I had someone (Anonymous) leave a comment on my post, I AM Smart Enough to Homeschool. As I sat here writing a response, I thought it would be informative for others to read the dialog.
Here is what Anonymous wrote:
AnonymousFeb 10, 2012 06:11 AM
"When people tell me that I am NOT going to be able to teach my kids 6th-12th grade, that offends me... they are saying in a polite way that they do not think I am smart enough to teach grades that I have ALREADY successfully passed."
Well, one concern you should have is if your children end up developing a passion for something you do NOT have expertise in. While your education might be adequate until around middle school for most subjects, what if they want to learn something you can't offer them but the public school can? I was homeschooled from 5th - 9th grade, but after I went into high school there's no way my parents could keep up with the math. For example, my dad was the only one that took calculus and that was like 15 years prior so he was super rusty. Also, what if one of your children develop an interest in programming software? The high schools in my area have these courses available to the students now, but I highly doubt you have the expertise to teach that from your college degree. It's something you'd have to learn on your own. Saying that you can handle up through high school graduation is highly presumptuous. Not only that, but you're essentially limiting your children's choices. I'd highly encourage you to do what my parents did and if they develop an interest in something you don't feel comfortable teaching, then have them attend public school part time for those particular courses. Please keep this in mind when your children get around middle/high school. Good luck!
My response:
Anonymous- (why are the critical ones always "anonymous"??)
First, thank you for stopping by my blog, reading and leaving a comment! I love to hear different opinions on my posts... but of course I will have to counter your comment!!
Second, thank you for reconfirming what I and other homeschooling families have to hear and deal with all the time... words/judgements like yours is the reason why I wrote this post in the first place.
"While your education might be adequate until around middle school for most subjects"- My education "might" be "adequate" until around middle school... sorry while I take a moment to stop laughing!!! Let me correct you, my education IS more than adequate to take my kids all the way through high school, not just elementary and most subjects in middle school!
"What if they want to learn something you can't offer them but the public school can?" Good question... there are plenty of opportunities (probably more than public schools even offer) within the community, private tutors, homeschool classes and college courses. I am homeschooling my kids because I can give them the attention and quality of education they deserve... you don't think we would do everything in our power to go out of our way to provide the opportunity to fulfill their desires?? My son wanted to learn how to rock climb, we enrolled him in a rock climbing class... if he wanted to climb Mt. Everest when he was in high school, we would do what we had to do to make his dream come true.
"What if one of your children develop an interest in programming software? The high schools in my area have these courses available to the students now, but I highly doubt you have the expertise to teach that from your college degree." How do you know my husband or I do not have a background in programming software? Just saying... you are making assumptions about our education/background... but like I said before, we would make it happen...if my kids had an interest in programming software, we would find a way for them to learn everything the ever wanted to know on the subject.
"Saying that you can handle up through high school graduation is highly presumptuous. Not only that, but you're essentially limiting your children's choices. I'd highly encourage you to do what my parents did and if they develop an interest in something you don't feel comfortable teaching, then have them attend public school part time for those particular courses." The definition of Presumptuous- Failing to observe the limits of what is permitted or appropriate. Wow... this is awesome!! I am so happy that everyone who was shocked to hear that I have deal with rude people's comments all the time can see for themselves the ignorance I have to listen to!!
It sounds like your (anonymous) parents made the decision that THEY felt was best for you and their family by sending you to a public school for high school... I think that is wonderful!! As parents, we have to do what we think is in our children best interest and my husband and I have made the decision that homeschooling is the BEST option for our kids. Our children will NEVER step foot in a public school again, if for some reason they have to go to school outside of the home it will be a private school.
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