Why We Homeschool
By Emm Mangum
November 15, 2002
What can I say about homeschooling other than it's one of the best decisions we have ever made. I have to admit we were skeptical at first until we did some research and finally lost our ignorance about the whole idea. Our only regret is that we didn't start sooner.
We actually stumbled across the whole thing by accident one day while I was looking at different groups on the internet and found a homeschooling message board. I've always wondered about homeschooling and I have known some people who homeschooled their children, but I never really understood everything that goes along with it. I became part of that message board and absorbed all the information I possibly could.
First, I want to dispel some myths. So many people have told us that the boys are going to miss out on so much since they're not going to public schools. What are they going to miss out on; the overcrowded classrooms with more than 30 kids in one first grade class, being sent to the back of the lunch line because they said hi to someone, not being allowed to reach their full potential because the other kids in class aren't caught up, or maybe not getting the attention needed to learn, being bullied and then getting in trouble for "tattling" on the bully, possibly learning to tease other kids because that's what their so-called friends do and peer pressure is hard, being offered drugs, walking through metal detectors before entering the building, not being allowed to pray or even talk about God, sharing a headset and computer with 5 other kids at the same time because there aren't enough to go around, or sitting in the gym that's quickly transformed into a lunchroom for a short hour while trying to squeeze in 400+ kids when the weather is too bad to go outside and there's no other place to play? Not all these experiences happened to us, but we have witnessed them. What parent wants their child in this type of environment? I'm glad my boys will "miss out" on all of this.
I'm not saying that all public schools are bad and I don't want anyone to think I'm saying teachers don't work hard. Most teachers and school employees are very good and hard-working. I just feel every family has the right to choose what's best for their children and homeschooling our children is in their best interest.
Another thing we hear quite often is, "What about socializing, how will they learn to socialize with people?" Homeschooled children are more likely to socialize better and on a higher level simply because they are exposed to all age groups, not just their own age group. They learn social cues and respect from us, their parents.
We teach them the required subjects, but more importantly, we teach them about real life.
Homeschooling is more one on one. Why do so many educators think that it's best to stuff 25- 30 kids in a classroom and teach them all at the same level? With one on one teaching, the kids actually learn and retain what they are being taught. Unlike what many people believe, the majority of homeschooled children grow up, graduate, get associates, bachelors, and masters degrees. They go on to become doctors, lawyers, and other productive citizens in their communities. Some of them even homeschool their kids so they can continue the tradition and freedom to choose to homeschool.
"Where else can a child drop their work to run outside and learn about the weather from the beauty of a rainbow? Nowhere, but homeschooling!"
-Erin M. Mangum
"Children are like the sun and the stars of the universe- they all have the potential to shine brightly in their own way if only given the chance."
-Erin M. Mangum
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