Comments on: Riffs: 12:12:06: Challies on Why He Doesn’t Homeschool http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/riffs-121206-challies-on-why-he-doesnt-homeschool ...dispatches from the post-evangelical wilderness Sun, 12 Feb 2012 09:14:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Debra http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/riffs-121206-challies-on-why-he-doesnt-homeschool/comment-page-1#comment-8769 Debra Thu, 14 Dec 2006 14:17:37 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/riffs-121206-challies-on-why-he-doesnt-homeschool#comment-8769 I have a problem anytime I read these types of posts and it’s not because I am teaching my kids at home. I have the same reaction when I read articles in many homeschooling magazines written by parents describing why they have chosen to homeschool in such and such a way. Instead of simply presenting what they do and the specific benefits they have found for their particular family there is often the undertone and implication that either everyone should be doing what they are doing or at least, if they were smart, caring, or truly righteous they would. Now, I understand that it is virtually impossible to avoid some implied criticism of other options when one is defending one’s reason for making one choice over another. However, if we truly believe that there are different paths to which Believers can be called without one being right and the other wrong, then we need to present our thoughts and opinions in a way that confirms that we truly believe this. In other words, just saying “I don’t think there is only one right way to do this...” then going on to discuss why we think others have made different choices and the problems we see with their choices (and attitudes and beliefs), to me, appears contradictory and, unintentionally dishonest. Why not simply state what we have chosen to do, the factors that we have prayerfully considered: family situation, financial limitations, private school options, safety, academic opportunities, personal educational and childrearing philosophies, etc….and leave it at that. Why do these types of articles, posts and comments inevitably have to lead into discussions about which is the more ‘godly’ option? Whether its homeschoolers claiming that they are avoiding worldliness or public schoolers claiming to be more missional—they all comes across as “You can do what you want, but I’m the ‘stronger’ brother, and here’s why..." I have a problem anytime I read these types of posts and it’s not because I am teaching my kids at home. I have the same reaction when I read articles in many homeschooling magazines written by parents describing why they have chosen to homeschool in such and such a way. Instead of simply presenting what they do and the specific benefits they have found for their particular family there is often the undertone and implication that either everyone should be doing what they are doing or at least, if they were smart, caring, or truly righteous they would.

Now, I understand that it is virtually impossible to avoid some implied criticism of other options when one is defending one’s reason for making one choice over another. However, if we truly believe that there are different paths to which Believers can be called without one being right and the other wrong, then we need to present our thoughts and opinions in a way that confirms that we truly believe this. In other words, just saying “I don’t think there is only one right way to do this…” then going on to discuss why we think others have made different choices and the problems we see with their choices (and attitudes and beliefs), to me, appears contradictory and, unintentionally dishonest. Why not simply state what we have chosen to do, the factors that we have prayerfully considered: family situation, financial limitations, private school options, safety, academic opportunities, personal educational and childrearing philosophies, etc….and leave it at that. Why do these types of articles, posts and comments inevitably have to lead into discussions about which is the more ‘godly’ option? Whether its homeschoolers claiming that they are avoiding worldliness or public schoolers claiming to be more missional—they all comes across as “You can do what you want, but I’m the ‘stronger’ brother, and here’s why…”

]]> By: Heather http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/riffs-121206-challies-on-why-he-doesnt-homeschool/comment-page-1#comment-8725 Heather Wed, 13 Dec 2006 16:28:20 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/riffs-121206-challies-on-why-he-doesnt-homeschool#comment-8725 My husband and I don't even have kids yet, aren't even thinking about having kids yet, and this has been an ongoing discussion. With public schools, we would have the advantage of teaching our kids to be incarnational in their everyday life. But I struggle with the education of public schools, not because it's secular, but because the standards have deteriorated. There's a great International private school near us, but let's be honest, who can afford it? Oy vey. The stress. My husband and I don’t even have kids yet, aren’t even thinking about having kids yet, and this has been an ongoing discussion. With public schools, we would have the advantage of teaching our kids to be incarnational in their everyday life. But I struggle with the education of public schools, not because it’s secular, but because the standards have deteriorated. There’s a great International private school near us, but let’s be honest, who can afford it?
Oy vey.
The stress.

]]>