tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28843855.post212205445531973168..comments2023-10-30T09:23:03.811-04:00Comments on Gretchen Reads 24/7: Homes "cool"Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02485310328441248086noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28843855.post-72375824153573699502007-03-02T18:29:00.000-05:002007-03-02T18:29:00.000-05:00You forgot to mention the part about the alternati...You forgot to mention the part about the alternative to "home's Cooled"....which is, "homethcooled".<BR/>I get asked almost daily, now that I'm done with school, if I liked homeschooling, and I cry out .."YES"....the amazing allowence to be able to read as much as you want, still excites me...<BR/>About what you said talking about us getting along so well because we were homeschooled...I actually started crying when I read it...it's so true, and I know for a fact that things like, "the Yummy" would have never been created. :D I am just now realizing the extreme benefits of being best friends with your sisters. I don't ever worry about not having friends, because I have you guys! I can honestly say that I can't really think of more of a fun time than I have just sitting around on Christmas with my best friends in the whole world.<BR/>One more thing, and that's it, I swear.<BR/>Jr. High----the worst experience known to children....you are placed in this box where you are niether child nor teenager, you don't understand anything, and everyone assumes you should...No one wants to be your friend, or else everyone does, and you find yourself unable to juggle all of the friendships. Now, imagine placing this hormone-adjusting child into a Public Junior High! Where everyone is trying to find "themselves" in all of the wrong places...why not do drugs, it feels good? why not be with boys, it feels good?....I am ever thankful to God and our wonderful parents that I was spared from this and dealt with those issues at home, knowing that I am much too weak to endure such a thing!<BR/>ok sorry for the long comment (i am known for them on myspace)<BR/>-emma--your cheerios-in-yogurt loving sisterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28843855.post-21478741451669517052007-02-14T18:18:00.000-05:002007-02-14T18:18:00.000-05:00When people ask what school my kids attend, I enjo...When people ask what school my kids attend, I enjoy telling them that we homeschool to see their reaction. Mostly, the reaction has been positive.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28843855.post-72190837629394313142007-02-14T17:48:00.000-05:002007-02-14T17:48:00.000-05:00Wow Gretchen! What a great blog topic. Also home...Wow Gretchen! What a great blog topic. Also homeschooled, I also have that same hesitation when asked about my pre-college education. As your blog proves it is truly opening a "can of worms". While I agree it may not be for everyone, I will also say it gives the opportunity for individualized study, no matter what your learning style.Jason and Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09870499861447574660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28843855.post-27332895446079534852007-02-12T21:00:00.000-05:002007-02-12T21:00:00.000-05:00Brit, I am QUITE sure I know who it was, as I have...Brit, I am QUITE sure I know who it was, as I have heard said song and dance before. One on one with this person. My dad has too. I really think that she is clueless and does know have a CLUE how offensive she comes across. I know she likes me!<BR/><BR/>Staci -- yea!!! You read my blog! I'd been waiting for your comments!<BR/><BR/>Sara -- One of my ministries to homeschool moms is to tell them that I loved it and that it's worth it!Gretchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02485310328441248086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28843855.post-11175531189493429342007-02-12T20:11:00.000-05:002007-02-12T20:11:00.000-05:00Hey Gretchen, Thanks so much for your encouragemen...Hey Gretchen, Thanks so much for your encouragement. Most days I feel like we are doing the BEST thing possible for our kids...but there are those days when I wonder...so to hear the postive feedback from you, a former homeschooled student- it means a lot!sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05439305584795731097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28843855.post-29451757815146712922007-02-12T12:44:00.000-05:002007-02-12T12:44:00.000-05:00Okay, I thought of one more thing as we were tackl...Okay, I thought of one more thing as we were tackling this morning's tasks. If you don't Homeschool and don't understand it, please, give the Homeschooler the courtesy of asking questions before you condemn or belittle them. I know in our case, we are doing the best we can/know how to do. AND we are trying to follow God's lead in this matter. If you want to lift up your Christian brother you will try to at least respect that the decision is theirs to make. And at best you can come alongside that Homeschooler and help them in their journey---because, it AIN'T easy;) God bless all of you where ever you are at.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28843855.post-13032764391762469392007-02-12T09:38:00.000-05:002007-02-12T09:38:00.000-05:00Gret:You didn't tell me I would need an hour to re...Gret:<BR/><BR/>You didn't tell me I would need an hour to read through all of these fabulous posts! As you can imagine I have a bit to say about this topic, as a public schooled mom who homeschools her kids. I am so glad that we have decided to keep our kids at home! I have to say a huge AMEN to all who have said that the responsibility lays heavily on the parents shoulders. I can honestly say taht every time I talk to Greg about sending them off to school, it is primarily because I don't think that I can handle it. Truly, it is because I am flat out lazy at times. Its just hard to keep up with the kids' education, keep the housein order, be the mom and the wife that I think God is telling me to be. Then I have all of those folks in my life that are "concerned about me" who insist that I need time to/for myself (where does that fit in???). The world insists that we cannot be fulfilled and sucessful "members of society" unless we have a worthwhile profession, make lots of money and/or are doing something for the betterment of society as a whole. Tucking in at home and raising up a Godly generation is nowhere in the definition of success as far as the world is concerned. Ooohh, I guess this was a "soapbox inducing" post, Gret:) I was just going to post a brief note and come back later...:)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28843855.post-85309682975473620602007-02-11T13:38:00.000-05:002007-02-11T13:38:00.000-05:00Gret, I think I forgot to mention, no, I KNOW I d...Gret,<BR/> I think I forgot to mention, no, I KNOW I did, that 2 Wed nights ago, a lady in our church spoke up after church, in front of the entire congregation (not in front of our regular pastor who homeschools SEVEN children), and said she thought it was wrong of us to "segregate" (no time to spell check right now) our children by homeschooling and that we should have our little ones in school so they can witness to the unsaved little kids there. WHAT?!?!?!?!? That went over like a lead balloon. Anyway, of course, Susan wasn't in there and I was so dumfounded that she'd say such a thing so publicly in a church full of homeschoolers that I didn't say anything either. Oh*My*Goodness!!! She's right. I DO "segregate" my children....ON PURPOSE!!! While 2 of my 3 children are saved now, it's still something (public school) I think they should be shelterred from. Absolutely. I'm PROUD to homeschool my children and be able to somewhat protect their environments as long as I can. GO HOME'S COOL!!!!<BR/><BR/>BrittanyBrittanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15712840271445816783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28843855.post-50741075106953702632007-02-10T22:56:00.000-05:002007-02-10T22:56:00.000-05:00Wow. . . I can't believe I waited so long to blog ...Wow. . . I can't believe I waited so long to blog about something that I think about constantly. This is the best discussion I've ever gotten started before! And the weird thing is, at least half of the homeschool moms I know that blog haven't read it! <BR/><BR/>Karen -- I'm so flattered! Soul mates! And just think if we lived in our parent's generation, we would likely never have met (though our husbands may have met at T4G or something. . . so. . . never mind, scratch that theory, I think we all would agree that such things reside in the Sovereign Hands of Almighty God. Praise to Him!<BR/><BR/>Nett -- I'll be praying for you as you consider what choice to make. I think such a thing can come as a calling/conviction, but also as a logical conclusion. God's will is mysterious. But the good news is, you will find it if you seek it!<BR/><BR/>Smoothie King -- hmmmm. . . sums it up, now does it? :)Gretchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02485310328441248086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28843855.post-46954098428498787192007-02-10T22:29:00.000-05:002007-02-10T22:29:00.000-05:00It depends on the child and the parents. "Homes'co...It depends on the child and the parents. "Homes'cooling" - Can be the best way to go. So can a private Christian school. And so can public school. There that settles it!Hayden405https://www.blogger.com/profile/00958697302319775648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28843855.post-25159821409262411132007-02-10T19:20:00.000-05:002007-02-10T19:20:00.000-05:00You know what I've loved most about meeting my two...You know what I've loved most about meeting my two new "reformed" friends, Gretchen and Donette? You are like SOUL MATES! I read your posts and its like what I just thought the day before, or last week. What you read or commented on reading, is what I just finished reading or is on my list to read in the near future. Your comments regarding homeschooling, Gretchen, is my heart EXACTLY! It's like freakie!<BR/><BR/>I totally agree w/Kevin about encouraging every blood bought believer to REALLY consider homeschooling. Not because, maybe someone else can do it better, but b/c God gave us our children to raise them to be Christ followers. <BR/><BR/>I just went to an Isreal Wayne Homeschool Seminar, which was amazing. Now, I may not agree w/everything, but he laid out in the 4 hour lecture, this whole philosophy of "Government Schools" aka.. public schools. He talked about how it divides the family. I was like "right on brother, keep talking" Schools in general, end up dividing the family b/c it makes kids from Kindergarten on, peer dependant. The peers become more influential and more important than the parents. Once that happens, bye bye family unit. Hello, friends!<BR/><BR/>I will just get on a soapbox, so I will try and be careful, as I do have many friends who truly love Christ, doing other things. I just that each generation looses the Vision of the Gospel, as the generations go by.<BR/><BR/>I'd like to just shake every Christian parent and say...."don't you see what the world is doing to Christianity?" Christianity is being exploited, by Christians w/o even knowing it! Primarily it happens b/c we think the Christian family is protected magically somehow, from the World. The schools and every part of our life actually, is almost designed to divide the family. <BR/><BR/>I have so much to say and better be quiet. I would just have to agree w/Kevin, that even if you say, "thats not for me, I couldn't do it," I TOTALLY agree w/Kevin when he said this. I mean I vehemently agree with him...MitchellMania said..."Most people, if they put their minds to it, could handle homeschooling their kids." Kevin added "The problem, I think, is more often that people are unwilling, than that they are unqualified." I totally agree.<BR/><BR/>Okay, off the soapbox! Hugs to you Gretchen from Michigan!Name: Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07344009332024573681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28843855.post-3786894057072730092007-02-10T17:36:00.000-05:002007-02-10T17:36:00.000-05:00WOW - what a great discussion! It is fascinating ...WOW - what a great discussion! It is fascinating to see this subject through others' perspectives, and I have found myself agreeing with just about everything! :^) <BR/><BR/>BTW, Kevin... our username is our last name (Mitchells) and the year we were married b/c do you have ANY idea how many Mitchells there are?!?!? My husband is one of 8 kids, and he has 63 first cousins! Besides that, I'm not creative enough to come up with something really eye-catching! :-)<BR/><BR/>And Hindto - if you come down to meet Gretchen, you have to visit me, too! I'm only 15 minutes from her house! Maybe we can all get together, and I can "introduce" you!<BR/><BR/>Gretchen - I'm also glad that you brought this whole subject up b/c on one of your previous posts you mentioned something about homeschooling your kids, and I was totally curious as to what brought you to that decision already (b-4 you have kids.) Now I know!mitchells2000https://www.blogger.com/profile/04306797800447386455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28843855.post-26273440390023966852007-02-10T15:45:00.000-05:002007-02-10T15:45:00.000-05:00I was a little concerned about teaching my younger...I was a little concerned about teaching my younger son to read too, but found that he picked it up on his own right before first grade (using early reader books). We had played some phonics games when he was in Kindergarten, and he had a lot of exposure to books since he was a baby.<BR/><BR/>I read some homeschooling books that indicate a child with normal intelligence will learn to read on their own when they are ready. It may be as early as 3 years of age or as late as 12. If the parent has read to the child and perhaps taught him/her some phonics, the process will naturally happen. It does not require an expensive reading/phonics program, just time spent with the parent in learning oral and written language.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28843855.post-31392853965122055152007-02-10T15:11:00.000-05:002007-02-10T15:11:00.000-05:00Hey, I calls 'em as I sees 'em.Hey, I calls 'em as I sees 'em.Display Namehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09467849121444837944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28843855.post-19657189233289594032007-02-10T13:16:00.000-05:002007-02-10T13:16:00.000-05:00Way to get the comments going, girl! Ok, I have t...Way to get the comments going, girl! Ok, I have to add my own 2 cents . . .<BR/>First of all, we haven't decided what to do when Elijah is school age (only 2 more years :( ), but we are leaning toward home schooling, too. <BR/>Both Dan and I are products of a Christian Day School environment, and we both know that even some of the best Christian schools still have a lot of downfalls. Why? Because they are attended by little sinners, who may not have embraced God yet! And my biggest complaint is that you have kids who claim to be Christian and do not live like one, thus creating an attitude that being a Christian is in name only, and outward behaviors don't matter. "My Christian friends lie to their parents, party and have filthy mouths, so it must be ok!"<BR/>I also have concerns of parents who are not disciplined enough to adequately educate their children, but, after teaching for a time, I'm not worried about that in my own home, and that is all I am responsible for! I must admit, I am thankful that I have a degree in education just in case the laws ever change!<BR/>All that being said, I am nervous about teaching kids to read, just because that is an area I have never taught before.<BR/>One last comment . . . I love the relationship you have with your sisters. I was just talking to a friend of mine who has 6 siblings and they grew up in a 2 bedroom house! She is amazed when people move to bigger houses just so their kids can have their own room! She pointed out what a good relationship she has with her family because they were so close. I loved hearing that and it has definately affected my viewpoint.<BR/>Ok,that's all for now. I agree that I could talk forever about this topic, but I will back off and let some others speak!Donettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08695632521945765772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28843855.post-16763078386711356502007-02-10T11:27:00.000-05:002007-02-10T11:27:00.000-05:00Wow, I just commented a day ago, and there are alr...Wow, I just commented a day ago, and there are already 16 on here altogether! I've enjoyed this post as well simply because, as you said, it was a "slice of life" kind of post. I agree with pretty much everything that's been mentioned here, and I'm thankful that I have these things to consider before even having to be faced with the decision. I'm with you, Gret, I can't say it ENOUGH how much the parents have to do with the success of homeschooling.<BR/><BR/>Thanks again for the post, and WAHOO for Saturdays!!!GloryandGracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11700428736344317474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28843855.post-83462198685354336752007-02-10T08:32:00.000-05:002007-02-10T08:32:00.000-05:00Kev,Heh, heh, heh. . . .fuel to the fire, indeed! ...Kev,<BR/><BR/>Heh, heh, heh. . . .fuel to the fire, indeed! :)<BR/><BR/>Thanks for responding. Leave it to you to go back to the SCRIPTURAL reasons. . . whatEVER. Just kidding.Gretchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02485310328441248086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28843855.post-56073340646730414452007-02-09T23:54:00.000-05:002007-02-09T23:54:00.000-05:00Dang, that's alotta feedback! Maybe I should say s...Dang, that's alotta feedback! Maybe I should say something inflammatory just to add fuel to the fire... kidding. Very good post, my socially well-adjusted friend.<BR/><BR/>And Mitchells2000 (sounds like a robot from the future), I agree that "not everyone is qualified to homeschool their children." On the other hand, a lot of people seem to overestimate how difficult it actually is. So I would add to your statement this: "Most people, if they put their minds to it, could handle homeschooling their kids." The problem, I think, is more often that people are unwilling, than that they are unqualified.<BR/><BR/>I would encourage most Christians to homeschool (I'm not concerned with the practice of unbelievers), because we are ultimately responsible before God for the spiritual up-bringing of our children. Public school, which we now take for granted, is a relative novelty and (I would argue) an unscriptural institution; because it separates children from their families during the most crucial part of the day, during the most crucial years of their development. I say that it's unscriptural, because 1) it seriously undermines the SCRIPTURAL institution of parenthood; and 2) although our culture raises up public education as a moral imperative, it refuses morality a place within the public school system (and specifically Christian morality); and 3) it fills this moral and religious vacuum with the noxious fume of secular humanism.Display Namehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09467849121444837944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28843855.post-90758862282938360112007-02-09T23:32:00.000-05:002007-02-09T23:32:00.000-05:00Karen and Tancy -- Thanks so much for the encourag...Karen and Tancy -- <BR/><BR/>Thanks so much for the encouraging response, guys! I pretty much was thinking of people like you when I wrote this because I wanted to give you a shout-out for doing what you do. I'm sure you know how special it is that you can invest in your kids that way, but in case you didn't know, here I am pointing it out to you!<BR/><BR/>On behalf of your kids, thanks!Gretchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02485310328441248086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28843855.post-63281806084768967342007-02-09T23:19:00.000-05:002007-02-09T23:19:00.000-05:00Gretchen, Thank you so much for this post! As a n...Gretchen, <BR/>Thank you so much for this post! As a non-homeschooled, homeschooling mom, I am always intersted in hearing from successful products of homeschooling! JP was homeschooled through high school and I do believe he had a fabulous education. I was completely against it, but thankfully God has changed my heart.<BR/><BR/>I think that the points Heather brought out are valid, but there are huge possible faults in every venue of education. I too know several homeschooling families that should NOT be homeschooling! When I line up the pros and cons of my choices, the choice is completely clear, and our children are HOME!<BR/><BR/>I can not agree with you more about your love of reading! My husband loves to read and reads to learn. I am not a reader AT ALL! We have tried to pass his love to our children. I pray that they will love to read. It gives them the power to educate themselves for the rest of their lives. Our 7 yr old reads at a 7th grade level and learns more from his reading than I can teach him in a school day. I am confident that if was in a school room all day books would not nearly have the same impact on his life. <BR/><BR/>Thanks again for an encouraging post!<BR/>Tancymom2minehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15781753363255574208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28843855.post-59450657300856438312007-02-09T17:26:00.000-05:002007-02-09T17:26:00.000-05:00I couldn't have said it better myself. Gone are t...I couldn't have said it better myself. Gone are the days (for the most part) of backwards homeschoolers being socially ill-equipped. You just rarely see it anymore, at least in the cirlces I run in.<BR/><BR/>I thought your post was well written and your last post totally summed it up. Each parent is responsible to God for their choices in schooling. I have the whole gammet of friends. Government, Private and HS. Each, from what I can tell, is seeking God's face for the direction for their family. It's not for everyone, but if God is tugging at your heartstrings....let Him help you tie them. <BR/><BR/> Listen the Holy Spirit if He prompts you to look into it. I was one of the "I WILL NEVER HOMESCHOOL MY KIDS" people. You may not end up doing it, but...God changed my heart in a drastic way--but I knew it was all Him and nothing to do with me! <BR/><BR/>Hugs to you Gretchen! Oh, and I'd LOVE to hook up with you sometme too! Maybe when my husband comes down to TG4, I can come hang out and get to meet you!Name: Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07344009332024573681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28843855.post-85206778437130543952007-02-09T17:12:00.000-05:002007-02-09T17:12:00.000-05:00I guess I didn't want my post to be a moratorium o...I guess I didn't want my post to be a moratorium on anyone who does NOT homeschool. That is an altogether different topic, and I am in no way qualified to address it! <BR/><BR/>Clearly everyone has met ill-educated and socially struggling children from ALL types of schools. Basically, I think the parents are the defining point no matter where children are educated, the exception being a few children who do better educationally because of their schooling experience. <BR/><BR/>It is a personal issue. An issue each set of parents MUST bring before God themselves, and ask Him for guidance to do the best with their children. I cannot pretend I know in any way what has guided other parents to choose what they have chosen for their children.<BR/><BR/>My post is merely a "slice of life" about me and my own experience!Gretchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02485310328441248086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28843855.post-17897772044155789452007-02-09T15:08:00.000-05:002007-02-09T15:08:00.000-05:00In the book Homespun Schools, Dr. Raymond and Doro...In the book Homespun Schools, Dr. Raymond and Dorothy Moore provide testimonies from various homeschoolers around the country, including single parent homes. Though more difficult than having a two-parent home, it is possible for single parents (and couples who both work) to homeschool their children. They may need to call on relatives and friends to help, or work different schedules so that one parent can be with the children all the time. Another option is for one parent to work from home or start a home business with the children. <BR/><BR/>We are fortunate that I can be home with the children full-time while my husband provides for the family. Before we had children, my husband and I both worked full-time. After having my first son, I decided not to return to work, even though my income was higher than my husband's at the time. We believed this was the Lord's will for our lives, and God has provided for us above what we could have imagined. Thus it was an easier transition to homeschooling, as I was already at home.<BR/><BR/>I grew up in a non-Christian home and attended public schools all my life (through college). As we raise our children in a Christian home, we did not want to send them to a public school. My older son attended our church school through first grade, at which point my husband and I were led to homeschool our boys. The Moore's books influenced our decision, and also observing how our older son was withdrawn when he returned home from school.<BR/><BR/>There were many factors in our decision as we learned more about child development, readiness, and learning styles. We believe the best education for the our boys can be provided in our home.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28843855.post-57921694096085818182007-02-09T15:07:00.000-05:002007-02-09T15:07:00.000-05:00Wow, I could add quite a bit to this post, but I w...Wow, I could add quite a bit to this post, but I wouldn't want to bore everyone! My experience was slightly different as I was homeschooled in a different country.<BR/>Anyway, I'm still trying to figure this blogger thing out, but I just wanted to stop by and say hi.Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11187862202317725938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28843855.post-38211867102458223962007-02-09T13:25:00.000-05:002007-02-09T13:25:00.000-05:00I'm back with a promised second comment! Each of ...I'm back with a promised second comment! Each of the points you made were great, and were some of the very reasons I would look into homeschool. The role of the parents is SO CRUCIAL. They are the ones that are going to make or break a homeschooling experience. Those who ended up "socially inept" really could be traced back to the parents: parents who were extremely protective, parents who didn't choose good curriculum, etc. But of the parents I've known here, they have all been excellent in seeing this as a vital tool for their childrens' growth, as well as their influence as parents.<BR/><BR/>I remember days of sitting in my classroom in elementary school thinking of nothing else but the Anne of Green Gables book I was reading back at home...<BR/><BR/>What would you say to families in which both parents do work, or future parents who know that they are both going to have to work? How would you incorporate homeschooling in that kind of situation? That's my biggest question at this point, pre-marriage and having children of my own.GloryandGracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11700428736344317474noreply@blogger.com