Don't Homeschool--You've Got PMS!

Michele Cheplic (37349) 13 Nov 2006 10:30 AM

At least we have an excuse for moodiness---wonder what his excuse is? Wonder if he is the same guy "20/20" interviewed about helping working moms get adequate childcare? He didn't think that they needed help.

Nicole Humphrey (15757) 13 Nov 2006 02:53 PM

This has got to be the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard, and I homeschooled my son for a year and yes, I heard them all. PMS! Uh hello - there are female teachers at schools and yes, they to get moody - not just homeschooling moms! I'm actually still laughing at the ignorance displayed by this guys comments! Thanks for sharing Valorie!!

Valorie Delp (49340) 13 Nov 2006 07:02 PM

Thanks ladies! Yes--I was seriously, literally laughing as I wrote the blog. I thought I had heard them all too--I've been told the my family is too big thus supplying a poor teacher to student ratio, I've been told I can't nurse babies and homeschool at the same time, I've even been told that it would be weird for my kids not to go to school because then they won't get to use the play ground equipment but this definitely takes the cake.

Nola Redd (7081) 18 Nov 2006 05:56 PM

Wow, this is great. I knew there was a cure for PMS - get a job! To think of all those lucky working women who never suffer PMS because they are in a professional environment! I may just have to bail on my kids now, just to save them from such evil!

Excuse me, I literally cannot type anymore, I'm laughing so hard! :D

mcmama (51978) 15 Feb 2007 06:06 PM

As far as the prom is concerned - kids get invited to other school's proms. There is no "sorry you can't bring your date to the prom she's homeschooled" rule.

Or if there are enough people getting together, maybe you all could have your own prom!

Wow, no teenage rite of passage passing out drunk after an all nighter at the shore. Such a deprived life.

PhoenixSong777 (25) 05 Nov 2007 08:53 AM

I'm just curious about something... As I've happened upon this website today, while searching for something entirely unrelated, I've enjoyed reading the various commentary.

But have any of you who are now homeschooling your children even been homeschooled yourself?

You are all laughing about these reasons not to homeschool, and I will admit that the PMS point is quite funny--but I'm not sure if you all realize the validity of some of the other statements.

The third point, about dating, is a poorly reasoned argument, but at its core it should be a serious consideration, and Janet's portrayal of the situation is a gross oversimplification.

Valorie Delp (49340) 05 Nov 2007 08:59 AM

I was not homeschooled. I went to public school and yes, I turned out fine. ;-) We however, live in the inner city and the ps my own kids would have to attend is a SURS school. We went to check it out when our oldest was to enter K and it was simply unsuitable for a variety of reasons. So we homeschooled.

I think there are valid arguments for not homeschooling and I think that there are points to be considered even if they don't persuade you from not homeschooling. As much as I'm for homeschooling, I totally recognize that there are situations in which it is not a great solution for a family. There are TONS of resources out there for homeschoolers.

Since you're on today. . .you might really enjoy reading a series of articles that I wrote awhile ago answering a public school teacher's questions about homeschooling. I think the first one is called "Why Homeschool--an Answer for Kaye" and then they're linked from there. (links don't work here).

PhoenixSong777 (25) 05 Nov 2007 09:21 AM

I will check out your articles. I'm not anti-homeschooling...

I was homeschooled (such as it was) my entire K-12 career, and I was one of the first to be homeschooled amid the popular wave of the 80s. I spent about two class periods per day in public school for a total of six months during 7th and 8th grades (to meet athletic eligibility requirements), but have otherwise never attended PS.

I only bring all of this up because I'm not sure how many of the parents who choose to homeschool are genuinely aware of the long-term implications of their decision. And how could they be, when those children at the forefront of the modern homeschooling revolution are only beginning to mature into adulthood?

I do not patently regret my history. I am thankful for the opportunities I've had to become the person that I am. But, at the same time, there are specific psychological, social, and educational issues which I've had to overcome and which I am still dealing with (and perhaps will deal with for the rest of my life).

Those issues stretch far beyond the topical points of "dating" and "socialization"--because yes, we homeschoolers will learn to date, and yes, our parents can take us to public athletic leagues and homeschool gatherings so that we learn to play...but these remedies are superficial and do not address the broader core problems.

In a socialization sense, it is not so much an issue of practice as it is an issue of place. When you remove a child from his community, you are taking away a part of him which cannot be replaced--not by the family, not by the church. And you are making a decision that he will be ostracized by most people, most of time, even into adulthood.

And this is why I call the comments about prom an oversimplification...because it is not only the experience that you are removing, but the reason why the experience holds resonance. Having a "homeschool prom" is pointless at best--it assumes that prom is about the dance, the music, the getting drunk afterwards, when it is really about the people, the shared sense of history, and the recognition of a life transition. It is, as Janet pointed out, a rite of passage, and it is very important.

Everyone's situation is different, and please don't take my words as confrontational. Like I said, I do not regret the fact that I was homeschooled. I just happened onto this blog this morning, and, given my experiences, found the conversation very interesting...especially considering that I've never read a homeschooling blog before (though I have a feeling I will be seeking them out).

Valorie Delp (49340) 05 Nov 2007 09:43 AM

I agree. Really, anything you do as a parent regarding school will have long term consequences and any decision has to be thought out.