Author	Thread: Educating your Future Children: Public, Private, or Home?
IaoKim View Profile History	Educating your Future Children: Public, Private, or Home? Posted : 28 May, 2011 07:17 PM Ideally which method or combination thereof of primary education would you use to educate your future children? Why? Even if the other two options are not preferred choices, do you think they are legitimate alternatives from a Biblical perspective? I'll probably post my own thoughts on this topic later when I have more time, but right now I would like to hear what y'all have to say! :peace: Post Reply
View Profile History	Educating your Future Children: Public, Private, or Home? Posted : 28 May, 2011 07:50 PM Good question! I believe firmly that parents should parent their children personally -- because that responsibility is given to them by the Lord. Specifically, the wife/mother should have a homeward orientation (Titus 2), which means that she is the primary caregiver. I think that part of the care of children is their education. So, I would say that, unless there is a legitimate reason why the wife/mother is unable to school her children, that homeschooling is the most appropriate option. Are the other choices legitimate alternatives, from a Biblical perspective? I think that they can be. There are going to be situations in which it just isn't possible for a mother to homeschool, though I would say that those situations are the exceptions. I think something to consider with private school is the cost. We're called to be good stewards of our finances (well, of everything), so the wisdom in spending a substantial amount on schooling would need to be prayed over. This would also depend on the schools in one's area. I've certainly heard a lot of public school horror stories, but I've heard some pretty bad things about private schools, too (particularly the ones around here). If it were decided that the children should be schooled outside of the home, then both mother and father should research their options. I think it's irresponsible to discount homeschooling as on option and then just enroll your child in the closest school. Children spend A LOT of time under the influence of their educator(s), so it is SO important that the decisions related to education not be taken lightly. Also, I think if a family feel unequipped to homeschool, that they should still consider it as an option. I've read of many stories online where families didn't think it was possible to do things Biblically, but then they prayed about it and sought counsel, and were able to make things work. I don't think that our decisions should necessarily be based on what seems possible right at that second, because God can make things happen when we choose to honor and obey him. Sometimes, the choice to obey precedes the opening of the right doors. Post Reply
bcpianogal View Profile History	Educating your Future Children: Public, Private, or Home? Posted : 28 May, 2011 08:40 PM I think homeschooling is the best option. Parents need to be in control of what their children are taught, and it's impossible to do that if they kids are shipped off to school for 7-8 hours every day. There are situations where homeschooling would not be in the best interest of the kids, but those are rare exceptions. If homeschooling is not an option (ie. it would be in the best interest and parents want to homeschool the kids, but for extreme financial reasons or state education law restrictions it is not possible), I think a well-researched Christian school is the next best option. Yes, it's expensive, but perhaps the mother (or the father, if he's in the education field) can get a part- or full-time job at the school in some capacity to off-set the cost. Public schools would be an absolute last resort for me. And if I HAD to send my kids to public school, I would hope that my husband and I would consider that when finding a house to purchase...a good school district can make a huge difference in the education a child would receive. Now, having said all that, I think that is the ideal. It might not be realistic. I desperately want to find a guy to marry who believes the same way I do, but at the same time, I don't know that I'll automatically turn down a guy who has different feelings. Who knows what the future holds. I might never have kids even if I do get married. A guy might not think homeschooling is a great option, but he could easily change his mind...just as he could change his mind in the opposite direction even if he believes that homeschooling IS the best option. I'm not sure that beliefs regarding the possible future kids' education should be the deciding factor in a relationship. Post Reply
Nkatty View Profile History	Educating your Future Children: Public, Private, or Home? Posted : 29 May, 2011 09:29 AM Bc's next best option is my best first option...i would rather hav my kids attend a gud private christian school...homeschooling here isnt popular! Personally, i attended a seventh day primary school even though my parents were catholics!...i got to learn the bible in school more than i did in church...an i attribute my christian foundation to the school....i would love to not only nurture my kids to love God at home and also let them be in an enviroment that can shape their christian foundation...i.e in school. The biggest worry for me is that private schools here are results oriented...hence kids are taught(pressured) to perform...wen i enrolled in a public highschool i relaxed since there seemed to be less supervision an competition...an this affected my results at first...gud thing i adjusted an learnt to be independent an not wait on anyone to keep checkin on my performance!lol...but my main point is...a christian foundation is essential...very important...kids are like sponges...they abosorb water quickly! Post Reply
Nkatty View Profile History	Educating your Future Children: Public, Private, or Home? Posted : 29 May, 2011 09:35 AM Water=knowledge Post Reply
kitkatrina View Profile History	Educating your Future Children: Public, Private, or Home? Posted : 29 May, 2011 02:44 PM I am a foster mom and I have had children in regular school, private school and have home schooled. I have home schooled those children because they came to me towards the end of the school year and the neighborhood schools are full. I have found one home school program that is based on christian ideals, so if anyone wants to know about them, shoot me an email. I also have the kids in my home go thru a summer home school program just to catch them up as so many are far behind. Fortunately for me, there are a few great christian schools in my area that I believe have shaped the kids in my home and taught them thru teachings, but also by seeing the other children in the class that have principals, which is hard to find in public schools. Public schools to me should be the LAST choice nowadays. Post Reply
Sugar_and_Spice View Profile History	Educating your Future Children: Public, Private, or Home? Posted : 30 May, 2011 06:12 AM from where I am, home school is not that popular. And the public school, is not a very good idea. Unless you want your child or children to be in a classroom with 50+ kids and share a book with 5 other kids. Post Reply
Tulip89 View Profile History	Educating your Future Children: Public, Private, or Home? Posted : 30 May, 2011 02:32 PM I would definitely go with private school as my first option. They cost a lot of money, but that money goes towards getting the best teachers and facilities that money can buy. If I were considering a Christian school, I'd have to make triple sure that the faculty was committed to teaching the gospel and not just giving the kids a whole bunch of Jesus rules. I'm not really comfortable with the Bible being just another class to study for either. Some places have high quality public schools, but most of those places are so expensive to live in, I don't know if I could justify living there. Post Reply
AllisonNicole92 View Profile History	Educating your Future Children: Public, Private, or Home? Posted : 31 May, 2011 08:58 AM I think any would be good but a child should still be exposed to the world. I will probably send my children to a public school. I know a few homeschooled and private schooled kids and even teens that are sheltered and when they get to college it'll be a big shock. I want my children to be faced with temptations so they can use God to overcome them and so they have the chance to make a mistake and learn from it. How can you understand God's mercy if you don't feel his wrath in some way? Post Reply