Feb. 4, 2006
Another Question for the Reporters

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Feb. 4, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by hsmom23boyz

This has actually occured in my home recently!! My oldest at home expressed a desire to go to PS for highschool. This wasn't because he was not enjoying being homeschooled as much as it was that he was feeling left out of his loop of friends. Many, actually, all but one of his friends have returned to either public or private school over the last few years, leaving him the only one in our church, and one of only two in his group of friends to remain homeschooled.

My answer of course was NO! But I did allow him to present his case to us, and did consider his request. Once I discovered the reason he wanted to go, we definitely decided against it, and even he realized those reasons were not valid enough to seriously consider.

Not only that, but one only has to open the paper to realize why public school is not a viable option. I can't believe they are even allowed to stay open. The academics are lacking, the violence is frightening, and God and our beliefs are mocked each and every day.I would have to spend hours each day trying to undo the doctrine they teach at school.

Yes, there may be still be moments where he longs to "try" public school, but he also longs to own a shot gun of his own, drink energy drinks and eat candy bars. Children want alot of things, that doesn't mean we give it all to them!

I truly believe God called my family to homeschool, and unless he calls us to do something else, homeschool is what we will continue to do.

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Feb. 4, 2006 - I Can't Imagine!

Posted by jaminacema

Okay, it would be hard to imagine this happening in our house. We live 1 block from a highschool and my 2 oldest children get a daily dose of highschool language and attitude every afternoon when school releases! They actually find that 15 minutes a day somewhat frightening! But, if they did want it I would listen to there reasons and then explain to them the reasons we have for keeping them home. We want our kids to be safe, We want them to get an education that is tailored to there needs, We want them to have a Christian education.

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Feb. 4, 2006 - How we say "no" on our side of the mountain.

Posted by Anonymous

"No." (wash, rinse, repeat as necessary).

The long response:

Children frequently want what is not best for them. So do adults. If a child is well-grounded in the Bible and understands that the Word of God provides a literal guideline for our lives, explanations about parental decisions (and whether or not a child attends school is, first and foremost, a parental decision) should always at least reference scripture, preferably in a specific manner so the child can understand the Biblical basis for his or her parents' decision as well as the Biblical responsibility to consider, pray about and make important decisions on the basis of combined faith and logic rather than emotion or (worse) a desire to do "what the others do."

This way the child understands that the parent's decision is not arbitrary or capricious but is founded upon an understanding of Biblical principles. This also models appropriate decision making in a way the child can understand and imitate as he or she matures.

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Feb. 4, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by asformeandmyhouse (no time to sign in)

My answer to THOSE arguments would be simple:

"Daughter, show me in the Bible where any one of those things is something after which we should seek, and THEN your father and I will give it over to prayer."

Now - should a very mature young adult come to me with VERY different reasons for wanting to go to "school", positively convinced this is conviction from the Holy Spirit --- THEN we give it over to prayer immediately and intensively. But I am fairly certain the Lord would already have begun dropping seeds of conviction on our parenting hearts had He wanted us to do anything differently were it the case...so should it ever happen, I do not think it would be a shock or "out of the blue."

~Kari

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Feb. 4, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by TOSPUBLISHER

All of you are speaking my language, I had to chuckle. Especially, you, anonymous. Another thing we let the reporter know is that we talk to our kids of college (jr. college), and that this is an option in their late teens. My husband would most likely attend classes with them (or I would). But even that, I don't know. Cross that bridge when we get to it. But really, your responses are great, what I was hoping to see, keep them coming. Would like to hear other views, too.

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Feb. 4, 2006 - Good answers!

Posted by pianogal86

Everyone has some good answers here!
This is a blog entry I wrote back when I started blogging, and it refers to a very similar subject--sheltering/training.

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/pianogal86/1267/

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Feb. 4, 2006 - What would I say

Posted by hectichomeschooler

I am in my very first year of homeschooling and I do love it (most of the time). I have contemplated this many, many times because of the uneasyness I have sometimes in regards to my abilities. I have been trying to learn how to depend wholeheartedly on God (maybe thats why He has me homeschooling). But, anyway I would tell my child that I would pray about it and that he should also. That the important part about being a child of God is to recieve your direction from HIM. I just think it might be a wonderful opportunity to teach a child how to really pray for guidance (and REALLY listen for the answer).
Mara in Michigan (love your weblog page by the way)

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Feb. 4, 2006 - Funny you should ask....

Posted by JeninNB

I've been asked this question a lot in the past few months....

Our viewpoint on the subject is this:
We feel called by God to hs, and until that calling is lifted, we will continue hs'ing. We feel particularly that God commands parents to teach their children, and that God has put us in authority over our kids. God holds US accountable for our children's education-- not the government, and not the kids. While I would want to know their hearts on the matter, it's really not their decision to make. And like one other commenter I read, if they had a good, solid, Biblical reasoning behind their request, I would assume that the Lord would've already starting changing our hearts on the matter.

High schools are NOT what they used to be. And I don't remember mine being exactly prim-and-proper. When ps teachers start giving you support, you know something's up.

Jen in NB

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Feb. 4, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by DandelionSeeds

Okay... so you had me answer your question last time... what up? as;ldkjas;ldjf All these homeschooling questions, I'm beginning to feel you're like my mother... heh heh... (I like that little chuckle thing you and Jen do so I had to try it... felt good... I like it... I may use it more...)

Blessings,
Amy

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Feb. 5, 2006 - To Train up a Child - Is Public School an Option?

Posted by

This is so near and dear to my heart that I *have* to post a comment. First, here are a couple of lead in questions:
1. What does it mean to train up and nuture your child in the admonition and ways of the Lord?
Children are a gift from the Lord, we will be held responsible for the choices that we make. When we are told to train up our children, what does that mean? What should be the most important things that we would train our children, in God's eyes and from His heavenly perspective?

2. What is the definition of the word "education"? The Lord in His Word admonishes us "not to forget" "instruct them in the ways of the Lord when we wake up when we lie down, all day we need to seek every opportunity to instruct them in the ways of the Lord and of His great love.
According to Webster's 1828 Dictionary

EDUCA'TION, n. [L. educatio.] The bringing up, as of a child, instruction; formation of manners. Education comprehends all that series of instruction and discipline which is intended to enlighten the understanding, correct the temper, and form the manners and habits of youth, and fit them for usefulness in their future stations. To give children a good education in manners, arts and science, is important; to give them a religious education is indispensable; and an immense responsibility rests on parents and guardians who neglect these duties.

Pressure to keep up with the world's way and view of education used to put a damper on our homeschool but after allowing the Lord to direct our learning, He has been faithful to lead us in those areas and subjects that He wants us to learn for that particular year. We give our daughters freedom of speech in our home. The subject of abandoning homeschooling has never come up. It is a "way of life" for our family. We see the heartaches that the children in public school encounter most frequently. Peer pressure is something that we cannot accept. My children are very happy and Love the Lord with all of their hearts. As parents we know that we must give an answer to the Lord and until our children are old enough to decide for themselves, we will guide and lead them in those ways that we ourselves are being lead by the Lord. I understand that there are times of crisis or illness in the family and each one must decide for themselves but the original question was if our child asked us to be placed in a public school setting. If a time ever arrived that our children would ask us, we reserve the right to say "no" and talk to our children. I've heard of many children in public and private schools who have literally begged their parents to homeschool them......I have spoken directly to some of these parents, sadly, they said "no". I wonder if the reporters have ever asked this same question of those parents whose children are in public school, would they "homeschool" their children if they made this request of them?

Love,
Cathy

The post can also be found on my blog: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/creativehsmom/79075/

Edited by creativehsmom on Feb. 5, 2006 at 3:51 PM

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Feb. 6, 2006 - To Allow or Not to Allow

Posted by Mileshouse

I just realized most folks posted directly here. So sorry, but you'll have to visit my blog as I'm not retyping!
www.homeschoolblogger.com/mileshouse/
Thanks!
Melanie

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Feb. 6, 2006 - my answer

Posted by LindaI

same thing I would say to anything else their father and I decided for them. "no"

It is our family choice and when they are older they can choose for their kids! MUAHAHAHAHAHA (evil laugh)

Seriously. same thing my mom would have told me had I said I wanted to drop out of school. no.

same thing mom would have told me had I wanted to change churches - nope. We are a family and we go here. When you are older you can decide for yourself.

Now if I was tired and I WANTED to. then I might consider. But selfish mom I am - my choice and preference until they have their own family. :)

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Feb. 6, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by livin4Him6

When our oldest son was in 8th grade his cousin moved back up here and he was trying to convince our son to go to public school. He would make snide comments about homeschooling and tell him how great ps was. Our son did say that he would like to go to ps in highschool and my dh told him that we would pray about it and then decide. Now, in all fairness I was not totally opossed to the idea and I could see the benefits of it, but dh was adamently opposed and talked it over with me and then WE talked it over with our son. It was an interesting conversation and our son received it well and has not asked about it since--he is now in the 10th grade. In hindsight I am really glad that I listened to my dh, because I really believe that our son would of gotten swallowed up in that school. We live in a small town (under 2,000) and it is a regional school and there are lots of things there that are not school related. Every time that I hear of things happening at the school, I pray for the kids their but I also thank the Lord that my son is not there. :0)

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