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SuccessWarrior

A lot of people are starting to homeschool these days.  My only concern would be the lack of social interaction with others of my kid's age.  On the other hand, I personally would want to send to a private school.  And, THAT as you very well know is expensive.

posted by Joe_Love on January 19, 2007 at 8:48 PM | link to this | reply

I don't really want to home school

but if I'm still living here, that's what I'm going to do.  There aren't any options in this small town.  We are going to be doing what we can to move though.

posted by SuccessWarrior on January 19, 2007 at 7:20 AM | link to this | reply

SuccessW,

I'm no one to give my personal opinion on such an issue as this in order to not cause any waves or offense in any manner. All I will say is that I know you're a good parent but just consider the social aspect of home schooling. You may have read "stats" or whatever about how regular schooled kids react to home schooled socially, but many are outcasted due to being "Mama's boy's" or coddled by the parents. Besides, teachers go to college specifically to be trained to teach. Not that you and your wife couldn't handle it, but it is very time consuming and is probable to add more stress to your lives and less time together for your marriage. I think it's great that you're so concerned, though. I wish my folks were that way back in the days of my childhood! (Even though "home schooling" wasn't known and the fact that my mom was already a college educated teacher!!) That's why I write just like she did!  

posted by SpitFire70 on January 19, 2007 at 3:13 AM | link to this | reply

Sex, the one we are looking at has 8 students per grade

It seems like teachers should be able to keep a handle on that.  But not for high school because I want him to have the opportunities of a bigger school.

posted by SuccessWarrior on January 18, 2007 at 9:30 AM | link to this | reply

No to Private School!!!!!!

I went to private school for the majority of my education. When I switched over to public school in 10th grade, all my problems went away. And I made good friends, which I wasn't able to do at the other two private schools I attended. Two schools, both private schools, and different kids, but still the same problems? Coincidence? Hardly! Those were the WORST years of my life. I got picked on and bullied (for example, students shooting me with rubberbands, and the teacher stood by and did nothing to stop them; a kid knocking my books out of my arms as I was walking down the hall.)

Not to mention, I had FAR more opportunities to advance my education and save some time during college by taking AP classes. The private high school I attended for that one awful year did NOT offer those things.

posted by sexinthecity on January 18, 2007 at 8:52 AM | link to this | reply

Thanks for the quick response Corbin!

posted by SuccessWarrior on January 18, 2007 at 7:59 AM | link to this | reply

This is a sincere statement.....

The way they are administered is still like our schools back here were run, say 20-25 years ago (outside of Salt lake City)  more focus on the basics and subject matter,  less on social engineering.......much more parental involvement in the School boards....

posted by Corbin_Dallas on January 18, 2007 at 7:16 AM | link to this | reply

Corbin, we're going to be moving to Utah

What do you like about their schools?

posted by SuccessWarrior on January 18, 2007 at 7:11 AM | link to this | reply

Home schooled children....

consistantly do better in college than those stuck in public schools.  I would never put my child in a public school...unless it were in Idaho, Montana or Utah. 

posted by Corbin_Dallas on January 18, 2007 at 6:41 AM | link to this | reply

Socializing seems to be one of the biggest arguments

but everyone I have talked to that has actually home schooled kids say the kids still have a social life with kids after school and that they have more self esteem and are more mature.

posted by SuccessWarrior on January 17, 2007 at 6:19 PM | link to this | reply

As far as the socialization aspect goes...

Way too much is made out of it. When you socialize at school, everyone's your same age (within a few months of it, at any rate), and if most of the kids are average, that means that very few kids are there to serve as role models of appropriate social behavior at a given age. It's too much to ask of a single teacher to do both academic teaching and enforcing social rules (teaching kids how to treat each other, teaching them good manners, and so forth). Therefore, the kids are basically left to their own devices if they want to learn social rules (as well as the three Rs). That's why you have some kids that are bullies and others that are victims; the kids all learn very rapidly when they can get away with metaphorical murder (as in, when the teacher's back is turned, or where the "dead zones" on the playground are where none of the adults can see the bullies beat up on the victims, and so forth). There are far more children than adults at the average school, whether it's public or private. That gives the bullies the advantage. That's why I recommend homeschooling.

posted by kidnykid on January 17, 2007 at 2:56 PM | link to this | reply

If we move, we'll look into the private school

That would be easier to augment, I hope.

posted by SuccessWarrior on January 17, 2007 at 1:52 PM | link to this | reply

Hi SW - it's a difficult choice, but parents can augment a so-so education

instead of trying to completely teach at home, then at least the kids get the social interaction side (altho we all know the potential pitfalls, but hard to see how they can be avoided!)

posted by Antonionioni on January 17, 2007 at 1:10 PM | link to this | reply

I might just do that. I work swings but I think it's on my days off.

posted by SuccessWarrior on January 17, 2007 at 12:00 PM | link to this | reply

It is a great show

posted by kooka_lives on January 17, 2007 at 11:59 AM | link to this | reply

I caught that show when it debuted, and I really like it.

Why can't you just watch it when it comes on, or tape it to watch later?

posted by Julia. on January 17, 2007 at 11:45 AM | link to this | reply

To overcome what lacks at this school,

my son would have to come home from school and then be home schooled. 

posted by SuccessWarrior on January 17, 2007 at 11:42 AM | link to this | reply

A school where kids learn to be with their peers has value,

whereas home schooling prevents that kind of learning. And with involved parents, any lacks in the classroom can be more than compensated at home.  Private school may be a good choice, if available. It will all work out. :)

posted by Pat_B on January 17, 2007 at 11:09 AM | link to this | reply

Yes they are Dave.

There will be lots to consider.

posted by SuccessWarrior on January 17, 2007 at 10:14 AM | link to this | reply

Tough choices, SW.

posted by _dave_says_ack_ on January 17, 2007 at 9:56 AM | link to this | reply

Homeschooling is still up in the air.

Where we are going to be living in a few years, there is a private school that has 8 students per class.  I don't know what it takes to get into the school besides money but I'm going to look into that too.

posted by SuccessWarrior on January 17, 2007 at 9:43 AM | link to this | reply

TV, so I can talk about Heroes and you can talk about Lost

and neither of us will have an idea of what the other is talking about.  =)

I don't know if I can call that a step closer or not.

posted by SuccessWarrior on January 17, 2007 at 9:41 AM | link to this | reply

Oh yeah...

and about homeschooling.  My sisters have both homeschooled their kids.  I think they would highly recommend it.   One sister has 2 kids who have gone on to college... one has graduated and the other is still there and thriving.  They are all very bright and very well adjusted socially.  They are also more mature, less damaged by high school socialization, and far more creative than most of their peers.  If it is something you want more information on, I'm sure they have lots of contacts and info.

posted by TVBlogger on January 17, 2007 at 9:30 AM | link to this | reply

I have never seen Heroes or watched in on the net... but if it's like other shows, there are some commercials, but far fewer that broadcast TV.  If you have a tuner built into your computer, you can often download the shows, but if you don't you pretty much have to watch it online... unless you buy it off iTunes. 

posted by TVBlogger on January 17, 2007 at 9:27 AM | link to this | reply