I've been homeschooling since 1984 and the most common remark I heard that I now no longer hear(the times they are a-changing) is that homeschooling was for 'them there' hippies! Yes I'm a hippie with an education degree. Be afraid, be very afraid. I was subjected to the dictatorship referred to as the NEA and it's local sister the TEA. Which is most likely the reason I left the university to teach my kids.
1. If I never hear the word, 'socialization' again I would die a happy woman. My dh has told me that if I was ever on the Actor's Studio[on Bravo] and he asked me what is the word that you most hate..that would be it. I have 5 kids..so needs stinking socialization? My first 3 were before internet and hsing groups and we lived in the country(hence the hippie reference) so peers weren't exactly in abundance. But we were involved with our religion's activities, we frequented parks and festivals where they made 'friends du jour' and eventually civilization made its way to us and a spattering of kids made their way to our farm. My first 3 are now grown and still laugh over the notion of socialization. It's like the line about not noticing you were poor growing up. The same ilk applied to them. We missed out on socialization? When did this happen?
2.I'm not even Christian so that pretty much cans that theory. Although I must say it is difficult for non-Christians in some areas of the country to find materials and, more in particular, physical hsing groups that are not Christian in nature. We did live in my husband's hometown where the majority of the homeschoolers were more religious than most and would cut their children off from others due to religious bias. But you're going to have that anywhere and not as a whole.
3. Oh...kay...whatever. Texas' own state website dictates differently but whatever floats your boat kiddo!
4.Well, in all fairness, it can be and then again... It all depends how you go at it. In another group that I belong in, a first year hser just spent $600 on her 2nd grader! I don't think I've ever spent that much when mine were in high school! Unfortunately some newcomers feel that removing their children from ps they have to simulate ps at home. Thus they go a little crazy at the conferences and with the catalogs. I, myself, could buy almost everything in some of those catalogs but you live and you learn.
5. It helps but it's not required. I worked full time until about 2 years ago. I would work days and my dh worked nights and we shared responsibilites. Now that he is an OTR truck driver, it was needed for me to 'retire' and become that SAHM.
6.I think the national census on homeschoolers has already debunked this myth. Now there are some parents out there that should not hs and no certification in the world would help. But with the advancement in hs curriculum these days, I wouldn't be surprised if the parent even has to be at home TO hs anymore <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
7.4 out of my 5 children were considered 'special needs'. I have 2(1 adult and 1 tween) with Inattentive ADD and 2(1 adult and 1 teenager) with Asperger's Syndrome. It was my motivation to quit teaching English and teach my own. Besides, if you think schools are bad now, they weren't a walk in the park back in the early 80's believe me! I now homeschool my 13 yr old dd who is Aspergers(11 yr old ADD dd insisted on going to ps but this will be her last year-her choice!) They have never had special services of any kind.
8. My oldest ADDer is in Pre-Law and my older Aspie dd has just graduated from Texas A&M in Vet. Med. The only non-spec. needs kid I have is my son[his sisters call him a freak of nature because there's nothing wrong with him <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />]is in Pre-Med. And by the way, Texas A&M and NYU were thrilled with my kid's transcripts.[Two can speak, read and write 5 different languages and my son knows 7..so chew on that ps supporters]. No problems getting into those colleges. So there naysayers <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
