I have been looking into homeschooling my two kids for the last year
From a mom who homeschools her own kids, I don't think you'd regret this decision. We're in our 8th year. Our oldest (a girl) went to school through 5th grade, then had friends from school. Our oldest son came home in 2nd grade. Our middle son went to kindergarten- which they wanted him to repeat due to attention problems. Our youngest son has never been to school and never will- if I can help it.
I also don't think that home schooling or the public system has anything to do with how good or how bad the child turns out
As a mom who has children that have had both influences, I beg to differ. The public system (that has nothing to do with the education) has a way of robbing a child of her senses. I'm not saying every child is at risk. But having had a child in the public system and three at home without the influence of that same system- and yes, all have been raised with the same morals and values- I can certainly attest that said system
can have adverse effects.
And I feel that preschool is letting kids interact with others their age sooner and help them to develop their social skills.
After seeing countless kids that have gone to preschool, then countless more who were homeschooled, I can tell you that this statement is almost laughable. Most families who make the decision to homeschool never even sit down and say, 'we'll start school this year'. Learning becomes second nature- as important as breathing. Everything becomes a learning experience and even for those who send their children to institionalized schools, whether public or private, start teaching their kids long before they're carted off. If you've taught your child to talk, to laugh, to play, your child has developed social skills.
I think a lot of kids have social problems when they are kept home to long
Yep! My kids don't even attempt to pitch a temper tantrum because they know it's unacceptable. My kids don't have to have $100 shoes because that's what all the other kids are wearing. They don't have to stay after school because they were fighting or couldn't stay quiet during a test. They haven't learned what cheating on tests is, lying to get out of trouble... they don't have to witness the cops bring in the drug dogs and search the lockers because some kid brought dope to school (and they do know the horrors of drugs- they're not totally sheltered). They weren't at school the day there was a bomb scare (that was two years ago- and we're in a very rural area). While there can certainly be a few positive aspects involved with public systems, there are twice as many involved with homeschooling. And while I'm not arguing for homeschooling (but I will if you want to), I will argue against any kind of universal preschool. Or for that matter, any kind of government that tells me how to educate my children.
it is important for children to interact with one another.
I agree. And it's equally important for parents to carefully choose who their children interact with. Even as teenagers, it's okay to say no when your children ask if they can be friends with the
cool kid down the street. And before I get wracked for that statement, I want you to know it comes from a mother who has recently learned that she has no idea who her daughter is- a direct influence of her association with the wrong people.
At the end of the day though I would prefer it to be my own choice and not that of the state.
And according to the US Constitution, that's our given right!
Think how horrible it would be if we didn't have that choice.
I also believe that a child should have as much interaction with their mother and father during the early years.
I can tell you that interaction is some of the best times you'll ever spend with your children. Enjoy it. Treasure it. It fades entirely too fast.
Tara, I'm not sure I helped you any, but I will say that I haven't regretted homeschooling- only that I wish I'd never sent any of my kids to school. As for universal preschool, not a choice I'd make and one a government surely shouldn't make. It's been my experience that children benefit much more from being allowed to freely explore their world and learn at their own pace. Wouldn't that be best achieved in group/setting of a parents' own choosing rather than being forced into a generic setting that might not work for all?
SQD (who needs to hush now)