I never wanted to home school. I was a powerhouse contractor with a business to run and I have six kids, and was taking care of my beloved Mom. Home school? Fifteen years ago I would laughed my head off and probably did, and guess what happened? Yep. Home schooled my four left at home. Why?
My hubs and I are products of public school but neither of us have a college education, although I am almost there!! All of the children were in public school, and it was fine with a few little speed bumps a long the way, but nothing Too Bad, except for #1, and that was His Fault, not the school’s.
We moved one county away in 2002. We lived in a nice neighborhood, nice home, blah blah blah….county lines were changed and we were ‘slotted’ to a ‘town elementary school’. Still, no worries. The hubs and I went to look at the school, meet the principal, show the kids around, thinking it would be fine. Upon our arrival, the school looked like any other school, perhaps not shiny and new, but fine. We met the principal and he took us on a tour, and showed us a Padded Room. Seriously. A Padded Room. My hubs and I looked at each other, neither of us understanding. Then the principal told us this is where the Bad Kids Go. I couldn’t quite understand why he was telling us about kids having Detention in this Room. My kids did not go to detention; maybe a few times for something silly they had done, but they weren’t criminals or druggies or anything. They were little kids in elementary school for crying out loud. He then proceeded to tell us that there were Fights, Gangs, Drugs, Knives and Bad Behavior Constantly in this school. How odd for a principal to say these things….Maybe they had too many kids in each classroom and I had a tribe, so maybe he was trying to discourage us….I still was not too worried because I knew that my kids did well in school and respected their teachers and there would be no Giant Problems.
I am the one that Falls Apart at the drop of a hat. But in this case, my hubs was Quite Upset and announced that the Children Were Not Going to that School. I called the school board and wanted to see if we could pay tuition for them to go to the school Closer to our House that had a Great Reputation. (in those days we had money) I was told No. Then we looked into private schools. Too Much Money. I drove a mini van, the other moms drove beemers. So my hubs Announced that we were going to Home School. I cackled at him like a Hen. Not Happening. Too Busy. No Way. Not in my Lifetime. Home Schooling is Weird. He was Weird. He was Crazy. The rant went on for days. I lost. I called the school board again and talked to a wonderful lady who is charge of Home Schooling for our county. She said that this county was ‘home school friendly’…Whatever That Meant. I had no idea.
So the Journey began….I asked her to tell me about the Hardest Curriculum possible. Some home schoolers choose books and teach their kids and I did not want to do that. I wanted a State Approved Curriculum in case they ever went to public school (which I knew I was going to finagle by the next year–Wrong again)….So I chose a Catholic Based Curriculum that Cost Money. Some home schoolers teach with their own books because they do not want To Pay. This curriculum is tough. They send detailed information that must be taught and use many books that are not Catholic, but Catholic teaching is intertwined. My hubs is Catholic, though not practicing so I thought it was a good idea. It was. They also do their own grading which I love.
When the children were younger, it was fun. I just ran my schedule around school, which we had everyday just like the public schools do. The difference being that they could lounge in their pjs and eat ice cream while completing their assignments. They did very well. It was Not Good Enough for Me. I became a Fierce Home Schooler. I had to have a Reason for Doing This because I Did Not Want to Do it. For the first year, I would stay up late and spend my weekends pouring over the curriculum, reading their books so I could relearn everything that they had to learn. I don’t do that any longer. Finally I Had a Purpose of my own to Home school. They would graduate their classes through the tenth grade, get their G.E.D. and enroll in community college and get a Two Year Degree and then transfer to University if they chose. At least they would be semi formally Educated. The first two went on to University. One is graduating with a Bachelors this May, the other already has her Bachelors and is graduating with a Masters’. Win! #3 was my guinea pig. She entered community college at just 15. She did so well and even Still has her Name on a Plaque above the Library which drives the other ones Nuts. #4 is graduating with a Major and a Minor. Win!! They have both studied Abroad. Win!!
This is incredible to me and I tell everyone I know. Many home schooled children have done the same, and it is commonplace for young teens to be enrolled in community college. #3 convinced Me to go to school, which I have been doing for a while. So that is the Home School Story….I did not want them to end up like me.
In a recession with No Education, at least they will have that, and no one can take it Away…
Hi Jeffrey: Anything having to do with math makes my head hurt For Real. Only the simplest elementary type math is something I can do well. Home Schooling math has always been my husband’s ‘job’. This year, however, I am going to have to muddle through Geometry. I think one of my adult children is going to give it a whirl. She is great at math. The youngest is hard to work with. (typical boy, Hates school)…may have to pay for a tutor but they are so expensive!!
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I can imagine.
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Hi Jeffrey: Really wish I could teach Math. Sometimes I have felt so dumb…especially when I was in school. When enrolled in community college I had to take 6 remedial classes, two of which I failed. In order for me to do math, I have to have total and complete concentration and No Distractions!
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Toni, home schooling seems to have more pros than cons. Just my thoughts.
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Thank you Jeffrey!! We just received our 10th grade curriculum yesterday. I am spending the weekend preparing for school next week. #6 is the last, but it’s been tough educating this adorable, and yet exasperating teen aged boy!! I needed to hear that today!
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Toni, just remember that teenagers know everything.
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Hi Jeffrey! That is so true! The recent college grads (of mine) think they are geniuses!!
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Toni, you probably have heard of him, however, Mark Dice has interviews with random people. Many of whom don’t get the significance of the 4th of July as a holiday. Some people in these interviews also advocate Hillary Clinton’s and Barack Obama’s repealing the Bill of Rights. What is wrong with these people? These people also get a say in the elections as to who gets elected president or any other elected office.
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Hi Jeffrey: I have heard of Mark Dice and have read some of his “theories”. I don’t waste my time with him because I think that his views are unfounded and based on supposition, not evidence. However, I certainly do think that there have been “secret societies” through-out the ages. Repealing the Bill of Rights? Shameful! I do not understand these people at all. I also do not agree with the recent protests of professional athletes by not standing for the Pledge of Allegiance, The Star Spangled Banner, and the Burning of Flags. I know that we have a right to protest, and I believe we should. I just think that anything that disrespects one’s country, however flawed it may be, is silly and wrong. As far as the elections go, I have not been a proponent of the electoral college, nor the delegates that are able to vote on behalf of the people. (super delegates)…I understand why this process is in place, but I just feel that the people aren’t really getting a “fair shake” on who they want to vote for. As far as professional athletes as well as celebrities using their status in the political arena, I think that they could do more good supporting charities, or actually “getting dirty in the streets” and helping “real people”…..As far as this year’s election goes, I can just say that I am very disappointed with the two major party nominees. I am not a member of any party, but one would think that our government could present someone that was not a liar, nor part of the establishment, nor an entertainer type person…..it’s very frustrating. I still have not made up my mind on whom I will vote for. One is as bad as the other. (by the way, I used to be a big Hillary fan)….I studied her for years. Read many books, articles, and then when the Benghazi thing came to light, I was very upset and confused….still am…
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Toni, I can relate to how you feel.
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Hi Jeffrey, these days I am having enough trouble just navigating my own life!!
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Toni, I am sure that Mark Dice has no desire to repeal the Bill of Rights.
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Hi Jeffrey: I would think not. I think he likes the attention he gets!!
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Toni, I agree with you in that regard. Did you know that Jesse Ventura was a Founding Father?
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Hi Jeffrey: I had no idea! What does that mean?
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Toni, I was making a reference to 2 Mark Dice video that discusses the 4th of July where Jesse Ventura’s name comes up. Watch them and cringe at the clueless nature of some U.S. citizens.
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I will do that Jeffrey. Jesse Ventura sure does come up with some doozies!! I used to watch his show for entertainment and then think about it afterward. I do agree with you that many of our citizens are clueless…and can’t think for themselves either…sad
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Toni, these people also vote. It is not as simple as this, however, I think an IQ test would be a good idea to have in place for voting eligibility. What are your thoughts? Smart people getting to vote and clueless idiots not getting to vote?
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Hi Jeffrey: That is the scary part. These people vote! Since we have to abide by the Constitution, we probably would’t get away with I.Q. tests for those wanting to vote. However, I do think it’s an excellent idea!
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Maybe an IQ test would determine Party affiliation.
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Love that one Jeffrey!
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Toni, a double digit or triple digit IQ should at the very least be required to vote. Just my thoughts.
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I wish we could do that!!!
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So do I.
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Hi Jeffrey: Maybe we would have a better selection of people to vote for!!
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Toni, I was kidding when I said an IQ test would determine Party affiliation.
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Hi Jeffrey: I don’t know, I think it’s a good idea!! Maybe it would weed out the stupid. Thank you! Kidding, but not quite kidding..
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Toni, as always, you are definitely preaching to the choir.
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I don’t like this election year Jeffrey. I usually study and watch and learn about the candidates. This year I feel like I have to vote, but don’t really want to. I think we need another prominent party or something….
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Toni, how would you identify yourself politically? I would consider myself to be a Constitutionalist/Libertarian kind of guy.
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Hi Jeffrey: I think I lean more to the conservative side of things, but am most certainly a Constitutionalist!
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wow – padded cell! When I taught Catechism to Kindergarten in about 1989 I had a dear little 5 year old tell me to F* off – there they had what was called a Green Room – painted a soft Green where they sent Children to calm down but Scripture teachers could not access it – I mean I could have done with the room to quell the steam coming out of my ears. It was sad to know that one so young in a relatively good area had such a vocabulary. Snob perhaps.
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Thank you Br Andrew!! It was an eye wakening experience I can tell you! Thus, we decided to home school….so far it has worked out for the children who are now almost grown, but it takes much out of one, as I am sure you know if you taught Catechism….Teaching any child, let alone a class room full, takes so much out of one!!
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yes, I used to do two schools on a Wednesday one after the other. At another time I was teaching Religion to Special Needs Children who were a joy to work with – so you never know.
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Pingback: Why I home school… | toni1964blog – Platypus Lady
Toni, I would prefer Donald Trump or a 3rd Party candidate over Hillary Clinton. I just wish a vote for a 3rd Party candidate was not by default seen as a vote for the democrats.
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Hi Jeffrey: I too, would prefer Trump over Hillary. I don’t like throwing away a vote by voting for a third party that I know very little about…I would feel more comfortable if I somehow knew that he would do as he says he will. He does believe in a strong military, as do I. I do think he can help the economy to recover. I also think he may be able to work well with Congress because he is good with negotiations. I just wonder if his temper will come out at the wrong time…but all in all, I am more for him than Hillary. I would like to see the Clintons just disappear from the political scene altogether…
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Toni, in your opinion, what would it take for a 3rd Party candidate to be a viable option in presidential elections?
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Hello Jeffrey: I don’t think any of the other candidates have a chance in this election. However, I think that a 3rd Party candidate would have to have the money to run!! Also, I would love to see one put America’s interests first, and have a solid economic plan to turn the economy around. They would also have to have some experience in government…I have an entire list of things. I sure wish there was a viable 3rd party candidate this year!
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Toni, in an earlier comment, I said I viewed myself as a Constitutionalist/Libertarian kind of guy. Personally, I am not in any way an anarchist. However, I want the government to stay out of my personal business and leave me alone. I think that the government overextends itself in some ways. Before he dropped out of the race, what did you think of Rand Paul? I liked him personally.
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Hi Jeffrey, I too, think that the government is too large. Or maybe the country is….I do not think that they should micro manage it’s citizens. That is why I am in favor of many issues being sent to the states. I actually did like Rand Paul, and his dad as well. Thank you!
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Toni, what are your thoughts personally about same sex marriage? Have federal recognition of it or let it be a state by state decision?
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Hi Jeffrey: I think that if the government keeps involved it will just divert Congress from more important issues like national security. I think that this is one of many issues that should be sent back to the states. I am pretty sure that a civil union is legal….but if it is sent to the states, perhaps the government will get more important things done!! Thanks Jeffrey!
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Toni, you told me that you had a daughter who was in a lesbian relationship and then got married to a man. Was it possible that she could have identified as bisexual? I am not trying to pry. Just curious.
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Hi Jeffrey: I have wondered the same thing! I don’t have the courage to ask her and she said it was a “college thing”. She is very happily married now…Thank you!
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Toni, as far as same sex marriage is concerned, what are your thoughts in general? Are you as perplexed as I am by the fact that some people act as though it affects them despite the fact that it does not? Are you as perplexed as I am by the hypocrisy of people like Newt Gingrich who advocate the defense of marriage and yet has been married 3 times?
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Hi Jeffrey: Same sex marriage does not concern me in the least. I have become more tolerant and give it to God. It doesn’t affect me and if it did, I would accept my children’s decision as long as they were happy. I only get concerned if the gay or lesbian does not have the same rights under the Constitution as long as they are citizens. It is an issue that should be sent to the states but I think it’s legal now in all states….It’s very ironic when Newt and others are married several times and then talk about the sanctity of marriage which I believe in….unfortunately many people don’t anymore…I thought that Newt could work with both parties but now it seems as if he is just another talking head…I am perplexed by just about everything having to do with the government these days!!
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Toni, I have not heard arguments in favor of same sex marriage or in opposition to it. I get opposition to it on moral grounds, however, I object to the denial of the rights of same sex couples to marry. The solution is simple: If for religious reasons someone does not want to give a marriage license to same sex couples or perform a marriage ceremony for a same sex couple, then go to someone who does not have a problem with it. It’s that simple.
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Hi Jeffrey: Right you are! I do get irritated with those same sex couples that sue officiants or flower vendors or cake bakers who don’t want to do a wedding for those that are a same sex couple wanting to get married. I think they have the right to deny them services based on their moral grounds. However, there are plenty of people willing to plan weddings for same sex couples, even make a good living doing it!
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Toni, this may sound harsh, however, it is hypocritical for people to advocate a defense of marriage and yet have been married multiple times. Newt Gingrich, as brilliant a man as he is, is very hypocritical in this regard. Some marriages may be dysfunctional. I get that. However, being married and cheating on one wife after another until being married to his current wife, does not help his credibility.
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