I have heard that this certain elementary school was a highly sought after school for preschoolers. So other moms would be ecstatic right now, but not me. I want to homeschool my children. And unless it just does not work for us, I am going to homeschool. I do not want my children to be exposed to all that goes on in public school. You may be sitting there, sighing, thinking that public schools aren't that bad, but if I remember learning about sex in second grade from other kids 18 years ago, then I can only imagine what they are talking about now. Sure, we could enroll Little Bear in a Christian school, but right now, financially, that is not possible. (And for the sake of argument, I know that a Christian school will still have bullies, and talk that shouldn't be in any school.) I am really not trying to start a debate between public schooling and homeschooling. I know some awesome teachers. One of whom is in my family. If all the teachers were like her, a beautiful Christian woman who is caring, observant, and very detail oriented, then I would send them off on the big yellow bus without a worry. But unfortunately, that's not the case.
I want my children to have a much better education experience than I ever had. I disliked school. I did not want to go, most days, especially in high school, I didn't. (Which got my parents and I a meeting with the truancy board.) I was highly interested in certain classes and activities but wouldn't dare participate if my friends were not participating. I joined the band in 6th grade. For many months I held the first chair in the clarinet section. I was good. But my friends made fun of me, and I was bullied by one of the flute players, so I quit. I know that what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger, but I don't want my children to base their decisions in school on what others think. My parents were very supportive and pushed me to be the best. My dad often encouraged me to, "walk to the beat of a different drum." But when a child is surrounded by their peers, they are likely to follow the crowd, unless they are the leader. I was not a leader, I was very much a follower. I regret so badly not staying in band. I regret not staying in trade school where I might've graduated with a trade that could have been useful to my family today. I know, it's not good to dwell on the past, and to have regrets, but these are things that I feel, no, that I know would have been different if not for the peer pressure, and lack of direction, or support from teachers.
So now I bet you are thinking, "just because these things happened to her, it doesn't mean it will happen to her children." No, they probably will not experience the same things I experienced in school. So that brings me to the biggest reason I want to homeschool. We are Christians. Prayer is a big part of my life. And prayer is already gone from school. I will not have my children getting in trouble if they decide to bow their head and give thanks to God during lunch. I will not have my children being taught that homosexuality is genetic, or that a person was born gay and they can't help their feelings, so it's okay. I will not have my children being taught that sex before marriage is okay as long as they use protection. I will not have my children being exposed to drugs and alcohol in school. I will not have a teacher mock my child for our beliefs. (Yes, people, it happens.)
I hate that I feel I have to defend our choice to homeschool. So may people around me have already commented that our child will miss out on so much if we homeschool, or they will not be properly socialized, or they will be a wimp because they won't have the events at school to help them learn how to cope with bullies or hard situations. I know that I am not going to be able to guard my children from all of the bad things in this world. But I believe that by keeping them initially at home, then eventually (possibly) in a Christian school I can shield them from a good percentage of it.
Now, I am getting down off of my soap box. Feel free to comment, but please do not bash my decision or my beliefs.
5 comments:
Couldn't have said it better myself, sweet friend! It takes courage to make an unpopular decision based on convictions!
Blessings and Hugs!
Tara
I think that you are doing the right thing for your beliefs. I did not want my daughter back in brick and mortar this past school year because I knew with her disablities she wouldn't fit in, but she insisted because it was a new place (we moved from ok to ms last summer). So even with me fighting it we sent her back to school and told her she had to finish out the year no matter what. The first month she liked it, the 2nd not so much, by the last week of school she asked her daddy if she could go back to homeschooling. So we are going back to homeschooling and I am excited! I agree with everything you said about public schools. It really bothers me when people attack us for choosing to homeschool like we are hurting our children. The one thing I really love about it, is that we can push our children harder and work at their levels. It doesn't have to be what the government says we have to do. Okay I will hush up now after I wrote you a book. :)
Hi Kimberly. I am visiting from iFellowship. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
I agree with your post. I am a former second grade public school teacher and am now homeschooling my kids. It broke my heart that I couldn't protect my students from being exposed to things their classmates said or did. Some of the kids were saying and doing things that most second graders never heard of, nor should they have. There is lots of support for homeschoolers out there. You just have to find it and not listen to the negativity. Nice to meet you!
Hi! Following you now. Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier. This iFellowship thing is pretty cool. :)
you defended very well- you have some really well thought out reasons.
I've been homeschooling for 10 years now, and I want to encourage you, that as the years go by, it gets much easier- people just finally accept that homeschooling is what you do, and so there is no discussion/defense of it.
much grace and peace to you, and cheering you on for an outstanding first homeschool year!
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