Let me elaborate....
The homeschooling debate is still going on here in the Russell household. Well, it's mostly going on in my head right now! No, I am not reconsidering homeschooling based on the whim of a 4 year old; however, I am taking into consideration both our personalities and the dynamics of our relationship. We, and maybe it's just me, seem to have a better relationship when we aren't around each other 24/7 and I am totally okay with admitting this. I love my daughter, and I'm pretty sure she loves me, but sometimes we drive each other crazy! Plus, I have no doubts that she would love the social aspects of going to school.
For me, homeschooling is not a "called by God" thing, so whether or not I homeschool is not a matter of obedience. It's an alternative to public school and cheaper than private school, that's all. I have looked into Coram Deo Academy, which to me is the perfect blend of school and home education. But, after figuring out that 13 years there for both the kiddos would total more than $100,000, I just cannot justify the cost, especially since I have to continue working to pay for it. If we lived in an area with crappy schools, then maybe I could, but the reality is LISD is a great school district.
To make a long story short, I do not believe sending my children to public school would ruin their lives, nor do I believe it would mean I am bad parent for letting other people educate my children. My job is to instruct them in the ways of God and I can do that no matter where they go to school.
6 comments:
I am glad you guys are in a place that you have the choice of school/homeschool/private or any mix you choose within that framework. We found out that when we move we may only have 2 schools/districts in the area that are "worthy of attending". Homeschooling my be a necesary means...ugh! Its nice when its a chioce but when anything is necesary it can just be bothersom.
I wonder if you could see how she felt about a co-op program for homeschoolers. I have heard about them but not sure how they work but they sound more like a school environment. Take a day visit a school and a co-op thingy (not real sure what the real name is) and see how both of you feel after that. Just my two pennies worth!!
P.S. 100% understand the being away from your child bit...DO NOT feel alone in that one at all. Sometimes we all need a breather...and some of us more than others (especially me)
What's cool is that sometimes, those choices will blend together. What I mean is this: At various times and with the changing needs of each child, we have public schooled our kids. We've home schooled. And, we've chosen an arts-magnet for another.
All have had successes and failures. All have had benefits and inconveniences...everything from cost to travel to scheduling to whatever else comes into life. All have positives and negatives.
At the end of the day, there's not one that's "more Biblical" and I get tired-head from listening to drones parrot their views. In each and every case, with each and every kid, there are different needs that must be evaluated and considered in order to do the most loving thing for your child.
It's intensely personal, and the choice should never be judged by outsiders who don't love your child nearly as much as you do...
Well, you know we are totally behind you two whatever you decide.
Like Brent said, "there's not one that's "more Biblical" and I get tired-head from listening to drones parrot their views." I too get annoyed by people who attempt to place guilt on parents who don't homeschool.
Another factor to consider about LISD is that you and Justin survived and look at you now, smart, educated, well-adjusted adults with little scarring from your public school experience.
I'm a lurker on your blog - for quite some time. I love your thoughts on this subject - you seem to have really thought of all the sides to the issue. LISD is a great school district. We moved from Irving 11 1/2 years ago so that our sons could attend the schools here. For the most part, we have been pleased. Unfortunately this year for my 11th grader Marcus was not the best option and (like Brent) we decided to send him to a private boarding school in California (arts academy - he's a drummer). Talk about people giving you weird looks! Our 8th grade son is most likely going to audition for Booker T. for high school as, again, the local high school does not serve him well.
I'm glad that I have a choice to look at my child and their needs. Our decisions had nothing to do with Christian obedience except for the fact that we are trying to raise our children based on their own needs and abilities. Frankly, one of my boys would have been difficult to homeschool for the same reason you are not considering it for your daughter - we would have butted heads. I think he benefitted from being schooled away from me and learned a lot from other teaching styles.
And...wow - is Coram Deo really that pricey? I had no idea!
Coram Deo runs about $3600-$5100 a year for tuition on the core courses only. If you want electives like art or sports those cost a little over $400 per course. Then you have to buy the books, so yeah it's pretty pricey considering they only go to school 2 to 2 1/2 days a weeks. I wish I could find something like it that wasn't quite so expensive.
I think that there are amillion reasons to send your kids to schoool. I do NOT think the socail aspect is one of them! Kids are NOT allowed to talk in class,line the lunchroom are anywhere else except the 15 minute recess they have. And where I live they do not have recess everyday. I do not think send ing your kid to school makes you a bad parent. If you are making this decision based on what you have done so far I do not think that is a fair accessment. First is in almost impossible to school while tending to other peoples babies. Two I think that the currculum you picked is very heavy for a 4 year old NO matter how smart she is. I have no doubts she is smart I just know the material is heavy. So my only imput is I hope you are not basing your decision on what you have experienced so far. Some days I think wow my life would be so quiet if I had 8 hours a day to MYSELF!!! but then I get sad thinking someone else would have 8 hours a day with MY child and how they would influence them and what I would miss out on. Good luck with your decision
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