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As a homeschooling mother (8 years) and adoptive mom of a large family I thought I would reply to this post. My bio sons went to grade school (very small country school) at first and it soon became very apparent to me even in this nice environment that homeschooling was the way to go. We have now completed 8 years of homeschooling and I can say without any hesitation that it was the best thing we could have done for our children. My oldest son graduated in June being homeschooled from sixth grade on. He decided he wanted to enlist in the Air Force. The recruiter didn't know what to do with him...he had never processed anyone who had been homeschooled. He stressed to us that John needed to test well or they would not take him....long story short..he scored a 96 out of 99 on the entrance test. Many people have great misconceptions about homeschooled children. They feel they are social ignorant...behind in skills...etc. This cannot be further from the truth. All of my children are VERY social. They have no problem speaking respectfully to anyone outside our home...trying new things...and are very self confident. They are very self-taught and are book smart. We belong to a large co-op of homeschoolers...every teen is respectful to their parents...hard working...and polite. There is a marked difference in our church between those who are homeschooled and those who are not. I am very proud of my children and how they are turning out socially. They are very active in the community and definately not the social idiots that everyone warned me they would be. With our first son now graduated from the Air Force basic training..and in Tech school. This year we will be schooling our other bio son grade 10...our oldest adopted daughter...grade 3 and our second adopted daughter...grade K/1. And beyond that I a three year old adopted daughter who will be working on her "school work" to join in with the rest of us. Our school time is only about 3 hours a day. I homeschooled for years before the adoptions started. I found that definately there was no problems with bonding and the time was there. There is more time for bonding when you are done with school by noon. Do not ever let anyone sway your decision to homeschool if it is in your heart. Research well and join others in your area who homeschool. Take field trips together etc. I have found that my bio sons who were homeschooled have a lot of patience with their younger sisters...they have no problem helping them get dressed or just giving them a hug and carrying around the little one if she needs to be held. People say to me all the time...not only do they not know how I handle 5 children...but that they simply could not homeschool and don't know how we handle it. I LOVE HAVING MY CHILDREN HOME ALL DAY...I would lastly like to say that for adopted children...having the chance to stay home in a quiet environment with one on one for education and the extra bonding time is very beneficial. OK...I have rambled enough. Best Wishes to you all. Karen in PA...Mom to John 18, Aaron 15, Sejona 8, Anjali 5 and Maya 3
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