In light of the new report just posted by the Arkansas Department of Education I thought, how should we feel? Several schools are still not measuring up in Arkansas? As homeschoolers, there are times when we feel that we are right and the world and wrong. As public schoolers, we feel that we are right and they are wrong. (Yes, I was a public schooler and so were 2 of my kids and I worked there for a total of 4 years). So the question then becomes who is right?
Well that debate will never end because examples can always be shown to sway opinion one way or the other. I started off homeschooling thinking that everyone could do if they just would. After nearly 11 years as a homeschooling mom I realize how naive and misguided I was at the beginning. I won't make you sleepy giving you all the details except to say that my heart was and is still in the right place.
Now, my reasons that I homeschool are just a varied as each of my kids. I have learned this though; education is more than books. It is parental involvement no matter what educational choice you make. It is discipline and I am not just talking about corporal punishment. I am talking about the ability to have a list of activities that must be completed preferably by 2 or 3pm every day. It is passing along the desire to learn, even if you must do some self teaching. It is the passing down the desire to do whatever it takes to keep a family together. It is passing down the desire to do whatever it takes to keep a roof over your head and your families, while keeping the running water going. It is the passing down of being frugal and using the resources you have to make do.
"Formal" education was coined by institutes to raise the standards of employment and to be able to charge others to pass down a skill. Initially, doctors learned from other doctors. Engineers learned from others. Those skills were passed down from a kind older person to the new young person because the realization that life was short was always there. It was important to the older generation to make sure that the next generation could keep society going.
Today's society lets you know quickly that nothing is for free and if you want to play, you have to pay. All of those skills are not only great to have but so is education. Doctor's still have to learn from other doctors in a hands on setting more than books. Books give you the background and the foundations so you can have a better hands on experience. They also help get you in the working world faster.
So which is better you ask? Home education, public school or private school? Formal education, vocational education or life experience education? Being a parent and making the most out of the hand that your family is dealt. Embrace what you have. Don't long for what you don't have. Make goals, make short term goals towards the big goal and achieve them. Number one, involve your kids. Big families that pass down family businesses, trades or have a legacy of degrees, they share a lot of knowledge from parent to child. Each child will have a great foundation to decide what his/her goals in life are and then will take steps to achieve them. Then you are successful as a parent because you taught them how to question, think, study, plan, act and accomplish.
Finally, if you are saved by the blood of the Lamb like I am, you know that your children are your inherintance. Don't squander them. The Lord commands and expects you to give them an inheritance to pass down too. Teach them to love learning no matter what educational setting you choose for them. Just teach them to love it. Take them places on the weekend to see science in action, to see/experience the living history, to see the way people speak and act in different settings. Combine book knowledge with life experiences and you can help them become productive, successful adults with their own families. Are they going to make mistakes? You bet but just show them the right way and move on. Failure is often the best teacher. Don't rescue them if blood won't be gushing. Believe me, I know. I have failed alot and no bleeding yet!!!
Well that debate will never end because examples can always be shown to sway opinion one way or the other. I started off homeschooling thinking that everyone could do if they just would. After nearly 11 years as a homeschooling mom I realize how naive and misguided I was at the beginning. I won't make you sleepy giving you all the details except to say that my heart was and is still in the right place.
Now, my reasons that I homeschool are just a varied as each of my kids. I have learned this though; education is more than books. It is parental involvement no matter what educational choice you make. It is discipline and I am not just talking about corporal punishment. I am talking about the ability to have a list of activities that must be completed preferably by 2 or 3pm every day. It is passing along the desire to learn, even if you must do some self teaching. It is the passing down the desire to do whatever it takes to keep a family together. It is passing down the desire to do whatever it takes to keep a roof over your head and your families, while keeping the running water going. It is the passing down of being frugal and using the resources you have to make do.
"Formal" education was coined by institutes to raise the standards of employment and to be able to charge others to pass down a skill. Initially, doctors learned from other doctors. Engineers learned from others. Those skills were passed down from a kind older person to the new young person because the realization that life was short was always there. It was important to the older generation to make sure that the next generation could keep society going.
Today's society lets you know quickly that nothing is for free and if you want to play, you have to pay. All of those skills are not only great to have but so is education. Doctor's still have to learn from other doctors in a hands on setting more than books. Books give you the background and the foundations so you can have a better hands on experience. They also help get you in the working world faster.
So which is better you ask? Home education, public school or private school? Formal education, vocational education or life experience education? Being a parent and making the most out of the hand that your family is dealt. Embrace what you have. Don't long for what you don't have. Make goals, make short term goals towards the big goal and achieve them. Number one, involve your kids. Big families that pass down family businesses, trades or have a legacy of degrees, they share a lot of knowledge from parent to child. Each child will have a great foundation to decide what his/her goals in life are and then will take steps to achieve them. Then you are successful as a parent because you taught them how to question, think, study, plan, act and accomplish.
Finally, if you are saved by the blood of the Lamb like I am, you know that your children are your inherintance. Don't squander them. The Lord commands and expects you to give them an inheritance to pass down too. Teach them to love learning no matter what educational setting you choose for them. Just teach them to love it. Take them places on the weekend to see science in action, to see/experience the living history, to see the way people speak and act in different settings. Combine book knowledge with life experiences and you can help them become productive, successful adults with their own families. Are they going to make mistakes? You bet but just show them the right way and move on. Failure is often the best teacher. Don't rescue them if blood won't be gushing. Believe me, I know. I have failed alot and no bleeding yet!!!
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