Just your thoughts and opinion on things.

[Nika]

I feel homeschooling ,is to shelter this kids from what is really going on out in the world. Another words. " Overprotective parents."

I can see why you feel that way. At the same time I don't think any child should be exposed to the amount of bullying and abuse in school that some are. I also don't think it is fair to let one's child be a bully or to let teachers get away with abuse or anything.

Since I can't change the world, my only other option is to home school my child. I think there are some serious flaws with the education system, but unfortuantely I can't change the public education system.

I think sending kids to a private school can be even more sheltering. I have seen people come out of private schools being highly intolerant of "average" people, average usually defined as non-elite. (I went to a private school and a lot of the people had an elitist attitude inherited from their parents, and planned on having babies and raising them as the next generation of elite. Not my cup of tea.)

I want to adopt children with "disabilities", with mental illness, children coming from abusive situations, etc. In other words, the kids that get targeted the most on the playground. So those are the main reasons I plan on home schooling my children is to keep them from experiencing the cruelty of kids raised to be "normal."

 

[Hear Again]

I think sending kids to a private school can be even more sheltering. I have seen people come out of private schools being highly intolerant of "average" people, average usually defined as non-elite. (I went to a private school and a lot of the people had an elitist attitude inherited from their parents, and planned on having babies and raising them as the next generation of elite. Not my cup of tea.)

this is true, but depending on the core values and ethics taught by a specific private school, i think children who attend them don't have to walk away with an elitist attitude. also, some private schools allow poor children to attend them (the cost of tuition is paid for by grants), so it isn't necessarily a matter of children being exposed to the attitude of "i'm better than you because my family makes more money." furthermore, some private schools are situated in the city rather than the suburbs, so again, it's not always a matter of a child's self-esteem being inflated because they attend a private school and other children don't.

 

[Nika]

this is true, but depending on the core values and ethics taught by a specific private school, i think children who attend them don't necessarily have to walk away having an elitist attitude.

My former high school focused a lot on teaching the effects of slavery on American society today. We focused on teaching about diversity. But even so, most people (not all) would say these very deep philosophical things in an assembly, and then they would go off campus and talk about how they were entitled to a new iPhone.

They have a scholarship program so that working and middle class students can attend, but I often noticed a gap in attitude between scholarship kids and kids paying in full and contributing to the auditorium and the new computer lab. I know not every private school is the same, and I think on the overall spectrum of private schools, my school was pretty down to earth. But even then it had an elitist attitude about it. Students paying $800 an hour for an SAT tutor to learn how to outsmart the tricks, score higher on the SAT's, get accepted into more "top" colleges, and get better jobs.

For me personally, life is about living. It's not just about being the best at everything, being the most impressive, and scoring the highest on the tests. For me it's about the difference you make in other people's lives and the difference they make for you.

Sorry if I'm not making any sense at all. If that's the case, just ignore me. <laugh>

 

[Mrs Bucket]

Being homeschooled doesn't imply being deprived of ANY social activities whatsoever. If I do homeschool my children, I'll make sure to have them engaged in a lot of activities that involve socializing.

Exactly. It is unfortunate that some people think homeschooling is equal to isolating children when it isn't.

Children get equal the amount of socialisation or much more.

 

[Hear Again]

Sorry if I'm not making any sense at all. If that's the case, just ignore me. <laugh>

no, you're making perfect sense and i respect your opinion. <smile>

if i had to choose between public and private education for my children, i'd pick private because even surburban school districts have alot of difficulties with bullying, drugs and gang infestation. and while i'd like my children to excel, i wouldn't want them to work so hard that it negatively interferes with their self-esteem or ability to enjoy life. having said that, sometimes i think it's possible to have the best of both worlds. a child can learn how to do the best they can in school *and* live life to the fullest.

 

[Babyblue]

Exactly. It is unfortunate that some people think homeschooling is equal to isolating children when it isn't.

Children get equal the amount of socialisation or much more.

I disagree.

Once they are out on their own.

Then what?

 

[Nika]

if i had to choose between public and private education for my children, i'd pick private because even surburban school districts have alot of difficulties with bullying, drugs and gang infestation.

I would too for the same reasons, although I would have a hard time exposing my child to a better world just because we can afford it and knowing that so many other parents can't.

 

[Hear Again]

I disagree.

Once they are out on their own.

Then what?

if a child has been exposed to a variety of social opportunities and personal responsibility (of doing chores) at home, there should be no difficulty making the transition between living with his/her parents and living independently.

 

[Nika]

I disagree.

Once they are out on their own.

Then what?

The same applies for public- or private-school kids. Once they are out on their own, they are out on their own. We all have to learn to be on our own at some point--it's inevitable.

 

[Hear Again]

I would too for the same reasons, although I would have a hard time exposing my child to a better world just because we can afford it and knowing that so many other parents can't.

that's where grants come into play. some private schools offer free tuition to parents who are on a subsidized income.

 

[Babyblue]

no, you're making perfect sense and i respect your opinion. <smile>

if i had to choose between public and private education for my children, i'd pick private because even surburban school districts have alot of difficulties with bullying, drugs and gang infestation. and while i'd like my children to excel, i wouldn't want them to work so hard that it negatively interferes with their self-esteem or ability to enjoy life. having said that, sometimes i think it's possible to have the best of both worlds. a child can learn how to do the best they can in school *and* live life to the fullest.

and all of that stops when the kids leave the nest?

and what about future educations. College? Would it be a shock to them?

 

[Nika]

that's where grants come into play. some private schools offer free tuition to parents who are on a subsidized income.

Right but even then, often those grants are only offered to the very smartest of students, the highest of achievers, etc. What about the average kid whose parents can't afford private school? That kid isn't going to get any scholarship offers.

Just so you know, I'm not getting too worked up or anything. I just love debating. <smile>

 

[Hear Again]

and all of that stops when the kids leave the nest?

and what about future educations. College? Would it be a shock to them?

you do have a point about college possibly being a shock to children who are homeschooled.

however, some public schools offer programs that integrate homeschooled children with those who attend public schools. homeschooled children attend public school for one or two classes as well as an after-school activity. if that's the case, i think there would be little problem with them making the transition from being homeschooled to being in college.

 

[Hear Again]

Right but even then, often those grants are only offered to the very smartest of students, the highest of achievers, etc. What about the average kid whose parents can't afford private school? That kid isn't going to get any scholarship offers.

Just so you know, I'm not getting too worked up or anything. I just love debating. <smile>

i also love a good debate. <smile>

not all private schools require children to have the highest i.q. sometimes admission is dependent upon community service and character.

 

[Nika]

sometimes admission is dependent upon community service and character.

Even so they are looking for an exceptional child, exceptional in one way or another. The point is if you're not either well off or exceptional (whether it's academically, athletically, or in any other way) then private school is generally not an option.

 

[Babyblue]

Right but even then, often those grants are only offered to the very smartest of students, the highest of achievers, etc. What about the average kid whose parents can't afford private school? That kid isn't going to get any scholarship offers.

Just so you know, I'm not getting too worked up or anything. I just love debating. <smile>

I beg to differ. My children are in the gifted program making straight A's
in a public school. As well I am very involved in their education. So them being denied a scholarship simply because they attend to public school is ridiculous.

 

[Nika]

So them being denied a scholarship simply because they attend to public school is ridiculous.

Sorry if I was being unclear. What I meant is that it's generally only straight A students or students that excel athletically or students that are exceptional in some way or another that are offered scholarships. I don't mean the "average" kids don't get accepted in terms of the school they attend, but "average" in terms of their grades and scores and achievements, etc.

I think the whole concept of one child being better than another is ridiculous anyway. Some students function better in the school system than others and that is why they get A's. So I don't mean to place a value judgment on your children. I'm saying the students that succeed within the system are the ones offered opportunities by the system.

 

[shel90]

LOL - I was at Target the week before Christmas and not only do they have Valentine's stuff out, they have all the summer/swimwear out too! :roll:

For real? That's not good at all! At least I can get a winter coat at a discounted price if the summer items are out now.

 

[Hear Again]

I beg to differ. My children are in the gifted program making straight A's
in a public school. As well I am very involved in their education. So them being denied a scholarship simply because they attend to public school is ridiculous.

this is true. not to brag, but i was also in the gifted program at a public high school. i was given a college scholarship for my writing when i was in 11th grade which proves that children who attend public schools have the same scholarship opportunities as children who attend private schools.

 

[Babyblue]

For real? That's not good at all! At least I can get a winter coat at a discounted price if the summer items are out now.

probably last years summer items they are trying to get rid of to make room for the upcoming summer items.