Is there another homeschooling open forum...?

Question

..where every time you post a question, you don't get jumped all over by people who don't have any idea what they're talking about? I'm so tired of the "don't do it" thing. We do it, and it's working famously for our family. The "socialization" issue is constantly dredged up, as well. If these people had any experience at all, they'd know that's not an issue.

Answer 1

How funny...I feel exactly the opposite because every time I have come on this forum I get knifed in the back, figuratively speaking. I find the lack of tolerance on this forum to be truly horrific and bodes ill for the kids who are being homeschooled and I only hope the parents who vilify those who speak out against HS or even disagree with aspects of it, don't teach their children the same hate and intolerance.

EDIT: Your response illustrates perfectly my statements and underscores everything I have experienced in this forum. No surprises there; I say again, I hope you don't pass your intolerance and judgments on to your children, hopefully they will grow up to be tolerant and appreciative of ALL POVs, not only those they agree with...and have open minds.

I did have a private tutor for a couple of years, yes. Am I allowed to particpate now?

And, since this is a PUBLIC site and open to everyone, I am allowed to come here and state my opinion whenever I wish to, and I have a LOT of experience both raising and teaching kids so you can dismount from that high horse of yours before you get a nosebleed. Your children have my sympathy.

EDIT: Curly, I would look to my own house before you make comments about other people, this is obviously your forum, you and your friends own it and wreak havoc on anyone who disagrees with you or even has the temerity to ask a question which is one of the dangers inherent in homeschooling...closed minds. Your turf, your rights, your everything. So I wish all of you happy lives, less intolerance and far more acceptance and kindness in your futures.

Answer 2

Actually, North, for some home schooled kids, socialization IS an issue, because some parents don't understand the need for it.  However, that's not all.

As for homeschooling forums - as a parenting program teacher, we used these for teen mothers on bed rest, in recovery the weeks after, etc.

http://www.homeschool.com/

http://www.home-school.com/  two different sites, both with forums.

this used to have a forum, but i didn't find it at quick glance - http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/

That's all I can remember off the top of my head, but there used to be a great elementary one as well.

Answer 3

Here is some info on homeschool forums you may want to take a look at:

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

There are many open, friendly homeschooling groups.  Yahoo! Groups has lots of them,   I think I'm in about 5.  Some are specific to your area, others are specific to your style of learning or the curriculum you use or don't use (unschooling).  Check them out.  I have learned so much from other positive homeschooling families.  YA! is definately not the place.

Answer 5

I agree with Melissa, yahoo groups are great if you want to bounce ideas off other homeschoolers.  

I think an open forum is all about geting jumped all over.  It's about people being able to express their opinions, rudely, inaccurately, irrationally or not.  

Obviously there is a lot of prejudice against homeschoolers.  I think it really rubs some people the wrong way.  I don't know if they are envious or are just want everyone to stay on the main path.  It does get rather old.  

Mystery, you may want to be careful in that glass house of yours ;)

EDIT:  Thanks North, I try.  

Mystery, I didn't realize I was throwing stones, I'll keep an eye out, because that's not what I want to be.  I didn't realize I owned this forum.  Wow!  That is an interesting theory.

Answer 6

I too am a member of several Yahoo support groups for homeschool.   I am a member of 5 groups that are local for our state, county and surrounding  counties.   It is great to be able to get support and informative answers to questions.

I am sorry that there is such a rift between "us and them" here on Y!A.    

There are some people that will never be educated because they believe that the only place that it can be done is in the public school.   Since they have graduated at age 18 they are no longer able to learn and can no longer make friends because they are in a work force where only a few are within 10 years of their own age.   It is sad.

I went to public school but I have learned more since age 18 then I ever learned in school.  I also have learned to be more social because I was always afraid to talk while in school.  The teachers usually got upset about the class having conversations during work time.

I now work in the public school.    I see students for 180 days of the year.   I don't know many who are really prepared for life.  They are as clueless as I was several years ago when I graduated.

I homeschool my son.   He has learned more in the 3 years of homeschool than he ever did in his 7 years of public school.  This includes socialization.

So, I don't understand the problem with anti-homeschoolers who are very closed minded and just plain mean.   They need to read, study and learn.

Even the government knows that the public school system needs major improvement.   Listen to your local candidates as they discuss the issues.  One of the main issues in our state is school reform.    I guess the candidates need to come to Y!A to understand the view point of the people who answer questions here.   It will be  a relief for them to realize that public school is perfect , wonderful, and peachy-keen.

Answer 7

You should join a yahoo group, rather than an open forum, if you don't want to get jumped. I'm on several, and it is nice to be able to talk about homeschooling without someone telling you how bad it is.

Answer 8

Totally agree about finding a Yahoo group. Sadly they're all mixed in under Schools & Education>Other where there are over 45,000 groups so they're not easy to find.

Post a more specific question including your country or state and style of HS and I'm sure you'll get some great suggestions.

Answer 9

I found one called The Denim Jumper. Funny stuff.

EDIT: Mystery, two things:

1. For one who is fond of spewing the worst sort of misguided bile, you are easily horrified. I think my lady doth protest too much. In fact, I think you are amused and entertained, turtledove. I doubt you've ever had a moment of horror on this board. Especially considering how very vanilla this forum is considering R&S and other YA boards. I also hope the repulsive attitude, and abusive language you use here does not bleed over into your real life. I don’t worry for your children though. I assume one such as yourself eats her young.

2. If I had a knife for you, I would never dream of aiming for your back. Nor can correcting mistakes or verbal disagreement be considered a personal attack so grievous as to be called being "stabbed". The term "stabbed in the back" indicates a betrayal of confidence. You've misused it here in an attempt to over dramatize this situation. Thanks. I needed a laugh.

EDIT: Pin, socialization is an issue for some public schoolers too. What’s your point?

Answer 10

I have to add my agreement to finding a Yahoo Group. Fantastic place to be able to openly chat about homeschooling and actually have people respond with knowledge and understanding to your question rather than going off on something you didn't even ask about. Remember that those who respond who are loudest at accusing people of things are often the ones who are the guiltiest of the same "crimes".

Answer 11

There are a lot of Yahoo Groups set up for homeschoolers, and they can be great.  This is a really great one, although they do have a tendency to get Off topic quite a bit.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Support4Ho...

And here are a few more (these ones do a better job of staying on topic):

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CreativeLe...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HSTreasure...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Notebookin...

As for open forums, any forum that is completely open will likely attract some trolls, these groups are typically for members, and your membership can be revoked if you constantly cause trouble, that keeps out the trolls.