Parental Ponderings

[cow pollinater]

As some of you know, we're a homeschool family. I was the one who pushed that as the right thing because I wanted to teach my kids things that matter and not so much conformity to what society says is important.
My question: Am I doing my kids a disservice by teaching them to be hardworking, self-reliant, productive citizens? Would they be better served by being prepared for the "real" world and learning that success there is not the same as it is in my world? Would they be better served to learn how to take advantage of government policy instead of self reliance?
Sick questions that shouldn't be asked but it's weighing on me. Let's please keep it focused on the future and not current politics. How do we raise kids in TODAY?

 

[Ouachita]

Oh Lordy CP. I will respond to this question. Give me a little time. My wife and I have 6 children. The first litter went to public school, the latter litter are homeschooled. I will tell you the difference you probably already know. Just give me a day or two. In the interim, know that you are doing the best thing, assuming you and your wife are up to the task.

 

[M5farm]

I've known quite a few home schooled kids and as young adults they were years ahead of other kids there age and become more successful sooner. They can get a culture shock in the real world but almost always revert back to their raising. My opinion is you can indoctrinate or public school can your choice. If I had to do it again I would go your route and allow them the extra curricular activities the closest school offers ball, ffa ect.

 

[greybeard]

Self reliance for sure, but they may stick out in society like a sore thumb in 20 years.

 

[Bigfoot]

Was your decision also based on quality of instruction?

 

[cow pollinater]

Homeschool is the best thing for them... no questions there. My question is, am I wrong in this day and age to teach them how to work as aposed to teaching them how to work the system. Sick... but a reality where I'm at.

 

[Ouachita]

Homeschool is the best thing for them... no questions there. My question is, am I wrong in this day and age to teach them how to work as aposed to teaching them how to work the system. Sick... but a reality where I'm at.

Oh. I was going to reply with a sincere answer, but if you're only asking for an answer to this question; I think it should be a crime to teach anybody how to "work the system", especially children

 

[Anonymous]

We homeschool also. Actually my wife pushed for it and i relented. 4 years later I have to say its been a great thing. Between the 2 of us we've been able to teach him things he wouldn't learn in public school, all the while he's learning the academics. I wish we had homeschooled our daughter but we weren't there yet
As for teaching your kids to work the system vs working hard, you already know the answer to that otherwise you wouldn't be homeschooling your kids.

 

[cow pollinater]

Homeschool is the best thing for them... no questions there. My question is, am I wrong in this day and age to teach them how to work as aposed to teaching them how to work the system. Sick... but a reality where I'm at.

Oh. I was going to reply with a sincere answer, but if you're only asking for an answer to this question; I think it should be a crime to teach anybody how to "work the system", especially children

Yes, it should be a crime. Sincerely. But we are in an age where genuine success gets punished.

 

[greybeard]

Ouachita, there's always been and always will be (even in the future), some who will claim that working the system IS being self reliant.

 

[cow pollinater]

Don't get me wrong, I want my kids to work. They have to make their own way... But am I wrong if I teach them to go like He!! like I have and my dad did and my granddad did knowing that HALF will be given away once they get to where they're going? Would it not be wiser to teach them to moderate their efforts or at least be a little devious about it all?

 

[greybeard]

CP, I have always felt the trip is the prize--not the destination.
We will all leave this world just as we entered in to it--it's what we do in between that counts. Can't add any more to the conversation.

 

[Isomade]

Don't get me wrong, I want my kids to work. They have to make their own way... But am I wrong if I teach them to go like He!! like I have and my dad did and my granddad did knowing that HALF will be given away once they get to where they're going? Would it not be wiser to teach them to moderate their efforts or at least be a little devious about it all?

That would be giving up. Are you ready to give up? If we are going to turn this country around we must remember that the children you and I are now raising will be the future, be that as politicians, workers, or leaches. Stay your course soldier. Teach them all the things you are now and make dam sure they understand what our constitution says and who founded it and what it is intended to be. I'm not done fighting. We didn't get in this mess overnight, and we won't get out overnight. But I'm going to give em heII as long as I'm on this earth. I'm an American dammit. An American of the constitution that James Madison crafted to as close to perfection as one can be done and I'm tired of it being abused, twisted, and treated like it doesn't exist. If you and I give up who will be left?

 

[3waycross]

I am sure this will not set well with a lot of you but i am not a fan of the home school movement. I know quite a few home schooled young folks and with one rare exception they all seem just a little lacking. Mostly i guess in social skills, some have virtually none and the others seem to think that they were hatched as full blown adults.

The smartest couple i know homeschooled their kids and none of them look to be going anywhere. They don't want to leave the nest and they have been so sheltered that they have no ambition.

On the other hand i watched how a Taiwanese couple i know raised their children and they are superstars. Both kids attended public school but were required to be fluent in Chinese(and literate) and Spanish and were given tons of very difficult tasks to accomplish in addition to helping in the family business, The dtr starts college next year and the son just graduated from the University of Denver with a degree in International Relations and Business. He is also fluent in Japanese. He wasn't home schooled he was home challenged.....in my mind a far superior system.

Sorry if this ruffles feathers it's just my opinion flawed or not!

 

[larryshoat]

Homeschool is the best thing for them... no questions there. My question is, am I wrong in this day and age to teach them how to work as aposed to teaching them how to work the system. Sick... but a reality where I'm at.

Virtue is it's own reward, you do the right thing because it is the right thing. If you teach your kids that it will be hard on them, but it's the only way. So doing that whether you home school or public school should be the goal of all parents.

Larry

 

[larryshoat]

CP, I have always felt the trip is the prize--not the destination.
We will all leave this world just as we entered in to it--it's what we do in between that counts. Can't add any more to the conversation.

Good point!

Larry

 

[larryshoat]

Don't get me wrong, I want my kids to work. They have to make their own way... But am I wrong if I teach them to go like He!! like I have and my dad did and my granddad did knowing that HALF will be given away once they get to where they're going? Would it not be wiser to teach them to moderate their efforts or at least be a little devious about it all?

That would be giving up. Are you ready to give up? If we are going to turn this country around we must remember that the children you and I are now raising will be the future, be that as politicians, workers, or leaches. Stay your course soldier. Teach them all the things you are now and make dam sure they understand what our constitution says and who founded it and what it is intended to be. I'm not done fighting. We didn't get in this mess overnight, and we won't get out overnight. But I'm going to give em heII as long as I'm on this earth. I'm an American dammit. An American of the constitution that James Madison crafted to as close to perfection as one can be done and I'm tired of it being abused, twisted, and treated like it doesn't exist. If you and I give up who will be left?

Another good post!!!!

Larry

 

[larryshoat]

[quote="3waycross"]I am sure this will not set well with a lot of you but i am not a fan of the home school movement. I know quite a few home schooled young folks and with one rare exception they all seem just a little lacking. Mostly i guess in social skills, some have virtually none and the others seem to think that they were hatched as full blown adults.

I have found this in the young people I have hired that are home schooled. It always shocks me, what they don't know and I'm not really talking academically, more cultural type things.

The smartest couple i know homeschooled their kids and none of them look to be going anywhere. They don't want to leave the nest and they have been so sheltered that they have no ambition.

On the other hand i watched how a Taiwanese couple i know raised their children and they are superstars. Both kids attended public school but were required to be fluent in Chinese(and literate) and Spanish and were given tons of very difficult tasks to accomplish in addition to helping in the family business, The dtr starts college next year and the son just graduated from the University of Denver with a degree in International Relations and Business. He is also fluent in Japanese. He wasn't home schooled he was home challenged.....in my mind a far superior system.
I agree!

Sorry if this ruffles feathers it's just my opinion flawed or not![/quote]

Good points!

Larry

 

[larryshoat]

It is a parents right to home school, and I realize there are many public schools I would not send my dog to, but for the most part I'm not a fan of home schooling, just my opinion.

My daughter is a fifth grade teacher, she has a masters degree in middle childhood education, and please, I say this respectfully, I doubt that most parents, especially myself, are as prepared to teach as well as she is, in terms of knowledge of the subject and methods.

Again, just my opinion.

Larry

 

[chippie]

Our children went to public school. At that time, there were not many home school resources. I am happy with the education that our children received. They had good teachers, made friends and learned social skills. We live in the country. Our closest neighbor was a mile away and did not have children.

The only negative that I have seen in some home schooled children is their lack of social skills. We have been a 4-H family for 20 years and even though our children are too old for 4-H, I am still a Club Manager. We have had many home school families join 4-H. Some of the kids start out shy and cling to their parents. It is a wonderful feeling to see them make friends and shine.

Home school is good thing, but the parents need to be sure that they meet all of the child's needs, especially learning how to get along with others and to be aware of what peer pressure is. Several of my friends who home school have degrees in education.

Also, I go to schools with my husband to help him with his job. I am appalled at some teachers, especially in the inner city schools. Once they set their class down for the program, they are off, talking to each other or on their cell phone. A kid could have a seizure and they wouldn't notice.
On the other hand, the kids are so tickled to see a live cow, that they are attentive and ask some good thoughtful questions. Some have never seen a cow in person before.