggest one I think is the socialisation one. Sure, there is the occasional peculiar family who homeschool but there are also peculiar children from peculiar families in all schools! I am just starting out on this adventure, and am greatly encouraged by this posting!

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  11. Dear Sam,

    Hi, and thanks for the interview Tuesday and the visit son Jacob had with your children. I'll post a story today about St. Albans market, and be finished writing up yours on Nooganomics.com this coming week, unless I am providentially hindered. I'll try to reach Devin today for a chat.

    I love your website, and may use one or two of them in my post, if that is all right with you.

    It was a dellight, again to have met you.

    David Tulis

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    1. It was nice to meet you as well! Feel free to use what you want and I look forward to reading Nooganomics.com often!

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  12. This is awesome post about lies home education. That's really interesting
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