Why did you decide to homeschool?

[daisyduke]

This was brought up on my other thread...I'm an elementary school teacher, and I'm wondering why so many people have decided to homeschool their children. It is something that I'm thinking about doing when I have children as well. So, please share with me - why did you decide to homeschool your children? Thank you.

[Goldenrod]

For me homeschooling is an extension of the way I've parented all along. I decided to homeschool before I had children, have always attachment parented and I feel that my family belongs together - it's what feels right for us. There hasn't been a single moment along the way that I've wanted to change that - and some of those moments have been pretty trying. ;) Being with my children as they learn, knowing what they are learning and assisting them when needed is incredibly fulfilling. Now that they are older, I find that when problems arise in their relationships with friends, my friends and I are right there to help them solve their problems and it is making a difference in their lives. I can remember things that happened at school that my parents to this day don't know about, but I was left to figure out and handle on my own, those things can leave kids with a lot of long term baggage to carry around. When the adults can step in and work with the kids immediately and give them the tools to work through problems, that is a positive that they will be able to take with them in the future. I love that my boys have friends, but they are best friends, and that is in large part due to the fact that they are not separated.

[Sharon in Colorado]

The public schools are indoctrinating children beyond basic education. The more serious matters I'm primarily concerned with are too controverisal to discuss on this site, but I can express the diet part here, as we know we don't agree with nutrition being taught in schools.

Parents should decide what they want their children to learn beyond the three R's. But today it's all what the government wants to teach our children and that's just not right.

[daisyduke]

Thank you for sharing with me. Sometimes I feel that since I'm 'inside it' I don't notice certain things. It helps to get an 'outsiders' viewpoint. Sharon, would you mind emailing me to tell me more? I'd really like to learn about this. My email is tammytrainor@hotmail.com

Thanks again!

[Ariannah]

My children did attend school for a while. However during that time there were several things with which I felt increasingly uncomfortable.


a sharp contrast between the values I held very dear and my children had embraced, and what the schools taught, embraced, condoned, and had little authority to do anything about.


Different ideas about what they should be learning and the pace at which to learn it (their own, be it faster or "slower")


I felt gypped that other people were "getting" my children during their most alert and energetic times of the day. They'd come home, not eager to spend quality time with me, but tired and needing their space, or wanting to see friends (Didn't they just spend a full day in the "socialization" utopia?) I got to see them evenings and weekends, little more than a non-custodial divorced parent. I felt I got the invoice issued to me without the benefit of access to my own child. I am more than just a roof over their head and free meals. Thus, I got to see them for little time other than to help them with their homework and weekends.


As each year passed, I noticed a profound difference in how they were thriving in all ways (motivated, eager, happy, free) in the summer time vs. how they were during school. I knew that since such affected all our children it could not just be coincidence.


Last, but not least, it was a culmination of questioning the mainstream traditions that our society in general never seems to question. When I found out I had complete jurisdiction to raise my family, as I see fit, in all facets of our lives, it was validating and freeing.



That is it in a nutshell, but to get the compete picture, the book will be out in 2525 when they posthumously dig up my diaries ;-)

In the four years we've been independently schooling, we've seen that letting our children bloom into their own unique selves is the most fundamental need they have. And our family has not looked back.

[michigan roman]

The public schools are indoctrinating children beyond basic education. The more serious matters I'm primarily concerned with are too controverisal to discuss on this site, but I can express the diet part here, as we know we don't agree with nutrition being taught in schools.

Parents should decide what they want their children to learn beyond the three R's. But today it's all what the government wants to teach our children and that's just not right.

i totally agree with EVERY SINGLE WORD you just stated !

[Rawkinlocs]

My decision to homeschool started when my (now 15 year old) son was only in 1st grade. I met one of his friends who lived on our block and she was one of the most articulate little girls I had ever seen. I asked her what school she went to and she said she was homeschooled. So, I practically ran to her house to meet her mom and we talked and talked and talked and I got more and more excited about it.

So, I pulled him out of school and the rest is history! When we moved from WA to Detroit, I KNEW there was no way my kids were going to public school there; however, after a couple of years, my sister-in-law coaxed me into enrolling (she gave me a sob story about how the schools were desperate for enrollments, etc.) and asked me to think about it. So, for a year I put the two eldest in school. My son HATED it and was picked on daily because he "talked funny" (translated, spoke in proper English instead of using slang). My daughter loved it but then after about 6 months she was speaking of wishing she could go back to homeschool.

Then...my son's teachers - homeroom teacher and math teacher - both told me that if I kept my kids in there that they'd end up corrupted and my son's math teacher told me that I should get them out of there pronto! Hearing that from the TEACHERS was confirmation enough for me and so the next year we homeschooled and have been doing so ever since.

I tell people that for me, homeschooling used to be a choice, but now...it's a conviction. I have nothing against public schools nor those who put there children in them (I went to public school my whole school-aged life) but as for me and my house...

Like Sharon, there are things I just do not want instilled in my children.

[caramba]

Too many reasons to go into them all , but basically I know that if I sent my ds to school next year (he's 5) he will learn that he has to change the way he is to be accepted. I don't like what mass education does to kids...teaches them to 'shut up and listen' or that they are "not good enough" or they are "weird/different". It also doesn't give them any time to explore their own interests (which are passionate and widely varying) and let them follow their own internal guidance system (which I believe is pretty reliable UNTIL it's get's corrupted by school).

I object to the imposition of a school agenda/timetable on my family life, and the assumption that "life" consists of getting out of bed 5 days a week and dragging yourself off somewhere (first school, then "work") and being content with just that. I believe it is an artificial environment that keeps children "out of sight, out of mind" until they are "civilised" (read brainwashed) enough to be part of society at 18 y.o !!! By which time, their natural abilities & passions are thoroughly dead and they are ready to be wage-slave consumers and tow the line - or feel bad about themselves if they don't

Sorry...getting a bit passionate myself there!

I would also say that I do understand Home Schooling is not for everyone (all kids or all families) and that's fine too :)

[Pailani]

The public schools are indoctrinating children beyond basic education. The more serious matters I'm primarily concerned with are too controverisal to discuss on this site, but I can express the diet part here, as we know we don't agree with nutrition being taught in schools.

Parents should decide what they want their children to learn beyond the three R's. But today it's all what the government wants to teach our children and that's just not right.

I agree, the school system is so busy indoctrinating, that there's not much time left to educate.

There are so many practical benefits to homeschooling - better teacher/student ratio, more natural socialization, wider selection of resource options. And there are personal benefits - I can spend more time with my children, which makes for better family relationships. We tend to learn together, which is fun and gives us common ground.

[Conscious Midwife]

The public schools are indoctrinating children beyond basic education. The more serious matters I'm primarily concerned with are too controverisal to discuss on this site, but I can express the diet part here, as we know we don't agree with nutrition being taught in schools.

Parents should decide what they want their children to learn beyond the three R's. But today it's all what the government wants to teach our children and that's just not right.


DITTO... :D

[Conscious Midwife]

Too many reasons to go into them all , but basically I know that if I sent my ds to school next year (he's 5) he will learn that he has to change the way he is to be accepted. I don't like what mass education does to kids...teaches them to 'shut up and listen' or that they are "not good enough" or they are "weird/different". It also doesn't give them any time to explore their own interests (which are passionate and widely varying) and let them follow their own internal guidance system (which I believe is pretty reliable UNTIL it's get's corrupted by school).

I object to the imposition of a school agenda/timetable on my family life, and the assumption that "life" consists of getting out of bed 5 days a week and dragging yourself off somewhere (first school, then "work") and being content with just that. I believe it is an artificial environment that keeps children "out of sight, out of mind" until they are "civilised" (read brainwashed) enough to be part of society at 18 y.o !!! By which time, their natural abilities & passions are thoroughly dead and they are ready to be wage-slave consumers and tow the line - or feel bad about themselves if they don't

Sorry...getting a bit passionate myself there!

I would also say that I do understand Home Schooling is not for everyone (all kids or all families) and that's fine too :)


AGAIN DITTO!!!

[GrandSophy]

It was an easy decision for us. My husband and I are both homeschool graduates. It's such an easy decision for us 2nd generation homeschoolers -- it just seems natural to keep our kids at home, rather than sending them off to be taught by strangers for hours and hours of every single day.

And by the way, my husband is now a public school teacher. I hear stories about life in public school -- yikes! :eek:

[Live Free]

I have been running into a lot of homeschool moms lately. I really think this is what I want to do for my child.

I would like to have the flexiblity to travel and have her with me. To have her visit museums and countries and learn about the world around her without all the restrictions that a tradional school would place on her.

However, I know it will be very challenging on me to teach my daughter. I have been out of school for years and to teach my daughter. I get scared sometimes.

I hope that there will be other homeschool moms who will teach me or help me teach my daughter perhaps in areas that I am not so good at.

Right now my daughter is in preschool and I love the break from her everyday for a few hours. Homeschooling will defidently be a challenge.

However, I do believe that teaching my daughter myself will instill in her the very best qualities that I can give her. To give her the tools that she needs to become a successful member of society. To teach her how to make money to generate a lifestyle not just work for a living. That is just one quality that I believe gets missed in the public school. I know I never learned that even in college, I was still looking for the information that I needed to become a successful business owner. I could have invested my $40,000 that I spent on a college education and bought dot com stock. I could have been a millionaire by now. :)

My business partners have to unteach their kids everyday when they come home from school and these kids attend private schools. Yikes.

[Jesaroj]

Live Free, I suggest that you search the internet about unschooling. I have been checking into homeschooling for my 9 and 7 year-old daughters because we have been planning a long journey in another country next summer. This week, I discovered what is called unschooling and my daughters are attending the last 3 days before xmas break, and then that is it!

Raw food has changed my life in so many ways. The first is certainly health wise and that's why we chose to eat this way, but this extended vacation is also a direct result of eating raw, as is my newfound admittance that public schools are nothing but damaging and I don't want my girls to have a part of that any longer. As of yesterday, my husband and I have chosen to have a separation and I also attribute this important choice to the clear mind that this new way of life has given us. I think that, having been together since our teens (we are both 28 and met at 15), we have never lived any of our adult lives as individuals and that spending some time apart will enable us to do just that. I know we will be happier because of it. I am terrified, of coarse, but I finally feel strong enough to do this. Becoming a raw foodist (since August) has been life-saving and not only in the literal sense, because it's led to all these other wonderful changes.

Does anyone here "unschool" their children?

[Ariannah]

Does anyone here "unschool" their children?

We do. We're discovering the beauty of children's authentic learning day by day. I've always been uncomfortable with myths and stereotyping surrounding the word "unschooling", though. The term itself seems to conjure up a rebel who has a disgust for anyone who sends their children to school or who uses curriculum from outside structures. Not so for many people.

[RowanC]

There were several reasons. My "kids" are now 30, 35, and 27.

I was not happy with the education they were getting.

I felt it was RIDICULOUS for them to spend 6 hours in school and then have 2 or 3 more hours of homework! Where were they supposed to fit in playtime and childhood?

The teachers had no control over the classrooms and the classes were too large.

My children were brought up as free thinkers, as humans, not a different species, and were allowed to participate in life at home. At school, they were not listened to, nor were they allowed to voice their opinions. This meant if there were an open teacher, a good teacher who loved children, they got GREAT grades, but if there was an "old time" teacher who just wanted to crack the whip and not listen, they failed, not because they were stupid, but because they had a brain and didn't accept everything as point blank truth.

My children were bored with school.

At one point, I was transferred to High Sonoran desert of Arizona where they attended a one-room schoolhouse with mixed grades. I saw they did better there than in public school. Then my youngest son had a brilliant teacher! I went to school to find an entire ecosystem in a swimming pool in the center of the room. This same teacher helped the kids start a bike repair shop and buy a puppy with the money they made. She used all these situations to teach. My son LOVED school that year and when it was over, I decided not to send him back. They all started homeschooling then, according to their own interests.

For me it worked great. People say, 'Gee, your kids must have been very motivated." But really, it was more that they had a brain and could see their friends spending 8 to 9 hours schooling, when they were finished in 2 hours and had the rest of the day to enjoy. We included their interests as part of the cirriculum and had wonderful family times camping, traveling, going to community classes together, joining clubs like the paleontology club and going on "digs" for fossils.... raising snakes, rehabilitating raptors, making a garden, rebuilding computers, looking for owl pellets and seeing what raptors eat, doing art, woodcarving, identifying birds and shells and learning latin names, walking in the forest and learning to identify medicinal and edible plants, learning to start a fire with flint/steel, burying ourselves in the leaves and dirt to learn to survive if lost in the forest (watching how the animals survive), learning to swim and learning about the dynamics of water, learning geology by going to various canyons, beaches, just ENJOYING each other while we learned. If they didn't want to do their homework, all I had to do was say, "You want to return to public school?" And BANG! It was done!

And I forgot to add, I was a SINGLE mother with 3 children and I worked full time as a legal secretary. The kids homeschooled themselves, honestly. I just provided the materials, checked it once a week, and tested them occasionally. They did fine.

Today you are so lucky. There are computer programs you can buy and there are homeschooling support groups.

My children loved homeschooling and so did I!

[Ariannah]

Rowan I hear you about the 6+ hours in school and THEN homework. My issues exactly.

Also, when people's children are in school, the whole family's life tends to revolve around the school's schedule and not the other way around. It was not "Family first", but rather "Family second".

I didn't like feeling like an evenings and weekends parent, IF that... when I was still responsible for the financial end of things. I like to GET what I pay for, :D

Not to mention, my children are just loving life.

[Sharon in Colorado]

The reason why kids have so much stinking homework after school is because they spend more time in recess, waiting in line, time between classes, waiting for the teacher, travel to and from school, or just listening to the teacher than actual learning time, but never have enough time to finish their assignments and then the teacher expects the parents to understand and re-teach the child at home, and assist them in finishing their assignments.

As RowanC says, there simply is not enough time for one child with all the children in classes these days. Usually just a few children excel who don't get any attention and most of the time it has to do with their parents' influence. For those children whose parents don't have the time to spend because either they work full time or lack of interest in getting involved, those kids will slip through the cracks, and of course the teacher/school gets blamed.

I just think the whole system is bad. The US government spends more money on education than defense, and people are still screaming for more funding. People, get real, it's not the funding, it's the whole school system. School administration is getting paid more than students are getting educated.

Sadly, many parents (me included) just don't know what is going on and if the child can't relay the information properly and the parent doesn't contact the teacher then the work doesn't get done properly if at all. I had that problem with a "home school program" in a regular school and that was enough for me.

Sorry for the rant. That felt good though. :p

[RowanC]

That's awesome Ariannah... I think you're doing the right thing. Children grow so very fast.. you better enjoy them now! My best memories of childhood are not endless days at school.. they are the times I spent with my grandparents who were my primary caretakers.

I know this is unbelieveable but I had THIRTEEN living grandparents when I was born.

I had my mom's parents, grandparents, and a great-grandmother
I had my dad's parents, grandparents, and a great-grandmother
I had one set of step-grandparents
and I had one other step=grandpa

I was surely blessed! I have wonderful memories!

[Sharon in Colorado]

Another thing to rant about. People who respond to me "You homeschool? I don't know how you do that!" The last time someone said that to me, I answered "I don't know how YOU can send your kids to public school!"

Or they'll say "You are brave!" Like I just won a medal, for doing something I consider normal.

Dealing with others who don't believe in what you are doing, it's almost like people who respond and can't accept that raw food is healthy.

[Ariannah]

Another thing to rant about. People who respond to me "You homeschool? I don't know how you do that!" The last time someone said that to me, I answered "I don't know how YOU can send your kids to public school!"

Or they'll say "You are brave!" Like I just won a medal, for doing something I consider normal.

Dealing with others who don't believe in what you are doing, it's almost like people who respond and can't accept that raw food is healthy.

I also hear some phrases, such as "I couldn't stand to be around my kids all day!". I don't believe that these people realize how they sound.

We actually like our children. We gave birth to them and welcomed them unconditionally into our home and family unit. They didn't cramp our lifestyle. Rather, they've made our lifestyle.

Now this doesn't mean they spend every second of every day with just me, me, me, and each other. But the increased time that they do, I believe is beneficial for them and is not something I waste any time apologizing for.

I read books from excellent authors such as John Holt and Raymond and Dorothy Moore, and Jan Hunt's "Parenting from the Heart", and those books have changed my life and perspective on parenting, teaching/learning, and how children grow in the plain old-fashioned way, simply, beautifully, and happily.

Home learning with my children as well, has been a big eye-opener to me about how much of our society's "normal part of growing up" is actually learned behaviour, encouraged by the media and "group think". For instance, my 3 oldest are teenagers and they ALL have different personalities, yet they seem to be missing this "inevitable" :rolleyes: generation gap. We relate to each other like nature intended. We clash at times, but so do my husband and I. But there's no "Moms are from Venus and teenagers are from Mars" thing going on.

[RowanC]

Yes, I agree. I actually LIKE my kids too and enjoyed being around them. My kids didn't have a lot of rules. The basic one was "As long as you're not hurting yourself, hurting someone else, or infringing on someone else's rights, you can do it."

I have friends who went ballistic with their teens. Every little thing becomes a huge issue and it's such a waste of energy. My friends took their daughter to expensive therapists because she insisted on doing normal teenage things, like wearing shorts to school in the snow or wearing her hair in her eyes. I told her, 'Hey, let her wear shorts! She'll freeze her butt off then decide to dress warmer. What's the problem?" They just didn't get it. This was a great kid with a wonderful mind who liked to make her own decisions. She ended up a wonderful adult but it is sad when I think of the lost time at therapy which she totally rejected (for good reason, I say). They have no relationship with her at all now.. sad.. sad...and it was THEIR fault, not hers.

You have to choose your battles, really. And the kids who seem to get in the most trouble are often just bored as heck and the most brilliant minds! We had a yule rite this weekend and one little guy kept insisting he was going to touch the candle flame. His mom was freaking out, and I said, "Listen, just let him get his finger close.. carefully watch, but let him do it." She finally agreed.. we watched him as he moved the finger closer and closer to the flame. Before he touched it, he yanked it back and said, "NO NO! HOT!"
YAY! He got it! He didn't try to touch it again after that. Sometimes you just have to try things out on your own, ya know? Saved her having to be on his butt all night long, stressed. A little supervised exploration can go a long way, in my opinion.

I took my kids to shelters for homeless people, took them to feed the homeless, went shopping for kids with less, and really made them aware of how lucky they were. They continue to do charity work as adults. It is important for them to realize others don't have as much.

Also, my kids were allowed to stay in the room with the adults (within reason) as long as they behaved themselves. If they wanted to join in the conversation we did not shush them. But they weren't allowed to make themselves the center of attention, either. They knew if they started acting out, they'd go to their rooms immediately.. no warnings... no second chances. I only had to inforce that once. They understood and were really well-behaved after that.

Following through is so important. I hate hearing a mother say, "Don't do that or you're going to go outside.. don't do that or your going to go outside, " like a broken record, but never takes the kid out.. so he doesn't believe it. YOu better be sure you're willing to miss the event if you say that!

It's funny how horribly people treat children! I remember going camping with a group of friends. My 3 year old was sitting on the ground, playing with a spoon and a bowl in the dirt and some lady said, "Cameron, get out of that dirt!" I had to step in ...pu-leeze! It's DIRT! He's a KID! We're in the WOODS! Jeez.... This was obviously HER problem. Sticking up for my kids in front of other adults gave them a lot of self-worth too. They knew they had to speak politely to people, but they also knew they didn't have to do things they knew were wrong.

One funny thing that happened. My oldest was around 14 when he started homeschooling. The others were much younger. Right before we started, he came home with a bad note from his teacher. I asked him about it and he made up this big ole story about how his teacher mistreated him in front of the class, how she lied about him, how she said horrible things.

Now you have to remember, I was younger, and I was rowdy, and I was raised in a red-neck place.. so I said to him, 'Get in the car!" He said, "Where we going?" I said, "We're going to school! If your teacher did all THAT to you, I'm gonna whup her butt!" He got really quiet. We got in the car and I just kept talking how nobody was treating MY kids that way and she was going to be sorry! About a block from the school he said, "Mom... stop the car." I asked why? He said, "I was lying. It was my fault!"

Best job of bluffing I ever did! He chose his own punishment. Put himself on restriction for 2 weeks and wrote a letter of apology to the teacher.

Life is interesting with kids... thanks for the walk down memory lane :)

[Rawkinlocs]

AMEN to that (liking my kids)! I still cringe upon hearing parents ask me, "Don't you get tired of being around them all day?" Uhhh...nooo. I like...love being around my children. Yeah, I get in my little moods where I want to be alone (I think that was in part due to being raised an only child) and when that time comes I either go for a walk or I go in my room, shut the door and just be to myself for about a half hour or so. Once I've had my little "me time"...I'm right back out there with my kiddos.

They make me laugh and we have a lot of fun together...I mean, sometimes their friends come over and are totally amazed at how silly and crazy we can get around here and the things we joke about. They look at us strangely at first, but then they are joining in and wanting to come back.

RowanC, you sound like you were the coolest mom! I have learned a lot from your parental postings in this forum! Thanks! :D

[RowanC]

thanks :) ::blushing::

I just loved 'em....still do...

But WAIT! You think you love them more than anything in the world....

but WAIT!

Coming attractions: GRANDKIDS!

KOWABUNGA! It's almost more love than you can deal with!

[Raw Jewelrylady]

We don't have children-Well 2 toy poodles-but I would Homeschool as well.

I have to say that after reading all the stories in this thread ...

IT is an HONOR to meet such dedicated parents.

I am so touched by the level of committment you have all shown in raising your children.

I am proud to be a member of this board & to read such great examples!

Very Heartfelt Moment here!!! :o

Lana

[daisyduke]

I appreciate your willingness to share this with me (and others).

[RawPassion]

I have beautiful 4 year old twins who will be starting school next year. We (fiance and I) have been seriously talking about homeschooling. Our problem is: 1) we don't know where to start and 2) we have tons of questions! Questions about finances (making it off of one income), curriculum, schedules, really just too much to name. One of our major concerns are making sure they're able to pass state tests, being ready for college and advanced degrees,etc. What is it like homeschooling at the highschool level? I can't imagine teaching our daughters physics :eek: ! This is something we are truly committed to and we really want to be successful.

Can any of you RAWesome ladies point us in the right direction? Networks, books, etc? Also, any ladies send their children to a homeschool even if it wasn't at "home"? I have a family member who's children are homeschooled in a neighbors house with her children. If so, how was that experience?

Thank you in advance for all of your help :)

[Sharon in Colorado]

I find sending kids to public school is more expensive. School supplies, clothing, lunches, paying for fundraisers and or participating in school functions, etc. can add up. Basically you are paying for good curriculum and school supplies when you homeschool.

When you educate at home, kids eventually start working independently the older they get. You work with them more in the beginning than in the end.

There are tons of different programs. You could do an entire curriculum on the computer, or part of it. You could be under an umbrella school and they give you the curriculum or you choose your own and they just keep your records.

Try www.hslda.org and check your states requirements.

[RawPassion]

Thank you so much Sharon. I'm off to check out the link :)

[mongomango]

Apart from indoctrination into state sponsored ideals, schools have also become like an arm of the government in regards to mental health agendas and the recommendation and distribution of drugs. Right now parents have the ability to refuse medication for what is deemed a problem child, I don't know if that will continue to be the case. I seriously doubt it.

Apart from that, the department of education has begun a system of pigeon holing students. Through standardized testing and teacher evaluation, children are going to be pegged to a standard which will be very difficult for them to overcome. For instance, one child will be pegged to be a scientist, another to be a janitor. And their school experience will be tailored to that expectation, with very little opportunity for the child to break away from their preconceived future for him. This is done to some extent already, but I have read of plans to take it much, much further, and will be promoted as putting a child where they will be happiest.

[Conscious Midwife]

I Questions about finances (making it off of one income), curriculum, schedules, really just too much to name. One of our major concerns are making sure they're able to pass state tests, being ready for college and advanced degrees,etc. What is it like homeschooling at the highschool level? I can't imagine teaching our daughters physics :eek: ! This is something we are truly committed to and we really want to be successful.

:)

Regarding finances:

Homeschooling in most states only requires four hour of instruction by a HS educated parent for the primary grades. Depending on your occupation you couls woirk shifts or alternate workdays around hubby's schedule so that someone is always with the little ones. If their is an overlapping day incorporate a grandparent. They will probably love providing an educational day for your twins.

OUr life is science... you'll find that you'll be teaching your little ones about physics indirectly everyday. IE: gravity, temperature, speed of a car etc...
When it comes to the calculations and higher concepts of physics, much later like middle school or highschool, you can always take a community ollege class at night yourself, and teach the little ones what you know. You may also want to consider just homeschooling k-8, building a strong foundation and assuring that they are discerning independent thinkers before they inter High School.

Research your options online, in your local community and with your school board.

[ProgrammingRaw]

One of our major concerns are making sure they're able to pass state tests, being ready for college and advanced degrees,etc. I can't imagine teaching our daughters physics

I think you'll find the future is not so hard. The world wants motivated people with healthy positive attitudes more than it wants workers with the right "credentials". This is what homeschooling gives you (especially "unschooling") -> more freedom to enhanse and enrich your children's personal interests and goals, to build better self-confident personalities and strong self-esteem.

I cite myself as an example (if you'll endulge me to read a little more). I only finished grade 9 (bottom of the class), and although my early careers were not high paying, I eventually taught my self software programming, via books and the internet (no supplement classes what-so-ever).

Within a couple years I was managing a small team of programmers for a high-tech company here in Canada with a government grant I won through my own research, and when the dot-com bubble burst a few years later I went independent (self-employed contractor) and for the last several years have been contracting for Billion dollar corporations in the US and around the world, been a technical presenter and MC at developer conferences, and now take home a very healthy income (all from the comfort of my own home).

My point, beyond a little bragging, is that with the right motivation (as in self-directed) your children will have no limitations when they enter the world as adults, if their self-esteem and excitement for learning is fully intact.

Already our young kids are demonstrating these traits (I didn't start my programming career until my 30's), so we're hopeful of the future - but at the same time, we want to measure their success only when we know they are happy with whatever career(s) they eventually choose, regardless of what that is, e.g., hair-dresser, doctor or plumper.

The above is not the only reason we homeschool, but it is a factor.

Thank you for allowing me to be self-endulgent to tell my story. I hope it's helpful in your decisions.

[Ariannah]

Naturally, the specifics of my experiences are the same, but the fundamental opinions within this interview are expressed bluntly and appropriately by the late John Holt.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Livestock_and_Farming/1980_July_August/The_Plowboy_Interview

I don't believe children are the future. Children are the present. They're so amazing just the way they are. Each age, each year, is given to children for a reason, and who am I to mess with it? :)

[PeachyMama]

I homeschool my children.

I started with my daughter. I knew she wasn't ready socially for school. We've come to believe that she has Asperger's, and I am truly thankful that she was never plugged into the system, has never had a label attached to her. She is just herself, rather than a diagnosis. She also has dyslexia, but without the special IEP's and whatever else schools throw at kids like her, she has learned to read.

I've combined an unschooling approach with some packaged materials. She does like workbooks for some things (like math), but mainly, we follow what interests her at the moment.

I essentially think that the whole idea of schooling is wrong. We don't teach children. We can present them with information, we can introduce them to ideas and concepts, but, in the end, the only things they retain are the things they have taught themselves. Those are the only things that pass from head knowledge into deep down inside yourself knowing.