I am watching how other people homeschool. I am noticing that while moms mostly say they try to pay attention to who their kids are and what their individual needs are, I think each family has their own homeschool style. And I think homeschooler parents can be divided into five groups according to their core focus:
1. Religious
The parents are fervently religious and homeschool centers around imbuing the kids with this feeling. These families usually spend a lot of time in their church community. They want their kids to grow up and "do the right thing" and there are clear ideas of what that is.
2. Academic
The parents are fanatical about their kids getting into a good college and being respected for their academic achievements. These parents are usually convinced their kids are smarter than average. These families homeschool because there's not a "good enough" school where they live, and their focus is on curriculum.
3. Dilettante
This is usually a mom who never focused on one thing. She likes doing lots of different things all the time. She assumes her kids will like this too. They try everything. They don't really have a schedule. The mom is primarily relieved that she does not have to adhere to the rigidity of a school schedule
4. Activist
The parents have made the focal point of their adult lives being running counterculture to almost everything. It feels natural to do this with raising their kids as well. This family has structure or does not have structure — either way the important thing is to them is that they are not adhering to other peoples' rules.
5. Blue-ribbon winner
These parents focus on expertise. Usually the mom is an expert in something—a remarkably high achiever in something and cannot imagine her kids not wanting the same thing for themselves. There is a persistent search for what each kid both love and have talent for, and then an intense focus on developing expertise in this arena.
I am the last one. I wonder, which one are you? And, did I miss any categories?
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I started out as an Academic and have become more of a Diitant (do you not mean Dilettante?) over the past couple of years as I've learned to stop worrying that I am ruining my kid's chance for a decent future. I would add Protector; can overlap with Religious and would include people who don't want their kids exposed to mainstream culture and/or people who homeschool kids with a high chance of having to deal with social rejection at school.
Posted by Karen on January 3, 2012 at 6:29 pm | permalink |
I'm a combination of 3,4, and 5: Dilettante, Activist, and blue-ribbon winner.
My daughter is the dilettante, and my son is the blue-ribbon winner.
I'm not sure about the word activist, because it connotates politics. I'm not sure what word would be better for "thinks things through and makes decisions based on logic and family needs rather than doing what society says to do."
Posted by Gwen on January 3, 2012 at 7:04 pm | permalink |
I am none of these. I don't even sort of fit into any of them and neither do my kids.
I can't categorize us. Maybe Laissez faire?
My husband is the closest and could be a dilettante.
I'm not a protector either. My husband and I decided to homeschool because we both disliked school, but for different reasons. He, because he was bored and too smart for public schooling. Me, because I was an outcast and hated feeling alone and friendless. To outsiders we might seem more on the activist side, but we don't purposely try to be different. Many of our choices are becoming more mainstream anyway.
I would never put my son (11) into school at this point because he has a single focus on music and would not be able to pursue that in school. He's not blue ribbon though because he just does what he loves. There is no talk of expertise or being pushed to improve.
My girls are really too young for me to even try to figure out yet.
Posted by Sarah on January 3, 2012 at 7:51 pm | permalink |
I'm in agreement with the Laissez-faire type – I didn't start homeschooling till an opportunity came up for my daughter (16) to spend time in Greece – she was responsible, and it was an opportunity to travel and see something new from the inside.
I switched to an online school – she's good in most subjects, except math (which i'm good at). The schooling takes a fraction of the time, and the focus is not on homework (the bane of my existence – if I understood the subject, why the hell did I have to waste time on homework?)
With this school – you practice to mastery and then you move on!
My daughter has huge amounts of time left over, she's no longer stressed about school and she accomplishes more!
I've set the rule that weekdays are still for education and 'growth' activities, which includes everything from music lessons, volunteer work, hiking, biking and exploring.
Weekends are reserved for her friends.
This has proven so successful for me that I will be putting my son into the same program next year (he's 13).
My children both are free-range children, and I still require them to put forth their goals and help them develop plans to accomplish their goals – but they generally drive the bus on it.
This has also reduced my own time burdens, as my kid(s) schedules are more flexible and schooling can be accomplished anywhere.
For me, it's a win-win situation!
Posted by Will King on January 16, 2012 at 3:48 pm | permalink |
I love your response. I love the idea that delegating certain actiities on weekdays although allowing room for exploration; I might implement this tech nique. We are former homeschoolers but got back into public school, musch to my dismay. We are starting back up again and I'm a bit on the lazy yet ambitioous side so hoping that I can help myself and children (14,13,12) develop more of their own personal learning techniques. Excellent posting.
Posted by Racheal on March 28, 2012 at 2:04 pm | permalink |
May I ask what online school you use? We are currently using Abeka. I am down to the last 2 of five kids but it isn't getting any easier. Only one of my children breezed through Abeka because she's super-focused, driven, and is self-motivated. However, my other children aren't like her. While I stand by Abeka as an outstanding curriculum, It's kind of making life a big fat dread these days. I have fears of "ruining" my kids, so even though I've explored less traditional avenues of education, fear has prevented me from using them. Abeka offers an accredited diploma, and I'm scared to switch to anything that doesn't. But something's got to give. Home schooling was supposed to make life better, not a daily dread. I'm tired of being a constant nag to my kids. LOL
Posted by Rhonda Erb on March 2, 2013 at 12:47 pm | permalink |
And I just realized you commented over a year ago and I may not get an answer.
Posted by Rhonda Erb on March 2, 2013 at 12:48 pm | permalink |
I think I'm all of these. Well, not all at once. I've been homeschooling for about seven years and well yeah, I've been all of those at one time or another. I think right now I'm more of an activist and an academic. My poor kids! lol They seem to go with the flow and excel in whatever they're doing so I guess I'm not too worried. They also seem interested in what I'm doing so maybe I'm teaching them passion for what they/I believe in. Yeah, that's it! That's my story and I'm sticking to it…..:)Good thing kids are resilient!
Posted by The Running On Veggies Mom on January 3, 2012 at 8:31 pm | permalink |
I love the way you see these patterns and classify them.
My parents were Religious home schoolers, but also Protectors — I was bored out of my skull in Grade 5 and getting harassed by my classmates, so I was happy to escape.
I wonder if Counterculture or Nonconformist would be a good replacement for Activist? I agree it sounds too political.
I know many families that are homeschooling so they can travel full-time. That would be the reason we would do it. Our kids are 4 and 5 right now and we have them in a local Malaysian school so they can learn Bahasa and Mandarin — they are being challenged much more than they would be in a Canadian public school. They're also in school so that my husband and I can work, and so they don't drive us crazy. I cannot be a full-time parent for kids this age, and they love being around other kids and adults anyway.
Posted by Alison Gresik on January 3, 2012 at 10:22 pm | permalink |
mm, i am none of these. if i were to mint a new category to put myself into, i would say entrepreneurial. used to doing things ourselves, our own way, comfortable with being responsible for our own outcomes, used to freedom of schedule but also using most of our self-controlled time to work/do things. similar to "activist" but definitely without the implied vigorous campaigning. also without the caring about what other people do.
Posted by Lori on January 4, 2012 at 9:07 am | permalink |
The only "type" I could probably manage to be squeezed into of your options is Box #4, but it would be an uncomfortable fit. It's not really about political activism so much as releasing my son from the increasingly uncomfortable and inappropriate boxes that have been forced upon us (though I too am naturally inclined toward sorting and classifying, my son is not). Our decision to homeschool was a direct result of watching school (public and private, in two states, up to Middle School) transform our deeply introverted, intuitive, extraordinarily bright, imaginative, empathetic, innovative and vibrant son's personality into a frustrated, guarded, lethargic, often-ill and ultimately apathetic one. His test scores have always been off the charts. His daily experiences were soul-destroying. So much for the topic of "socialization". My goals as an unschooling parent are to facilitate an environment where his natural (considerable) confidence, intelligence and curiosity can reassert themselves in whatever way is natural to him, in the hopes that his adult life will be one of a landscape of unlimited personal choice, rather than established, limited, conformist highways. So my own agenda is not really the point. And I am uncertain as to the label we would apply… Liberator, perhaps?
Posted by Lisa U. on January 4, 2012 at 9:24 am | permalink |
I"m struck by how much people don't like to be categorized. I love being categorized, and I love making categories for other people.
I think there are useful things about categorizing people: Everyone is different, and no one fits into categories perfectly, but people become more predictable if you know where they generally fit.
On the other hand, a lot of people resist being put into a category because they feel it limits them.
I find this happening when I write about generation y also. Some people like seeing themselves reflected back to themself as a way to see themself in a different light. Some people don't like being boxed in.
Now that I think about it, I think we all categorize other people – subconsciously or consciously – as a way to cope with the number of people we know.
Penelope
Posted by Penelope Trunk on January 4, 2012 at 9:39 am | permalink |
the people who refuse to accept they fit into a category normally fall under the category of not wanting to be labelled. and most of these people share tons of similar traits.
the people that sort of like to be categorized are the ones that begin popping up with traits that are completely random and out there.
this is an interesting topic for me because i find it funny. sort of commical. but with purpose.
Posted by karelys on January 4, 2012 at 5:25 pm | permalink |
I'm working with categorizing these days to understand people. Embracing that I am an introvert helps me understand about myself socially. Except that I get energized when I'm around others and I don't need down time to re-energize.
So I still don't understand it, but I keep retaking versions of Meyers-Briggs with liberal and conservative answers and keep ending up with INTJ.
Posted by Zellie on January 5, 2012 at 8:23 am | permalink |
I don't mind being categorized, but I think your list is at best incomplete. What I see from many of these comments is that we don't agree on your choices, not that we don't want to fit in somewhere.
When I read your choices I know that I am not religious, I don't care if my kids go to college, I very much dislike being unfocused and trying new things, I hate standing out so I try to fit in as much as possible, and I am not an expert or driven at anything.
I sound like a total loser. I really do wish there was another category so I could feel a bit better right about now.
Posted by Sarah on January 5, 2012 at 4:20 pm | permalink |
"I think there are useful things about categorizing people: Everyone is different, and no one fits into categories perfectly, but people become more predictable if you know where they generally fit."
What strikes me about this post is the comment about the predictability of people.
I think the hardest aspect of being an Aspie for my husband is that very thing. He has no clue how people are going to respond to what he says and does. (See your post about trying to figure out where to position yourself in a crowded office for and example.) He has trouble figuring out what kind of reaction he will get from a joke. He knows that things that are appropriate in one situation may not be in another, but accurately applying that knowledge is a very different beast.
Somehow this reminds me of you and left and right. "To the left of the desk" is the opposite of "the desk's left." A comment that he makes at a dinner party of close friends might be hilarious, while the exact same joke with just one new acquaintance added might be mortifying.
Fortunately, like all challenges, there is a plus side. He is beyond unpredictable to opponents when playing hockey, so . . .
I, on the other hand, am an INFP through and through. I spend so much energy gathering information about other people and processing it and assimilating it and going through every fricken' scenario for every fricken' possibility that I'm really good at predicting what people will say and do. I constantly finish people's sentences in my head. I LOVE it when they use a different word than I anticipated. I fondly remember certain professors for whom English was a second language. They kept me on my toes. (I haven't found the upside to this trait since I have no desire to manipulate people, dangit!)
I suspect Lisa U.'s son is also an INFP. Only about 1% of males are of this type, so of course the school will be unable to categorize him. He may well be dying to find "his people" but may never have encountered one irl.
Schools have been designed by majority extraverts for majority extraverts. Seriously, forced group interaction with people not of your choosing for 8 hours, in a row. Downtime requires finding people to cluster with or risk being targeted for bullying. Thus, those who are really, really good introverts get labeled as failed extraverts.
Ummm, that's all for now. Wanders back in from left field.
Posted by MBL on January 7, 2012 at 10:39 pm | permalink |
I don't mind being assessed and labeled, as long as the labeling is specific and varied enough. Thus, I'd probably fall in 2 or 3 of the groupings above. But I don't like being "forced" into a single group, and I believe lots of homeschoolers feel this way. They like being outside the norm, the mold. Are we religious? Yes. Academic? Yes. A little activist? Yes. And constantly changing. All such questions should include "all of the above" "none of the above" and "some of the above", underneath. Rather reduces the need for groups though.
Posted by Mary Kathryn on January 26, 2013 at 10:22 am | permalink |
Penelope, I don't disagree. I'm naturally inclined to classifying and categorizing people myself. I'd love for everyone I know and will ever know to take the MBTI test and wear a lapel pin so I know what to expect from them. The difference is, we're adults. If we categorize people in our minds to assist in our own coping mechanisms, then it's a useful tool. But if we feel that our children are being categorized – by schools or by attempting to classify their upbringing/homeschooling based on a limited number of homeschooling parent "types" – I think that resistance to categorization has a different impact. I have been uncomfortable with schools that have attempted to label my child for years as "Smart but lazy" or "Too sensitive" but by the same token, I resist the implication that I am raising an "Activist", because while I fall within the broad spectrum of that category myself, it doesn't reflect the style of our unschooling environment.
Posted by Lisa U. on January 4, 2012 at 9:54 am | permalink |
There is a simply reason that people do not like to be classified: humans are much more complex, and have the capacity for change. MB type is not who I am, it just highlights some aspects of personality. If classification supersedes personal impression and constant revision of impression then it becomes simply a straightjacket.
Posted by redrock on January 4, 2012 at 2:48 pm | permalink |
i think that's a very american thing. i am originally from mexico and i experienced the culture across many different stratas throughout my life there.
i came here and was taken aback by how similar everyone that wanted to be unique was. i get that we are complex. but just because many of those categories overlap doesn't mean there are not some that is more prominent at different circumstances.
i like to figure out what categories i reflect because it's helpful to figure out how i'm going to act in certain situations.
Posted by karelys on January 4, 2012 at 5:35 pm | permalink |
Perhaps the category "Unschooler: No fixed agenda or style" might be a useful bin for some of us?
Posted by Lisa U. on January 4, 2012 at 10:03 am | permalink |
If you lined up all the unschooling families I've come across (maybe 40 or so) it's clear to me that each has a style. A mom — unschooling or not — cannot run a household that does not reflect her own style. I think it's impossible. So we may as well understand our style to understand our schooling decisions.
Penelope
Posted by Penelope Trunk on January 4, 2012 at 10:25 am | permalink |
We probably do unschool, but I simply can't bear that word or some of the dogma that's gotten attached to it. I do like Nonconformist better than Activist. I like vocabulary and sorting it through; that is why I am reading this post and all the comments.
Posted by liz on June 27, 2012 at 9:54 pm | permalink |
I think you missed a big one, and can't think of a better label right now than "special needs." Parents whose children have some learning issues that are not being addressed within the school system, and who try to develop a more personal curriculum and teaching style that matches their children's needs. Getting into college is not so much the aim there as covering the basics well, so I don't know that "academic" covers that.
Posted by Citizen Reader on January 4, 2012 at 10:10 am | permalink |
I used to think that would be one — special needs. Because I have a special needs son.
But I realized that the choices I make for him are still influenced by who I am. And I have seen it in other moms. Some moms make the day really structured and some make it really unstructured. You could justify either way as an approach to dealing with special needs. I think the mom chooses what she is most comfortable with. And, in the end, that is probably what will work best for the family because the mom can only do what she's capable of doing.
Penelope
Posted by Penelope Trunk on January 4, 2012 at 10:24 am | permalink |
i am under the understanding that your Asp. son is the older one (black hair). But I read his blog. he's funny and eloquent and seems just so….normal. I mean, well adjusted. too smart for his age almost.
Posted by karelys on January 4, 2012 at 5:37 pm | permalink |
I think I'd have to disagree with you here. Special Needs is definitely a distinct homeschooler type. I do agree that sometimes a parent will be influenced by other things that fit nicer into the neat boxes. I "would be" a combination between academic and entrepreneurial/unlabeled; however, those tactics are in direct conflict with what works best for my children.
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I would much rather have a semi-structured day with ample free time for kids to explore on their own. Most kids do that. Mine don't, because they have Autism, and many kids with Autism lack that natural curiosity to begin with. They don't seek out knowledge just because, it has to have a purpose. So I have to homeschool with specific purposes for each activity and each learning experience.
I learn stuff because I like to learn. I wish I could encourage that in my children. But I have to use my natural instincts to learn how to teach them instead. And I have to provide as much structure as possible, over-scheduling them. This is how they function best.
I would rather ease into the day with several cups of coffee and some Yoga. My kids are 0 to 60 in 10 minutes. No sleeping in, no lazy Sundays, and usually spilled coffee trying to guzzle it. But I wouldn't change it for anything.
Posted by Adrienne Sweat on April 11, 2013 at 11:24 pm | permalink |
Penelope, with respect and humor (I truly do enjoy your blog), why did you ask, at the end of your article " I wonder, which one are you? And, did I miss any categories?" if you were convinced there weren't any other categories? Also, to state "A mom cannot run a household that does not reflect her own style. I thin it’s impossible." is perhaps more attributable to the newness of your homeschooling experience and your adaptation to it, rather than what is actually possible. We started homeschooling according to my "style": pre-planned, organized, structured within a time frame and with "subjects". It became apparent to me just a few months in that this was in no way my son's learning style (which is self-directed, with an intense but shifting focus directed by his curiosity). So I adapted to his learning style as well as his nature, rather than continuing to impose my own style on his learning experience or his lifestyle. For example, he's naturally nocturnal, and I am strongly diurnal. Our time together, in-depth conversations and exchanges of information, therefore have evolved into a rather unconventional (for me) evening-night "together" time which I have chosen to adapt to because he's so clearly flourishing mentally. So maybe it isn't actually "impossible" so much as perhaps "previously unconsidered"?
Posted by Lisa U. on January 4, 2012 at 10:46 am | permalink |
I don't have kids and so obviously don't homeschool, but as I read through the comments I was struck by how many commenters said, "I don't fit any of these categories" and then through the rest of their comment I could tell they totally fit into a category.
Then I got to Penelope's remarks about categories….just brought it up because it was so striking to me as I read.
I love this homeschooling blog however, despite the lack of young 'uns needing education.
Posted by Jennifer on January 4, 2012 at 4:28 pm | permalink |
me too! I like it because i apply the principles to myself! even though i'm 24 lol
Posted by karelys on January 4, 2012 at 5:54 pm | permalink |
Let's not confuse style with motivation.
2. I homeschooled because I didn't think there was a school out there good enough for my child. It wasn't primarily the academics that was the problem.
I think my style is 3. I do like to focus on one thing- until I go to the next. Right now- moving out of business phase into music phase. I didn't prefer to drive my child all over as much as we did but was willing because it was important to her.
4. It's not important for me to be counterculture, but it turns out several of my choices have been so.
Posted by Zellie on January 5, 2012 at 8:04 am | permalink |
There is also the stability seeking style usually used by military families or families who travel a lot. They normally stick to a curriculum of some kind (although the ones I know have created their own unique/interesting/tailored curriculum) but they are not necessarily an academic style homeschooler. Their primary purpose for homeschooling is to have a consistent education, something that can't be gained when you move very frequently, so generally won't buy into the unschooling style.
Of course any one stability seeking homeschooler might fit into your categories, but I think generally they are more about schedule and creating a "home classroom:" than they necessarily are about academic achievement or talent seeking.
Posted by Rachel on January 5, 2012 at 9:45 am | permalink |
We are planning on homeschooling because school is:
1) Inefficient – wasted time teaching in group setting, when one on one tutoring would be more effective.
2) Fixed – No flexibility in hours, policies, rules etc. If you want to take your kids to do something for a day, or a week, you need to ask permission, explain yourself, and make arrangements to jump through the hoops your kid missed. no thanks.
3) Curriculum is worthless – As an entrepreneur, the vast majority of the subjects taught in high school and college were worthless to the practical reality of earning a living in this economy. Networking, sales, marketing (non-mass media), negotiation, and flexible thinking are non-existent in school as practical realities.
4) Boxing kids in age-segregated prison for 16 years is insane. I want the opportunity to expose my kids to work and life experiences that are available, and summer vacation (in competition with every other kid) and weekends isn't enough time to sample all that the world has to offer. We will be in it!
5) What is taught is to bow down to the system and authority structures. No thanks. I want my kids to make their own games, not play according to your rules.
I would consider our style mostly 'entrepreneur' with a smattering of activist.
I was public schooled and private 4 year colleged (Thanks for the bill!)
Posted by kevin on January 5, 2012 at 10:39 pm | permalink |
I'm not quite sure where we fit in yet. My oldest (step)son is almost 12 and in public school. He hates it but his mom refuses to let me homeschool. We tried it for half a year and it just didn't work, but I think it was the program we went with — DH wanted to do it last minute so we went with a transitional public school online so that I could have that time to prepare to fully homeschool him the next year – it just didn't work. He had been in public school for too long and coming home to be with me he just thought he could take advantage.
My twins are in preschool right now. They are doing great. But I've known since I got pregnant with them that I would homeschool. I sent them to preschool this year because I didn't know anymore if I could do it, but the more I spend the days away from them, the more I know that I need to homeschool. It's just this feeling I have inside.
I'm a Christian, yes, but I don't believe my decision to homeschool has anything to do with my faith. I'm sure I will incorporate some Bible-based information into their curriculum, but it won't be the main focus. My biggest thing would probably be academics because I feel like the public school system fails so many children in so many areas because they simply don't have the manpower to educate all the children one on one and give them a sound education. They don't teach the things that I think would be more important, and they do teach things that I feel aren't important (or I don't want them to be taught). And I'm a writer, so one of my main focuses will be on grammar and my children will have a ton of experience with writing stories (and maybe one or two of them will become writers themselves!).
It's not that I don't 'want' to be categorized, I just honestly don't know yet where we would fit in since we haven't started yet. But I've begun my research for everything I want to start with next year as my boys start Kindergarten and my oldest daughter starts preschool.
Posted by Whitney on January 6, 2012 at 10:54 am | permalink |
2. Advocate/Facilitator
The parents are fanatical about their kids getting their needs met and being respected for their authentic selves. These parents are usually convinced their kids are unique. These families homeschool because there’s not a “good enough”** school where they live, and their focus is on their priorities.
** "good enough" may include academics, location, cost, diversity, flexibility, art, sports, music, technology, theater, values, emotional support, special ed availability, language, faculty, personal safety, or pretty much anything else
Of special note, advocate/facilitators are the type most likely to home school on an as needed basis , compelled to frequently re-evaluate and unabashedly change position should a "good enough" school present itself. They do not view homeschooling as an all or nothing choice, thus, they may home school one or all of their children at any given time.
Posted by MBL on January 7, 2012 at 9:52 pm | permalink |
I love the homeschool group we know. It is filled with a mix of all of those and more. They desire high education levels for all of their children, want them to have Biblical training, to challenge the children to help them excel, to teach them character traits that they will not get in school and more.
The group can be intimidating because of the level of expectation, yet all the children are also great to be around.
Posted by Memorial Urn on February 14, 2012 at 4:38 pm | permalink |
Penelope, under what category would you place those unschool families who either sell or rent out the house, and either buy an RV or convert an old school bus, and travel the US or the world, following job opportunities (or working online) as they come? The nomadic people whose unschooling may be a result of their nomadic lifestyle, or vice versa? I am not one, though I know some personally. Which category would you think of them as belonging in, or are they a category unto themselves?
FWIW, I feel I am part dilettante, part academic, and part counterculture (though I bridle at having my well-considered opinions described as just a knee-jerk reaction AGAINST whatever is mainstream). I also love a job done to elegant perfection, and love it when I used to have the occasional opportunity to be in that zone of total concentration and the moment…but that is one thing I gave up for a good while, having kids, because that requires large amounts of uninterrupted time, and mine are still little.
You could even develop a Tarot- or Astrology-like system for your categories, so that people could be "Academic, Moon in Dilettante, Blue-Ribbon-Winner (or 'Expert') Rising."
You could work in some Myers-Briggs, too, to flesh it out.
I'm an INT-J.
Can't wait for you to develop an online multiple-choice test along these lines. It would be fun. People may hate being categorized by someone else, but they love the very same thing, when it is self-applied, even if through someone else's algorithm.
I can just see a chart, similar to the old Dungeons and Dragons chart describing a character's alignment, with lawful-to-chaotic being one pole, and religious-to-atheist as the other, and then place all your categories on the map.
If you don't do it, someone else might, and theirs will suck~
Posted by Meg on April 1, 2012 at 12:32 pm | permalink |
Hahaha! I am definitely on board for the Tarot version!
Posted by liz on June 27, 2012 at 9:59 pm | permalink |
#3 here!
I don't know how accurate your other categories are, but you got #3 on the money!
Luckily, my kids respond pretty well to this way of approaching homeschool; I think they would prefer I was more on the academics though…and sometimes, I am.
Posted by Karen Loe on April 7, 2012 at 2:03 am | permalink |
I mainly home-school because we have a child with a life threatening illness, there are a lot of us out there ( at parent support groups, there are usually 12 pairs of parents and about 3 of us will home-school, that is a large percentage) , the hs schedule works well with doctor visits and special camps, i do all the kids ( 4 of them – 2 highschool, 1 middle, 1 elem) , because its easier, we get the benefits without being bogged down by a school schedule, we have 2 – 3 dr. appts a week. but looking at your list, if we didnt have my dd, i would classify myself as an activist.
Posted by sue on April 13, 2012 at 5:31 pm | permalink |
My nieces have cystic fibrosis and home schooling is being seriously considered just because of the risk of shortening their lives even further by exposing them to all the strep/bacteria in school.
We are probably a combination of dilettante and religious, too. Our family has lots of motivations!
Posted by K on April 26, 2012 at 6:19 pm | permalink |
Homeschooling is something that many people feel others do because that person wants to keep their child away from the harms of society. While that is partial true, many if not all homeschool parents have one thing in common that leads them to homeschool their child… they believe the public school system sucks. And who is to blame them, if I had a kid I would want them to learn everything they could, however how is one to learn a lot when the same old lesson is being taught year after year. Though I believe that homeschooling is a great idea and wonderful for parents to do, I feel that parents personal agenda’s and politics sometimes hinders their child’s views to the point of it consumes the child’s education. For example in Germany it is illegal to homeschool one’s child because the government feels education from a parent can alter the educational process of the child in question, hence why some families move from Germany if they want to homeschool their child. I believe the academic and Blue-ribbon winner parents are the best because they know enough about certain subjects to help improve the overall knowledge of their kids, rather then learning the material first then “trying” to teach it to their kids.
Posted by Keith on April 30, 2012 at 2:16 pm | permalink |
Is there a reason the list of "Types" has such a negative undertone?
I have a 6 year old girl and her 3 year old brother. I am researching the home schooling realm, and am disappointed by the derogatory connotations.
The reasons I would have her here with me at home are many, from the quality of education to the simple reason that to subject my little children to masses of nasty, mean, snotty faced kids on a daily basis, without me there to protect them; seems unnaturally cruel.
Obviously there is something romantically luxurious about the prospect of reading a book in bed before breakfast, drenched in sunshine washing in the room, as apposed to the mad chaotic dash for the 8.05am bus…
Its almost a no-brainer!!!
Posted by Sarah on May 17, 2012 at 6:42 am | permalink |
Wow, I totally agree! Perhaps that is the problem with categorization, the judgement inherent in it can be nasty. I do really enjoy this blog — the headline College is A Vapid Goal is enough to make me a permanent fan — but there is an undertone of corporateness that is not my very favorite thing — call me a revolutionary but there it is — and that relates to this categorization post. You want to categorize so you can sell advertising perhaps — or perhaps that is why Americans, so saturated in that kind of junk, resist being categorized.
Posted by liz on June 27, 2012 at 10:04 pm | permalink |
Like Sarah, I am wondering why each homeschool type has a negative undertone. Can anyone simply be homeschooling because they love their kids, want the freedom to instill good values in them or for the opportunity to provide a learning environment free from bullying? I want my kids to love learning and to be free from the atmosphere that creates followers instead of thinkers?
I am no activist. And while I am a Christian and consider it a perk that I can teach my kids about things a bit differently than the indoctrination received in public school, it isn't even my main reason for homeschooling. I homeschool so my kids can be free to become their true selves and to find their giftings. I homeschool because I love being with my kids and seeing the spark that comes when they "get it." I homeschool because I hate bullies and the system that tries to squeeze everyone in its one size-fits-all mold. I homeschool because I love planning lessons and making learning fun. There are many challenging days especially with two kids that have very different learning styles, but I homeschool my kids because I love them and want what is best for them.
Posted by SnoopyGirl on June 13, 2012 at 7:19 am | permalink |
Love this — I am not Christian, not religious particularly at all, but we too certainly do homeschool because we love being together. That is probably the main reason. I like to be able to connect with a stranger here — across categories.
Posted by liz on June 27, 2012 at 10:07 pm | permalink |
Well said! :0)
Posted by Becca on February 24, 2013 at 9:47 am | permalink |
Excellent and well-said. My thoughts exactly.
Posted by lginco on April 26, 2013 at 4:22 pm | permalink |
I also think people are not wanting to use your lables because they sound negative… I am all of them…1. I have a world view which affects how I teach and how we live. 2. Academics are important and we use curriculum, the kids want to do further studies eventually. 3. I really have to work to stick to a schedule and often we do a bit of natural learning for a day or so. 4. Come on, a family who cares about other people's rules does not homeschool!!!! (Though suprisingly I have found some unschoolers have very ridgid rules about what unschoolers can and can't do) 5. My children are very science minded and I am trying to make more and more of both our structured and unstrutured learning science centred.
Posted by Nicole on June 15, 2012 at 4:24 am | permalink |
I'm an Evolver, I guess. I look at homeschooling as an active way in which to improve the way my children are educated as well as improving the way they learn. I was labeled as math learning disabled, which discouraged me from studying math and science when I was younger. My son thinks the same way I do, and he is in no way learning disabled. I now have a chance to help him adapt his way of thinking to whatever discipline he has trouble with. It's been enlightening about myself as much as it has him.
Posted by John on July 7, 2012 at 10:39 am | permalink |
I am mostly dillitante, with an activist (overlapping with religious), and a splash of academic thrown in.
Although, I am putting us on a strict schedule!
Posted by Heather on August 16, 2012 at 9:16 pm | permalink |
You need a category for "intellectual but against all the Tiger Mother insane competition B.S." It's not exactly your "blue-ribbon winner" because that still sounds to my ears focused on external measures of achievement ("developing expertise") I'm focused (or at least try to be) on fostering a love of learning and developing my kids' brains. I'd rather them challenge themselves and grow intellectually than get into a "name brand" college.
Posted by Crimson Wife on August 26, 2012 at 2:14 am | permalink |
You forgot the special needs category (Tough I guess a better title would be nice). There are parents who homeschool because their children are special needs.
Posted by Leah on September 24, 2012 at 9:07 am | permalink |
I could say I'm academic on the morning and dilletante and laissez-faire on the afternoon…
Posted by Homeschool Sweet Homeschool on October 24, 2012 at 2:25 am | permalink |
I might add a "Therapeutic" type to the list.
It's not a personal description. Your list suits me fine, as I'm an active dilettante, or a fickle activist, in whichever ways numbers 3 and 4 can be combined.
But I have observed other homeschooling parents who base their education philosophy on various schools of psychotherapeutic thought. Their priority is to prevent or undo the pain and suffering caused by the school system and its minions.
Bullies, pedants, petty dictators, bores and complicit parents were their tormentors, and they seek to provide a safe and welcoming educational community for their children, either to prevent or to outrun the same neuroses that plagues their own lives.
Some are outrunning their own severe and legitimate trauma, others picture a Freudian perfection just beyond the next rainbow.
Personally, I don't think it pays to be overly sanguine or idealistic. My children will likely find much to thank me for, and much for complaint. But we love each other and we enjoy our time together, most days. Otherwise, we build community as a source of fun, interest and variety, and to explore the wider world.
Posted by Sharon Rose on November 15, 2012 at 9:04 pm | permalink |
I homeschool because I feel like it. Do you have a category for that?
Posted by Willy on November 29, 2012 at 8:15 pm | permalink |
Homeschooling is great specially with increasing politics and uncertain policies in the K-12 system. One very interesting way would be to collaborate with other home-schooling families so that the kids can share information and parents too can share teaching methods and content. The web based application WizIQ can also help homeschooling as says a white paper http://bit.ly/TG0fiW
Posted by navleen on December 19, 2012 at 3:24 am | permalink |
I was a #5, but imagine my SHOCK and HORROR when neither of my two boys has much interest at all in what I'm an expert in. I am now closest to the #3, I think, but I have and have always had a strong countercultural urge, as well (maybe I listened to too much Devo?). We don't exactly unschool, but I have decided that applying basic physics to the building of basic weaponry and/or the LEGO Mutual Assured Destruction game they play counts as school. My 7-year-old understands the basic physics of simple machines better now than I did when I graduated from college (I've learned a lot since then because I'm his teacher, so I try to learn what he wants to learn so I can help) because he builds a lot of catapults and things of that nature. More power to him.
Posted by Julie on January 14, 2013 at 11:53 pm | permalink |
Reason#6: Personal Oddities
I homeschool for the same reason I picked my college major, which is also the same reason I shaved my head in high school: to bug my mother. I might possibly have also picked a husband for the same reason. It has all worked out PERFECTLY, so I must be onto something.
Homeschooling just so happens to be a perfect fit for my family, because my husband travels 40 weeks per year on business, and when he is home, I want the kids to be able to do a lot of sleeping in, and meeting dad for lunch, and taking long weekend trips with dad.
Lastly, I'm sort of Asperger's myself, and the horror of trying to fit in with the school moms and teachers is too overwhelming for me. Most homeschool moms are odd/intense/off-beat in their own ways, so I'm not such an oddball.
Posted by mh on January 15, 2013 at 9:23 pm | permalink |
I do think you missed at least one type. That would be called " Traditionalist Hybrid Mom" or perhaps a "Lost Tools Mom." This is how I would describe myself. I have a passion for learning and for western culture. I care deeply not only for the education and formation of my children but also for the children of others. Particularly for all the kids warehoused in "learning camps" across the nation. I work toward refocusing my family and sphere of influence on rediscovering our traditions as a people and why we are the way we are, and I openly worry about this increasingly distracted and disconnected generation from its heritage. I believe that the purpose of education is the pursuit objective truth that is knowable by reason and not feelings. I believe as Aristotle taught in his Nicomachean Ethic, that, this the first pursuit and highest. The next is how to get at the truth and how it informs judgment and the final and least of the purpose of education is to know how to do something. I also believe in autonomy, self governance and self determination. All things I believe currently neglected in most mass education programs.
Posted by Lynne Santamaria on January 30, 2013 at 3:50 pm | permalink |
You forgot the special needs homeschool parents!!
Posted by Jessica Thomas on February 18, 2013 at 4:06 pm | permalink |
Agreed. Definitely a type, with a super wide range of special needs.
Posted by Anastasi on February 22, 2013 at 6:34 am | permalink |
Another type: parents of children who can't thrive in school. Let's call them preservationists. I've seen a lot of these. Kids with behavioral problems who flunk or get bullied, or in my case bullying and learning disabilities..
Posted by Anastasi on February 20, 2013 at 1:09 pm | permalink |
The other category is Homeschooling Parents Who Love Beating Their Kids And Want To Evade Detection.
Posted by Thelma Marie Smith on February 22, 2013 at 2:15 am | permalink |
I have seen some homeschoolers that regularly beat their children. They're all type 1: Religious. The beatings are another form of discipline. The main point of homeschooling is certainly not to beat their children, because I also know some families that beat their children and send them to school. Homeschooling is an awful lot of trouble to go to, just to beat your kids.
It's about raising pure and disciplined children.
Posted by Anastasi on February 22, 2013 at 6:33 am | permalink |
A combo of 1, 3, and 4.
Posted by Becca on February 24, 2013 at 9:39 am | permalink |
I think when you use words like "fervently religious," "counterculture," and "fanatical," the category signifies extremeness, which is why I (and I'm guessing many others) don't fit into any of these specifically. I have reasons I homeschool (15 years and counting) that could be included in each of your categories, and others you didn't mention. Honestly, I felt your article focus was a bit negative and extreme! How about we focus on the positives of homeschooling and the huge sacrifices parents make to homeschool. Most, if not all, homeschoolers turn out beautifully, both socially and academically, no matter which category we are "stuck in" or "assigned to!"
Posted by lginco on April 26, 2013 at 4:17 pm | permalink |
I am a combo of 1,4 & 5.
Posted by Jennifer Mobley on April 26, 2013 at 5:24 pm | permalink |