1 week Ago
DEAR HELOISE: I'd like to chime in on homeschooling with a few of my observations since I have several friends who homeschool. They use high-quality, outside materials and attend activities with other similar families. This is especially helpful for children who are experiencing delays in reading.
These are bright children! The extra time and attention of homeschooling catches them up. However, I have seen parents who homeschool and have deficiencies, and they often pass these deficiencies on to their children. Finally, I worked in a large, bustling law office.
We could tell when a completely homeschooled child got a job as a receptionist. They were like a babe in the woods with little understanding of how to interact with a large group of people, and their on-the-spot problem-solving skills were weak. Being in school provides such skills.
More importantly, homeschooling that uses nonsecular science materials does society a great disservice. We benefit from the discoveries and clarifications that scientific minds provide about our world and the universe. The decision to homeschool children shouldn't cost a mother a job she enjoys and is successful at, unless the child's needs make it necessary.
My advice is for parents wanting to homeschool is to do so for part of the K-12 years, with at least three years in a public or private school. If the mother (or father) wants to remain working, find a Montessori school to cover the years that you'd want your child to be homeschooled. -- Mrs.
Young, in Roanoke, Virginia Mrs. Young, we received numerous letters on this subject ..
. some pro-homeschooling and others against the idea. A few suggested that if the father was so keen on homeschooling, he should quit his job and do it.
After doing research on the matter, I've come to believe that a private school or even a public one is a good option. Yes, homeschooling has its advantages, and if the parent is interested in teaching their children, they should go for it. However, we had a large number of letters from people who hated being tied to the house all day or just didn't like teaching.
They missed interacting with adults or missed the work that they enjoyed before. A few even said they were resentful of having the "duty" of teaching placed on their shoulders. So, I'd have to say it's an individual decision and one where the stay-at-home parent has to be fully on board with the task, or there will be problems.
-- Heloise DEAR HELOISE: I just read the letter from the lady who is short and uses a pasta utensil to reach the bottom of the washer. I also have this problem, but I use 12-inch tongs to grab the clothes at the bottom. -- Karen M.
V., in Colorado Springs, Colorado DEAR HELOISE: I have so many doors, storage units and lockboxes that I decided to get a key made for each lock in a different color. It saves a lot of confusion.
I also made a note of each color and what it unlocks, and I keep it in my day planner in case I forget. -- Nancy R., in Lima, Ohio DEAR HELOISE: I advise parents to make sure that kids know they can swim even with clothes on.
Children have fallen in the water and panicked because they weren't in swimwear. You could have a fun "practice" session in shorts and tennis shoes to show them how it works. I love to read your column daily.
-- Pat, Retired Elementary Teacher.
