Homeschooling gave me the freedom to focus on learning what I considered most important for me: art. While I still beat myself up from time to time, this message, you dont have to be perfect is the mantra I try to tell new homeschooling parents. In fact, recent studies have found that nearly one-third of those who were homeschooled as children now regret their educational experience. Your email address will not be published. amzn_assoc_default_search_phrase = "montessori homeschool"; Autistic traits such as exceptional memory, intense interests, strong focus, great attention to detail, and a one-of-a-kind worldview can all be assets for your studentespecially when shes given a learning environment that works with her, focusing on building up her unique strengths rather than fighting with her weaknesses. Amanda, age 13 I just love the time I have to be with my family, to grow wonderful relationships with each of them. Sometimes the answers are rather severe, like I hate school, or I cant stand school, etc. I was homeschooled until college. My experience, and regret. 2. level 1. Thoughts? I loved that the more I just let myself relax into our homeschooling rhythm the better it was for all of us. He failed high school. He said: Homeschooling made me a more independent thinker. Thomas, age 12 I feel like I get more spiritual learning. I like the fact that my mom is my teacher. If youd like to see some examples of how my children followed their interests, heres a video of Will and his pair partner, Aaryn Smith, performing their Phantom of the Opera long program at their first Junior Grand Prix in 2004.: Aaryn Smith & Will Chitwood Junior Grand Prix 2004 Long Program., Heres a video of Christina and her ice-dance partner, Mark Hanretty, performing their Scottish FolkdanceOD at the 2010 World Figure Skating Championshipsin Turin, Italy: Christina Chitwood & Mark Hanretty Worlds 2010 Torino, Italy., Heres a video of Christina and Mark performing a show program to Michael Jacksons Earth Song: Christina Chitwood & Mark Hanretty Michael Jackson Earth Song.. For a variety of reasons, people are increasingly turning to homeschooling to provide their children with the education they need to succeed in the world. Homeschooling was also more interesting. There are a variety of online support groups available, as well as in-person support groups in some areas. amzn_assoc_search_bar_position = "bottom"; I could concentrate on learning rather than on handling social interaction. Jacob, age 17 I enjoyed being homeschooled because I had time to do the things I enjoyed and I was able to learn more in 3 hours at home than when I was sitting in a class for 7 hours listening to a boring lecture. All rights reserved by the Author. Homeschooling, because it is so flexible and easily individualized, can empower your autistic child to use her strengths to succeed. Except it turned out it was just me or my brother sitting in our rooms reading a book, filling out a test, and mailing it off. At the top of the article, entitled "The Risks of Homeschooling," is a drawing of a forlorn girl looking out of the barred windows of a tiny house where one of the walls is composed of books . Simon, age 12 I get to spend more time with my family. It is important to maintain a balance between providing an adequate amount of educational challenge and ensuring that children dont feel overly burdened by their homeschooling experience. I've come a long way, but I still have trouble connecting with my peers. Rebecca Giles grew up as a homeschooled Christian missionary kid in Europe and the Middle East. Thank you for visiting my website, and I hope you find the information and resources here helpful in your homeschooling journey! He said: "Homeschooling made me a more independent thinker. "Because I was involved in skating, I still had a social presence. I love that I get to spend more time on things that Im really interested in. About 6% of school-aged children were homeschooled during the 2021-2022 school year, according to the National Home Education Research Institute. I know there are many homeschooling parents who have wondered if they should send their children to school, particularly when it comes to high school. They will also be more creative as most of the things will be done practically. We dont have to take tests that make us feel stupid, and we are free to grow in the way we want to. You know which activities are appropriate for your children and/or the children under your care and are responsible for those children's safety. Im a first generation homeschooling mama from a family of teachers so I definitely feel nervous and have fears about how things will go. Other times, the regret can stem from the feeling that the parents didnt give their children enough academic resources to perform at their highest potential. I assumed we would naturally be on that track. I get to ask why and get answers and learn how things help me in my life. He learns them and can ace a test but a week later cant remember the simplest of math problems. Homeschooling can give high school students the opportunity to get an education that is tailored to their needs and their interests. I was homeschooled for my entire life until college. (p.s. And dont forget one of the best ways to follow me by signing up for my weekly newsletter in the right sidebar. Readon,andsignupforourhomeschoolnewsletter! As one parent wrote so poignantly, I would have taught my kids according to their learning level and not what grade level they should be.. In this post we will respond point-by-point to a recent comment . - Happiness is here Homeschooling / Unschooling What If Your Kids Regret Being Homeschooled? I learned to love school rather than hate it. Your email address will not be published. The times we did get to do co-ops with other kids they were either homeschoolers who were half in and half out (did some sort of structured school) or just like us. Like many autistic people, I have auditory processing difficulties and struggle to learn anything by hearing. There were days I thought I did but overall I always thought sorry for my public schooled friends. As a homeschooler, you'll be able to freely travel or move, include religious teaching in day-to-day learning, and not worry about social pressures or bullying your child may encounter at school. - Quora Answer (1 of 30): No We often participated in field trips and sporty events too in the summer. All in all, I will never regret choosing to be homeschooled and there is nothing better than to be taught by someone that knows you better than anyone else. Lauren. Thanks for your comment, Issa! Im an autistic 19-year-old junior in college named Rebecca Giles. I could have been in a bigger group of people and had actual friends (I was quite isolated and didn't have real friends, just people I saw at homeschool things). They think that homeschooling for high school isnt good enough. Will, 28, said he liked homeschooling and didnt regret being homeschooled. It is also important to focus on the present and take advantage of the opportunities that are available to you. I really like getting all my stuff done as fast as I want so I dont have to wait for anybody else to finish before I can play. College has been pretty easy because of the way homeschooling had helped me learn. Additionally, our homeschool conference and curriculum fair allows you to talk with vendors and browse through products before you buy them. It can be done at home by parents or through an organized program funded by your state. I had to sit down with the teacher and she had to explain to me the age of the earth. When they were used to following their interests, they naturally directed themselves into careers that made them happy. We had a fulfilling and sim. I may try to do an AMA later to further share my experience. Firstly, parents should ensure that they are listening to and understanding their childrens feelings. I also feel closer to my family because Im at home with them. It is also important to be aware of potential signs of depression, as this can be a symptom of regret. At least I know my worries about it all are normal. Getting an immediate F on my test. Also, Christina continues to use her dance and fitness training in videos and on her blog. I did not have to deal with the sensory overload of a crowded school, the trauma of bullying, and the stress of interacting with teachers and classmates. Ivy, age 7 I love that mom taught me how to write in pretty curly cursive. A common autistic characteristic is uneven skill development. That my parents had pulled my brother and I out of school to protect us. Who: To start the process, you'll need to call the CE Unit at MOE (68796458/9) to inform them of your intention to homeschool. None of these answers were coerced and I asked each of my children separately so no one would be influenced by another's answers. The subject I like best is reading. I cannot follow a list of verbal instructions. If you were to ask kids in public school if they like school, what would they say? The content contained on this website and in materials available through the use of this website is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to provide and does not constitute legal advice. I felt like I had years and years worth of missing knowledge that I had to learn in a short period of time. This general recommendation applies even if you or your spouse pay taxes, own property, or have employment in a different state. Wait a moment and try again. Charlotte Mason, for example, made it a goal to develop good habits early in children, since this carries forward into the rest of their lives. As an experienced educator, I understand the challenges and rewards of teaching children at home. Archived post. Im a curious college student and I dont mean any ill intent. Required fields are marked *. I homeschooled both my children through high school. child(ren) in a homeschool program. Homeschooling has grown drastically in the last several years and has become a viable educational option for many families. Tama, age 7 Because I get lots of love! Sign up for the Living Montessori Now Newsletter & Get Monthly Subscriber Freebies! With homeschooling, you can work in a tree, on the floor, or while pacing back and forth. I realize that this post is not desired here, but I feel strongly about it. I have one homeschool graduate and will have another in May of 2015, so its great to hear from other homeschool graduates who, looking back, are glad they were homeschooled. I was homeschooled, and I feel that this allowed me to achieve far more than I could have in an institutional school environment, because homeschooling is more adaptable to each students individual needs, strengths, and interests. So I'll stop here. I even got to 'claim' playing civilization as an educational thing because it had to do with history! I felt alone in the world and terrified. To make matters worse, I was a tiny, 16 year old kid in a baggy hoody who had no social skills in a world of adults. In some cases, its due to a lack of sufficient socialization and peer interaction that could have been experienced in a traditional classroom setting. At school, the teachers got upset when anyone tried talking to each other. This was an incredible gift. My brother was not so lucky. And I like that my mom is my teacher. Homeschooling curriculum information and resources. amzn_assoc_title = "Related Products"; Her company, Wordspire Media, helps businesses and nonprofits share their stories through content marketing, social media management, and email marketing. Yes, your worries are definitely normal. However, I have never met anyone who was homeschooled, and I havent always heard amazing things about it. I enjoyed watching your children skate together. Thank you for sharing your adult childrens perspectives with us. Sort of a 'starter kit' for high school. amzn_assoc_search_bar_position = "bottom"; And there are some requirements, as mentioned below: As per the Ministry of Education (MOE), home-schooled children born on/before 1ST January, 2012 will be granted exemption from Compulsory Educat. Are There Strategies to Help Parents Avoid Homeschooling-Related Regret? Connecting all subjects to art gave me a love of learning. Also, in some cases, homeschooled children may not have access to advanced classes and opportunities, and may have difficulty finding similar opportunities once they transition to traditional schooling. And we dont have to wait around all day for things. Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants: Learn more about Montessori at Home or School: How to Teach Grace and Courtesy! For most people, I have very little common ground. Billie Eilish Was Homeschooled, and Does She Regret It? And also that I get to learn what I want to learn, and I find that Im excited to learn about a lot of things. Homeschooling gave me the freedom to focus on learning what I considered most important for me: art. by The Frisky February 12, 2020 Surely you all know who is Billie Eilish and that she won a five Grammy Awards recently, which means she had a great start of the year. For example, we did the "Egypt unit" 3-4 times. Because homeschooling allowed me far more time to focus on my interests than I could have if I had attended a typical school, my artwork could develop much faster. You can learn stuff at your own pace you dont have to rush. So when talking to someone and trying to connect with them, you just can't do it. I do think homeschoolers need to be involved in some sort of social activity for their kids.. Homeschooling Fears - Will My Children Regret Being Homeschooled? . Your email address will not be published. Reddit, Inc. 2023. It's hard to believe that was three school years ago. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Just a few weeks into COVID-related distance learning, Lauren Pelissier's 11-year-old son, Jack, started really struggling. The PI . I had great support from family and others and I always felt like I could accomplish great things. For science, I independently did internet research on the physics of light and biological light perception because my artwork focuses on light and its relationship to color. I'm an autistic 19-year-old junior in college named Rebecca Giles. Your email address will not be published. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Rebecca Giles grew up as a homeschooled Christian missionary kid in Europe and the Middle East. I am glad you stuck with the fight. There were about 2.5 million homeschool students in spring 2019 (or 3% to 4% of school-age children) [note 1]. Montessori Inspiration for Parents and Teachers, February 11, 2014 By Deb Chitwood 24 Comments. We here at HIC sometimes receive comments, input, or criticism from readers. All in all, I will never regret choosing to be homeschooled and there is nothing better than to be taught by someone that knows you better than anyone else. With homeschooling, I learned by reading; kids in school must learn primarily by listening, even if thats not how they learn best. Hema, age 5 Because I get to draw as long as I want! amzn_assoc_default_search_phrase = "Montessori"; enrollment numbers to reflect all children being homeschooled. Additionally, parents should be proactive in providing their children with the resources they need to succeed and should seek out activities and opportunities outside the home to ensure that their children are receiving sufficient socialization opportunities. You may also want to go back to court to modify your order to clarify what school calendar controls when your child is being homeschooled or even to create a new visitation schedule that works best with your child's homeschooling schedule. I like having extra time to do my favorite things. What a great post especially seeing how you were a Montessori teacher! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Spending time with friends who care about each other and with teachers who are sincerely interested in each of us is really an incredible thing. These letters can provide an excellent opportunity for hashing out various issues at play in our work as advocates for abused and neglected homeschooled children. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. My parents would make jokes with us when we saw school buses. I have no idea what people listened to in high school. The Pros and Cons of Homeschooling - Verywell Family Wednesday, February 15, 2017 Why I regret homeschooling my boys This morning after the school bus drove away with my boys, my husband headed off to work, and I finally got my fussy ten month old son down for his morning nap. In addition to my website content, I also offer consulting services for parents who are looking for more individualized support. For more information, please see our Ive been able to discover that I have a talent in art and with digital art. However, do not obtain a GED. Homeschooling reduced my stress by allowing me to learn alone and in a quiet space. Thanks for your kind comment, Shannen! Im also a Parenting Expert on Sulia. After six months of kindergarten, I asked to be taken out and was homeschooled until I was 17 when I went to university. I can spend the whole day on one thing Im interested in if I want to. Because it becomes a problem in that child's life. Cason, age 16 I love homeschool because it allows me to choose what I want to learn and I can set my own pace to work and I actually get real-life social interaction, I never got that in public school. All people are better at some things than others, but for autistic students the differences can be more extreme. Scan this QR code to download the app now. Jan 1, 2014 at 4:52pm. I have tried to kill myself with little success so far. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Pin this to your favorite Pinterest board to come back to later! Quote. Asked outright, or hinted at. . James, age 11 & Sam, age 8 We like being able to pick something to learn about instead of having to learn about things were not interested in. These support groups provide a safe space for those who are struggling with regret to share their experiences and discuss strategies for dealing with their emotions. Otherwise it was just another echo chamber. Amie, age 11 I like homeschool. For some, the regret may be relatively minor and not impact their lives significantly. I will homeschool my babies when that time comes! Xolani, age 13 I like it. -_-; So my Mom got too depressed (as far as I can tell) to really teach us anymore so we ended up doing a correspondence course with Mom and Dad promising to be resources for us as we learned. There are a variety of strategies that can be used to deal with homeschooling-related regret. Wiki User 2010-01-21 17:45:23 Your email address will not be published. I learned to love school rather than hate it. I think homeschooling for high school is very important and is definitely a wonderful option! 7 Homeschool Regrets: What To Change & Why Why I Don't Regret Being Homeschooled - CHAP However, this is not always the case. Eric, 6 Because I think about my mom being my teacher, and thats a big blessing. My thought was, Kieran is MISSING his kindergarten year! Your email address will not be published. Idk. maybe more people ought to give it a try. My mom always had a habit of giving us lots of self study work and time--and napped a lot. However, I am a voracious reader. Do you think some kids are meant for public school and some are meant for homeschool? The long-term consequences of homeschooling-related regret can vary widely depending on the individual. Homeschooling is good as you will be able to know the childrens talents and nurture them when young. How to Work from Home While Educating Multiple Children, Episode 29: Hope for the Imperfect Homeschool Mom with Tiffany Wasson, Free Summer Poetry Printable for Your Homeschool. Autistic traits such as exceptional memory, intense interests, strong focus, great attention to detail, and a one-of-a-kind worldview can all be assets for your studentespecially when shes given a learning environment that works with her, focusing on building up her unique strengths rather than fighting with her weaknesses. Im seriously considering to homeschool my 2 year old as she starts preschool in a few months. She now studies at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Given with big sighs and ughs and moans. How exciting that youll be starting on a new homeschool journey with your own children. These beautifully atypical individuals often see their voices and gifts stifled and crushed by the school systems inflexibility. I retained no friends from high school, college, university, or grad school because I couldn't connect with anyone in my life. Your parents absolutely made the decision to pull you out of school and continue to homeschool you, even beyond their ability to understand and convey the information you needed. amzn_assoc_linkid = "c9ee09784bbc0ce007250784bdc37e89"; This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Code Name: Mama and Hobo Mama. Reddit, Inc. 2023. If your autistic student is not interested in a lesson that you consider essential, try finding more ways to connect it to her special interest. There are approximately 1.7 million students who are homeschooled in the United States - about 3.4 percent of the school-age population - according to a 2014 report from the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education. See 5 unrealistic homeschooling expectations here. Yes. Finally, it is important to recognize that homeschooling can be an incredibly rewarding experience, if approached with the right attitude. I thought it would be cool to ask them what they think. This hampered their children from developing a natural love for learning. My parents gave me the choice between being homeschooled or going to public school. When I was 16 I passed a test to get into community college at 16. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "search"; This includes seeking out social activities you enjoy, pursuing educational opportunities, and taking advantage of activities such as sports or extracurricular activities. All people are better at some things than others, but for autistic students the differences can be more extreme. We were surrounded by a great spirit that helped us build great friendships that are lasting into adulthood. Been happy. In school, I would have been made to sit still for hours and hours. Do Homeschooled Kids Actually Like to Be Homeschooled? - Raising Arrows What a gift you are giving your neighbor! I got a good SAT score so getting accepted into college wasn't a problem. Instead of trying to mold your personality to fit conventional stereotypes of a school, try molding your homeschool to fit your personality. Although I do well academically now, I regret asking to be homeschooled and I have a lot of grief for what could have been if I'd gone to school. Singapore Homeschool Curricula Share and Swap offers a marketplace for families to share, sell or buy used or new homeschooling materials.. I felt that I had been set up to fail. Copyright 2023 Midwest Parent Educators | Privacy Policy. Homeschooling was uniquely right for me as an autistic student, equipping me for success by giving me an appropriate learning environment, allowing me to learn in the ways I learned best, letting me progress at my own pace, and most importantly, freeing me to explore my interests in depth. Great post! For science, I independently did internet research on the physics of light and biological light perception because my artwork focuses on light and its relationship to color. May be linked to Afterschool Express, Thoughtful Spot, Tuesday Tots, The Mommy Club Resources and Solutions at Milk and Cuddles and Crystal & Co., Moms Library, Craft & Activity Share, The Weekly Kids Co-op, Homeschool Link-up, Hearts for Home Blog Hop, Learn & Link, TGIF Linky Party, Preschool Corner, Ultimate Homeschool Pinterest Party, Sharing Saturday, Saturday Show & Tell, Share It Saturday, Show-and-Share Saturday, The Sunday Showcase, Link & Learn. But how often does that stereotype correlate with reality? Since my experience is somewhat unique, even among homeschoolers, I get asked a lot how I feel about it now. Life on Peanut Layne: Why I regret homeschooling my boys By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. , Thanks, Rebekah! Do you regret being homeschooled? Interested in adults over 30 - Quora I had to work with life constantly trying to crush me. Yes, you can. So, as you read through my children's responses to why they like being homeschooled, think about that culture shift. If your autistic student is not interested in a lesson that you consider essential, try finding more ways to connect it to her special interest. That I could have been a normal person. I also have time to discover potential hobbies. What Is Homeschooling? Requirements and Getting Started It sounds silly but I didnt think of it ending. . The hardest parts about transitioning to public high school were getting used to the drop in educational quality and dealing with the fact that the other kids already had established friendships (many of them had best friends they'd been with since kindergarten). DEVELOPMENT BYMOONSTEAM DESIGN|PRIVACY POLICY. r/AskReddit is the place to ask and answer thought-provoking questions. At the end of the day, homeschoolers face a lot of pressure to have the perfect homeschool. And of course it was absolutely terrifying. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; Address: 111-22 77th Ave, Flushing, NY 11375. If you want to talk to me or shout at me, please feel free to write a comment below. Grades make 0 sense to me because I never experienced them. Comparative Statistics and Risk Factors. And you get to spend more time with your family. Being homeschooled gave me the opportunity to graduate early, attend several intensive music courses, start my own business as a private piano teacher and allowed me to work full time as a bank teller. Even though I know that just because someone else had children who found success doesnt guarantee that mine will, it sure does help to know it is possible. I love history, and the kind of history I got to spend a lot of time learning about was from true sources, real stories, and great experiences about these amazing people. The homeschool population had been growing at an estimated 2% to 8% per annum over the past several . One of the most important things to do is to practice self-compassion. I dont have to socialize. It is important to validate and recognize their feelings of regret and to emphasize that they are not alone. It is also worth noting that, for some children, homeschooling may not be the best fit for their educational needs. Also, I would have sought out a larger support network and gone to the MPE conference.. By the time we got to high school, the school work was getting much more complicated. amzn_assoc_default_category = "Books"; We made history memorable with art projects, such as illustrating a poster on the Incan civilization or sculpting a pharaohs head. Let us know in the comments! But every homeschool is unique - just like the children in it! Super awesome! Homeschooling was also more interesting. Um, that's a straight up lie. 18 Reasons Why Doctors and Lawyers Homeschool Their Children