What do YOU Say to 'Those' Questions? (Part 2)
By Heather Idoni
Added Friday, March 09, 2007
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The Homeschooler's Notebook
Encouragement and Advice for Homeschool Families
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Vol. 8 No 19 March 9, 2007
ISSN: 1536-2035
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Copyright (c) 2007 - Heather Idoni, FamilyClassroom.net
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Welcome to the Homeschooler's Notebook!
If you like this newsletter, please recommend it to a friend!
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IN THIS ISSUE:
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Notes from Heather
-- Dodging Negative Comments
Helpful Tips
-- Math Timing
Winning Website
-- Algebasics
Reader Question
-- When to Let Go?
Additional Notes
-- Searchable Archive
-- Our Email Group
-- Sponsorship Information
-- Reprint Information
-- Subscriber Information
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Notes from Heather
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'Come-backs' to Negative Comments about Homeschooling
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Here are the latest contributions from our readers!
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"As a veteran homeschooler for the past twenty plus years I would
like to make a comment about 'come back' remarks for the negative
comments people make concerning home education. Believe me,
I've heard them all, even to the point of two women making derogatory
comments to one another in front of me after one of them had asked
me a question about homeschooling. They acted as if I wasn't even
standing there!
I discovered that at the beginning of our homeschooling adventure
I felt very defensive when anyone made a remark. I now realize that
the reason for this was that I wasn't so sure about homeschooling
myself! I had doubts.
Was I really going to be able to teach our children what they
needed to know? What if we were big time messing up their lives?
However, as we progressed with the schooling and our oldest
children (we have six) graduated from high school, were accepted
into college, got their degrees, and have been successful out in the
world, I no longer feel defensive or threatened by those negative
comments. As the old adage goes, 'The proof is in the pudding'.
I haven't had any negative comments directed at us in a long time.
The irony is that some of the very folks who were negative in the
beginning now have a lot of respect for us, and some have even
investigatedhome education for their own kids and grandchildren!
So, hold your tongue --- you'll be able to serve up some successful
'pudding' before too long and that's the best come back you'll ever
be able to 'dish out'!!" -- Joanne in Alabama
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"Question: (the classic) Aren't you worried about socialization?
Answer: No, but I sure would be if I sent them off to school.
(The question came from a public school bus driver -- ever observed
the brand of socialization that takes place on school buses?)
This next question came from a boy, about 8 years old, whom we
met at the park. He asked where my kids went to school, and they
told him they were homeschooled. He went over to his mom, who
was sitting on a bench, and asked if he could be homeschooled.
Answer from mom: 'I need a break during the day.' (Poor kid.)
Thanks for the great newsletter!" -- Amy in Delaware
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"Q: How are your children going to get socialization?
A: When you have five children they get all the socialization
they need."
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"When asked about the socializing, I usually say with all seriousness,
'You're so right, it is really difficult not to over-do the socializing
with all the opportunities out there for home schoolers.' They can tell
I'm serious and that I 'don't understand' how they couldn't see it that
way too. Sometimes I go so far as to add, 'We don't want to exhaust
ourselves socially with GirlScouts, Gymnastics, Piano, the Co-Op,
Speech Club...' " -- Heidi
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"One I heard somewhere:
'Oh, I have the socialization issue well under control. Once a week,
my Mother-in-law takes him into the bathroom and threatens to beat
him up if he doesn't give her his allowance.' "
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"My brother, a public school teacher told me, 'You are not trained/
qualified to teach school.' I responded, 'I’m not trained/qualified
to teach 30, but I’m certainly qualified to teach 3.' -- Melanie
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Do you have comments about the newsletter? Please share!
Send your emails to: heather@familyclassroom.net
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Helpful Tip
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Math Timing Tip
"We're about to finish up Saxon 1st grade math. At first, my son
would take forever to do the problems/worksheets. Then, I began
timing him on the 25-problem worksheets. I told him that if he did
the 25-problem drill sheet in under 3 minutes, then he only had to
do one side of his lesson worksheet (and I let him pick which side).
His times have gotten amazingly fast." -- Wanda
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Do you have an idea, experience, or tip to share? Please write!
Send to: HN-ideas@familyclassroom.net
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Winning Website
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Algebasics – http://www.algebasics.com
As the name suggests, this site focuses on the foundational
concepts needed to succeed in Algebra. This is accomplished
when the visitor clicks on a topic and then is taken to a list of
example problems. The learner selects a problem and then
watches and listens while an instructor walks them step by step
through the example. This is not a complete course, but it is a
useful resource for any student who is struggling with concepts
or needs a refresher.
-- from Cindy Prechtel -- http://www.HomeschoolingFromTheHeart.com
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Last Issue's Reader Question
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"How do you handle the senior who is trying to be independent
and yet you want her a part of your family unit? I do not seem to
'let go' all that easily. Sometimes I want to start over and let time
stand still. Any suggestions?" -- Gina in Texas
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Our Readers' Responses
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"This really isn't unique to homeschooling -- it is part of raising our
children and launching them into adulthood -- not an easy task.
I have 2 sons in their 20's and an 8 yr old son. I tried to view my
responsibility as arming them with the tools, skills, and resources
they'll need to live in the world (in our case, that was away at
college). During the time leading up to their 'leaving the nest', I
would slowly allow them to make decisions about whether they were
expected to attend family activities or not. By the time they left to
go to college, they were not guilt-ridden because they missed a family
birthday party.
When they come home, we always have a celebration -- coming
home is fun and an anticipated event.
Now our oldest has moved out and lives about an hour away. He
calls often and we visit often. Our 2nd oldest is a college student
but he has chosen to live at home and attend a local school, after
living away for 2 yrs and earning an Associate's degree. Now that
our sons truly have a choice to be with the family or not, they
choose to be with the family.
As an aside -- I always keep the porch light on when one of them
is not home. My husband and I do a little 'silent cheer' when they
are all home and I can put out the porch light." -- Tricia in NH
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"It's really not been a problem -- we have great communication --
although I find I have to be willing to listen at midnight when they
come in from a job. Mine have been boys, so perhaps it's different
with girls. While they are still living in our home, they still have
to do chores and attend church with us. Now that they are in college,
we see less of them, so we schedule a family game night at least
once a month, and they are welcome to invite their friends. We
invite them to go to the movies with us often and ask them if we
can help them study." -- Rhonda in Florida
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Answer our NEW Question
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"What is the value of studying LATIN? How is it really used for
our children's future? Is it possible to study the basics of Latin
and learn the Spanish language at the same time?" -- Susan in MN
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Okay, Classical Ed'ers -- Susan wants some answers!! ;-)
Please send your emails to: HN-answers@familyclassroom.net
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ASK YOUR QUESTION
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Do you have a question you would like our readers to answer?
Send it to HN-questions@familyclassroom.net and we'll see
if we can help you out in a future issue!
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Our Searchable Newsletter Archive
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Tags: homeschool socialization question, homeschooling questions, derogatory comments, homeschool apologetics, what about socialization, home school answers, home education tips, encouragement, online homeschool support, advice, Christian homeschooling, tips
