Amen and well said, Aussie. I especially liked when you talked about the fact that parents have experienced life. It is very true.

I think I mentioned that... Keeping an eye on what children are learning in school.

Another reason that I would send my children to school is based on experience. I like school. I have liked all my teachers except one (in Grade two). The opportunities are different at school. Certainly homeschooled children go out and play sports and join groups and have fun -I'm not saying they don't. But it's much nicer to learn a new language from someone who speaks it, instead of from the internet. It's lots of fun to organize things with your peers and see the effect you have on students and teachers -have you even thrown pumpkin insides at your teachers?
I like being presented with everyone's ideas. I understand more fully how people work because I spend all day with people my age. I enjoy learning things that you can't learn at a desk at home -like how to do an oral presentation on your faith that bored students actually listen to. I wouldn't even have thought of that at home -and I learned lots when I did it.
Teachers aren't big bad wolves either. They're there because they genuinely want to teach you something that they feel strongly about. I wrote a poem for my science teacher about plants, because he likes plants and whatnot and he's all excited to teach this unit especially.
We even have ways for students to give feedback to those in authority, like the minister of education.
The only real problems I have with school go back to a bill we have in Alberta that prevents discussions about religion in the classroom. I know that some teachers regret that -my poor science teacher apologized more than once for being unable to mention somethings in class.
I enjoy going to school. It's an experience I want my children to have.
Of course, if I end up as a teacher in a third-world country, we might just have to make do.

Bushy, that was beautiful. So true. I love what ya'll are saying.
Can homeschoolers be too sheltered? Of course. Can they be socially awkward? Yes. Are they shy? A lot of times. Does that mean homeschooling is a problem? Of course not.
Aldara, I loved your post as well. I have envied public schoolers for many of those same reasons.
In both public schooling and homeschooling - its all in how you do it!

And Azlyn - I love your location! Nothing more beautiful than that.

Thankyou, Phylis. Well said, yourself! You're so right.

I'm glad you've been able to have a good experience with school, Aldara! Praise God! However, my point was that we have to base this decision, as well as all others, on Scripture rather than experience.

Of course.

I beg to disagree, Green Mist. I will be homeschooling my own children in the future. I am confident on this. All of my siblings and I (and there are six of us) have been home schooled, and my older sister graduated from Oxford University in England. I understand that some people feel different, but I am convinced I personally am going to home school when I grow up.

Yes, points of views do change as you grow up, but on this I am sure my opinion will never change.

Now, for you, Green Mist, I understand if you feel like you cannot make that statement. In fact, I do suggest you pray and research and possibly even wait until you really have to make that decision. But, I do think there are at least a few on here who know what they will do to school their children in the future.

...So... that was my two cents. (If that seemed disrespectful in any way, please let me know. It wasn't meant to be, but I know some people are a little more sensitive than others. I'd like to know so that I can work on being more respectful. )

It didn't seem disrespectful to me, Captain ma'am.

Not at all.

Thanks. I'm just checking myself 'cause I know that sometimes I tend to have rants... *keeps thread on subject*

It's noisy at the moment, so I haven't read this whole thread, but yes, I do plan on homeschooling my kids.

Here are my thoughts...
From my experience homeschoolers are anything BUT shy or socially inept. ALL my homeschooling friends are VERY outspoken and social.
Personally I want to homeschool when I grow-up. Ummmm everything else I want to say has already been said.

This pretty much sums up what I was going to say.

I've not read all the posts in here--I may or may not--but here's my thoughts in a nutshell.

Yes, I'd homeschool. I think the ups generally outweigh any downs.

I'd homeschool! At least up until high school. Then I might send off to public school.


Yes.

Ooh, an older topic! Funny, I used to be so sure I'd want to home-school, but these days I seem to question it a lot and am no longer sure.

What's making you unsure?

I get torn, because I seem to see a lot of families struggling with socializing kids. I know that it's something we always joke about, because we're always asked it. We were fine, but I see some families torn apart by it. I also see teens falling away and angry they were home-schooled. Partly because they are over-protected maybe? I don't know, it just seems so much can go wrong. I guess it's not something I should worry about at the moment, but I'm not as sure as I used to be about it.

I'm not sure. Then again, I'm not sure I'll ever get married and have kids. I'm at a very 'nothing is sure, everything is all shaky' point in my life.

I think I would homeschool, yes. If I just didn't want to, I wouldn't send them to public school... the only options I would even consider would be homeschooling them or hiring tutors. It sounds a bit crazy, but... *shrugs* I've heard too many bad things about public schools and even private schools. I'd probably worry myself sick if I sent my kids off to school.

I'd also want them to be able to learn at their own pace, and in the ways that work best for them. That's something they can't get in a school. If a kid wants to focus on writing, then that can be their English class. If a kid is fascinated by plants and trees, then that can count as Geography or possibly some sort of Science, depending on how creative you get. Kids can learn and have fun at the same time when homeschooling. And that's a good thing.

As long as they still do practical school, that is. I know a family who takes 'flexible homeschooling' to the extreme and literally does nothing but 'field trips' to zoos and parks and social events and all sorts of other places. They rarely sit down and do actual school. I wouldn't want to end up like that.

I'd probably do it if I lived in Tx, because the alternative of sending them to public school down here is horrifying.