Family and Homeschooling

Posted on Thursday, March 9, 2006 at 10:04

We have been homeschooling now for over 4 years.  You would think by now my family would have come to terms with it...  Think again.  Its mainly my mother.  She is so against it, it literally makes her angry.  She is desperately wanting me to have them tested so that she can prove that they are behind.  Which my husband and I are both comfortable with the fact that they are doing very well.  We have decided to start testing our oldest next year so that there will be a record for her if she chooses to go to college.  She will be in 9th grade and we thought that would be a good time to start.  Anyway, I would love to hear how some of you deal with this issue and your families.

Blessings,

Trixi

Untitled Comment

Posted by OurLittleHomestead on Thursday, March 9, 2006 at 12:46 - Link

We dealt with a lot of this early on--still in 'some' cases... won't mention any names! ;)

In our case, we really have had to put this person in their place about this--it's one thing to have opinions and voice them to us, my husband and me--but when you 'test' the children every time they visit, and mock them, and tell them what they aren't or can't do....ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

Keep your opinions to yourself in that case. It's our God given responsibility, and call....take it up with Him, if you have a beef.

It has caused a rift, and caused us to not want to visit with this person--which is a shame--but, I won't have my children go thru it--and we won't listen to it anymore.

Life is too short for constant grief, some people will just honestly never understand or want to. I think this person really has some other issues with us, and our life--and that they aren't allowed to control it, and our children.

So be it.

It's hard when it's your mother, but tough as it sounds--our responsibility lies with the children God gave us to raise, for HIS kingdom, not this world....

just my .02.....dismounting from my soapbox now.

My heart goes out to you --it's tough and frustrating.

Lisa

Praying...

Posted by Maggie on Thursday, March 9, 2006 at 04:10 - Link

For you and your family Trixi.... I have no advice as I have not started HS yet... but plan to next year! I just pray that this person will either keep her view to herself or that the good Lord will help her to see that this is HIS calling and HIS way for your family!

Good Luck ANd Blessings!
Maggie

homeschooling

Posted by peacefulvalley on Saturday, March 11, 2006 at 02:43 - Link

Jay Wile of Apologia curriculum has a great tape about the benefits of homeschooling. He does not talk in terms of the moral or spiritual benefits, simply its superiority as a method of education. It would be a great idea to give your mom tapes like this as well as copies of homeschooling magazines, such as the Old Schoolhouse so that she can see how normal, excellent and effective homeschooing is.
Jennifer

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Posted by HandsNHearts on Thursday, March 16, 2006 at 04:27 - Link

We've been homeschooling for 8 years or better now and we still have the same issues form family members...my mother moreso than anyone else (must be a mother thing, heh?)
We do not do testing. We considered it with eldest when he hit those high school years, but the Lord kept leading us away from it. Every testing date that came about seemed to be in the midst of too many things in our lives and it simply never got done.
My personal view on testing (and it is merely my personal thought here...don't go quoting me! LOL) is that unless you use some sort of standard curriculum that follows traditional schooling, it is like comparing apples to oranges for the most part. Yes, there is that 'what they should know by this grade level' thinking, but that is one of the reasons we chose to homeschool...we don't follow the flow. We aren't schooling at home...we are preparing for life. We might focus on mathematics with one child who has a particular bent in that direction, but we don't totally stress over the child that has nothing but issues with math, kwim? They will have the basics at the very least, and managing their finances will be a priority, but it might not go much farther than that for one child or another.
Higher education...well, if that is in their future, you certainly want to be prepared and cover those bases. Our eldest is starting Northeast this fall and will have to pick up a couple algebra courses over the summer to get him up to par...he hates math and has always struggled with the algebra end of it...but for the architect and drafting he wants to get a degree in, he has to have it.
I'm rambling, heh? Must be the headache ;o( My best advice...ignore family whenever you can...it keeps the stress in your life low and creates many less waves. Just smile and nod every so often so the feel you are listening and then worry about what the Lord is telling you and your husband inthe matter.
Deanna

Untitled Comment

Posted by glenda on Sunday, March 19, 2006 at 02:44 - Link

We have homeschooled for many many years. And like sister Deanna we also have not tested nor will we.. We are not teaching to test.. Most public schools now do this..

As far as family we have been over and over this with my husbands mother.. She does not feel that I have enough to teach her grandchildren. That is ok.. If she wants to feel like that. She also feels like we do not allow the children to act, dress, do the things that other children there age do. However she is the first one to tell me how wonderful and helpful our kids are. How they dont act like the other children do... You can not have it both ways..
Let it go. Dont fight about it.. You children are watching you and how you handle it.. I know... Pray for her.. Only time will help.. Try to let her know in loving words that this is something that you and your husband feel is a must for your family.. Let her know you love her but this is not going to change. period.. As far as the testing.. I can not tell you what to do.. But pray about it.. And remember dont put to much credit in the test if you decide to do it..
glenda

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