I love being a homeschooler. I am proud of my lifestyle. I love my family and am willing to make sacrifices to insure that my values and priorities are evident in everything we do.
So, why do I feel defensive? Why am I apprehensive at times to discuss my chosen lifestyle with those who disagree? Why should I care about those who don't share my philosophy and are suspect of the sacrifices I make?
Well the short answer is most of the time, I don't! But faced with the barrage of criticism from all sides, there have been times when I questioned my decision to homeschool and wondered if it's worth it.
I started homeschooling 15 years ago when it I saw what was happing to the public schools. Private school were too expensive. At that time I was viewed as a weirdo, as an "overprotective" snob, and as someone raising socially deviant antisocial misfits. I was constantly justifying my position to people who just did not get it! It was difficult to constantly have to explain and defend my priorities to those who, I felt, abdicated their responsibilities to others they know nothing about.
I felt then as I do now that homeschooling is the best world for my children. The woman's movement of the 70's created unnecessary confusion for many women. Men always knew their identity was in their career. I knew woman could do anything, but timing was key. It was obvious to me that my children would be my career. Like any other profession, homeschooling required education, commitment, dedication, patience and creativity. We, as homeschooling pioneers, steamed forward and professed that our families were our careers and they would get the benefit of our education and training. I do not feel I wasted my 17 years of education.
This commitment to the family started a ground swell and now millions of families teach their children at home. We all know how students and teachers behave in the public schools. The metal detectors, DEA agents, police, gangs, riots, barbed wire, lock downs and random searches tell the sad story. I empathize with the innocents who are subjected to this cesspool daily.
Homeschooling is a gift I give to my children without reservation because they are special and deserve the best. The business world never missed my creativity and energy, but my children would have.
Pam Connolly is a professional educator with the San Diego School District. She
has been teaching kids how to type for over 11 years. To teach your child typing,
visit http://www.1stoplearntotype.com.
- Related Articles
- Related Q&A
- Parenting education – choose a secure future for your children
- Focusing On Parenting Education
- Parenting, Education and Children: Fostering Openness to Learning in Children
- Trained Goodness vs. Natural Greatness: A "Mind-Shift" for Visionary Parents, Educators and Leaders
- How To Get Parents Involved With School Activities
- Basics of Parenting
- The Importance of Educating Today's Parents
- Reproductive Health Education on Disadvantaged Adolescents in Thailand and India (case Study in Northern)
In Bible versus Quran: God made Jacob’s hip disjointed
By: Prof.dr. Ibrahim Khalil | 09/11/2009The Bible says that God touched the hollow of his thigh; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with the Lord God; this is what the Bible declares. This story is not mentioned therein in the Noble Quran.
Does Homeschooling Create Superior Students?
By: Janus Rivera | 08/11/2009Believe it or not, some homeschooled children out performed those who studied at Harvard!
Homeschooling children with special needs
By: Natalie van der Vyver | 05/11/2009Homeschooling your child with special needs, let's you accommodate the challenges of your child’s disability better and allows your child to enjoy a better and more appropriate education.
Educating Your Family and Friends About Your Decision to Home-School
By: Melissa Murdoch | 04/11/2009While your decision to home school is uniquely your own, it is great if you have the support of your family and friends too. Unfortunately, getting your friends and family on board can sometimes be challenging. For the uninitiated, home schooling can be a new and strange concept, even though we, as a society, have actually been home schooling for centuries.
In Bible versus Quran: my beloved's fruit was sweet to my taste
By: Prof.dr. Ibrahim Khalil | 31/10/2009In the Bible, King Solomon says in his Song: my beloved's fruit was sweet to my taste, was sweet to my palate. In the Noble Quran, the well-known Prophet King Solomon does not say that.
Home Schooling Advantages and Disadvantages
By: Monty Carlos | 31/10/2009Home Schooling like anything else has its advantages and its disadvantages. People generally have mixed opinions whenever the topic of home school is up for discussion. Some can only think of the many benefits with regard to money, time and convenience and some bring to light only the drawbacks and inadequacies associated with home schooling.
Educational toys best for kids
By: Bernard Mcclain | 29/10/2009For the 5 years old children, this is the right age when the decisions about their formal education should take place. Although some children start going to schools or start taking pre-school classes at this age, yet this can be quite scary for the others, because until this age majority of the children have been spending their time with their parents or with close relatives and could not have a chance to spend the time with the complete strangers. This, no doubt is a major and importa...
Christian Homeschooling
By: Allan Tan | 29/10/2009In the NHES (National Household Education Survey) of 2003 and 2007 more than two-thirds of parents gave their concerns about the school environment as a reason for homeschooling. Moral and religious instruction, as a reason, was given by 83% of the parents.
You Can Organize Your Children!
By: Pamela Connolly | 09/04/2006 | EducationHow to get your children's help, increase their self confidence,and run your household and homeschool smoothly
Your Home School and Family Style
By: Pamela Connolly | 08/04/2006 | EducationHow to harmony into your family life and home schooling by defining the values and priorities of your home style.
Are All Kids ADD?
By: Pamela Connolly | 06/04/2006 | EducationToday most children are raised in environments that are unnatural and interfere from developing into creative self-starters required in our entrepreneurial culture.
How to Run Your Homeschool and Family Smoothly
By: Pamela Connolly | 05/04/2006 | EducationCreating organized procedures, methods and activities will create a successful home school environment.
Creative Scheduling for Homeschooling
By: Pamela Connolly | 05/04/2006 | HomeschoolingHow the clever homeschooling parent can ecourage curiosity and make learning seamless.
The Gift of Homeschooling
By: Pamela Connolly | 22/02/2006 | HomeschoolingWhy homeschooling is a gift I give to my children without reservation. Children are special and deserve the best.
How Homeschoolers Can Teach Subjects They Don't Know
By: Pamela Connolly | 13/02/2006 | EducationWhen faced with teaching a course unfamiliar to them, homeschoolers can take advantage of the flexibility of homeschooling and the many resources available to them.
Why Are Homeschoolers Criticized
By: Pamela Connolly | 30/01/2006 | EducationThis article discusses why public schools and others are concerned about home shooling.