Are You Striving for Merely Average?
While many people in my area would never in a million years homeschool, a lot of them want to say how great it is that I do. Then they give you the reasons that they can't do it with their kids. So I am going to start address those reasons here. Let me preface all this with while I think it would be great for our society, I don't think everyone needs to homeschool. But people start talking like they feel guilty and have to justify their decision. They are not my kids, it is none of my business! But, if you are going to use these silly reasons I need to start addressing them.
The first one is this fear that their kids will not be "normal" or fit in. What does that even mean? I have heard that academically they would be very advanced so they could no longer fit in with their peers. How is this a problem people? So people want their kids to just be "normal"? Isn't that the same thing as average? Average, the median, a C? You want to make sure that your kids can play all the social manipulation games to survive in a children's society? That is all your hopes and dreams are for your kids?
To me this is a mentality that "I will sell out my kids future so they can have more friends today". Talk about shortsighted. My children are very bright but they get along with many types of people. But even at almost 7 and 5, my kids are already losing patience with some issues that are considered normal for their age group. Things like when kids "decide" one day that they like 1 kid but you can't talk to that other kid. So my kids can't play that game, yes I am a failure as a parent;). Just imagine how great the world would be if we all refused to play.
I don't think there is a single parent who would admit that average is all they hope for but I wonder if that is truly what they mean. The soap box if being put away for the afternoon;).
Update: Here are a couple (not all) of the definitions of Normal from Dictionary.com.
-the average or mean: Production may fall below normal.
-the standard or type.
The first one is this fear that their kids will not be "normal" or fit in. What does that even mean? I have heard that academically they would be very advanced so they could no longer fit in with their peers. How is this a problem people? So people want their kids to just be "normal"? Isn't that the same thing as average? Average, the median, a C? You want to make sure that your kids can play all the social manipulation games to survive in a children's society? That is all your hopes and dreams are for your kids?
To me this is a mentality that "I will sell out my kids future so they can have more friends today". Talk about shortsighted. My children are very bright but they get along with many types of people. But even at almost 7 and 5, my kids are already losing patience with some issues that are considered normal for their age group. Things like when kids "decide" one day that they like 1 kid but you can't talk to that other kid. So my kids can't play that game, yes I am a failure as a parent;). Just imagine how great the world would be if we all refused to play.
I don't think there is a single parent who would admit that average is all they hope for but I wonder if that is truly what they mean. The soap box if being put away for the afternoon;).
Update: Here are a couple (not all) of the definitions of Normal from Dictionary.com.
-the average or mean: Production may fall below normal.
-the standard or type.
Labels: child rearing, Homeschoooling
posted by NerdMom at
3:05 PM
5 Comments:
I loved this post! Thanks for sharing it with the CoH.
By
Silvia, at 10:06 AM
Excellent post!
By
Anonymous, at 8:09 PM
I've toyed with the idea of homeschooling (my son is still a baby so I have time to decide) but the "normal" reason isn't my concern. My latest doubt actually came from my mother-in-law, who is a longtime middle school librarian and onetime language arts teacher: how can a parent possibly have both the breadth and depth of knowledge to teach their kids history and English and science and math (and more) -- especially once the kid hits junior high and high school? My MIL is constantly reading young adult books to make her better at her job, but as a parent and homeschooler, there is no way I would have time for that...
By
Anonymous, at 9:33 AM
I am so glad you posted this. I've been wanting to homeschool my 8 yr old for 2 years. My husband was completely opposed until this year when all of the school politics started becoming more obvious. As for the previous poster, I feel that I am more than qualified to teach my own kids all subjects. I do have a bachelor's degree and some graduate school, plus 10 years as an engineer. My family cannot survive without my income, but as soon as my husband can provide for us, I'm going to homeschool. I hope it is sooner than later. Many kudos to you for all you do for your kids.
By
Casey, at 8:45 AM
So a couple comments on commenters;). Penny I understand your fear but if worst comes to worst, are you smarter than a kindergartener? Then just read the book ahead of them as they go. The skill you have in educating your kid that they need is they need to learn to learn.
Casey, what kind of engineer are you? Many engineering positions can be done part time from home now, if that is what you feel God calling you to. But God is in all situations, even our kids in public school;). I came out of it ok (sort of;).
By
NerdMom, at 9:23 AM
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