cheap_yankee, I guess we know some very different people then. Almost all - I'd say 99% of all homeschoolers that I have known have been very successful. We also have different perspectives on what is a negative attitude. If you don't like homeschooling, that's fine. Not everyone agrees with the concept, but those who do, have the right to. 

I think it can be done with the kids in evening or 3 days aweek what ever works out with the children and how responsible and a guide line for the kids to study when not at home also do a run first week then if it works out then go for it if not then go part time but it worrks with a cousin in moontana the kids study before mom gets home then a couple of hours of teaching but they are also farmers the oldest is 19 she already graduated and teaching the youngest the reading part unil mom gets mom then the mother does the rest it works for them...

good luck

cindy

"About 1/3rd of the homeschoolers I know are "successful."

The very statistics on public education and homeschooling do not match what you are sharing here. It doesn't mean your experience is unreasonable. Your line of work puts you in the position of dealing with only those who are divorcing or having legal issues. I think your experience leaves you with an unbalanced view of homeschoolers on a whole. It's much like a police officer having a critical view of society because he deals with the worst of it every day.

cheap_yankee:

. Isn't the entire point of homeschooling to give our kids -more- than what the traditional school is offering

Many homeschoolers no longer care about thumping our chests and saying, "look how high my children can score on tests!" or trying to prove we are superior to those who put their children in public schools. Many of us are more concerned with the well being of our children and being able to meet their needs to the best of our ability. 

I feel that if I have provided my children with a good foundation that helps them to achieve their goals in their futures, if I have taught them the skills needed so that they know how to learn for themselves and I have encouraged a true love for knowledge that will endure for a lifetime then we have been successful. If my children have the skills they need and find contentment in their choices in life, what does it matter if they scored ten points lower on a test than the public school student down the street or know words and phrases from two more languages than the public school child across the street?

cheap_yankee:

I worry when I hear parents talk about homeschooling to "minimum" school requirements

I understand that you are concerned that parents are failing to educate their children for their futures. If you are meaning that you see parents here speaking of teaching to the minimum, then I think you are misunderstanding. I see us informing you of the laws in our areas since you brought up what you thought were requirements. It doesn't mean we do not exceed those.

cheap_yankee:

Doesn't matter whether she works part-time or full-time, when you work and homeschool you serve two masters and serve neither one well.

The same could be suggested for working and parenting.

cheap_yankee:

They tried hard, but constantly chasing down lesson plans, enrichment opportunities, socialization opportunities, not to mention dealing with children with less-than-patient temperments made them toss in the towel.

I forgot I wanted to ask why were they chasing down lesson plans? Were they trying to put together their own curriculum?

Many do follow some guideline or their own state's requirements to piecemeal curriculum or put together lessons. I do think this would take more time than many working parents might have the ability to give to it.

It's not necessary to homeschool this way, however. Many options, even somewhat frugal ones out there remove the lesson planning from the parents. Some even remove the instruction. I think these options would work better for a parent who does not have the time to spend on full lesson planning.