Post by repentant on Sept 21, 2009 20:25:47 GMT -6
I didn't know it then, but the day my wife decided that she was going to homeschool was the start of the worst period of my life. It started so well. She bought curriculums, books, supplies, and read voraciously on this topic. It seemed sensible to me at the time. As a product of public schools, I had some idea about how much waste and incompetence there is out there.
But the problems became evident soon enough. My oldest daughter was 7 and she still wasn't learning to read after 2 years of homeschooling. Teaching to reading is hard work and mom was just too busy with the baby, not to mention researching homeschooling, writing about it, talking about it. Household chores took a lot of time. Everything except teaching.
She kept copious school notes and tried to integrate everyday activities into the education plan. A typical day would go like this. Math: Went grocery shopping. English: Socialized in playground. History: Walked in old park. Phys Ed: Carry laundry. There was no real learning going on.
And then there was religion. Mom became more and more isolated from the world, only hanging out with other homeschoolers. And you know what a bunch of religious nuts they can be. In no time at all, she was singing the tune, and loudly. It wasn’t normal religion either. Doing good deeds, helping the poor, being honest—these types of things were nowhere to be found. It was all hell and brimstone, with a twist of paranoia. It is quite unhealthy for young children to grow up thinking the world is an evil place and no one can be trusted. But there was no way out. It was her support. Without her religious homeschooling friends, she would have no one at all, so down and down she spiraled. It’s a tough crowd, those religious homeschool nuts. You’re either with them or enemies. No pity at all.
In the end, we got divorced because she couldn't end it. She couldn't let go of the convenience of having little helpers all the time, who worship you, always agree, never thinking. No activities, no teacher conferences, no homework, no clothes to prepare. No waking up early. It's so easy. She clung to homeschooling with desperation, and lost it all in the end when the judge gave the kids to me so they can have a chance to be educated. It was worth the fight just so my kids won’t post another sad homeschooling story on this board.
But the problems became evident soon enough. My oldest daughter was 7 and she still wasn't learning to read after 2 years of homeschooling. Teaching to reading is hard work and mom was just too busy with the baby, not to mention researching homeschooling, writing about it, talking about it. Household chores took a lot of time. Everything except teaching.
She kept copious school notes and tried to integrate everyday activities into the education plan. A typical day would go like this. Math: Went grocery shopping. English: Socialized in playground. History: Walked in old park. Phys Ed: Carry laundry. There was no real learning going on.
And then there was religion. Mom became more and more isolated from the world, only hanging out with other homeschoolers. And you know what a bunch of religious nuts they can be. In no time at all, she was singing the tune, and loudly. It wasn’t normal religion either. Doing good deeds, helping the poor, being honest—these types of things were nowhere to be found. It was all hell and brimstone, with a twist of paranoia. It is quite unhealthy for young children to grow up thinking the world is an evil place and no one can be trusted. But there was no way out. It was her support. Without her religious homeschooling friends, she would have no one at all, so down and down she spiraled. It’s a tough crowd, those religious homeschool nuts. You’re either with them or enemies. No pity at all.
In the end, we got divorced because she couldn't end it. She couldn't let go of the convenience of having little helpers all the time, who worship you, always agree, never thinking. No activities, no teacher conferences, no homework, no clothes to prepare. No waking up early. It's so easy. She clung to homeschooling with desperation, and lost it all in the end when the judge gave the kids to me so they can have a chance to be educated. It was worth the fight just so my kids won’t post another sad homeschooling story on this board.