My take on schooling

[Sheila Ritter]

Well, for my first post, I thought I would put out there our feelings on schooling and unschooling.

Mike (my dear hubby) and I were surprised to have our little bundles join us on this earth. When the eldest started school, he went to public school and seemed to be ok. When the youngest started, he immediately had difficulty. From the first week, he begged to be homeschooled.

We stuck to our guns and made him go to school. In first grade, he had to be carried to the bus, kicking and screaming, and put on it, every day. It was horrible for him and us. In second grade, we had him in Connections academy, an online school. He thrived until March. Then he no longer wanted to do the work. We didn't force him. Sean, meanwhile, has continued to go to public school, Montessori style. He started failing everything but the test scores had him at college level on everything.

Sean decided he wanted to be homeschooled this school year so, we placed them both in online school. By December, we knew we were going to unschool. It just wasn't working, having to force them to do school work.

In January, we pulled them from school. So far, it's brought such peace to our home! No more screaming, crying, pleading or bribing. The difference in my children has been incredible. They have begun to do their chores without being told. They are actually doing art work together and not fighting. That's another thing. Their fighting has all but stopped. They play Minecraft together ALL day and are acting like brothers instead of strangers.

Some children thrive in the public school arena. Most don't. Sean has recently asked to go back to public school. Mostly because he's a teenager that desires to be around other teenagers. Something that is in short supply where we live. I understand and have told him, if he changes his mind, he is more than welcome to return to unschooling. I believe that my children are wise beyond their years and are more than capable of deciding what they do and do not want to do. I think my children's mental health is more important than the governments need for mindless "educated" drones.

[Kelly Hogaboom]

Right on! This is a great story, and I like Meredith's comment. Sometimes I wonder if my kids will ever choose school. Like any of their other choices, the thought fills me with excitement. They are indeed wise beings!

[Meredith]

Happily, even school is a whole different ballgame when kids have the ability to choose to be there. Have you seen this article on the subject:

http://sandradodd.com/schoolchoice

 

There's also a "group" here on RUN for families in which one or more children are currently choosing school:

http://familyrun.ning.com/group/choosingschool