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Thursday, May 21, 2009

Why home-schooling is not for me...

Don't get me wrong - I think home-schooling is a super idea.  I really do.  I have nothing but respect for those moms who put SO much effort into ensuring that their children get an individualized education.  I wish I could do it...  every once in awhile I think I'm going to do it... and then Sunday rolls around.

My daughter "H" is in my Primary class...  I've managed to teach almost all of my children in various church classes/scouts/preschool at one point or another and I have to wonder WHY ON EARTH other people tell me that my kids are such a joy in their classes.

are they all lying to me?  Are they delusional?  Do they find Joy in being told "No" every time they're asked to participate and find Joy in being told "we already know this, this is boring"

I actually threatened last week to send her to her father.  I use that threat a lot with a few other little angels in my class, but this is the first time I had to use it on one of my OWN...  

I've got ManOfTheHouse on board this week - there will be a "secret" agreement between H and M.O.T.H. - to see if a little bribe/reward will be of use in getting her to sit in her seat without installing magnets in the back of her skirt.  Maybe we'll even get her to agree to saying a prayer?  

Really - I'm glad that my kids are well-behaved for other people...  I'm thrilled that they don't pull this "attitude" on everyone they come in contact with - I just wish I knew WHY they don't save just an ounce of their good behavior for their own parents????

Is this typical?  Do you home-schooling Moms have this same problem?  Are your children just naturally perfect or have you just disciplined it out of them?  I know - the answer is that you're just infinitely more patient than I am...

I'm afraid I used up a lot of my patience teaching preschool and kindergarten for all those years - maybe there just isn't enough left for my own kids?  

I've set some in reserve for the teenage years - don't worry!

12 comments:

Kristina P. said...

I work with at-risk youth, and we see this a lot. They are well behaved here and for us, but they are HORRIBLE to their parents.

Anonymous said...

WHEW!!! i can' only imagine..... i have the utmost respect for HomeSchoolers!!

Anjeny said...

Oh T...I so can relate. When I had my first child, I told my hubby that I would home-school her when she become of age...well, since she was constantly out-smarting me on my disciplining skill and when the potty training came in effect, my plan on home-schooling dried up fast!!

Then I started teaching her and her sister piano lesson, OMG, I've never had two bunch of little devils tried my patience as those two sweet daughters of mine...lol.

Yeah, people used to tell me it was a treat in their class that I was sure they were talking about other kids because my kids are absolute rascals when I try to be all educational on them..lol. You're not alone on this one sista..I'm with ya...home-schooling is definitely not for me, too.

val of the south said...

I homeschooled for a few years.

It was constant fighting with my daughter and I had no patience whatsoever with her. She and I get along SO much better now that she's in school! My boys were no prob though.

Do you think the kids that are horrible out in public - are good at home?

Pam said...

This post hits so close to home for me. In fact I just had a "conversation" with the 7 year old this morning on the importance of at least looking at me when I am talking to her, and to give me the same respect she gives her teacher at school. And then I said ( because the girls are always saying "lets pretend") "Well maybe I should pretend to be a teacher and then I could get some respect. Way to be an adult right?
If I home schooled my children and myself would definitely need some intense therapy.

Cranberryfries said...

My daughter is different for me than for other adults. I think it's harder for her to have an attitude (which luckily only comes out now and then with me) around others. It's good for us to have a little space sometimes.

TisforTonya said...

KP - does this mean my kids are "at-risk"... I mean, yeah, they're at risk of spending some time in their room...

so glad it isn't me - thanks for the "I've been theres" - I needed those

Val brings up a good point - the public hellions MUST be angels at home, because it seems that whenever the school calls them their parents are SHOCKED that their child would do such a thing... (or maybe their parents are horrid liars?)

Barbaloot said...

I could never home school! I don't know enough about all kids have to learn...much better to make them learn it at school:)

Chelsi said...

I think those public hellions are just that way because they're parents are deluded into thinking that their kids are angels. And, "they're just being kids," right? My kids are just like yours--great for everyone else, rotten to me. I did want to raise kids that others would like to be around, so I guess I'm succeeding there.

Megz said...

I believe the theory that your own kids know you love them no matter how rotten they are so they get to test that whenever they can.
I like the idea of the magnets in the dress though. Another great business idea!

Nutty Hamster Chick said...

Good idea to keep some in reserve. You'll need it.

mariann and Tory said...

My kids are super angelic to their teachers at church...but for me they don't use that same boundry. Drives me crazy when they ask to have me sub for their class! Thank goodness I have been in other callings so I don't have to!! Haha