More on Education
I am the eldest child, the one who is supposed to honor and continue tradition and fit the model of "success" in society. Choosing to homeschool was a huge, hairy deal for me. It was not an easy nor a light-hearted decision. One day, after years of thinking about it, it seemed like the right thing to do, and we embarked on this crazy journey of thinking we might know what is best for our own children. How dare we? Lots of friends and support along the way.
I am still haunted by doubts and indecision, but it seems that just when things are starting to look their worst, an article appears to remind me that the decisions we have made so far about our children's education have been born of our love for them and in their best interest.
Here is the latest one, from a source for which I have the greatest respect:
http://www.homeedmag.com/editorial/807/doubts/
Have a look and regain confidence in your path, you know what is best for your child.
Posted by A Homeschool Story at 10:49 AM
I am also the eldest (of six children) in my family. Being from Germany where homeschooling is basically non-existent, our decision to homeschool was more or less scandalous for my family. I still don't know what they really think. My parents follow our blog, though. They seem to notice that the children are doing quite well with our decision.
ReplyDeleteWell, I wrote to my mother yesterday, asking her what she thought of putting my oldest son (12) in school. She has always been very concerned about their "socializing" outside of school. Her reaction: a resounding "NO!" I was floored, this was the same person who has been wondering about their well-being in the "outside" world for years...how will they; XYZ?
ReplyDeleteShe said that 12 was the worst age for sending them out to school, the age when they would start getting into the worst sort of trouble. Sigh, confirmation of sorts!
To me that surely would be a sign of confirmation of what I'm doing. Maybe by the time your son is done with homeschooling she'll tell you how much she likes the outcome.
ReplyDeleteWe're seriously considering homeschooling and sometimes feel like a ship being tossed around the sea...so for it one minute, then all the questions come pouring back in. Is it like home birth where you gain more confidence with the decision as you go, or do the doubts always come to the surface? Unlike homebirth, I suppose, the results take much longer to see. Thanks for the beautiful posts! Allison
ReplyDeleteThanks, Eva! It does help to hear from another European family, as the family here can be a little unconvinced, shall we say, at times. I wish you a happy story ending as well with your children, first of all, as well as family.
ReplyDeleteHi Allison,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind remarks!
Homeschooling is like homebirth, in that being a pioneer becomes less novel, less scary and more like normal life. You get used to trusting your own judgment after awhile, don't you?
But children grow and change all the time, so you have to re-evaluate as you go along, it's not like it is ever over. College seems to be the only "sign of success" in the homeschooling world, and who knows? Some of my children, may not have that vision of the world either. Will it be my fault? Would it be the school system's fault if they were in school? (Nah, it would still be my fault!)
Hope you join the homeschoolers too!
Hugs to you all, we miss you!
Angela
Am enjoying reading the comments as well as all the posts I've missed out on while I've been away! Am stuck in England until the air controllers' strike is over then I shall be back to Toulouse, Look forward to reading the article.
ReplyDeleteAnge
xxx
Oh Ange,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, I know all about being stuck in London, lol! How frustrating, I am sending nice, kind, please-negotiate-and-be-done-with-it sort of vibes to the British air controllers before we leave in a month. I cannot afford to be stuck in London twice in one year!
Thanks for writing, look forward to reading more of your fantastic, artistic blogs.
Angela