Both parents usually work... how is it possible to homeschool anymore??
I want it more than anything for my daughter (she's coming in February), but I just don't understand how it would be feasible.
What's your story, and how did you do it??
Crishingstep,
No offense but if you really "want it more than anything," then you will make it happen. But most people do not want it more than anything. Most people put forth the excuse "we both work, and we can't afford to have one of us stay home all the time." Again, no offense if this applies to you, but this is simply a lie. Most people in this country can afford to have one wage earner... it just means downgrading your lifestyle. Do you have a nice house? Do you have a nice car? Do you have stupid plasma TVs and a monthly cable bill bill that brainwashes your entire household? Like most people, do you have 3 freaking cell phones to pay for every month?
If you want to homeschool you can make it happen. If you live in a nicer house, then downgrade to a cheap house. If you you live in a cheap house, then live in an apartment or townhome. If you already live in a townhome or apartment, then leave it and live in a mobile home or a trailer park.
If you have a new car, get rid of it and get a reliable used car. If you are already driving used cars, then sell one and make do with simply one car (oh, the hardships I'm recommending). Have cell phones? Save yourself $50-$100+ a month and get rid of them. Get rid of the cable or satellite TV. Stop eating out and buy groceries with coupons.
This is the stuff you would do if you wanted more than anything to homeschool your daughter.
Sadly, most people who "want" to homeschool do not because they value electronic toys, newer cars, a nicer house, easting out/fast food, and convenience over who is going to train and raise their child. Sadly, the truth of the matter is, that most people care about material objects more than the education of their children.
We are homeschooling, period. We would rather live dirt poor in a trailer with no car than send our kid to be brainwashed by the federal government and liberal or godless teachers. The few hours a day you spend with your daughter cannot compete with eight hours of brainwashing by teachers. The few hours you spend teaching your daughter values cannot compete with eight hours of crap she will learn from her fellow students. This is why your daughter will have a good chance of, not only coming home with a brainwashed education, but experimenting with drugs and violating her honor so that some teenage kid can violate her for the night.
If you are burdened to homeschool, then do it. Make it happen. I will post some links and useful information when I get a chance.
[edit] I was homeschooled for high school and all of my younger siblings were homeschooled. I agree with Abe about homeschooled kids being "weird." If weird means unnatural or different, then yes, compared to the masses of public schooled kids homeschoolers are weird. Homeschoolers tend to know more about American history, whereas public schoolers tend to know more about celebrities and sports. Homeschoolers tend to revere God, while public schoolers are OK with the fact that they evolved from primordial balls of ooze.
There is plenty of literature out there that proves that homeschoolers are exposed to more social gatherings than public kids. Even Ron Paul has acknowledged this.
I am currently getting a degree at a "good university" where I'm sure most of my fellow classmates went to public schools. Are any of them smart? Yes lots. But I can tell you that the vast majority of them are brain-dead zombies who cannot carry on a conversation about anything outside of celebrities and sports. Most of the time I'm the professor's favorite in every class I'm in. Just last semester one of them told me "it's students like you that make me enjoy my job." My very first semester in college my teacher asked if I was homeschooled because I "think outside the box" and ask questions.
These kids I'm in school with have no backbone and no cajones. I am very vocal about philosophical, political, and religious issues in class. I have NEVER had a fellow student raise their hand in class to challenge me, or stand up for their opinion ( and I know they disagree with me because my opinions are in the minority).
I suggest you find homeschool gatherings in your town and attend them to see how the kids act and interact with each other. Then go to the nearest large university and stand in the hallways and listen to the conversations of the brain-dead zombies, most of whom went to public school.
[edit 2] Sorry if I come off as mean. I am just very disturbed by what I've witnessed going to college. The future of our country does not look good. I go to what is considered an excellent school, and the kids here are DUMB. I'm not trying to be mean, but it's the truth. Our country is in big trouble.
