Comments on: Back to School

By: Miz S

Miz S — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 10:04:29 +0000

I’m with Margaret. I enjoy hearing about homeschooling. I really envy you the flexible schedule and the chance for more authentic learning than we can provide in public school. You guys do seem like you have an ideal set-up for it, with IZ home as well as you.

By: Karan

Karan — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 23:43:55 +0000

We are more new to home schooling than you are, having jumped right from the publc high school into our own home edition…and I’m afraid but secure in knowing that no matter what, this is better for her than anything they had to offer. Good luck and enjoy it!

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This is just it, there is no magic solution that fits every kid. You have to do what’s best for your individual child. I’m glad it’s working out for you all! ~W

By: Roxanne

Roxanne — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 23:00:16 +0000

I am thinking about home schooling my son, but I’m worried about one thing and that is how will he make friends? Can you tell me if this is an issue with you there and how often he gets to see kids his own age? Other than that I think we’re sold, but it’s going to be a hard sell when my son gets to see all his friends every day. Please help!

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Roxanne, I sent you an email with info… I hope you get it and it helps! ~W

By: Amy

Amy — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 17:08:14 +0000

This was a really moving post, Wende! What a beautiful life you lead!

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Thanks Amy! ~W

By: IZ

IZ — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 08:16:05 +0000

I have to say, since we’ve jettisoned the formal school I feel so much more relieved. I’m not worried about curriculum or structure. I know that we can expose G to everything he needs. It isn’t easy - but I’m so peacful about it. There are so many resources available! With so much change in the air, this one happens to be welcome. I’m glad we are doing it together. I’m glad we are using the time we have this way.

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I see marked improvement in his maths and spelling already. I think we’re going to be ok. ~W

By: Stacey @ Happy Are We

Stacey @ Happy Are We — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 03:06:43 +0000

It’s interesting…the start of this school year came sandwiched in between me being in the hospital unexpectedly and our attempt to get the baby here early (so as to get my health under control). It also got rolled up in the fuss over our news that we’re eventually relocating to Texas. Consequently, many of what we consider the “traditions” of going back to school (the shopping, the end-of-summer Labor Day Weekend bru-ha-ha) just didn’t really happen. And you know what? Our kids survived. I beat myself up over it for a while before I realized that the start of school has become a kind of “event” the way that Christmas has become an “event” - something commercial and external that should really be personally felt and experienced. I think it’s getting tougher - and more important - for us as families to make sure that we protect those things that should be personally felt and experienced. Thanks for this post, as it helped me to realize this all over again.

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See, I’m a huge fan of tradition… but there is a limit. And when doing takes the place of experiencing, I suspect you’re correct, it’s gone too far. I hope you all will find a way to reclaim those traditions next year in a way that is meaningful to you. ~W

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 02:31:51 +0000

I’m so happy for him. Not many people seem to recognize what you do. My district has a school for “at-risk” kids that allows them to work on the computer and speed through their credits so that they can graduate. They learn nothing.

I’m still struggling with what to do once Sage hits middle school….

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Yeah, eventually, he’ll need to be able to handle learning in a more “collegiate” kind of way. But for now, it seems pointless to rob him of the joy of learning only to fulfill expectations of a group of teachers who have never even spoken to my child. ~W

By: Margaret

Margaret — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 23:33:48 +0000

BW is growing up fast, Wen. (and looking more and more like his mom!) Strangely for a public school teacher, I enjoy reading posts about homeschooling. I have always been fascinated by the structure of it, and how it works. I love the creativity and flexibility of it.

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He is looking more and more like me. It’s kinda weird. And I’m glad you’re not offended… I worry sometimes when I talk about homeschooling that the teachers who read my site will read it the wrong way. This was not a slam against teachers—but a recognition that the system isn’t working for us any longer. The hardest part was walking away from a lovely woman who has been such a great influence in G’s life for the past two years. ~W

By: HG

HG — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 23:24:05 +0000

I really enjoyed this post, Wende.

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Thanks for telling me! ~W