I recently stumbled across an interesting discussion on education in a forum and couldn’t help but take notice when the conversation turned to homeschooling.
Homeschooling develops the whole person, creative thinking, and the capability of abstract thought. The public education system seeks to destroy all those qualities in the individual. –Warren Giese
Warren Giese is perhaps not your typical homeschool advocate. He was not homeschooled, nor were either of his two children. If I remember correctly, he has an associates degree in electronics and tests airplane parts for a living. And while he is completely unheard of in most homeschooling circles, I would have to say he is my personal favorite homeschool advocate.
If you haven’t guessed it, he is my father.
It is strange how much the support of family members means to you, even as an adult. It is easier to face a “hostile” world when you know there is support at home, where it really matters. I remember being a little nervous when I first told my parents we would be homeschooling because I did not know what they would think of the decision. Concepts of liberty and foundations were a topic of conversation in my home, but never homeschooling. I knew the concern was unwarranted. Even if my parents disagreed with our decision to homeschool, I knew that our children would never hear about it and that they would remain supportive of us.
But more pleasant even than finding a scholar who perfectly gives voice to your own beliefs about education is finding support and even advocacy in your own family.
[tags]homeschooling, homeschool, education, family[/tags]
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How super to share a quote from your dad! Support from those closest to us does make a difference. For those who are just starting out tho, they may have to hold tight for a few years until the grandparents can begin to see the fruit of homeschooling, but it’s well worth the wait!
LOL Don’t feel bad! I didn’t even follow my own notes to save a draft of my latest post! I found the 2 comments on my last HSB blog post and it was only 50% finished! :o) You can visit whatever blog is easier for you to get to or that you prefer.
This evening I had been sharing with my family about the latest incident you blogged about in Germany. I really missed visiting your blog! You share sooooo much food for thought!
God’s Best to You! Cathy
I think that is very important to remember, Cathy…the grandparents may not be wholly supportive in the beginning but they will see the fruits as well. Unless there are other problems going on in the family, most of those early questions are based in love and genuine concern. And when those concerns prove themselves to be unfounded, they will be more supportive.
How wonderful! I almost cried when I read the quote was from your father. (I forgot his name, and must have skipped over the airplane parts part.
Thank God you have support from those closest to you.
My parents seem to tolerate me home schooling. They have always done a good job letting me make my own decisions without much interference. And my mother-in-law does not like it, but she keeps quiet. She even says thing like, “There are lots of home school families here.” She has ulterior motives, but it is some measure of support.
That is tough, Renae, but it is nice when parents at least let you make your own decisions and do not do the whole passive aggressive thing. Those are difficult situations.
I think my parents were not so sure in the beginning that homeschooling is the best thing, but they weren’t against it either. My mom is more neutral, but still supportive. My dad, obviously, is becoming more of an advocate for homeschooling in general. : )
Good quote. Love it. My wife and I have talked about home schooling our child — hopefully, children — but we both work. We are planning on having Melina go to a Montessori school, though. We do plan to strongly supplement her education here at home, since I know that is the only way she’s going to be exposed to the classics.
That’s a WONDERFUL post!
“But more pleasant even than finding a scholar who perfectly gives voice to your own beliefs about education is finding support and even advocacy in your own family.”
AMEN!! I am so blessed to have found that in my parents too! They “brag” to friends about their homeschooled grandchildren ALL THE TIME! It makes my kids feel SOOO good!
Dr. Troy Camplin, it is great that you are already thinking about your child(ren)’s education! I am a strong supporter of homeschooling (obviously), but what is most important to a child’s educational success is the involvement of parents. It doesn’t have to be homeschooling. It is just so easy to let that slide when you both are busy working and evenings get rushed. Not impossible, just more challenging!
Thank you, Linda! Isn’t that awesome? My kids eat up the praise over their vocabulary.
Hey Dana,
This is a great post! My parents are my biggest supporters and I am so very thankful. Crazy enough the one that was the most skeptical to begin with was my husband, but we had a really bad year fighting the PS when my oldest attended K there. So he decided to let me give it a try. I am sure he was just waiting for failure of some sort - be it academically or socially. But it never came and now as he has seen the fruit he has become an homeschool advocate as well! ( :
Warmly,
Mandi
Thanks, Mandi. That could have been me…we didn’t fight the public school, but I was convinced that homeschooling was for nuts. And you see where I am now! : )
I love that your parents are such supporters. My inlaws aren’t even believers, but they have become my biggest fans. They don’t give compliments often, but the ones they’ve given were along the lines of, “You’re doing great teaching them” WOW that sure felt great.
I’m going to have to stick you in my bloglines…there’s some meaty stuff on your blog!
Emily
That does say a lot, Emily! That kind of support helps encourage you when it does not feel like you are doing such a great job, doesn’t it? And thank you for the kind words about my blog. : )
I already read to my 13 month old. It’s the only time she will sit in my lap for more than a few seconds. She sits and listens the entire time I read “Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now”