Homeschool Creations

Monday, October 26, 2009

I {used to} Oppose Homeschooling

Want to know something interesting about me? Not so many years ago I was completely opposed to homeschooling.

{Did that grab your attention??}

My mom homeschooled my two brothers and wanted to homeschool me, but I refused. Call me the stubborn oldest child. The obstinate senior who wasn't about to be yanked from the school I'd known for years just to sit at home.

Besides. I'd seen homeschoolers. They were weird. VERY weird ~ and I wasn't about to become one of them. Homeschooling was still pretty new at that point and the examples I had of homeschooling were a far cry from the vision of how I pictured myself socially and academically.

My irritation only grew as the years progressed. I mocked. I scoffed. In debate class in college I gave wonderful tirade vehemently against homeschooling, point by crushing point. My debate teacher later approached me and thanked me for the great information, because he and his wife were considering homeschooling.

{It's here that I insert my formal apology to both my professor and his wife - please forgive me!}

When exactly did my opinion change? I don't know if I can put my finger on a specific moment in time. I think I would say it was more of a gradual change. I worked in our local school system, knew the ins and outs of it and was prepared to continue teaching once our kids were old enough to go back to school.

Then I had one little girl...and another. A little boy...and another. Life started changing faster than I knew was even possible.

The year Laurianna was ready to go to school there were a number of different reasons that pushed us in the direction to homeschool, the main one being I just KNEW that was what I {we} was supposed to do. Even though I was scared to death, I figured I really couldn't do much to mess up kindergarten, right?

Now, here I am four years later...grateful for the amazing opportunity that I have with my children, but sometimes wondering how exactly I got to this point. Especially in light of my firm opposition to homeschooling and the promise that I would never put my kids through 'that'.

God has such a great sense of humor, doesn't He?

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posted by Jolanthe at 5:31 AM

24 Comments:

  • okay.. so I was so completely opposed to homeschooling as well.. God is funny and also slowly working on my heart towards it all! I would love to sit down and chat w/ you about it sometime :-)

    By Anonymous Anonymous, At October 26, 2009 at 6:52 AM  

  • This was me as well. I wrote papers in my college education class against it... Amazing how life can change. :D

    By Blogger Ms Eva, At October 26, 2009 at 8:53 AM  

  • It's definitely a call of God on your life. You can't run away and be happy. Obedience always brings blessing! Look at what a help and impact you are making on those of us who read your blog! Thanks for following the Holy Spirit's call!

    By Anonymous Sarah R, At October 26, 2009 at 8:58 AM  

  • This comment has been removed by the author.

    By Blogger Milk and Honey Mommy, At October 26, 2009 at 9:05 AM  

  • Jolanthe,

    God has an excellent sense of humor. Sometimes, I actually need him to explain the joke because the things he does are way above my head.

    Before my husband and I got married, we knew we would homeschool. My first encounter w/a homeschooler was very pleasant although I thought the concept VERY weird. She was an employee of mine and was one of the most mature, pleasant, and goal oriented 15 year olds I'd ever met. What turned me off is that all she wanted to do was get married, have children, and take care of her family. I thought her goals were such a waste of her life. I could/would never be caught dead or alive doing that w/my life. Now, several years later, I’m doing the same thing w/my life and I am so very happy and thankful. It was also at this job where He brought many other people into my life that eventually led me to Him. I had sworn away from Him too (I’ll NEVER be a Christian!). Now, I’ll be laughing all the way to heaven.

    By Blogger Milk and Honey Mommy, At October 26, 2009 at 9:08 AM  

  • I was opposed to homeschooling as well when I first heard about it! Wasn't that for socially challenged kids? But when my son came home from pre-k - we realized how much of a follower he was!! It was scary - we'd ask if he knew what he was doing was "wrong" and he'd say, "but it's funny".

    And now - 2 years into it I couldn't imagine sending him to school because I love it so much and see the benefits of keeping him home. (okay, on those difficult days I can totally see the bus stopping out front). But I look forward to homeschooling his brother and the 3rd Layton too!

    great blog by the way!
    Stef

    By Blogger Layton Family, At October 26, 2009 at 9:46 AM  

  • God can surely make us move when He wants to.

    I always thought about homeschooliing when I was expecting my oldest, but was lacking the confidence in myself. It wasn't until I was working in the school system, and upon walking by my daughter's classroom to discover her sitting at her desk with her book upside down. I couldn't resist entering the classroom to inquire why? The teacher informed me that atleast she was being quiet!?! The same year my son was suppose to be learning cursive writing, upon asking why he wasn't learning it, was informed by his teacher that she herself could not cursive write!?! I knew from that moment God was moving me to do what He wanted me to do all along. Now my son did want to go back to school after three years of being homeschool, but he always insists "if not for my Mom homeschooling me I would not know all I know"

    We can't ignore God and what He desires for us! Thank you for sharing!

    By Blogger Debbie, At October 26, 2009 at 10:27 AM  

  • I could have written this post! Before kids I declared I would never homeschool. I, too, started out with the idea that I couldn't mess up kindergarten... and I've never looked back! We are currently in our 12th year of homeschooling! My oldest daughter is a junior in high school. I can't believe we're already this close to being done!

    By Blogger Karla Cook @ Roads to Everywhere, At October 26, 2009 at 10:32 AM  

  • LOL! I have almost the same story, but I didn't debate on it! LOL! But I do remember talking about my neighbor who homeschooled saying 'I would NEVER do that!' 'Her poor son'...blah blah blah...then we got saved, and at our first couples bible study, we met at the home of a homeschooling family. They were awesome! After getting over all the stereo types of homeschoolers, I thought I would just do prek, no harm no foul right?

    If we messed that up, she could just go to school for Kindergarten ...then said the same thing for kindergarten...and then for first...this year was the first year I really had to buckle up and admit that we were actually homeschooling LOL!

    By Blogger Confessions of a Homeschooler, At October 26, 2009 at 11:16 AM  

  • That is funny! I knew before I even had my daughter that I wanted to homeschool. I hated school and didn't want my child to have to go through the things I went through.

    Good for you for doing what's best for your child!!!

    By Blogger Jenny, At October 26, 2009 at 12:13 PM  

  • I used to oppose Homeschooling as well! I was a hairdresser, and had some HS clients...the kids were so "wierd"...so "smart"...and "quiet". And now, looking back, they were actually pleasant, smart, behaved, knew their goals, respectful....and on and on I could go!

    When my oldest was ready to start Kindergarten....I just could NOT fathom sending her away ALL day to a place where I was not there too! She was barely 5, I wanted to keep her longer with me...so we homeschooled Kindergarten. And LOVED it. Now, here we are, in our 5th yr...and still loving it! The kids are learning, and playing, and being kids, and not influenced by all the "gotta-have's" the other kids have. They are more simple, can play with simple toys, enjoy nature, play with each other and grow closer to each other. My 2nd child has Auditory Processing Disorder, is Language Delayed, and it is possible he is on a high-spectrum scale of Asburgers. He has been tested so many times for learning issues, that we are skipping the Aspie test. What is the point really? He is homeschooled, I know how he learns, and I can give him one-on-one...more than any school. And, we think if he were in school, he would be in Spec Ed. and wonder why he was there. It could create a life-long embarrassment for him, something we are trying to protect.

    When people tell me there is no way they could be home with their kids all day and teach them too...I ask them how excited did they get when their kids first learned to walk, or talk, or hold a spoon, or find their hand! All those firsts....and they got to be there to see it...or what about the firsts they wished they could have witnessed? I AM there, I still get to see those firsts, I get to see the lightbulb go off in their little heads when they figure out that math problem, or read their first page without my prompting, or the laughter and jokes that go on throughout the day, are all mine to enjoy, and not some other teacher, who is not going to relay the "surprises" or understand how important they really are.

    For those of you considering HS.....DO it....it is so much fun. These are your kids, God has given them to you, enjoy them, they will not be here forever. One day they will fly the coop, and you will have so much more to remember. Of course, the downside of that is that my house will feel VERY empty when that time comes. :(

    By Anonymous Gretchen, At October 26, 2009 at 12:13 PM  

  • I just love your blog..thanks!

    I secretly always hoped that when I had kids that my husband would agree to HS them!! And when that day arrived...he did! He isn't as "sold" as I am on the idea but he is supportive and knows that the kids are learning and having a great time!

    We actually sent our oldest son to preschool last year and knew immediately that we seriously needed to look at all our options for school...it just wasn't a good fit for our son and for us! That being said, when we really started looking at the public schools in our area we became alarmed and down right scared.

    There are so many factors in our decision to HS our children. Sometimes it is hard to answer that question....do you have a few hours? :) I am just glad that we do, certainly I have my moments of panic and insecurities but then I just turn to our Lord and I KNOW that we have listened to our calling and made the right choice.

    By Blogger Beth, At October 26, 2009 at 1:56 PM  

  • Hi! I followed a rabbit trail and found your blog. The post title was an eye grabber :)

    I've always homeschooled until this fall. Then my in-laws offered to pay tuition at a private christian school. My husband said - send her. So my "little" 12 yr old girl entered 7th grade.

    And I HATE it! ROFL!! She's gone all day and has about 2 hours of homework at night. We're miserable.

    And we're pulling out at the end of the semester. Hubby isn't sold on it but he sees how miserable we are.

    I always planned on homeschooling even before I met my husband. I was a social worker working with families with mental health issues. One day I met with a mom - whose husband had schizophrenia - she was working full time and had two kids. She was exhausted and doing an hours worth of homework with her 1st grader!

    I said that's nuts - you can homeschool a first grader in an hour.

    There... I was a homeschooler.

    And I will be again come January.

    By Anonymous Brownie, At October 26, 2009 at 3:44 PM  

  • This was me, too! God works in mysterious ways, does He not? I have a degree in elementary education, and I was so opposed to homeschooling. But then little by little as my daughter grew towards school age, God worked in my heart. Now I know without any doubt this is right for our family. And I feel so blessed! I cannot even believe how much I LOVE it!

    By Blogger Tiffany, At October 26, 2009 at 9:13 PM  

  • This was a great post to not only talk about your own experience, but to see it draw out the thoughts and experiences of others. Later I'll take time to read all the comments as well. For us, my husband was first in line to desire to homeschool. Because he is a commercial pilot, I thought, "sure, easy for you to say....you'll be home 3 days a week, and the other four I'll be wearing every hat known to man, including now, teaching!" I just wasn't for it, but after our first convention (a must-do for new H.Schoolers), I too became convinced that we had to homeschool. Every year the glue sets even more. We're stuck on homeschooling! : )

    By Blogger Kathy, At October 26, 2009 at 9:30 PM  

  • I too confess that I was just like you! I gave my sister-in-law a very hard time when she decided to homeschool, with no 'formal" education. Here I was a teacher and I had to go to school for 4 years to be qualified to teach. She said "Wait till you have kids." I had kids an she was right! I love homeschooling and I'm so grateful she paved the way!

    By Blogger Test, At October 26, 2009 at 10:59 PM  

  • OK, I read through all the comments, and I admit that I am still on the other side of the sense. I like my career, you know, and it has nothing to do with teaching. I believe that between me and professional teachers we will do a better job than I could do myself. My daughter goes to preschool and loves it. I see no reason to believe that her school experience will be different. I loved school, and I don't want to deprive her of the chance to learn from others.
    But I do want to say that my opinion of homeschool mothers have changed. I've met a lot of talented and creative homeschoolers in the blogosphere. More power to you, but I recognize my weaknesses and want to balance them with other people's strengths.

    By Blogger Natalie PlanetSmarty, At October 27, 2009 at 12:16 AM  

  • I wouldn't say I opposed HSing, but I was a true believer in public education. I was a teacher and loved it. If we hadn't moved abroad, I KNOW my child would be in public schools and I'd still be teaching. God's mighty hand. That's all I can say.

    By Blogger Unknown, At October 27, 2009 at 9:26 AM  

  • Wow, it looks like a lot of us were in the same boat. I used to think the same way--homeschoolers were weird. Then, God started puting "normal" homeschoolers in my path and showing me that you can still be yourself and homeschool. I'm in my first year homeschooling (kindergarten) and am excited about what's ahead. Thanks for sharing--it gave us all a chance to open up a little!

    By Blogger EE, At October 27, 2009 at 12:40 PM  

  • Haha, me too actually. I even got a degree in teaching and was determined to put my kids through public school....ahem.....until Jonah was old enough for Kindergarten!

    By Blogger Tia, At October 27, 2009 at 3:00 PM  

  • I love this post. I will be new to homeschooling my boys in the next year or so. Do you have any advice for newbie HS moms? What were some things you learned in that first year? Maybe, if you haven't already, you can type a post on it. I'm sure many of us would benefit from it:)

    By Blogger Erin, At October 27, 2009 at 4:37 PM  

  • Yes, God certainly does have a sense of humor! I remember when I was going to public high school thinking that homeschooling was weird...and now here I am. I love homeschooling my kids, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

    Cute Blog!

    :)Tiana
    http://godmadehomegrown.blogspot.com

    By Blogger Tiana, At October 27, 2009 at 9:10 PM  

  • Yup, I coulda written this - isn't it funny how these things work out!

    By Blogger jen, At October 29, 2009 at 7:41 PM  

  • It's amazing how when life happens, it changes your perception of things so drastically. There was a time when I was homeschooled and sincerely disliked it, now I advocate for it daily.

    By Anonymous Home School College Counselor, At October 29, 2009 at 8:45 PM  

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