The best year of my primary education was in 2nd grade when I was put in LD (Learning Disability). It was a small class where we were largely on the floor with lots of personalized education. This was the year that probably turned me into a lifelong learner.
Before we started homeschooling, I subbed in private schools. Very telling. Exactly what you said. One school lined up kids in silent lines. I bumped into one of the second grade girls as they passed by in a very narrow hallway. I said, "Oh, excuse me." The little girl whispered, "That's okay." The teacher boomed, "One demerit! No talking in line!" I was shocked! Reprimanded for showing proper etiquette! Then I went into the upper grades. I was giving a quiet assignment and allowing the kids to work. One boy started clearing his throat. I could tell there was something stuck in his throat. I motioned for him to go get a drink of water. Within 30 seconds, the principal had him by the collar and escorted him back to the classroom, saying, "No one is to leave the classroom for any reason." So I was reprimanded for showing a kindness. That place was insane!
My son is in third grade and his second year in public school. I'm starting to see the same thing. Reprimanded for basic kindnesses or getting in trouble for other kids' misbehavior. This is not just hearsay, I have volunteered in the school and seen it firsthand.
I think the first s step to helping the system would be to stop focusing on how old a kid is and instead what level they are on. Split subjects sooner so a kid can have level one ela but level 2 math etc. Also, not making school mandatory at FIVE.
Thank you. I'm having a hard time with people not liking that I am homeschooling. Also I have been feeling like a failure that I'm not doing enough with my kids. Thank you for reminding me why I took my son out of public school a few years ago. This has changed my whole day and attitude.
Love this! We pulled our oldest half way through kindergarten - he was that child who was ahead and wiggly. He was constantly put at a table to do "writer's workshop" alone. He would come home and have 6 full stories written each day. He now gets his work done in about an hour or 2 independently, is working 4 math levels above his "age", and just completed the Lego Rollercoaster Expert level. We additionally have a 5 year old who is struggling to learn to read. He is also wiggly. He can do "learning" in short bursts and requires lots of patience and grace throughout the day. Both of our children would have been left behind in the public school system. We also have a 3 year old with a severe speech delay. She will be going to a co-op preschool in the fall. I'm not against the system - it just doesn't work. I strongly believe we cannot use our children to fix the system. They are not test subjects. I fully support our local schools, just without my kids in it. Thanks for being a voice for those wiggly littles - they're not bad kids!
Exactly! “We cannot use our children to fix the system.” Expecting children to behave differently or “better” to make the system work seems ridiculous to me and yet it’s EXACTLY what the system is currently pushing by promoting early school so that children “can learn how to go to school.” That’s an exact quote from a teacher when talking about her class of 3 and 4 year olds that attend a new Transitional Kindergarten class that the district offers.
I AM against the system BECAUSE it doesn't work and don't have time unfortunately to devote to lobbying to change it. Change that most parents wouldn't want, like healthy lunch with zero junk food, to begin with.
Thank you for this. I have a similar story to you (teacher, then stay at home mom, and have subbed this last year) but my first child is going into kindergarten this coming year and hearing you has definitely helped further guide me that my children belong with me! God bless!
Just found you, I’m a former middle school teacher and I knew everything you said to be true prior to the shut down. I’ve heard from my former colleagues how much harder it has become since. I’d rather rip my own heart out than send my little one away from me. Everything you said is on point. Mine is still young enough I’ve been able to dodge the questions but my in laws will be a nightmare when I have to eventually spill the beans. They just don’t understand how much schools have changed.
Super, super helpful video. Love the inside look at the classroom. I have a 5th and 2nd grader and definitely want to keep them home but I am always questioning what we are doing and if it is enough. This made me cry - love your video. Thank you for make it.
I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your kind and empathetic tone, especially when you are talking about things that you disagree with (in this and several other videos I have seen). The world needs more of this kind attitude and I wanted to say thank you!
I love this! I appreciate that this honest talk was truly critical, featuring both the good and the bad. As a homeschooler I appreciate the support of my decision but also the assurance that what I am doing is not just enough but maybe more than our public school counterparts.
These are so many of the reasons why we chose to start homeschooling last August. Our son is special needs, technically 5th grade but has a wide range of academic abilities and emotional and behavioral functioning. As much as I KNOW his entire IEP team from pre-k to 4th all had their hearts in it for my son, the system is not made for a students, it’s made to generate numbers on a report.
100%! It’s not a failure of the people working with the kids, it a failure of the system. Even the best staff members are working with their hands tied behind their backs
Everything that you are saying makes total sense .. I used to work at a school too.. I love homeschooling my kids!! Thi video really encouraged to keep on homeschooling and makes me so happy with my decision to homeschool my kids, I am super grateful that I am able to stay home with my kids and homeschool them.
Thank you so much for this. The next time someone tries to question our choice to homeschool, I am sending them this. Our child falls into the bored category you explained. Then of course, being bored, led to “behavior problems” and being sent out of the class. In second grade we had enough and pulled him out right after Covid hit. People assume that we pulled him out because of Covid. Now that things are “getting better” they are questioning why he isn’t going back. We get far more meaningful instruction done in three hours than he ever learned in an entire day at public school.
What an affirming video! I was also public schooled and my 2 oldest are in a public and charter school, respectively. I homeschool my youngest after he experienced a very traumatic thing at school that only got worse after I moved him to a "better" school. The situation in 2020 showed me how much public school was failing him in ways I wasn't even aware of. The teachers at his last school before I pulled him don't seem to want to be there, there is high turnover in an already understaffed and underfunded district, and my child not only has special needs but he was already harmed by a previous public school even before the pandemic. I am still trying to undo the damage caused and it is very heartbreaking that this system for kids like mine is often the best chance they have because of their socioeconomic situation they have no control over. Public schools are important and very necessary. Homeschool for me is a response to the inadequacies in the system that should be about education but rarely ever is. Thank you for sharing your perspective, I really relate to all points you've made.
I am a homeschool mom but I plan to send my kids to public high school when it's time. This is such a debatable topic I think. A lot of people on social media would say you only work in one district, not all districts are like that. And dismiss you. But when they see an example of a poor homeschooling parent, they would say, all homeschooling is bad. Period. I am just sick of that hypocrisy. Both have merit and we are all doing the best we can with the situations we are in! I have enjoyed your perspective, thank you!
I agree. This is only one perspective and each person should definitely make whatever choice is best for them. The only thing I would like to say in contrast is that I have experience working in more than one district and as a student (although it’s been a while since I attended) I have been to many, many schools and in my experience they are all very similar. With federal guidelines such a CC their similarities have likely only increased. In comparison with other schools, I believe this particular school system is better than average and I don’t mean to disparage it, just to talk about the realities of a public school system. Two of my children attend public school and the other two will have the option to do the same as high schoolers if they want. I have not and will not allow them to attend at the elementary level.
@@HomeschoolHappyHour I value your experience and glad that you are telling it like it is while not totally disregarding schools. I often feel like my kids have missed out on elementary school, so it's so nice to hear they probably aren't!
@@HomeschoolHappyHour can you explain to me, why public elementary is a no go but public high school ok? Genuinely asking. I homeschool two boys elementary age, one who has never been to school and one who had two years and then pulled him out. We have two older kids, who are now adults and both were exposed to seeing all their friends use drugs. So I was more of the mind, that if I had to make a choice public school elementary would be better than high school. X
It depends on the individual and the situation. I would probably not consider High School, except my ex husband has fought me hard to put our girls into public school. As a part of this fight he has tried to convince our children that they must attend high school. I have told my children that if they really want to attend at that time I will support them so long as they can maintain our agreed upon parameters. If they do not want to go, we will continue homeschooling. In the elementary years we are building a foundation in our children. They are learning who they are and right vs wrong just as much as anything else. By the time they reach high school, they are becoming more independent and able to hold fast to their values. If I had concerns about this for an individual child- I would not recommend public high school.
You're awesome! I'm thinking to pull out my oldest from kindergarten and start homeschooling and this is the best video I've watched lately. You just blew away all my worries! I feel much more confident to make this decision. Thank you!
Even back in the 70s and 80s, it was a lot about "sit down and shut up." This is why I want to homeschool my son. Plus I want to introduce him to all the things I wish I had been exposed to.
Before I switched to homeschooling, one of my kids was in the 4th group you talked about. He's neurodivergent, and for the most part, his behavioral challenges were directly in response to the sensory struggles he was experiencing. I kept trying to give the public school system a chance, but nothing good came from it. The teachers and staff were angels, but they just didn't have enough adults to help. The only academic things my son learned were the things I taught him at home, mostly over the summer. During the school year, he'd be so overstimulated and escalated by the time he got home, he was able to learn very little when I tutored him one-on-one. When I pulled him out and started homeschooling at the end of second grade, I basically had to start at the beginning (kindergarten level). I know his learning style, and at home he's able to constantly move and stim, take frequent breaks, and dive into his interests. He's extremely bright. He's gifted in some categories. It's sad that public school held him back for so long.
I have a son with the same challenges. Pulled him out in fifth grade, so kudos to u for doing it early on. Anyway, I have no regret that we home educated. Much better for him. Btw, he started taking college classes at 14 and he graduated college Summa Cum Laude. .
Well-said. As a former public school teacher turned homeschool mom I understand what you’re saying. I’ll never forget my last year. 15 standardized tests (between fall, spring, and pilot testing) and I’ll never understand why parents didn’t fight back then. Do they understand how much time gets put into prepping for those tests, let alone the days of testing itself? And for what? Every time a politician comes into office a new educational “reform” is pushed and it always equals more testing and higher stakes. So many reasons I left, but the testing is one of the reasons I stay out.
Because we don't know and if the teachers and school is giving the tests it must be needed, so we don't question it. If you were teacher you would have noticed that.
Exactly why we homeschool. It is an option for us so we do. I have no doubt my child would make it ok in public school but she doesn’t have too. I do want a school in my community and I happily pay my taxes so those who need to be in school can be.
Yes. Just because kids can make it through, doesn’t mean it is without flaws. I’m happy to homeschool and I want to encourage people to be confident in that choice if they want to make it, but I still support public education.
Three things. It’s the end of your day, how does your hair look so good??? Very jealous right now. Second thing. How is your car so clean??? Seriously! Wow! Third, wow, you made me tear up. Thinking of my little girls, how often they get tired or feel sad and just need a hug, and me not being there for those truly special moments when they come up just to get a hug and tell me they love me. All those moments missed, and thinking of them sitting there alone, oh it’s so heart breaking. Thank you for sharing your experience and for making this video. It was wonderful, even if your car is lacking banana peels and half eaten apples. 😂🥰
1. Thank you! It was just a lucky hair day. 2. Lol. My kids are older and I make them clean up after themselves in the car because I’m kind of a neat freak 🤫 3. I agree, it is heartbreaking 💔 Sometimes I don’t understand how it’s so accepted in our society to separate children from their parents at such a young age, as the standard.
@@HomeschoolHappyHour So I’m having a hard day. I’m tired. One kid is sick. It’s only Wednesday and I’ve already just had enough. I’m behind in work, my daughter didn’t get her assignments completed yesterday. Right now the six year old is teaching the four year old violin. By the way the six year old is on her second week of lessons. So it’s a lot. I came back to this video to watch it again, take some deep breaths, cry a bit, so I can get through the rest of this day. And my suggestion for you is to make these on a regular basis, seriously, homeschool inspirational videos, this is a niche that truly needs filled. Because in the world of homeschooling, as you mentioned, nearly everything coming at you from the universe is negative. Strangers in the store, family members, friends, never are their comments positive, never does someone stop you in the store and say “you’ve made a great choice!” Literally never happens. We’re always on the defensive, always worried about everything. So anyways, make more of these videos, your kind words and inspiration help just so much. Thank you 🥰
@@Gojuninja I’m so sorry you had a bad day. They do happen sometimes 💕 Thank you for the idea! I haven’t made any new videos for a few weeks because… life. Lol. But I will definitely see what I can put together along those lines when I get back on track
I'm looking at homeschooling my 5 year old son in kindergarten this year to help keep him from experiencing some of the issues you've talked about. He is very smart, but he has issues sitting still for too long and also can have outbursts of defiance which will hinder any learning in public school, not only for him but for the other students as well.
My suggestion for fixing the school system is complete school choice. Each kid is given a education allowance each year and the money follows the kid. This would encourage more private schools to emerge that have certain specialties (my son currently goes to a private school that is focused on kids with autism and it is perfect for him) and parents could choose a school and method that works best for their kid.
I’m glad i watched your video and thank you for sharing with us. My 5 years old daughter just became Kinder student this fall and the first 3 weeks she came back and told me she cried at school because she misses me. I thought that was weird and her friend and teacher also told me that she cried in the classroom and at the park. After I watched your video I realized that she just tired of being school for that long and she’ve already knew everything she is leaning now and she may feel bored in class but she is still trying to repeat everyday with things that she knew. I do parent helping every Tuesday and I know what you are talking about the leaning progress is slow because teacher has to cover every students not just one. I’m thinking just to have her go to K in public school for fun and will pull her back to homeschool because I want her to be advanced follow as how fast her learning skills is and we can learn much more other stuff while the time she uses all day just to learn couple stuff at school. I hope you get my meaning. But, my only concern is I have only her and will that affect her social skills? She is a funny girl and we also have Gym class, online class and piano class going on as for now besides her school.
If you put effort into isolating her and avoid interacting with people outside of your home you will have a problem and her social skills will suffer. Otherwise, she’ll be fine. Actually- she’ll probably be great! Research shows that homeschooled children have excellent social and emotional skills. These skills exceed those of their public school peers. The “social skills problem” that people talk about as it relates to homeschooling is a myth supported only by extreme circumstances.
This video helped me so much. My son is going into 6th and I had a minor breakdown this summer wondering if I’m failing him by not truly educating him enough
I'm struggling so much since my 9 year old is still at a point where they can't read and struggle with identifying letters and sounds. My kids are homeschooled, and I feel like I'm failing them and feel like maybe public school will be best. Thank you for this video
If you are struggling and have concerns about where your child is at academically or developmentally, please remember: it is ALWAYS OK to reach out for help from an outside resource. Depending on where you live, the public school resources may be available to you. Homeschool doesn’t mean that you can’t get help or feedback. ❤️
I loved this video! We started out with public school. However, my children were not learning, though they are considered gifted. Classes were often unsupervised, kids would sit around watching movies that i considered inappropriate, tests were graded incorrectly, etc. In third grade, they were giving out 2-4 hours of homework a night-work that should have been taught in school by the teachers. We’re we’re basically teaching our kids at home Anyway. So We’ve been homeschooling for more than three years now. We took them out for academic reasons, and I’m so glad we did. Your video was very reassuring.
This echoes my experience as a homeschooler subbing in the public schools. I would offer one potential solution for families that can’t homeschool and that would be to look into micro schools. This is still not a systemic solution though.
As a former public school teacher, i NEVER left meaningful work for the substitute to do. You did not see whatva typical day is because teachers don't trust to leave that to the random substitute. We let the subs lead class in practicing what we've already taught.
I understand what you are saying. However, having been both a short term and long term sub. I am very aware of how the classroom runs. I have been given full lesson plans and had to create them myself. I know the staff in my school trust me and value my work as meaningful. I hope you find substitutes that you can trust.
What are your thoughts on socializing? The main seed that has been planted in my head, from outside critics, is that my kids don’t have many friends. I see that as the biggest thing that public school can offer us.
There’s a difference between socializing and having friends. We socialize a lot. IMO homeschooling leads to better social skills across a wide variety of ages. On the flip side, we don’t have a huge amount of friends. It can be legit challenging to find friends. In our situation we are physically isolated and theologically isolated. Because of this we have to make intentional effort to meet friends. This leads to fewer friend options, but deeper relationships. This is not a problem for us because we are very introverted. From my experience in public school, I don’t believe sending them offers a positive solution to this challenge. It only brings in more challenges
This is something me and my son talked about. I asked my son if he has more friends in homeschool or in public school. He said I had more friends in public school. Than I asked if all of those friends were good influences.....and he said no, but now in homeschool he says many of his friends are now good influences. To me, the amount of friends does not matter as much of the quality of the friendships that are there. My son now has 4 really good friends, and he seems happy with that.
This is usually the top concern for people when they learn I homeschool my children. It is a challenge finding a regular “social” group that your kids can hangout with and develop relationships with (have close friends) depending on the community and age group… so “social” opportunities become more of a conscious and high priority task. (Finding opportunities for sports, clubs, traveling long distances regularly so they can spend time with friends they do have, etc.) Having said that… everyone that meets my boys always tell me how much they enjoy talking with them and how well they can hold conversations compared to other kids their ages. This is because they’ve had plenty of conversations with adults and various people they meet everyday. The few times that I’ve been concerned about their social skills is usually after prolonged “socialization” with their public school friends: They start picking up on immature behaviors and vocabularies that would be the norm for those aged at school. I find that public school “socialization” is actually detrimental to my kids’ social skills.
This is the first video I've ever watched of yours, as it just popped up on youtube and I was curious. Is it fair to say you have a vested interest in public school and homeschool as your 4 children are equally divided between them? Also do you have videos explaining what you mean by secular homeschooling? If I had to boil down what you're saying... when smart kids are in the system...the system wins. When "slow kids" are in the system, the system wins. When curious kids are in the system, the system wins. Public school is about conforming to the flow (or rhythm) of the system. I totally agree with that. I would also add that when good people (teachers, staff) are in a BAD system, the system wins. I spent 10 years working in a public school as a classified staff member. My 2 oldest kids weren't school age yet, but I looked around one day at all the chaos and thought...."I want none of this for my own children." In short, the vast majority of kids seemed lost, angry and indifferent. There are many other factors that went into this decision (faith, morality, solid academics etc.) However, that moment really sealed the deal for me. My children have never set foot in a public school for their education. They've had a mix of homeschool and Christian private school. While my kids aren't gifted academically, I believe they've received a much better education than our local public schools. Lastly.... to answer your question, I don't think there's any saving public schools. I think there needs to be a wrecking ball brought to them. I believe a system of tax credits to parents would finally bring some quality back to public education. Parents would have a CHOICE, new schools would arise, and those schools would have a massive incentive to want to do well. As is, the public schools have NO incentive to change. The government has been "saving" public education since the 1970's, which in hindsight only seems like staff rearranging chairs on the doomed titanic.
I wish your Titanic analogy wasn’t an accurate one, but I’m afraid it probably is. You are correct that all boils down to a system that is in it to win- for itself. I will continue to do what I can when I can to improve the system (if that’s even possible) not only because I have had children in it, but because all children deserve better. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this.
I know you are secular, but in my mind the system is like the Tower of Babel. "Too big to fail" really should be "guaranteed to fail." The system is like a millstone grinding our kids into dust, all while having huge overhead to support all the buildings, admin and regulations. For all the points that you present here, I don't see how public school could ever be superior to a loving home environment.
I don't know what state you're in where 1/4 of the children had behavior problems. Here in California, it's about 1/2 of the kids. The "something" that's wrong is THE PARENTS. That's the entire problem. At least half of all parents treat schools and teachers as surrogate parents or babysitters. It's not the teachers job to instill morals, character and good behavior. That's the PARENT'S job. But what can you expect when half of the children born were not planned and came from single parent households, from parents who are barely functioning adults themselves? Either find an extremely affluent district to put your child in, or pull them out and homeschool them. In CA, these are the only logical options given the conditions inside the schools.
The percentage of behavior problems probably has more to do with individual communities than entire states. We live in a small community. I agree that behavior intervention begins at home. However, behavior challenges are not exclusive to single parent homes or unplanned pregnancies.
The best year of my primary education was in 2nd grade when I was put in LD (Learning Disability). It was a small class where we were largely on the floor with lots of personalized education. This was the year that probably turned me into a lifelong learner.
Before we started homeschooling, I subbed in private schools. Very telling. Exactly what you said. One school lined up kids in silent lines. I bumped into one of the second grade girls as they passed by in a very narrow hallway. I said, "Oh, excuse me." The little girl whispered, "That's okay." The teacher boomed, "One demerit! No talking in line!" I was shocked! Reprimanded for showing proper etiquette! Then I went into the upper grades. I was giving a quiet assignment and allowing the kids to work. One boy started clearing his throat. I could tell there was something stuck in his throat. I motioned for him to go get a drink of water. Within 30 seconds, the principal had him by the collar and escorted him back to the classroom, saying, "No one is to leave the classroom for any reason." So I was reprimanded for showing a kindness. That place was insane!
😳Wow! That’s crazy
My son is in third grade and his second year in public school. I'm starting to see the same thing. Reprimanded for basic kindnesses or getting in trouble for other kids' misbehavior. This is not just hearsay, I have volunteered in the school and seen it firsthand.
I think the first s step to helping the system would be to stop focusing on how old a kid is and instead what level they are on. Split subjects sooner so a kid can have level one ela but level 2 math etc. Also, not making school mandatory at FIVE.
Excellent ideas!
Definitely!
Agreed! Taking a more Montessori approach would definitely be amazing.
@@GlamGoddessKe exactly
Thank you. I'm having a hard time with people not liking that I am homeschooling. Also I have been feeling like a failure that I'm not doing enough with my kids. Thank you for reminding me why I took my son out of public school a few years ago. This has changed my whole day and attitude.
That’s fabulous 💕 I hope you hold on to the positive feeling and keep on being an awesome homeschool mom
This was so good. The system is about the system and not about the kids. Feel this so much!!
Love this! We pulled our oldest half way through kindergarten - he was that child who was ahead and wiggly. He was constantly put at a table to do "writer's workshop" alone. He would come home and have 6 full stories written each day. He now gets his work done in about an hour or 2 independently, is working 4 math levels above his "age", and just completed the Lego Rollercoaster Expert level. We additionally have a 5 year old who is struggling to learn to read. He is also wiggly. He can do "learning" in short bursts and requires lots of patience and grace throughout the day. Both of our children would have been left behind in the public school system. We also have a 3 year old with a severe speech delay. She will be going to a co-op preschool in the fall. I'm not against the system - it just doesn't work. I strongly believe we cannot use our children to fix the system. They are not test subjects. I fully support our local schools, just without my kids in it. Thanks for being a voice for those wiggly littles - they're not bad kids!
Exactly! “We cannot use our children to fix the system.” Expecting children to behave differently or “better” to make the system work seems ridiculous to me and yet it’s EXACTLY what the system is currently pushing by promoting early school so that children “can learn how to go to school.” That’s an exact quote from a teacher when talking about her class of 3 and 4 year olds that attend a new Transitional Kindergarten class that the district offers.
I AM against the system BECAUSE it doesn't work and don't have time unfortunately to devote to lobbying to change it. Change that most parents wouldn't want, like healthy lunch with zero junk food, to begin with.
Thank you for the reassurance. I'm 5 weeks into homeschooling with my second grader and I'm constantly worried that I'm not teaching him enough.
Thank you for this. I have a similar story to you (teacher, then stay at home mom, and have subbed this last year) but my first child is going into kindergarten this coming year and hearing you has definitely helped further guide me that my children belong with me! God bless!
Just found you, I’m a former middle school teacher and I knew everything you said to be true prior to the shut down. I’ve heard from my former colleagues how much harder it has become since. I’d rather rip my own heart out than send my little one away from me. Everything you said is on point. Mine is still young enough I’ve been able to dodge the questions but my in laws will be a nightmare when I have to eventually spill the beans. They just don’t understand how much schools have changed.
Super, super helpful video. Love the inside look at the classroom. I have a 5th and 2nd grader and definitely want to keep them home but I am always questioning what we are doing and if it is enough. This made me cry - love your video. Thank you for make it.
Thank you. Please have confidence in yourself and your homeschool. It’s a wonderful thing 💕
I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your kind and empathetic tone, especially when you are talking about things that you disagree with (in this and several other videos I have seen). The world needs more of this kind attitude and I wanted to say thank you!
❤️ I appreciate your words
Yes! Kids needs to wiggle!! 🙌🏻👌🏼and it's totally ok - doesn't mean they have adhd or anything wrong with them! They're just KIDS!
I love this! I appreciate that this honest talk was truly critical, featuring both the good and the bad. As a homeschooler I appreciate the support of my decision but also the assurance that what I am doing is not just enough but maybe more than our public school counterparts.
These are so many of the reasons why we chose to start homeschooling last August. Our son is special needs, technically 5th grade but has a wide range of academic abilities and emotional and behavioral functioning. As much as I KNOW his entire IEP team from pre-k to 4th all had their hearts in it for my son, the system is not made for a students, it’s made to generate numbers on a report.
100%! It’s not a failure of the people working with the kids, it a failure of the system. Even the best staff members are working with their hands tied behind their backs
Everything that you are saying makes total sense .. I used to work at a school too.. I love homeschooling my kids!! Thi video really encouraged to keep on homeschooling and makes me so happy with my decision to homeschool my kids, I am super grateful that I am able to stay home with my kids and homeschool them.
Thank you so much for this. The next time someone tries to question our choice to homeschool, I am sending them this. Our child falls into the bored category you explained. Then of course, being bored, led to “behavior problems” and being sent out of the class. In second grade we had enough and pulled him out right after Covid hit. People assume that we pulled him out because of Covid. Now that things are “getting better” they are questioning why he isn’t going back. We get far more meaningful instruction done in three hours than he ever learned in an entire day at public school.
Yes! I love how much we can get done in so little time at home. It leaves room for the things that bring us joy outside of “school time” as well 💕
This is the most reaffirming video I’ve watched in a very long time. Thank you
This makes me feel so much more confident in my decision to homeschool this next year
That breaks my heart that these kids are missing their parents and have to be separated for so many hours every day, every week 💔
Same!
Thank you Melody. Your message is sincere and real and it means a lot to hear it.
What an affirming video! I was also public schooled and my 2 oldest are in a public and charter school, respectively. I homeschool my youngest after he experienced a very traumatic thing at school that only got worse after I moved him to a "better" school. The situation in 2020 showed me how much public school was failing him in ways I wasn't even aware of. The teachers at his last school before I pulled him don't seem to want to be there, there is high turnover in an already understaffed and underfunded district, and my child not only has special needs but he was already harmed by a previous public school even before the pandemic. I am still trying to undo the damage caused and it is very heartbreaking that this system for kids like mine is often the best chance they have because of their socioeconomic situation they have no control over. Public schools are important and very necessary. Homeschool for me is a response to the inadequacies in the system that should be about education but rarely ever is. Thank you for sharing your perspective, I really relate to all points you've made.
I’m so sorry you all had that experience. I wish I could believe that it was rare.
I am a homeschool mom but I plan to send my kids to public high school when it's time. This is such a debatable topic I think. A lot of people on social media would say you only work in one district, not all districts are like that. And dismiss you. But when they see an example of a poor homeschooling parent, they would say, all homeschooling is bad. Period. I am just sick of that hypocrisy. Both have merit and we are all doing the best we can with the situations we are in! I have enjoyed your perspective, thank you!
I agree. This is only one perspective and each person should definitely make whatever choice is best for them. The only thing I would like to say in contrast is that I have experience working in more than one district and as a student (although it’s been a while since I attended) I have been to many, many schools and in my experience they are all very similar. With federal guidelines such a CC their similarities have likely only increased. In comparison with other schools, I believe this particular school system is better than average and I don’t mean to disparage it, just to talk about the realities of a public school system. Two of my children attend public school and the other two will have the option to do the same as high schoolers if they want. I have not and will not allow them to attend at the elementary level.
@@HomeschoolHappyHour I value your experience and glad that you are telling it like it is while not totally disregarding schools. I often feel like my kids have missed out on elementary school, so it's so nice to hear they probably aren't!
@@HomeschoolHappyHour can you explain to me, why public elementary is a no go but public high school ok? Genuinely asking. I homeschool two boys elementary age, one who has never been to school and one who had two years and then pulled him out. We have two older kids, who are now adults and both were exposed to seeing all their friends use drugs. So I was more of the mind, that if I had to make a choice public school elementary would be better than high school. X
It depends on the individual and the situation. I would probably not consider High School, except my ex husband has fought me hard to put our girls into public school. As a part of this fight he has tried to convince our children that they must attend high school. I have told my children that if they really want to attend at that time I will support them so long as they can maintain our agreed upon parameters. If they do not want to go, we will continue homeschooling. In the elementary years we are building a foundation in our children. They are learning who they are and right vs wrong just as much as anything else. By the time they reach high school, they are becoming more independent and able to hold fast to their values. If I had concerns about this for an individual child- I would not recommend public high school.
You're awesome! I'm thinking to pull out my oldest from kindergarten and start homeschooling and this is the best video I've watched lately. You just blew away all my worries! I feel much more confident to make this decision. Thank you!
I’m so happy that this was helpful 🥰 Thank you for your kind words.
Even back in the 70s and 80s, it was a lot about "sit down and shut up." This is why I want to homeschool my son. Plus I want to introduce him to all the things I wish I had been exposed to.
Same thing now, they just say it in a nicer way 😂
Before I switched to homeschooling, one of my kids was in the 4th group you talked about. He's neurodivergent, and for the most part, his behavioral challenges were directly in response to the sensory struggles he was experiencing.
I kept trying to give the public school system a chance, but nothing good came from it. The teachers and staff were angels, but they just didn't have enough adults to help.
The only academic things my son learned were the things I taught him at home, mostly over the summer. During the school year, he'd be so overstimulated and escalated by the time he got home, he was able to learn very little when I tutored him one-on-one.
When I pulled him out and started homeschooling at the end of second grade, I basically had to start at the beginning (kindergarten level). I know his learning style, and at home he's able to constantly move and stim, take frequent breaks, and dive into his interests. He's extremely bright. He's gifted in some categories. It's sad that public school held him back for so long.
Good for him that you were able to recognize what he needs and provide that for him. So many kids don’t have this 😔
I have a son with the same challenges. Pulled him out in fifth grade, so kudos to u for doing it early on. Anyway, I have no regret that we home educated. Much better for him. Btw, he started taking college classes at 14 and he graduated college Summa Cum Laude. .
Well-said. As a former public school teacher turned homeschool mom I understand what you’re saying.
I’ll never forget my last year. 15 standardized tests (between fall, spring, and pilot testing) and I’ll never understand why parents didn’t fight back then. Do they understand how much time gets put into prepping for those tests, let alone the days of testing itself? And for what? Every time a politician comes into office a new educational “reform” is pushed and it always equals more testing and higher stakes. So many reasons I left, but the testing is one of the reasons I stay out.
As a parent, I am often baffled by the number of parents that have no idea what is going on in the classroom 😕
Because we don't know and if the teachers and school is giving the tests it must be needed, so we don't question it. If you were teacher you would have noticed that.
Exactly why we homeschool. It is an option for us so we do. I have no doubt my child would make it ok in public school but she doesn’t have too. I do want a school in my community and I happily pay my taxes so those who need to be in school can be.
Yes. Just because kids can make it through, doesn’t mean it is without flaws. I’m happy to homeschool and I want to encourage people to be confident in that choice if they want to make it, but I still support public education.
I can't believe I waiting so long to watch this video. I really could not have said any of this better myself! 🥰
Thank you for watching ☺️
Three things. It’s the end of your day, how does your hair look so good??? Very jealous right now. Second thing. How is your car so clean??? Seriously! Wow!
Third, wow, you made me tear up. Thinking of my little girls, how often they get tired or feel sad and just need a hug, and me not being there for those truly special moments when they come up just to get a hug and tell me they love me. All those moments missed, and thinking of them sitting there alone, oh it’s so heart breaking. Thank you for sharing your experience and for making this video. It was wonderful, even if your car is lacking banana peels and half eaten apples. 😂🥰
1. Thank you! It was just a lucky hair day. 2. Lol. My kids are older and I make them clean up after themselves in the car because I’m kind of a neat freak 🤫 3. I agree, it is heartbreaking 💔 Sometimes I don’t understand how it’s so accepted in our society to separate children from their parents at such a young age, as the standard.
@@HomeschoolHappyHour So I’m having a hard day. I’m tired. One kid is sick. It’s only Wednesday and I’ve already just had enough. I’m behind in work, my daughter didn’t get her assignments completed yesterday. Right now the six year old is teaching the four year old violin. By the way the six year old is on her second week of lessons. So it’s a lot.
I came back to this video to watch it again, take some deep breaths, cry a bit, so I can get through the rest of this day. And my suggestion for you is to make these on a regular basis, seriously, homeschool inspirational videos, this is a niche that truly needs filled. Because in the world of homeschooling, as you mentioned, nearly everything coming at you from the universe is negative. Strangers in the store, family members, friends, never are their comments positive, never does someone stop you in the store and say “you’ve made a great choice!” Literally never happens. We’re always on the defensive, always worried about everything. So anyways, make more of these videos, your kind words and inspiration help just so much. Thank you 🥰
@@Gojuninja I’m so sorry you had a bad day. They do happen sometimes 💕 Thank you for the idea! I haven’t made any new videos for a few weeks because… life. Lol. But I will definitely see what I can put together along those lines when I get back on track
@@HomeschoolHappyHour You are amazing 🥰
I'm looking at homeschooling my 5 year old son in kindergarten this year to help keep him from experiencing some of the issues you've talked about. He is very smart, but he has issues sitting still for too long and also can have outbursts of defiance which will hinder any learning in public school, not only for him but for the other students as well.
The good news is that if you homeschool, he can learn and move his body as much as he needs 💕
His outbursts would disrupt the education of all other kids. He bongs at home with you.
My suggestion for fixing the school system is complete school choice. Each kid is given a education allowance each year and the money follows the kid. This would encourage more private schools to emerge that have certain specialties (my son currently goes to a private school that is focused on kids with autism and it is perfect for him) and parents could choose a school and method that works best for their kid.
I really needed to hear this today! Thank you for making this video. ❤️
Thank you for watching 💕
I’m glad i watched your video and thank you for sharing with us. My 5 years old daughter just became Kinder student this fall and the first 3 weeks she came back and told me she cried at school because she misses me. I thought that was weird and her friend and teacher also told me that she cried in the classroom and at the park. After I watched your video I realized that she just tired of being school for that long and she’ve already knew everything she is leaning now and she may feel bored in class but she is still trying to repeat everyday with things that she knew. I do parent helping every Tuesday and I know what you are talking about the leaning progress is slow because teacher has to cover every students not just one. I’m thinking just to have her go to K in public school for fun and will pull her back to homeschool because I want her to be advanced follow as how fast her learning skills is and we can learn much more other stuff while the time she uses all day just to learn couple stuff at school. I hope you get my meaning. But, my only concern is I have only her and will that affect her social skills? She is a funny girl and we also have Gym class, online class and piano class going on as for now besides her school.
If you put effort into isolating her and avoid interacting with people outside of your home you will have a problem and her social skills will suffer. Otherwise, she’ll be fine. Actually- she’ll probably be great! Research shows that homeschooled children have excellent social and emotional skills. These skills exceed those of their public school peers. The “social skills problem” that people talk about as it relates to homeschooling is a myth supported only by extreme circumstances.
@@HomeschoolHappyHour thank you soooo much for your help. Your response gives me hope and confidence to homeschool my child. I truly appreciate!!!!
I really enjoyed this. Very reaffirming, thank you.
Thank you for this reminder of why we choose this life
We all need a reminder sometimes 💕
This video helped me so much. My son is going into 6th and I had a minor breakdown this summer wondering if I’m failing him by not truly educating him enough
You are NOT failing him my educating at home! Stay strong and believe in yourself.
I'm struggling so much since my 9 year old is still at a point where they can't read and struggle with identifying letters and sounds. My kids are homeschooled, and I feel like I'm failing them and feel like maybe public school will be best. Thank you for this video
If you are struggling and have concerns about where your child is at academically or developmentally, please remember: it is ALWAYS OK to reach out for help from an outside resource. Depending on where you live, the public school resources may be available to you. Homeschool doesn’t mean that you can’t get help or feedback. ❤️
😭😭definitely encouraged!!🎉🎉🎉🎉
That makes me so happy! 🥰
Thank you. You are very insightful!
I loved this video! We started out with public school. However, my children were not learning, though they are considered gifted. Classes were often unsupervised, kids would sit around watching movies that i considered inappropriate, tests were graded incorrectly, etc. In third grade, they were giving out 2-4 hours of homework a night-work that should have been taught in school by the teachers. We’re we’re basically teaching our kids at home
Anyway. So We’ve been homeschooling for more than three years now. We took them out for academic reasons, and I’m so glad we did. Your video was very reassuring.
❤ this was an awesome video. Thanks so much
This echoes my experience as a homeschooler subbing in the public schools. I would offer one potential solution for families that can’t homeschool and that would be to look into micro schools. This is still not a systemic solution though.
Love this ❤️ thanks for sharing 😊
Thank you so much for this. ❤️
You’re welcome 💕
As a former public school teacher, i NEVER left meaningful work for the substitute to do. You did not see whatva typical day is because teachers don't trust to leave that to the random substitute. We let the subs lead class in practicing what we've already taught.
I understand what you are saying. However, having been both a short term and long term sub. I am very aware of how the classroom runs. I have been given full lesson plans and had to create them myself. I know the staff in my school trust me and value my work as meaningful. I hope you find substitutes that you can trust.
What are your thoughts on socializing? The main seed that has been planted in my head, from outside critics, is that my kids don’t have many friends. I see that as the biggest thing that public school can offer us.
There’s a difference between socializing and having friends. We socialize a lot. IMO homeschooling leads to better social skills across a wide variety of ages. On the flip side, we don’t have a huge amount of friends. It can be legit challenging to find friends. In our situation we are physically isolated and theologically isolated. Because of this we have to make intentional effort to meet friends. This leads to fewer friend options, but deeper relationships. This is not a problem for us because we are very introverted. From my experience in public school, I don’t believe sending them offers a positive solution to this challenge. It only brings in more challenges
@@HomeschoolHappyHour Thank you for this. Your prospective has help ease my anxiety.
This is something me and my son talked about. I asked my son if he has more friends in homeschool or in public school. He said I had more friends in public school. Than I asked if all of those friends were good influences.....and he said no, but now in homeschool he says many of his friends are now good influences. To me, the amount of friends does not matter as much of the quality of the friendships that are there. My son now has 4 really good friends, and he seems happy with that.
@@thelizfamilyvlogs6187 quality over quantity!!❤️
This is usually the top concern for people when they learn I homeschool my children. It is a challenge finding a regular “social” group that your kids can hangout with and develop relationships with (have close friends) depending on the community and age group… so “social” opportunities become more of a conscious and high priority task. (Finding opportunities for sports, clubs, traveling long distances regularly so they can spend time with friends they do have, etc.) Having said that… everyone that meets my boys always tell me how much they enjoy talking with them and how well they can hold conversations compared to other kids their ages. This is because they’ve had plenty of conversations with adults and various people they meet everyday. The few times that I’ve been concerned about their social skills is usually after prolonged “socialization” with their public school friends: They start picking up on immature behaviors and vocabularies that would be the norm for those aged at school. I find that public school “socialization” is actually detrimental to my kids’ social skills.
Love you video that is my fright with public schools
Thank you. No need to fear, that’s why homeschooling is here😂 Sorry corny joke, couldn’t help myself
This is the first video I've ever watched of yours, as it just popped up on youtube and I was curious.
Is it fair to say you have a vested interest in public school and homeschool as your 4 children are equally divided between them?
Also do you have videos explaining what you mean by secular homeschooling?
If I had to boil down what you're saying... when smart kids are in the system...the system wins. When "slow kids" are in the system, the system wins. When curious kids are in the system, the system wins. Public school is about conforming to the flow (or rhythm) of the system. I totally agree with that. I would also add that when good people (teachers, staff) are in a BAD system, the system wins.
I spent 10 years working in a public school as a classified staff member. My 2 oldest kids weren't school age yet, but I looked around one day at all the chaos and thought...."I want none of this for my own children." In short, the vast majority of kids seemed lost, angry and indifferent. There are many other factors that went into this decision (faith, morality, solid academics etc.) However, that moment really sealed the deal for me. My children have never set foot in a public school for their education. They've had a mix of homeschool and Christian private school. While my kids aren't gifted academically, I believe they've received a much better education than our local public schools.
Lastly.... to answer your question, I don't think there's any saving public schools. I think there needs to be a wrecking ball brought to them. I believe a system of tax credits to parents would finally bring some quality back to public education. Parents would have a CHOICE, new schools would arise, and those schools would have a massive incentive to want to do well. As is, the public schools have NO incentive to change. The government has been "saving" public education since the 1970's, which in hindsight only seems like staff rearranging chairs on the doomed titanic.
I wish your Titanic analogy wasn’t an accurate one, but I’m afraid it probably is. You are correct that all boils down to a system that is in it to win- for itself. I will continue to do what I can when I can to improve the system (if that’s even possible) not only because I have had children in it, but because all children deserve better. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this.
So good!
Thank you
loved your videos! are you on audea? most of my audio is consumed there and would appreciate the audio version of your content on that platform
Thank you. I’ve never heard of Audrea 🤔
Eloquently put!
Thank you
❤️
I know you are secular, but in my mind the system is like the Tower of Babel. "Too big to fail" really should be "guaranteed to fail." The system is like a millstone grinding our kids into dust, all while having huge overhead to support all the buildings, admin and regulations. For all the points that you present here, I don't see how public school could ever be superior to a loving home environment.
Agreed!
I don't know what state you're in where 1/4 of the children had behavior problems. Here in California, it's about 1/2 of the kids. The "something" that's wrong is THE PARENTS. That's the entire problem. At least half of all parents treat schools and teachers as surrogate parents or babysitters. It's not the teachers job to instill morals, character and good behavior. That's the PARENT'S job. But what can you expect when half of the children born were not planned and came from single parent households, from parents who are barely functioning adults themselves?
Either find an extremely affluent district to put your child in, or pull them out and homeschool them. In CA, these are the only logical options given the conditions inside the schools.
The percentage of behavior problems probably has more to do with individual communities than entire states. We live in a small community. I agree that behavior intervention begins at home. However, behavior challenges are not exclusive to single parent homes or unplanned pregnancies.
ND and bored. That's the the wiggle kid. Needs definitely not being met...