A Different Breed of Blog
11.20.07 (11:08 pm) [edit]
I've been doing a lot of blog reading as of late. There are a lot of blogs out there!
There seems to be a very high number of 30 something Mom's who blog. Most of these Mothers stay at home, have 3.2 children and homeschool them. They take lots and lots of pictures to post on their very glossy, professional-looking, blogs. In fact some are even dubbed as 'photo journals'. I like photos as much as the next gal but some of these blogs chronicle every event happening in the lives of these stay at home Mom's, kids, and Daddys. Not that that's a crime, but I just don't happen to see the point. I am currently exploring the purchase of a good digital camera and have plans of posting pictures I take... eventually. Long time readers of TGTBTU (The Good, The Bad and The Ugly; I've learned that having nifty abbreviations for lots of things seem to be kosher in the blog world) aren't holding their breath for this, they know I've been going to buy a digital cam for what, oh, 2 years now?
There's one particular blog I've been reading on a regular basis. I won't post the link because (a) this lady typically gets no less than 150 comments per post, and (b) I'm jealous and don't wanna give her any more publicity! I never said I wasn't the jealous type... did I? The blog of which I type has a beautiful layout, simple, tasteful, eye-catching- things this former graphic artist appreciates. But 300 comments regarding her latest business venture (a 2008 calendar featuring her amatuer photography)? These women (who comment) celebrate who can comment first after an entry is posted, it's insane. The only other blog that rivals her comments in volume is Perez Hilton and that's pretty scary in and of itself.
The same lady above also homeschools her four children too. Is one of the homeschool core courses PhotoShop 101? I'll make no bones about my feelings regarding homeschooling, and trust me I've been debating the finer points for a good many years now. However, I fully respect any parents decision about their own child's education. I just don't happen agree with most of the reasoning behind homeschooling. But for this genre of bloggers it seems to be the norm, almost mandatory.
I feel kind of old when I read these blogs. I don't run across many 40 something women blogging about the trials of raising teenagers while experiencing the total bliss of time with the likes of the Grandprince. Hmm, perhaps I'll blaze that trail? With a snazzy layout and lots-o pictures to boot!
posted by: FinalyFree (reply)
post date: 11.20.07 (9:29 pm)
Reply to: breakouttheglass
In my 3+ years of blogging I've been intentionally vague
about many things, mostly my personal life. I have made some
close tBlog friends who I've shared more intimate details but
as for the general public, I've tried to be discreet. 'Tried'
being the operative word here--I've had my share of rants! heh
My Dad recently purchased a Sony CyberShot which would probably
meet my needs but I'm thinking I want just a few more bells
and whistles. You know us girls and bells and whistles :)
posted by: fractalmom (reply)
post date: 11.21.07 (6:39 am)
isn't it funny, the blogosphere? i tend to stay away from those blogs. i prefer political ones, or those like yours and mine, who deal with everyday problems faced by extraordinary people.
and i do NOT understand those who home school. the merest thought of my children staying home to learn from me every single day with NO escape...no. it would NOT be pretty. I look forward to that big yellow bus coming at precisely 8:30 am five days a week. Glorius alone time.
There is that one program, the lady with 18 kids? she freakin home schools. and they all look so happy. she looks like she is on mega xanax all day long (which I would be in her position...)
where are the screaming children? where are the total baby meltdowns? where are the dirty diapers smelling up the beautiful house? why is her hair always done and her make up on? I don't even bother BUYING make up anymore....
and, I don't scrapbook either.
posted by: rosietulips (reply)
post date: 11.21.07 (8:25 am)
That realm is totally new to me. BWAHAHAA
Maybe I should aspire to be a stay-at-home mom...
posted by: bawdy (reply)
post date: 11.21.07 (12:25 pm)
Thar iz nuthin rong wit bein homeskooled. I be prufe of dat.
posted by: FinalyFree (reply)
post date: 11.23.07 (8:38 am)
Reply to: fractalmom
It really IS fascinating out there! lol
Oh and the homeschooling thing--I hesitate to even
start my list of reasons for not doing it! But you're
right, I need that time away from the kids and they need
a break from us too, lol. Seriously tho, I don't say
any of this just 'off the cuff' I am close to several
homeschooling situations and they are what have helped
me form the opinion I have.
And as much as I like 'reality tv' I don't think some
of those shows are too realistic! heh
I do however, scrapbook! lol But not faithfully.
posted by: FinalyFree (reply)
post date: 11.23.07 (8:39 am)
Reply to: rosietulips
I was a stay at home for many years and honestly
I worked just as hard as I do being employed outside
the home! It's tough!
posted by: FinalyFree (reply)
post date: 11.23.07 (8:39 am)
Reply to: bawdy
Yes, but you're the exception to the rule!
posted by: swanktrendz (reply)
post date: 11.24.07 (4:18 am)
Wow - what a relief to read I am not alone in my feelings against homeschooling, especially since tv networks seem really intent on showcasing the homeschooled families (with these larger families being the focus of documentaries).
posted by: surrogate (reply)
post date: 11.26.07 (4:34 am)
Get to it!
posted by: FinalyFree (reply)
post date: 11.26.07 (11:33 am)
Reply to: swanktrendz
Oh no, you're not alone. And as I said in the post I've been
debating it for years, all the way back to my daughter in 3rd grade--
she's 21, married and a Mom now! I had one very good/close friend
who choose to homeschool her children and I felt torn about whether
to attempt it myself--peer pressure, if you will. lol
posted by: FinalyFree (reply)
post date: 11.26.07 (11:33 am)
Reply to: surrogate
*noted
posted by: ggirl (reply)
post date: 11.27.07 (9:47 am)
I know there have been many *very* successful homeschooling families. I wonder a lot, though, whether most of us are really smart enough to home school.
Furthermore, just speaking from personal experience, if your family is *really* crazy, you need school. I don't know where I would be now if I'd been home schooled. (I know my life is not the norm, by any means, though.)
Yes, lots and lots of blogging mommies. And lots and lots of boring, pontificating political blogs. (Note to fractalmom: some of them *are* worth reading, of course.) Hordes of young people who have nothing to say out there in the blogosphere.
What a remarkable way to share our lives, though, when we find interesting, compelling people (like you).
posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 11.27.07 (10:17 am)
The occasional photo of the kid is o.k. I enjoy it. And, I'm a doting grandparent myself.
Homeschooling. I have lots of respect for the idea. Done right, it provides a good education and does not hinder the child socially. However, there are some strange people out there who are unfairly damaging their children by bonding them to their social foibles through home schooling. The real hope for these kids is to learn there is a better way of life, and they are being robbed of such opportunity. Also, while I'm complaining, I'll say there appears to me a ready hubris on the part of a lot of home schooling parents, as if they've reached a pinnacle of parenting that others have yet to find. I don't know- maybe it's just my clouded point of view!
posted by: FinalyFree (reply)
post date: 11.27.07 (8:48 pm)
Reply to: ggirl
Well thank you, my new best friend... lol--don't think I've ever been told I was compelling :)
You know I've thought about the whole homeschooling issue for a long time now. I realize that there are situations where it would prove beneficial for all involved and I respect the parents that are willing to make that kind of sacrifice. And yes, it is a sacrifice no matter how rewarding. But you've shed a very new light on the subject, I never realized just how good 'getting away' was for me and I didn't have a horrid home environment. I can only imagine that kind of distraction would be extremely valuable to someone who did.
posted by: FinalyFree (reply)
post date: 11.27.07 (8:52 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
Isn't it amazing how doting we can become? lol
Oh I've met a few homeschooling parents who weren't overtly self-righteous (yes, my words not yours. heh) but even those seemed to look at me with pity in their eyes that I hadn't realized the evils of public education. And if I lived in a large, crime-ridden city I'm sure I'd look for every alternative to possibly sub standard public education, but that's simply not the case for me, and the majority of the blogs mentioned above.
So I guess I share that same clouded view as you do :)
posted by: inkspector (reply)
post date: 12.03.07 (2:40 pm)
Homeschooled children must take all the tests like they do in the public school. In some states, if the home schooled child does not score well on grade average, the town/state can do something about it. PD is correct that most homeschooled children are homeschooled under the vise of "religious beliefs". However, some children do much better when they can have complete focus on subject matter without all the distractions that happen in a public school setting.
Some children end up homeschooled because of distant location from a public school and maybe no transportation (some districts are requiring additonal fees for bus runs).
If need be, homeschooled children can attend public school for things like art, music, gym, computer. Usually they go in for one day and do it all.
About those blogging homeschooling Moms, I have to wonder when they blog, just what are their children doing? Silent reading? worksheet?
I agree that too much info on your blog can be a bad thing.
posted by: FinalyFree (reply)
post date: 12.03.07 (2:56 pm)
Reply to: inkspector
I learned about homeschooling from a very close friend of mine--she homeschooled her children through high school. She had the most up to date ciriculum and her children thrived. Here's my concern, if the state requires a teacher to have no less than a Bachelors degree in order to teach school, why wouldn't a parent have to? Granted a parent has a much smaller student to teacher ratio but a public school teacher also has curiculum proviced--both have to make lesson plans but a public school teacher normally only has to focus on one grade level while a parent might have several. These are just a few of my own personal observations, as well as the fact that my own husband homeschooled two of his sons for a semester--I know many people that have good reasons for doing it, but you bring up a VERY good point about the blogging Mommy's--what are the kids doing? From my own household experience with homeschooled kids I can attest that it was never in any way as structured as public school was.
I know some states have 'online homeschooling' where the kids attend a virtual classroom with an instructor. I think if I were going to homeschool that's the way I would go.
posted by: inkspector (reply)
post date: 12.03.07 (5:51 pm)
Yes, that is an issue -- teachers require education and certification/license, depending on the criteria for certification, the Praxis II test included. So why is it that someone without these qualifications can homeschool yet a teacher has to have a multitude of credentials that they must keep current to keep their license?
There are some excellent home school programs out there as well as good parents who put the time in that they are suppose to to educate their children properly.
For those children whose parents take the responsibility and stay on track with the program (a lot of discipline and dedication is involved), when they go into the public school system, they typically read above grade level and are a bit more advanced in some content areas. (This can also be seen with students who attend Montessori schools too).
Typically, a structured homeschool program runs continuous from 7:30-12:30 pm and is adjusted from time to time but is concrete. Those that are not, those are the ones that may not be doing the right thing.
My children attend public schools but I do do some homeschooling with them (enrichment) that they do not get from school due to budget cuts. We put in an hour every day and a couple of hours on Sat. and Sun.. My children do time -- yeah.
posted by: inkspector (reply)
post date: 12.03.07 (5:58 pm)
PS -- yes, I am a certified and HQT (Highly Qualified Teacher, now according to the NCLB act). I also think that the NCLB act is the dumbest law ever put forth because it is putting the burden on schools/teachers NOT the responsibility of parents to raise children properly (attitudes being an issue). The money should be going to educate some parents or high schoolers who are not well off and their children are at risk for many social issues in their futures (creating the vicious cycle from generation to generation).
posted by: FinalyFree (reply)
post date: 12.03.07 (10:46 pm)
Reply to: inkspector
I think homeschooling in addition to public education is wonderful idea! I think homeschooling on a full time basis takes major planning and discipline and honestly I don't know if I would be cut out for that aspect alone. I would worry that I wasn't giving my children what they needed. Granted over the years both of mine had teachers that I felt like should have choosen a different profession but those were few and far between.
posted by: FinalyFree (reply)
post date: 12.03.07 (10:49 pm)
Reply to: inkspector
Oh lawsy don't even get me started on "No Child Left Behind" lol--outside the whole 'war thing' that has to be the most hair-brained idea of this administration! What can we possibly expect from a generation that isn't taught to be held accountable? To say nothing of the parents, many of whom are of the mindset that it's the school systems responsibility to 'raise' their children.
OK I better stop, I feel my blood pressure rising! heh
posted by: inkspector (reply)
post date: 12.04.07 (5:42 am)
I taught in the private sector and you are so right about parents passing the buck and expecting the schools to raise their children. Most morals and ethics are instilled in children by age 5 before they attend school, after that it is too late for most. Teachers are finding that they have to spend time teaching social manners to most students.
Now with all the credientials on the increase, fewer people are staying in education. Most of my friends have left after 20 years and are starting new careers. A few still keep their foot in the door in some way shape or form on a limited basis but they don't have to be certified to do that.
I do miss the people.
I had interns and some of them were super! I could always tell if their parents were educators after briefly speaking with them.
Some were in education for the wrong reasons, especially for summers off. Sorry, but to keep up the certs, you don't get summers off because you have to do classes and workshops also committee work within a school. And if the school changes any curriculum material, fit the training process in also before school starts.
I also think that this 4 years degree in anything and a 5th year for a Masters degree in teaching without any teaching experience is crazy but most colleges/universities are doing this. I went to a teaching college where most students were education majors however, now, it is a university and only 20%, if that, are graduating as teachers. Shocking.
However, their Masters program for teachers is exceeding popular.
Right now I am on leave of absence and I am not too sure I want to go back! I have had less illness, less headaches, and can actually tend to my own children without the interference of a school issue cropping up if I were working. ok so I work/volunteer/homeschool with my own kids and they are the ones that benefit.
