Homeschooling Works!  Hundreds of homeschoolers met outside the New York State Capitol building to rally for less restrictive homeschooling laws in our states.  Homeschooling works!  Homeschooling works! was chanted over and over again as we hoped to make our voices heard.  We visited the offices inside the building, making our presence known to our representatives.  We wanted them to meet the children, who were handing out flyers and pamphlets, some showing charts and graphs as to the excellent record that homeschoolers carry.  Did you know that how closely homeschooling is regulated  in any given state has nothing to do with how well homeschoolers do academically?

What about socially?  People have all kinds of ideas as to how homeschoolers are turning out (as is often reflected in anonymous comments left here at Home Where They Belong.  The thing is, those comments have little to do with the reality I see in the faces of homeschoolers every day.  The homeschoolers I know are some of the most well adjusted people I've met.

As I mentioned in response to a comment on Jacque's most recent post, my own 19 year old daughter managed to bypass all the drama that she found in most of her public school friends' lives.  We most certainly did keep close tabs on her for several years.  How on earth would she ever be able to relate to people her own age??  Without being exposed to hundreds of children her own age, for hours every day -- how would she do?  I was certainly not worried about that.  When you do things God's way, you know His path will yeild a reaping of good fruit.  But others seemed to be concerned; strangers, and at times extended family, wondering "how will she do?"

She started her first job outside the home when she was 17.  She went to work for our local Walgreens - well, it was just setting up shop.  Her first boss wondered out loud in the interview how she would do ... being homeschooled and all.  It didn't take long for her to convince him and other in the store that she was just fine.  She was great with customers and fellow employees.  She worked hard and kept a good attitude.  I may sound like I'm bragging on my daughter, but I'm not trying to -- I believe there are hundreds upon hundreds of well adjusted homeschoolers just like her.  I'm bragging on homeschooling!  Homeschooling works!

There is something to be said for  children who spend the majority of time with adults (their parents) rather than children all their own age - with as much or less wisdom for living as they have.  In other words, better our children be raised by their parents than a group of  peers no wiser than themselves.

Homeschooling works!  Those anonymous comments that would have homeschoolers all socially backwards and academically wanting have no idea as to what they are really talking about.  Their talking about their own perceived notions, which have little to do with reality.  For stats on homeschooling, check out the National Home Education Research Institute.

I would encourage parents to make the necessary changes to bring their children home, if they haven't yet.  It is so worthwhile - and that's an understatement!  Homeschooling works! 

Deb Turner - Homeschooling from the Heart
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
Featured Graduates and Alumni

Comments

Jan. 14, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by drewsfamilytx

Thanks for your encouraging words!

I know it's definitely working for us now. It's nice to have examples of those that have completely the journey successfully!

Jan. 14, 2008 - Amen!

Posted by danib

A young lady in my women's Bible study had been skeptical for quite a while about homeschooling; she is a former cheerleader and extremely social. She is the sister of my sister's husband, and so is close to my family as well. Watching my dd, and my sister's children, she began to ask questions and soon began getting involved in the children's education.
The deciding factor for her, though, was when my 5yo niece (who is very active) sat quietly for over an hour in a deep conversation with her crotchety great-grandfather. This young lady has had problems doing this very thing with this elderly gentleman. She is now a huge fan and proponent of homeschooling.
It really does work. Thanks for encouraging us.

- Home Where They Belong