Comments on: “Ask a [Smrt] Homeschooler” about exposure to tough situations

By: Reunions « Strader Spiel

Reunions « Strader Spiel — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 10:15:37 +0000

[...] kids need to go through these experiences in order to grow stronger, but I would suggest you read this article which very eloquently argues that these experiences teach the next generation to be victims, and [...]

By: Not Inadequate » Blog Archive » Randomly Awesome

Not Inadequate » Blog Archive » Randomly Awesome — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 16:51:09 +0000

[...] Smrt Mama – How will home schooled children learn to deal with tough situations? [...]

By: Smrt Mama

Smrt Mama — Fri, 28 May 2010 23:51:38 +0000

Thank you so much for your kind words!

By: ysadora tinker

ysadora tinker — Fri, 28 May 2010 23:49:00 +0000

thankyou for a terrific essay on this issue. My father took my breath away several years ago when he told me it was time to put my kids back into school…I said I disagreed and had always felt they should not have to attend junior high because of all the ugliness…his response was, “Well, it’s about time they got used to it.” OMIGOD. I have absolutely no doubt that the socialization that kids get at school, public or private, is one of the best reasons to teach them at home. I moved away from Father and kept on educating my own children. The eldest is now at the head of all her classes in an accelerated IT technician certificate course; the others continue to prepare at home for university. They get along well with all ages, genders, races, religions and ethnicities, as long as they are treated respectfully. When they are not, they do not tolerate it. They learned this at home.

By: Smrt Mama

Smrt Mama — Fri, 28 May 2010 02:15:00 +0000

I think the best and most realistic way to teach children about the social dynamics of real life is real life. SHOCKER, right there!

By: Carrie

Carrie — Fri, 28 May 2010 02:06:26 +0000

SUCH a good point – I never until this week heard anyone mention bullying as a GOOD experience for children to be exposed to – ridiculous! I loved your viewpoint on it!

It almost makes me laugh now when people ask how my children will be ’socialized’ if they’re homeschooled – because like you said, the peer-oriented school setting is so contrived – it is so frustrating to run into 5th or 7th graders who can ONLY hold conversations with their peers, and have no clue how to interact with adults or younger children — they’re truly socially inept because of their limited social experiences!

By: A “right and duty to learn?” » Smrt Lernins

A “right and duty to learn?” » Smrt Lernins — Wed, 26 May 2010 23:42:49 +0000

[...] all know how I feel about the “school as a place to learn to toughen up for the ‘real world’” stance, so I’ll just link to my comment I left on the PhD in Parenting blog and leave it at [...]

By: Riceball Mommy

Riceball Mommy — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 14:45:42 +0000

I love this, and I completely agree with you. You have pretty much eloquently put what I was having a hard time finding words for. I was teased and bullied a lot growing up, I don’t think it helped me at all. If anything it has caused some long lasting problems.

By: Denise

Denise — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:37:36 +0000

Thank you! I have always believed in my heart that letting kids be exposed to bullying as a “beneficial” part of education was a lot of rot, but was not able to put it in rational, comparative terms. Excellent article, and thank you again for your time and effort in putting it together and then sharing it with all of us!

By: Smrt Mama

Smrt Mama — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:18:20 +0000

We had similar bullying problems with Cpt. Science, who is also 9. He was bullied by the teacher’s daughter in his 1st grade montessori class and then by the actual teacher in his 3rd grade public school class!