When our sons were 3 and 6, we and our husband and we attended a home study conference led by an expert and author in the field. During one session, Speaker asked the audience to share what features they hoped for their children to develop at school. The answers included integrity, critical thinking, creativity and curiosity. He then asked a thought -provoking question: “How much emphasis are you think public schools in teaching these values?” He added, “Who believes here that when parents take control of their children's education, they can instill those qualities?”
My husband turned to me and said, “You know we have to do it, right?”
“Do we still?” I replied, a horror prospect so that our children could get under indefinite period.
Our sons had never developed well in educational programs in early childhood – I called them a joke for kindergarten dropouts, so we decided to give home schooling a whirlwind. Although many of our friends took our decision, others were less supportive. My husband's family, who has many members with higher education, was quite terrible. My own parents, who are less concerned about academic prestige, but still value the basic education, tried to persuade us differently. As my mother briefly said, “You will finally send them to school, right?”
We had good and bad days
We never sent them to a public school. Fortunately, our circumstances worked in our favor. My husband had retired early and as a freelance journalist at home I was able to devote time and energy to home schooling.
We quickly participated in home schooling groups, participating in book clubs, field trips and park days. We hired tutors for topics such as English and mathematics, but my husband had a vision to create the so -called Renaissance children, which he described as children with classical education based on literature, discussion, music and art.
Although this vision sounded attractive, there were many days when the boys joined each other or kept teaching them to our attempts. There were also many days when they felt boring and isolated, and I struck him to regret our choice without five days a week empty house quiet, freedom and joy.
Our children bloomed
Despite the challenges, everything was successful. Our older son, who showed the early suitability of the classic piano, was able to fully devote himself to the music. By the age of 13, he began studying at the community college and at the age of 16 he was taken to UCLA for a complete scholarship to learn a music composition. Now he teaches the piano and performs as an entertainer on cruise ships from time to time, traveling across the Caribbean and the south of the Pacific. He will soon start a master's degree in the music composition.
Our younger son was less focused, but he had many interests. He stood out in chess tournaments, spent hours in the construction of a radio transmitter, and at the age of 16 he started his business, turning the old Ford van into ice cream truck. His love for aviation led to flying lessons at 5pm and today, 20, he is a flight teacher and works as a pilot, providing tourists with aircraft tours.
Our sons are mostly satisfied with our decision
Although both sons are grateful for the time and freedom they had to study their passions, they have been in the shortcomings of home schooling. They had no contact with topics such as chemistry and geography, and friendships were harder to form. Without the day -to -day communication of the school, they did not have a consistent group of peers or a common school experience to overlide. The home school community was incorrect and often logistical challenge based on parents' meetings.
But in my opinion, the most cordial is that, despite these shortcomings, both sons claim that one day is likely to have their children at home. “We would do it differently,” they both agree, sketching the list of these changes. “But we would still do it.”
It makes me happy when I hear me, especially given the setback that people gave me years ago. But more than what they can do with their children in the future in the future, I can only see who they have become; Thoughtful, rounded and productive young men-Sellic adjectives that were thrown out all these years at this conference.
