It's not all bad

Just to be contrary to my previous posts, I want to discuss some of the joys that I had while homeschooling my two elementary aged sons for nearly a year.  Seeing my kids every day and spending time together was wonderful at times.  I homeschooled my kids shortly after separated from my former wife.  Being able to see my two, favorite kids in the world every day was awesome.  Was that better for the kids to be homeschooled by me, their dad, rather than going to school with their peers for those nine months?  It's hard to say.  From a selfish point of view, I'm glad that we had the time together.

Taking field trips with the kids is also a lot of fun. During those nine months, we went to the natural history museum, the aquarium, a couple childrens' museums, an organized nature outing, an apple orchard, an art museum, bike trails, the library, walks through nature and the zoo.  We also shared fun weekly activities such as a roller skating group where I skated with the kids, a swim and gym group where I played dodgeball with the kids and battled with foam swords on the playground.  Sounds like a lot of fun, eh?

I also enjoyed bring the kids to a weekly gym group where I helped teach some of the classes and volunteer in running the "mock" school.  We met many nice folks, a few of which I'm still friends with two years later.

There were difficult parts of the homeschooling experience.  I had very little curriculum to work with so I struggled at times to put together the book work that kept the kids interest all day.  It also gets kind of lonely with just me and the kids without other kids and adults around.  It was a mixed experience.  If I had to do it again, I would, especially if there was no way of getting the kids in public school with their peers.

Fair & Balanced

Unlike Fox news, I have a tendency to look at multiple sides of an issue or debate. Yes, I have my preferences and personal opinions.  Heck, sometimes I even see things as black and white.  With that said, I strive to look at alternate viewpoints and consider their arguments and perspectives.  I may not agree but there's a good chance that I can learn something.  It seems easy and comfortable to stick to one side of an argument.  Dealing that way with others can lead to strong arguments, a lack of cooperation and having two people that dislike each other because their need to be right is stronger than their need to get along.

What does this have to do with public schooling versus homeschooling?  This is a reminder to myself that while I prefer public schooling, especially for my kids, that my perspective isn't the holy truth.  I know a number of homeschool parents and kids that do better and worse with the process.  The same could be said for kids in public schools. 

With all that said, my goal is to provoke constructive discourse.  I prefer public schools and others may not.  There's good and bad to both sides.  A topic for another day is how to get two parents with opposing views to work together.

Outlet for Obsession

So It Begins...

I have spent much of the past 6 years researching and experiencing the life of being a homeschooling dad, despite wanting my kids to participate in public schools like so many other kids.  Homeschooling was not exactly by choice since my previous wife became so obsessed with making sure out kids stayed out of public school that she sued me for divorce largely due to our differences of opinion over how to educate and socialize our two elementary school boys.  The battle is still being fought  In the meantime,  I want a healthy outlet for my obsession over this matter.  Who knows, maybe I will find other parents who face similar challenges.  (I know I'm not alone in this)

This blog will be my evolutionary work in progress.  I'm open to answer questions or hold civil conversations regarding homeschooling, co-parenting with your significant other who has very different opinions, or other related subjects.  Here goes my new adventure.  Enjoy and participate.