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Raising children

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YellowStone:
This thread has been very good reading and it is clear to see how God has called each of you. My wife and I do not "home-school" in the strictest sense of the word; however, to say that we do not, would be foolish. :)

My wife works from home and is present when our son leaves and when he returns; she has always taken a very active role in Donny's education. Thiis includes meeting, and befriending all of his teachers. She keeps in touch with them all and they see her as a friend as well as a parent. My point is, that we as parents have taken a very special interest in Donny's education and we talk about his school, teachers, subjects, what happened, friends, people hurting or falling back and why? It is simply amazing how much we have learned just by discussing everything from chemistry, trigonometry, world politics, history, good teachers, bad teachers, etc. In doing so, we have been able to offer Donny alternative ways at looking at things.

For example, only rarely does a teachers teaching style "click" with a student; we soon fixed the "it's the teacher fault...." with it's not their fault if they don't know that you don't get something. There are of course any number of ways of asking for help or for anything that increase your chances of getting what you want that a better than "...Duh, I don't get it" :) These are life skills, some kids are born with them, Donny had to learn them.

But as a result of this journey, Donny has excelled and has made the national honor role in highschool three years running. He has become a very respected person, by peers, teachers and even the principal of very large highschool. He has become a leader, (not of his chosing) and is looked up too. This happened not by "chance", public schooling should not be looked as "out of mind and out of siight" as many parents tend to do.

Please do not think for a moment that we frown on home schooling, it's just that I wanted to show that "public schooling" is NOT :) (left that word out) necessarily bad. As God takes an active role in his children, so must we in ours.

Thanks, to you all.

Darren

joyful1:
Darren--
I really must respond to your post!!
And here is my response:
Would you allow me this "public confession" and would you consider forgiving me?
I re-read my posts on the subject and thought to myself: you arrogant fool!
I'm sorry! I'm VERY sorry!
It's silly for me to say something like; "oh--but I didn't mean it that way!" because I did mean it!  What a fool I've been!

I did cry out to God for guidance in deciding to home school...and I did feel that for our family...it was His will.  I did give it my very best effort ...and I am satisfied with the educational results as well as the relationships that I have today with MOST of my children.
However, in trying to "brag" a bit about all of that I realized something that is VERY important;
Any GOOD that came of it can only be attributed to God and not me or my children!
It is ALL of God!

Just one last quick thought:
I do think its important sometimes, to delay ( *not remove, but delay) the temptations of easily accessible and potentially life-threatening drugs, such as ecstasy, as well as hetero-sexual relationships outside of marriage, and "alternative lifestyles."  I knew that my girls especially, would have to face these temptations one day--I felt that the age at which they would have been forced to deal with them in public school, was in fact, for them, too young.

So; for right or wrong--that is WHY I did what did.
anyway; no more books online! sorry! :-\  Joyce

JJ:
Many of us homeschoolers think h.s. is only way-- i felt that way in past,
but really there is only one way to do the best as a parent -  to be totally
engaged as Darren spoke of......  and then there are failings, because we
are human and in a learning process...... but if we are totally engaged,
in love, for the love and best interest of our children,
whether homeschooled, public, or private,  they will grow up to know we
did the best we could and find comfort and security in that fact. There
will be learning gaps, both academically and socially either way we
choose, cuz none of us are perfect.  That leaves room for God to
work in the children as they mature, to teach them  humilty and
show them that they NEED HIM- just as He is doing w/ each  of us.

Again, love is the most important ingredient here-- and love promotes
us to be engaged with our children, as well as set restrictions-- just
as God, our Father does w/ us.

Thanks joyful for your humiility in your confession.
I got my awakening when  my son went the opposite of the way
he was taught--all my engagement and love fell short of producing
a neat package.....  this was the beginning of God showing me that
HE is sovereign and I  can not control outcomes in life...  and yet i
see God's hand working thru the heartaches-- good news is that
the story of my son's life is not complete and God will set all things
right in time-- we will all bow before Him someday.
JJ

YellowStone:
Joyce asked:

Darren--
I really must respond to your post!!
And here is my response:
Would you allow me this "public confession" and would you consider forgiving me?
I re-read my posts on the subject and thought to myself: you arrogant fool!
I'm sorry! I'm VERY sorry!
It's silly for me to say something like; "oh--but I didn't mean it that way!" because I did mean it!  What a fool I've been!

Joyce, you have NOTHING :) to apologize or to be forgiven for. :)

And don't ever be sorry for something that you prayed about and believe in. If anyone should apologize, it is me for writing in such a way to make you feel this way :(

There are pluses and minus's to both home-schooling and private/public schools. God helped us by allowing us to move to a wonderful school district. Our son is a god kid and we thank God for him regularly, but I imagine that you do the same for your children.

Thanks Joyce,

Love to you and your family,

Darren

gmik:
Just a quick thought from a public school teacher.

I have a student this year who has always been home school with her other 8 siblings.  I teach 4 th grade and she is on a 1st grade level.  She can't spell her last name.  She is sweet bright and not impaired.  But she did have LAZY parents.  If you home school be sure to be vigilant and dedicated!

I used to teach in a private school. Some problems but not too many.  Search around & find a good one.  Do your homework. I didn't worry about the christian teaching, but I liked that I could pray with my students and talk about God.

My belief is that public high school has got to be one dangerous place, on many levels.  The availablilty of drugs is unparallel. Bullying, ethnic divisions, sex, you name it.

Just my opinion.  As all the posts indicate the Lord has us in different places.

gena

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