Ask The Homeschooler (from the kids point of view)

[Against Homeschooling]

[momo3boys]

[AnnetteR]

[Against My Will]

[Aspie]

[Mark]

[AnnetteR]

[Aspie]

Unless you have a large church

So youth clubs are out of the question, then?

Festivials don't count, I presume? Large ones such as the river festivial. A lot of first-aid posts were needed to cover it because it's such a big event.

Plain extra-cirricular stuff wouldn't work?

[Lkat83]

I think perspectives are different depending on where you live and what kinds of involvement your kids have. My sons, both grade school age, stay pretty busy with Scouts, karate, and the homeschool support group we belong to. We have a weekly baseball league, and just finished a kickball league, both with the homeschool group. There are several boys in our street who homeschool, and others very close by.

My teenage daughter homeschooled last year, but chose to attend the local high school this year. She had a hard time meeting kids her own age who lived close enough to do things with. She's much happier at the high school, but my sons are much happier, for now anyway, at home.

I do think the parents have the ultimate decision making power, but I also think that, especially in the teen years, the kids should have input into the decision to homeschool or not.

[Martha]

[momo3boys]

[littlequail]

[kirerellim]

All points mentioned make sence. I think that in school maters that the child should decide if posible.
I went to public school, but it was boring to me.
i wasnt teased or otherwise, it just wasnt interesting. Some people like to interact with others. i dont. thats why i think the person who is going to school should decide if he or she wants to go to homeschool or not. I have found one problem with homeschooling, for me personaly. My mom keeps trying to set me up with play dates, cause, she doesnt think i have enough interactions with other people.

[bobbinsx5]

[Starlily]

I did have many aquaintances in ps high school, and some friends. ('Friends' in high school, by the way, as well as church, can be extremely fickle and backstabbing.) We hung out, went to events, parties, etc. There was a huge amount of peer pressure and group mentality. Which may seem intriguing to you perhaps, if you are currently in the teen years.

In retrospect, and what I wish for my children, is for them to have a strong sense of self, who they are as people and what their passions are. Regardless of what is going on around them. My reasons for home learning with them include that they are able to have a self directed life full of learning and the things they love.

Honestly, if they were expressing intense boredom and the wish to go to public school, I would give them that opportunity. We have always home schooled with them this far, and they have friends, interests and are always able to keep themselves occupied. I would be very concerned if they were depressed, bored and friendless. Definitely I believe that children should have a say in their education. That is another reason that we home learn.