tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839866588118166315.post1126352371985909427..comments2024-01-25T12:50:59.045-08:00Comments on A Large Room: Why Homeschool RevisitedPaulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12409740378011990132noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839866588118166315.post-18568603356753139332009-09-08T11:20:24.963-07:002009-09-08T11:20:24.963-07:00I don't know you but I ran across your blog by...I don't know you but I ran across your blog by google-ing homeschooling. I'm dong it for the first time this year with my 4 year and 2 year old girls. I don't have much support from family and friends so I googled hoping to find some other people who home school and love it. I SO appreciate your words on it and feel God led me to your blog for the support I needed today. I love home schooling my girls and thank you for your words on it as well. VictoriaVictoria Havemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03064992618332295751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839866588118166315.post-2115786684517927272009-08-05T21:15:43.440-07:002009-08-05T21:15:43.440-07:00Haha, thank you...you stated in one eloquent and c...Haha, thank you...you stated in one eloquent and concise sentence exactly the point I was trying to make. I read your post and was thinking the whole time, "but I'm not you, I can't do that!" Fortunately Gavin has a teacher this year who I believe will be absolutely wonderful. But should "the system" ever seem to not be working out for him, or should we come across a situation where we're stuck with a horrible teacher, I will definitely reassess the situation. And then I'll be hunting you down for your expert opinion and advice :)Amberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08157872915267223885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839866588118166315.post-24018423456994526372009-08-05T18:13:09.780-07:002009-08-05T18:13:09.780-07:00Amber,
I think I understand what you are getting a...Amber,<br />I think I understand what you are getting at--we have unique abilities and talents and they greatly affect the course of our lives--we have different callings in life, so to speak. I greatly envy you your ability to keep a lovely, welcoming home--something that, for all my efforts (and I really do try!) I can't even approach. And yes, I know Gavin's very bright, inquisitive and energetic personality...three boys would be a handful for anyone. I do wonder though if you will find that a teacher with more than 20 other children to worry about cannot truly meet Gavin's need to explore and learn and grow...may you be blessed with gifted teachers!<br />Karene, if homeschoolers had to be like me there would be very few of us indeed! I actually think you would be very, very good at home educating. You are better than I am at providing order and structure, and would probably gravitate to a more organized way of teaching. I think you should read The Well Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer--I would loan you my copy but already promised it to someone else; it outlines a method of classical education in the home that I think would appeal to you. I also think you might like a way of organizing your children's work using workboxes--check out this mother's blog post: http://www.walkingbytheway.com/blog/?p=92 then explore the rest of her blog--lots of ideas you would probably enjoy doing with Cole.Paulahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12409740378011990132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839866588118166315.post-58051646473817536022009-08-05T13:50:39.352-07:002009-08-05T13:50:39.352-07:00Your post is beautifully written. You have such a...Your post is beautifully written. You have such a wonderful ability to express things that I only think in inarticulate ways. I love your picture of the ideal - that is one of the big things that keeps me focused on homeschooling. I was relieved when I was talking to my kids yesterday about a friend of theirs who will be starting public school this fall. I explained that some kids go to school and some kids learn at home, and that they would be learning at home as long as we live in this area. I then asked Kaia if she would want to go to school or keep learning at home. I was really rather surprised that she said she wants to always stay at home to learn. I'm not sure if that will be our long-term plan, but I was glad she likes the thought of it, at least.Mailehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01450292496855025268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839866588118166315.post-68620844135620153252009-08-04T22:14:20.585-07:002009-08-04T22:14:20.585-07:00This is beautifully written. Every time I talk to...This is beautifully written. Every time I talk to you about homeschooling, I find myself drawn to it because of your passion for it. The ideals you envision are truly inspiring! I would love to live in the world you describe with my children. Yes, it's idealistic and yes, I know you know that's not how reality breaks down sometimes, but still. I love reading and hearing your thoughts about this because I respect you so much as a parent and because our thoughts about what we want for our children coincide so well.<br /><br />That being said, I am also in agreement with what Amber had to say. Every time I truly take the time to consider the homeschooling option, I have to come to terms with the fact that each mother is endowed with a different temperament and different gifts. You have been abundantly blessed with patience and a relaxed, easygoing nature that I envy. A lot! You also have a natural affinity for educating your children in the ways that you describe...easily connecting a handwriting lesson to a letter to grandma or mathematics to a bowl of beans. Educating your children as a part of the natural flow of everyday life comes incredibly naturally for you (at least, that's how it looks to me! Maybe it's harder for you than you make it look). In any case, I do feel that your passion for homeschooling is closely related to the gifts that you've been given and that it is obviously the right choice for you to educate your children at home. Why would you do anything else?<br /><br />When I consider this option for me and my children, I find myself having to come face to face with my weaknesses as a mother, which is unpleasant, but necessary. I won't elaborate here, but let's just say I am lacking in most of the qualities that suit you so well for teaching your children at home. Am I making excuses and just being lazy? Maybe. I ask myself that on a regular basis. But I don't think so, when I'm really honest about it. I think you're absolutely right that the opportunity cost analysis is an essential piece for parents to consider, and that the temperament, personality, and strengths and weaknesses of the prospective homeschooling parent are an equally important part of the equation. And given that piece, even with all the advantages of homeschooling you've enumerated here, the answer can come out differently for a different family.<br /><br />We'll have to talk more about this sometime...since camping didn't pan out, I'd like to plan another visit to you soon!Karenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15409119064124645682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839866588118166315.post-57647780389842265612009-08-04T19:05:27.881-07:002009-08-04T19:05:27.881-07:00Bravo! What a beautiful post.
I have to say, whe...Bravo! What a beautiful post.<br /><br />I have to say, when you get on your knees and ask about homeschooling and the Lord says, "YES!!!!" it would be silly to argue with Him. =D<br /><br />The Lord knows each of His children, and He knows what's right for them and what experiences they need in order to fulfill the mission He sent them to fulfill. As parents, he has endowed us with the ability and right to discern how to best raise our children. I am so grateful for His trust in our fervent desire to do the right thing for our children. <br /><br />Chambers, I don't think anyone was suggesting at all that you homeschool your children. You are the parent. You know them, and know how best to raise them. So raise them that way. =) <br /><br />I just love the freedom in America. When you haven't been raised here, coming here is like a breath of fresh air.Keeleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10699051418849331296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839866588118166315.post-17730651939460030342009-08-04T11:53:55.211-07:002009-08-04T11:53:55.211-07:00Sarah, I appreciate the email you sent to me befor...Sarah, I appreciate the email you sent to me before you posted this. And let me first say that this is your blog, and you are completely entitled to your opinions and to post whatever you wish, whether you offend people or not :) However, I am not offended in the least, rather I think you and I will just have to agree to disagree on this one. Well, I don't know how much we even disagree on principle. I completely agree with all of your reasons and do not argue them, I just think that you have been blessed with numerous qualities many (if not most) people lack. An extreme amount of patience and tolerance to name just one. I wish I had been given more of the patience you have, but seeing as how I wasn't, I have to work with what I got. <br />Similarly, and quite possibly as a result, your children are comparatively tame and mellow. I on the other hand have two (and I would expect soon to be three) extremely active, inquisitive and easily bored boys, and it is quite beyond my abilities to keep them entertained, enlightened and out of arguments (most of which turn physical). Gavin is thrilled to be going to kindergarten, and for our family, it is the best thing for us right now.Amberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08157872915267223885noreply@blogger.com