Want to homeschool but have a question.?

Question

Right now, we have a 2yr. old and one on the way. We want to homeschool when he's old enough. However, we have been considering putting him into like a mother's morning out program once a week for like 4 hrs. Should we put him in this or does it defeat the whole purpose of homeschooling. I.e., being around kids who might teach him bad habits, etc..

Answer 1

The idea of homeschooling isn't that you obsessively monitor the company your kid keeps and filter out any 'negative influences.' The idea is that you give your kids a strong grounding at home so they're better equipped to deal with the world.

I know a family of very devout Mormons. They keep the Sabbath, follow all the rules, and have given everyone I know a Book of Mormon. All four kids go to religion class at about 7 every morning. And you know who they mix with? Atheists, Jews, agnostics, mainstream Christians, Buddhists, and a few pagans. They're all happy and perfectly well-socialized.

Homeschooling is really a terrible name; my parents are actually kind of annoyed at me right now because they think I don't spend enough time at home.

Answer 2

The most valuable thing for a mother is time away from a family she loves.

This is especially important for homeschool parents. By all means send him. You will have a little time for yourself and he will enjoy a different environment.

Any bad behaviour can be corrected by you. Even if he only socialised with other homeschool kids he would STÄ°LL learn bad habits.

Answer 3

I have home schooled 3 children for a few years now, and anyone - no offense- who thinks about someone else taking care of the children for even one moment, must have a reason why they feel the need to do so.

I can only speak for myself, I don't ever "get away" from my children.  I have days when I'd love to do so.

All I'm saying is, if the thought is there to "get away from" one for a while seems necessary, you may not have all the gas you need to finish this trip.

Answer 4

my opinion:  don't do it!  

there's nothing positive for him to gain; if you need the free time yourself, it'd be better to leave him in the care of a family member.

Answer 5

I'm happy to read all these great answers!  You have to teach your children right and wrong and give them opportunities to practice making the right choices.  That's what will make them strong people.  You don't want to raise impressionable children.  Let them grow.  That means interacting with other children.  They will be exposed to 'bad habits' but parenting is you correcting them and explaining right from wrong.

Answer 6

It would depend on what you feel the purpose of homeschooling is. All kids need to socialize, and homeschooling does let you help your kids find a more healthy environment to do this in, but is that your sole reason for wanting to homeschool?

For us, it was the academic benefits. We wanted to homeschool because I was not being challenged enough in public school and was held back from reaching my potential. Homeschooling also gave me the opportunity to lead a more active and well rounded social life because I wasn't spending six hours in school, two hours in transit, and at least four hours on homework every night.

You don't want your child to learn bad habits from poorly socialized kids, but you do want him to become WELL socialized. Keeping him away from kids entirely is not the answer, and you'll probably find that many homeschoolers (I dare say MOST) do NOT do this with their children. It isn't a lack of interaction that makes homeschoolers as mature, well mannered, and well adjusted as they tend to be, but rather it is the ability to socialize in an environment more healthy than age-segregated herds of lemmings overcrouded in their pens and told to sit still, listen, and regurgitate to the point of being so bored and frustrated it leads to acting out and causing trouble... or until they're so convinced they have to be normal and fit the standard that they strive to be clones of one another and reject anyone who doesn't fit in.

I personally believe that clubs, activities, play groups, organizations, and outings outside the public school classroom are much better places to learn to socialize like friendly, mature, confident, polite, and well-rounded individuals.

To answer your question, no, I don't think this defeats the purpose of homeschooling. It's basically daycare, right? And it's not every day f the week for six to eight hours a day like school is. It probably also isn't as age segregated or overcrouded as public schools are, and I imagine the most he'll do there is play and get to know a few good friends...some whose parents might even be considering homeschooling them when they're older. And at such a young age it is very likely that these children haven't learned too many bad habits yet. You probably wont find many 2-year old bullies, druggies, cheaters, molesters, racists, class disrupters, etc. I would give it a try and if for whatever reason it doesn't work out, take him out of it and see about maybe looking at a new daycare program, or none at all. If he has friends, maybe have play dates where one parent watches your kid one day and you watch theirs another.

Good luck!

Answer 7

If it is only once a week for four hours than you should be fine. Of course he will pick somethings up, but it won't get nearly as grained into him as it would if he went to school for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. I believe he will enjoy it because it gives him an opportunity to be with kids his own age (which all kids love.) It will also give you a little break time to get things done that is usually more hard to get done with him tagging along everywhere.

Of course if you find that this particular program is not working for you, then pull him out. But I do recommend to put him in something else that might be a better environment then the MMO. I remember as a little 5 year old homeschooled child absolutely loving my ice skating lessons that I had once or twice a week. Of course in that time I didn't get to socialize with other kids that much, but I just enjoyed being out and about, having a new teacher, and doing something that I thought was really special.

Basically what I am saying is, whatever you do make sure that you child gets sometime with new surroundings, new people to meet, new kids to play with. The most vivid memories of my early child hood are the memories I have of being with other kids. Because I have been homeschooled all my life I find that just love to be with people.

But you don't want your child to be in the wrong kind of environment for too long. I don't know anything about MMO's so I don't know what it is like. The best situation is if you child spends time with kids his age who are other homeschoolers, goes to the same church, etc. This way he still learns to socialize, but does not get as bad the influence.

Answer 8

Well, in our family the purpose isn't to isolate from poor influences, but to raise a child who can think for himself.

However, I'm not a big proponent of MDO's, I think kids should be with parents. But again, a lot depends on the family. What are you hoping to get out of the MDO? is it time for you? Do you really need it? Or are you doing it because someone says that your child belongs there? I find that MDO's tend to cause disconnect with younger kids because they are dropped off there.

Answer 9

i think u should stick to the home schooling because ur children could start swearing, getting bullied or they become a bully and picking up bad habits.

hope this helped good luck.

Answer 10

Once a week for 4 hours - sounds like a great break for both of you!  The only downside I can possibly see to this is illness - often when you have lots of kids all together it turns into a germ factory. Obviously you would notice this and can make a choice at that point.  

I love my kids bunches, but I need to "get away" from them on occasion as well. Nothing wrong with that!!

Answer 11

My daughter has been homeschooling her 5 children since the beginning. The oldest is 12, youngest 3 next week. Boy, boy, boy, girl, girl. Anyway, I have always been a big part of their lives, and from what I have learned is that it is ok to have shopping time, or lunch time alone. But, I don't think at 2 it is a good idea. they are exposed to illnesses, kids that may hit them, and other things, unnecessarily. If you have a friend, or a trusted relative to leave him with for your time out, that would be so much better. A 2 year old really does not need to be with other children too much yet. He is still pretty much (almost) a baby, and still bonding. He needs you mostly. So, if there is no alternative, then I guess you would be ok putting him in a couple times a month. My daughter has joined a Homeschool Group and they meet every once in a while. The older ones play ball, and they just have fun. The little ones stay by the Moms and play toddler stuff. It works for them. Look into a group. And good luck! I am so grateful my daughter has chosen to homeschool. They are well adjusted, smart, very articulate and love to learn!!

Answer 12

you can try it and see how he does. My guess is that you would be amazed at the c**p he will pick up while away those 4 hours - even just once a week. Why not spend the money to get a Mother's helper for one afternoon a week instead? Have her take him to the park, the zoo etc and you can do whatever you need or want for that time.