Home Education the only option
| Posted On: 08/06/08 09:07:10 AM |
Age 54, AR |
I began Home Education (H.E.)with my children the moment we stepped through the door of our home. By the way, so does anyone with children. I received most of my 'Dr. Dobson' information from the 'letter' he sent out. I remember a time when his stance on 'Home Schooling' (H.S.)was rather 50/50. He supported the choice of H.S., but only as one of many choices, to my dismay. As I continued to H.E. my children over the years I was confronted with questions, mostly from other 'christians', one of which was about socializing my children. Once I discovered what socializing meant to them it was easy to respond. My chilren have been able to interact with all ages of people in many circumstances because they were NOT spending 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, 9 months out of the year in the enclosed institution of 'for the good of the state'. I had both Public and Private educators applaud my decision as well as others whose objections seemed fueled by taking my choice as a personal affront.
I find it interesting that educators point at the failings of each other's programs -to which I respond with, DUH!- instead of accepting when, why, and how it works then asking themselves, how I can help?
My response to all the why I can't excuses, Why did God give us children? If it is to educate them, then let's do the job. He will provide what is needed and when it is needed IF we are relying on Him to do the task He has for us, period.
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As someone who has been homschooled all his life...
| Posted On: 08/05/08 07:16:07 PM |
Age 20, MN |
I would like to respond in saying that (1) homeschooling has its benefits, but being in a sinful world means that it will still not be 100% perfect. (2) Public schooling has its benefits too, but probably has more dangers, especially if the parents are not being involved (homeschooling tends result in being involved as a default). Not everyone can homeschool. That being said, someone who doesn't want to do so because they want more "tennis time" probably has his/her priorities out of balance. What does the Bible have to say? Well, parents, especially fathers, are to train up their children to fear God (I forget the passage where I derive this). So, the real basic point is this: Parents are to be there to be involved and do their best to train their children, as someone else mentioned. There are different ways of doing that. The idea is to do your best in training them in whatever circumstances one find oneself. Prayer is essential. Have a great day and God Bless. :)
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- One clarification...
| Posted On: 08/06/08 01:16:45 PM | | Age 20, MN |
I meant that I was homeschooled all my life until I graduated from high school. :)
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Not suprised
| Posted On: 08/05/08 06:57:16 PM |
Age 51, FL |
I'm not supprised that 80% or more of "Christian" parents send their children to government schools for anti-christian indoctrination. There is always only a remnant. If your kids attend or you teach in a government anti-christ school you nee to examine your relationship to christ. What does it profit a man to have a second job to afford his mortage while his children lose their souls through his inattention.
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Public schools = loss of faith NOT
| Posted On: 08/05/08 03:09:06 PM |
Age 43, IL |
"The panel stressed the importance of following Deuteronomy 6, living Christianity as an internal vibrant faith rather than an external legalistic faith.
The Nehemiah Institute which conducts the PEERS Test examines Biblical worldview. It determined that the longer children remain in public schools the more humanistic, and socialistic their worldview becomes."
The first quote is so true. Parents need to be involved in the spiritual instruction of their child, discussing the sunday sermon, the sunday school lesson, the theology behind why we do what we do, who God is and our relationship to him.
Being involved is the key. That includes being involved in their regular education. As a 17 yr public school teacher, I know its the students whose parents show up and are involved that learn. They are the kids with both moral values and educational success. Home schooled children aren't any smarter or accomplish than a child whose parents are connected and involved in the public schools.
You demonize and oversimplify the matter greatly. Your child will still leave your household and then be confronted by the same worldviews in the work place or their community college that are present in the schools. But you will not be around to discuss it with them, to guide them, and help them deal with it. How many mormons do home school kids know? Jehovahs witnesses? Muslims? People of other races and ethnicities?
Many times the home schooled childs good behavior is a result of constant supervision and not an internal ownership of christian values or worldview. 70% of all children raised in the church leave the faith. I would say thats a parental problem and not a public school problem.
Their is a elitism among parents who home school. As one commented, they are "sacrificing" to home school and others just want more "golf and tennis time" that is why the wives work. Please. Many women who work do so for financial necessity. We are at 1.6 % of poverty. Yeah, I work a low paying teaching job for more tennis time. How about health insurance for a profoundly disabled and chronically ill child? Paying the grocery bill and utility bill ?
People send their kids to public school for a variety of reasons, but its not necessarily to have more vacations, golf time, or electronic toys. Its a looking down your noise at those who choose to raise their children they way they see fit. And Christian teachers, of whom their are many, are demonized as being a part of the "godless" public educational system. We choose to be a light in a dark world and our children are lights in that same world.
Are their problems with homeschooling? You bet. Will you encounter problems with public school? Yes. But one is not more holy than the other.
Home schoolers (of which I know many) believe that its the only God ordained choice.
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- Not Elite, practical
| Posted On: 08/05/08 08:58:13 PM | | Age 52, GA |
You said "Many women who work do so for financial necessity. We are at 1.6 % of poverty. Yeah, I work a low paying teaching job for more tennis time. How about health insurance for a profoundly disabled and chronically ill child? Paying the grocery bill and utility bill ?" Granted, there are folks whose circumstances dictate that they have a dual income. If you have a profoundly disabled child and need insurance it makes perfect sense. Sad that the Church doesn't help out completely in that case. But that argument sounds a lot like keeping abortion because of all the rape and incest cases, of which are a very small percent. I'm referring to those folks who are happy to get their kids out of the house and quite frankly are looking forward to the day they drive off to college or get married. You know who I'm talking about, their children are NOT a joy.
Also, you assumed that homeschool children aren't confronted with real life situations and possible lack social adaptation. That's one of the biggest misconseptions about the homeschool environment. I'm sorry that as a teacher you took offense. None intended. We know many public and private school teachers and admire them. Many are very supportive and understand that the govenment school system is failing and is an incubator for non-Christian beliefs. I do think Homeshcooling is a better way. Did you read the part about sending missionaries out? Let them be salt & light when they actually are salt & light. Most young people are still being trained in the way they should go and that means they are in training, not in battle. God bless you for being a light in the darkness, your not being demonized, the system does appear to have horns though. Craig Gleason
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- While...
| Posted On: 08/05/08 07:21:07 PM | | Age 20, MN |
...I do agree on the whole with your assessment, I'd appreciate if would not go about on a tangent and bash homeschoolers(elitist: morals from supervision and not iternal ownership of biblical worldview, etc.) without at least backing those statements up. And I do hear you on your frustration with homeschoolers and believing that it is the only God-ordained choice and so forth. But you have a great day and God Bless. :)
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Homeschooling
| Posted On: 08/05/08 09:25:27 AM |
Age 61, MO |
Homeschooling has been mostly a positive experience for my family. We started homeschooling 12 years ago when our oldest daughter was in the middle of the eigth grade in a VA school. The Holy Spirit touched us with an urgency to remove her from the public school. We joined Mike Farris' HSLDA, and then filed our intent to take our daughter out of school. At first the school said we couldn't do it in the middle of the year. We informed HSLDA about the school rejecting our request. HSLDA wrote the school on our behalf, informing them of our rights. The school then wrote us back saying that they approved our request. Each state has different criteria (educational requirements) for parents to qualify to be homeschool teachers: everything from no educational requirements to religious exemptions to a 4 year college degree. A sacrifice of parent's time in favor of time devoted to the children is required. An economic sacrifice is sometimes necessary when a family's budget has been built around both parents in the workforce. For my family, those sacrifices weere well worth the Biblical and ethical precepts we have imparted to our children. Homeschooling is truly for those who want to "focus on the family." On the negative side, there were times when we felt like social recluses. Homeschooling is not for every family. Unfortunately, there are many dysfunctional and/or indigent families in our society where keeping the children at home would be putting them at a greater risk than the worst public schools. George Cancilla
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When Focus lost its focus
| Posted On: 08/05/08 08:49:34 AM |
Age 59, SC |
The loss of support for Focus on the Family probably has less to do with parents losing interest in their children's Christian education than Dobson's becoming a worshiper of George Bush rather than God. When time after time I tuned into the program and received the newsletter, I saw almost nothing about Christ, children, and families and everything about pushing the Republican political agenda no matter how flawed and Unchristian Bush's stand may have been on any issue--George W. was Dobson's God. I wrote and protested to no avail. When Focus lost its focus and became a branch of Republican Party politics rather than a servant of Christ and advocate for family, I withdrew my support and ceased to listen. With loss of the public's trust in Bush came loss of trust in Focus. That's just the logical consequences of putting other god's before Him.
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A Homeschool Dad
| Posted On: 08/05/08 08:26:59 AM |
Age 52, GA |
As a father of two homeschooled girls, I wanted to comment on this. First of all, it is a huge sacrifice for our family to homeschool. When we see so many parents having dual incomes, loads of free "tennis & golf" time, it's becomes quite clear what the priorities are in those families. I wouldn't change a thing, we are getting our moneys worth watching (literally) our girls grow up developing a Christian World View rather than a worldly Christian view. I teach guitar lessons and many of my students come from private, Christian and public schools. After the age of 14 it's a quick slide into the world. I see it over and over again. The reason is because the parents aren't raising the children. Other people are, teachers and other kids are teaching them everything they need to know to be ungodly and un-Christ-centered. Just because it's called a "Christian School" doesn't make it so. For those who are thinking about homeschooling but say they "don't have the patience", I say to you, "Patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit." Now what's your excuse? Our children are the future missionaries and possibly the last opportunity some will have to hear the gospel, take their future seriously. God bless. Craig Gleason www.craigleason.com
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