October 28, 2009

Benefits of Homeschooling

Homeschooling is a misnomer and an antiquated word. It is no longer the mother being the teacher. I only have one son, we live in the woods and rarely see people, physical socialization is difficult. When he did go to school he was on the bus 3 hours a day on icy mountain roads. Up at 6:00 am, have to make sure the road down the mountain is cleared of the night's snow fall, cost $5 to send nutritious lunch and all the plastic packaging that comes with it, then me coercing 3 hours of homework out of him before bed, not to mention the "special" clothes and trinkets necessary everyday. He wasn't learning anything, it was all about the "pecking order" the "socialization". He hedged the teachers and dodged learning like he dodged the bullies at lunch. They would spend weeks on some crappy art project and months on a stupid Christmas music thing, totally out of touch with kids today. Now, my son wants to learn more, be more. He goes to school by sitting in front of this screen and the whole world is his classroom. All his lessons are electronic and he completes them like a level on any video game he would play. He talks with people from many different countries about many different things in the course a day over the internet. It has nothing to do with me, nothing. At first I had to show him "how to learn" and "why to learn" and yes there was a little bribing involved, the first time I ever resorted to this but it was effective. Now at 16 there is no stopping him. He has been invited out to parties, to drink and get stoned like kids his age, but he declines, he is too busy with more important pursuits. He is taking German, and Latin, and well too many things for me to keep track, and planning where he wants to go to college. Our conversations at home are deep and powerful for all 3 of us. We eat hot lunches together, share the natural world together, we are available for each other, it is a wonderful way to live.

9 comments:

  1. Thank you! I don't homeschool (although it has crossed my mind!) but I often wonder what happens to kids at the teen level who are being homeschooled. Yours sounds like he is a dream! I often think the only thing stopping me is the socialization issue, but in reality, social life is just starting to become "meaningful" at the adult age, when people relate on levels that don't necessarily include all the economic status, athletic ability, etc that makes for the cliques we see all too often in junior & high school. Let's face it: kids in school are mean! I try to explain to my kids that all the silly cliques don't matter once you are out in "real life" but it's hard for them to think past what is going on in the present! Nice post, and well wishes to your family!

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  2. That DOES sound wonderful!
    Sounds like you made the best choice....I'm glad to hear there is a teen out there that doesn't play "follow the leader"!

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  3. Thanks for the comments, it does my heart good to know like minded people are out there showing the younger ones the way - we can turn this thing around, each woman or man in her own house!

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  5. Nice peek into your world Rose, thank-you. It's funny that "socialization" thing, I can't tell you how many people have questioned me on my decision over that stupid word. I worry about my dogs being socialized, not my kids. I have never met a homeschooled kid I didn't like, and personally I think kids are oversocialized in today's world. I don't want my children to be intimidated by a person 12 months older than them. That is just stupid. Why is everyone so concerned about children being surrounded by those their own age?

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  6. The most important thing you possess Ruth is an open inquiring mind.....with that you give your son everything!!!

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  7. My son and his 5 best friends left public high school because it was such a toxic place and were homeschooled. None of us parents were prepared for it, but we did it. The boys were all in 4-H and while the other kids their age were at school all day or doing homework all night, they virtually ran all the activities for the county - camp, projects, public service. They met and talked to our county government, gave talks about animals at schools. They all finished their high school work in 3 years instead of 4, and started junior college at 16. They're 23 now, all are doing well. I work in public education, not as a teacher, and I was the most skeptical, but I'll have to tell you it really worked well. One of the best things for me was going through the dreaded teenage years with no problems whatsoever. Everyone has different circumstances, but if public school isn't working for your family, just know that there are alternatives.

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  8. Thanks for the encouragement John and Jan. Jan it was so kind of you to tell me your success story. We are all totally enjoying these teen age years, to watch the awakening has evolved his dad and I as well. Peace for all

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  9. This is so us! The only exception is my son never went to school.I love to see his thirst for knowledge and ability to learn on his own!I also love the fact he is not caught up in all that materialism that comes from school and is his own person . He can actually see how foolish all that is! You are so right,if we were neighbors we would have a good time together!

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