Comments on Mommy Matters: On the Soap Box: Homeschooling & why we do it

I commend those of you who homeschool - you are do...

2009-05-31T10:35:48.660-04:00

I commend those of you who homeschool - you are doing an excellent job!
Our children attend an excellent public school and are doing very well, both academically and socially. I don't know where the author of that editorial was looking, but we live in a socio-economically diverse community, and our public school is full of bright, talented, well behaved children with loving, concientious parents who are actively involved in their children's education.
Also, to imply that our well-behaved children should attend a school to teach other children how to behave, or, as some Christians would say, to be "salt and light" and witness to other children, is ridiculous. Our children are too young to shoulder that responsibility (though our family tries to present a Christian example to non-believing families). We send them to their school to learn academics and how to get along with others - the teaching of proper behavior (as well as faith) should be done by the parents.

Thanks for sharing this article and your response....

2009-05-29T10:12:52.870-04:00

Thanks for sharing this article and your response. My boys were in public school for a short time (one for K, one for 1st/2nd) and we're now homeschooling for the long haul all three boys. I can understand some of her points, public schoolers must feel abandoned when very dedicated moms leave the school system because homeschool moms probably would be a great resource to the kids in the school. I get that. I come across frustrated moms of public school a lot. They must be scrambling for answers and maybe you're right, it's just easy to take it out on homeschoolers.
I volunteered in the public school for whatever I could. I loved the opportunity to serve in that way and be a blessing to many of the kids. But, OUR children are our first priority and they come first. When we left public school life, I definitely thought about those children--whose lives I wouldn't be a part of any longer. It was difficult, but I knew my decision was for my children and that had to be my focus.
Thank you again for your response, I whole heartedly agree!

Thank you so much for addressing this. I believe i...

2009-05-28T22:55:19.715-04:00

Thank you so much for addressing this. I believe in such cases as this article, people are either uniformed, misinformed, or selfish in THEIR endeavors by attacking homeschoolers. To say that homeschooling is a selfish act is ridiculous and such the opposite is true. Homeschooling requires much selflessness and enduring of attacks from others.

Unfortunately, if people aren't willing to listen to the reality of how successful homeschooling is, not just for the student, but those he/she comes in contact with, they will continue to remain blind to it.

I pray whoever comes across this post will read it with open eyes and ears and hear what you have to say.

WOW just WOW. Yeah my homeschooled sons aren'...

2009-05-28T21:48:49.875-04:00

WOW just WOW.

Yeah my homeschooled sons aren't making a positive impact on their community by participating in scouts & community clean up projects? WOW.

Great post.

I think a major area of disconnect is that many pe...

2009-05-28T11:06:18.568-04:00

I think a major area of disconnect is that many people do not understand exactly what home schooling looks like in the modern day. They have an image of parents who keep their children at home and teach them, but do not allow/assist/encourage/help them to experience the world outside of their home. It is unfair for people to judge home schooling as a whole considering the process is carried out in a different manner by EACH family that chooses to do it.
Although it is different than public schooling and affords a different kind of schooling experience blanket statements and harsh judgments do nothing. It is good that you and many other home schooling parents are beginning to have blogs that spread information about what you are going. I would be interested to hear that woman's comments if she followed your blog and saw what your children are doing everyday.