Are You Qualified to Teach Your Own Children at Home?

[DXPose]

Ask yourself a few questions:

1. Who loves your children more? You or public school teachers?
2. Who cares more about the physical safety of your children? You or public school teachers?
3. Who wants to see your children succeed academically the most? You or public school teachers?
4. Who is concerned about the spiritual and emotional well-being of your children more? You or public school teachers?
5. Who is willing to invest the necessary time to make sure your children achieve their goals in life? You or public school teachers?

Oftentimes parents may get discouraged or feel overwhelmed with the thought of homeschooling their own children because the culture says parents are not qualified to teach if they don't have a "degree" in education. But a casual look at the products of today’s public schooled children quickly reveals that the so-called trained professionals are failing miserably at their jobs and producing immoral misfits who can barely read or write.

Let me tell you parents, if you love God and are committed to doing what is right, you are qualified to teach your children! No one can teach your children better than you, because no one loves your children and cares more for your children's eternal salvation than you. Keep in mind that the goal with education is NOT academic success!

Education is not just about what facts a child knows; it is primarily about how he becomes equipped for the battle, and how he lives his life once he is grown. As Jesus said in Mark 8:36, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

The most important objective with raising children is building their character with a strong moral foundation, not teaching them math, spelling, and science. The main goal in child training is to train them to be obedient, respectful, to honor God, to learn His Word and to love each other. Once those things are in place, the academics will naturally follow with ease. (*Note: Homeschooling statistics reveal that children who are taught at home outscore their public school classmates in all areas of academics by a landslide.)

A background in teaching is not necessary; in fact, home educated students test scores remained between the 80th and 90th percentiles, whether their mothers had a college degree or did not complete high school.

God said, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it" (Prov. 22:6). As Christians, we are commanded to teach our children the Truth, "diligently all throughout the day," (Deut. 6:5-7) and to “bring them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).

God's design is for the family to be together; it was never to send children away from the home all day to be educated, especially to a godless humanistic, pagan seminary! For Christian kids, there is no better place for that education than in the home where children are loved, nurtured, attended to and taught by their own parents.

 

[Maximeee]

I think the questions you ask even apply to atheists. I mean, besides the fact that the system is totally Godless, the standard for education is terrible.

 

[DXPose]

I think the questions you ask even apply to atheists. I mean, besides the fact that the system is totally Godless, the standard for education is terrible.

Oh, of course - this is why there is a whole movement of atheist and secular homeschoolers. You don't have to be a Christian to know that the academic teachings totally suck and the environment is violent, hostile and a hazard to the kid's safety. :duh:

Any parent with half a brain can see this, regardless of their religious background. I mean, how many teachers are going to molest the students, and how many school shootings is it going to take for parents to wake up?

 

[Aimey]

am I qualified to teach my children?

am I qualified to teach my children?

YES!

 

[Granite]

Some parents are, some parents are not.

 

[One Eyed Jack]

Some parents are, some parents are not.

I'd have to agree with that. Some parents aren't even fit to be parents, much less teachers.

 

[CabinetMaker]

Do you have the background to teach:

• English
• Literature
• Art Theory (Painting, ceramics, silk screen)
• Physics (laws of motion, electricity)
• Chemistry
• Math (Algebra, trigonometry calculus, etc.)
• Biology (including the theory of evolution taught honestly)

I mean really teach it, not just repeat what you read in the teachers manual. Do you understand the laws of motion to the point where you can answer any question your student might have? Do know algebra to the point that you can factor polynomials and three equations for three unknowns? Are you comfortable with the language of Shakespeare? Can you recognize all of the required parts of speech and punctuation such that you can grade a high school level or even college level paper? Do you have access to the lab equipment so that student scan do dissection, chemestry and physics experiments to better help them understand what they read in t the text books?

I can do some of these and my wife can do others but even together we cannot cover every subject with the expertise necessary to give our children an education that will give them what they need to do well in college.

I think some people can do a wonderful job teaching their children at home. I think that for some families, they can start their children at home but will eventually need to put them into a more formal school better able to meet their needs.

One last thing, I am disappointed in your constant deragatory over generalizations of public school teachers. To be sure, there are some teachers out there that are terrible teachers and other teachers with anti-God agendas. But there are many more who truly care for kids and are Christians as well. The didn't go into teaching to get rich, they went into teaching to work with and help children. I know many teachers that care greatly for children. I have had public school teachers take my daughter aside in class and say a prayer with her. I watched my mother try to adopt some kids because their home life was so tragic.

A great many of the problems faced by public education today are caused by the parents, not the teachers.

 

[Door]

Any parent is qualified to teach their kids, but only those who really care about their kids will take the time to do it. The rest send them off to public school.

 

[Four O'Clock]

Do you have the background to teach:

• English
• Literature
• Art Theory (Painting, ceramics, silk screen)
• Physics (laws of motion, electricity)
• Chemistry
• Math (Algebra, trigonometry calculus, etc.)
• Biology (including the theory of evolution taught honestly)

I mean really teach it, not just repeat what you read in the teachers manual. Do you understand the laws of motion to the point where you can answer any question your student might have? Do know algebra to the point that you can factor polynomials and three equations for three unknowns? Are you comfortable with the language of Shakespeare? Can you recognize all of the required parts of speech and punctuation such that you can grade a high school level or even college level paper? Do you have access to the lab equipment so that student scan do dissection, chemestry and physics experiments to better help them understand what they read in t the text books?

I can do some of these and my wife can do others but even together we cannot cover every subject with the expertise necessary to give our children an education that will give them what they need to do well in college.

I think some people can do a wonderful job teaching their children at home. I think that for some families, they can start their children at home but will eventually need to put them into a more formal school better able to meet their needs.

One last thing, I am disappointed in your constant deragatory over generalizations of public school teachers. To be sure, there are some teachers out there that are terrible teachers and other teachers with anti-God agendas. But there are many more who truly care for kids and are Christians as well. The didn't go into teaching to get rich, they went into teaching to work with and help children. I know many teachers that care greatly for children. I have had public school teachers take my daughter aside in class and say a prayer with her. I watched my mother try to adopt some kids because their home life was so tragic.

A great many of the problems faced by public education today are caused by the parents, not the teachers.

:thumb:

 

[asilentskeptic]

For those parents who do not have the specific knowledge required to be a good "teacher" still have other options available to them besides public school. There are video courses available (I was raised on A beka) that can provide a good solid education. I was allowed to skip a grade when I entered into the public school system because of how I was educated as a kid.

That still does not mean kids don't miss out on certain things when they get an education at home (social skills, contact with people from other cultures, etc.), but there are many groups that bring home schooled kids together to allow those things to happen. Certain groups provide field trips, activities and sports that would not be available to a normal set of parents who want to educate their kids at home.

I have other problems with most home schooling, but many arguments made against it have no real basis in reality.

 

[nicholsmom]

Do you have the background to teach:

• English
• Literature
• Art Theory (Painting, ceramics, silk screen)
• Physics (laws of motion, electricity)
• Chemistry
• Math (Algebra, trigonometry calculus, etc.)
• Biology (including the theory of evolution taught honestly)

I mean really teach it, not just repeat what you read in the teachers manual. Do you understand the laws of motion to the point where you can answer any question your student might have? Do know algebra to the point that you can factor polynomials and three equations for three unknowns? Are you comfortable with the language of Shakespeare? Can you recognize all of the required parts of speech and punctuation such that you can grade a high school level or even college level paper? Do you have access to the lab equipment so that student scan do dissection, chemestry and physics experiments to better help them understand what they read in t the text books?

I can do some of these and my wife can do others but even together we cannot cover every subject with the expertise necessary to give our children an education that will give them what they need to do well in college.

I think some people can do a wonderful job teaching their children at home. I think that for some families, they can start their children at home but will eventually need to put them into a more formal school better able to meet their needs.

One last thing, I am disappointed in your constant deragatory over generalizations of public school teachers. To be sure, there are some teachers out there that are terrible teachers and other teachers with anti-God agendas. But there are many more who truly care for kids and are Christians as well. The didn't go into teaching to get rich, they went into teaching to work with and help children. I know many teachers that care greatly for children. I have had public school teachers take my daughter aside in class and say a prayer with her. I watched my mother try to adopt some kids because their home life was so tragic.

A great many of the problems faced by public education today are caused by the parents, not the teachers.

Yes. Nevertheless I needn't. At the high school level there are community college courses available to provide these services in addition to other home schooling parents who are qualified to teach these courses in groups to other children. I may do that at some point - teach a group of high school kids physics or realistic drawing or cooking or ...

Additionally, most of my learning in high school was self-taught by the text books and practical experience. I got very little from the lectures & the teachers never personally helped me. Lectures can be purchased if need be, and text books are easy to acquire, as are lab supplies. Kids who are schooled at home are very good self-motivators and learn on their own with facility.

Also, it may be noted that not all children are headed in such a technical direction - most, I'd guess, are not inclined toward this type of study at all, especially where the parents are not. Children who have aptitude for fine art are usually born to artists; those with a thirst for science or math are typically born to those with like interests. I, for instance, was born to an artist and an engineer, and I am both and more - but along the same lines of interest. I have siblings who are artists, one is a teacher, one a computer/media specialist, and another who is a factory worker. But none of my siblings was interested in accounting, for instance. I have a friend whose parents have no particular affinity or aptitude for anything technical or speciallized, but they can add. She loves accounting.

My point is that not all subjects need to be addressed in the home. Some may be addressed through outside influence (mine take dance classes, for instance), and not all need to be addressed at all.

 

[nicholsmom]

Do you have the background to teach:

• 
  ...
• Biology (including the theory of evolution taught honestly)

You show me a high school text book that honestly teaches evolution properly. It is way to complex a science to be taught at the high school level at all. Let's stick to the basics of biology in high school or provide a separate course altogether in evolution that handles it honestly.

 

[nicholsmom]

For those parents who do not have the specific knowledge required to be a good "teacher" still have other options available to them besides public school. There are video courses available (I was raised on A beka) that can provide a good solid education. I was allowed to skip a grade when I entered into the public school system because of how I was educated as a kid.

That still does not mean kids don't miss out on certain things when they get an education at home (social skills, contact with people from other cultures, etc.), but there are many groups that bring home schooled kids together to allow those things to happen. Certain groups provide field trips, activities and sports that would not be available to a normal set of parents who want to educate their kids at home.

I have other problems with most home schooling, but many arguments made against it have no real basis in reality.

This is all fine for typical kids. For kids with special needs, there must be much more hands-on teaching, which makes it great in the home environment - except where the parents also have learning disabilities. Where this is the case, money for private ed is not likely to be available, nor is it best to try teach the kid in the home. I had considered taking on the teaching of the neighbor's kids, but dh reminded me that I actually have no spare time, and therefore none to give. It does make me sad, but I have tried to help the mother get the extra services her kids need in the public school. It is a good enough school, as public schools go. I find that I cannot save the world :jawdrop:

 

[One Eyed Jack]

I wish I had been homeschooled, but I didn't even know it was an option. My parents wouldn't have even had to teach me -- I could have done it myself. Once I learned to read, I taught myself everything anyway.

 

[DXPose]

I'd have to agree with that. Some parents aren't even fit to be parents, much less teachers.

This is definitely true. These parents would have probably answered differently to the questions in the OP.

 

[DXPose]

For those parents who do not have the specific knowledge required to be a good "teacher" still have other options available to them besides public school. There are video courses available (I was raised on A beka) that can provide a good solid education. I was allowed to skip a grade when I entered into the public school system because of how I was educated as a kid.

That still does not mean kids don't miss out on certain things when they get an education at home (social skills, contact with people from other cultures, etc.), but there are many groups that bring home schooled kids together to allow those things to happen. Certain groups provide field trips, activities and sports that would not be available to a normal set of parents who want to educate their kids at home.

I have other problems with most home schooling, but many arguments made against it have no real basis in reality.

Well said! :up: However, I think the one of the main reasons parents chose to homeschool is for the very fact that they DO want their kids to miss out on certain things like the "socialization" aspect of public school. The bullying, fierce peer pressure, sexual harassment, vulgar language, drugs, drinking, sexual promiscuity, rebellion, homo tolerance, disrespect of authority and so on are all things I want my kids to miss out on.

There is so much freedom with homeschooling. I am thankful that our days are flexible, and we are not restricted by school bells and rigid schedules or limited by godless government policies. This allows us the freedom to operate our day in the best way that will maximize our family’s needs and reap the richest rewards that homeschooling has to offer. We don’t have to call in on sick days or miss school for vacations because we can learn wherever we are and we don’t have to answer to the school authorities.

 

[Granite]

This is definitely true. These parents would have probably answered differently to the questions in the OP.

Leaving such parents with what options?

 

[DXPose]

Leaving such parents with what options?

If parents are not willing to sacrifice the necessary time and dedication required to teach their own children at home, then public school is a fine option for them.

Remember - having a “degree” in teaching isn't the requirement here, all that is needed is for parents to truly love their children and be willing to invest in their future.

While this can apply to parents of all religious backgrounds, or even atheists, the real goal for us as Christians is to train up our children with the fear and admonition of the Lord. I am thankful to be the one in charge of all the educational material that my children learn from, and I have the authority to censor inappropriate information if I want or study any subject I choose. If my kids went to public school, there is an 88% chance they would get brainwashed with liberal humanism and graduate believing lies and rejecting God. Homeschooling allows me to indoctrinate my own kids with traditional Christian morals and values, along with real science and academics. Children are going to get indoctrinated one way or the other – might as well indoctrinate them with the TRUTH.

 

[Granite]

If parents are not willing to sacrifice the necessary time and dedication required to teach their own children at home, then public school is a fine option for them.

Remember - having a “degree” in teaching isn't the requirement here, all that is needed is for parents to truly love their children and be willing to invest in their future.

While this can apply to parents of all religious backgrounds, or even atheists, the real goal for us as Christians is to train up our children with the fear and admonition of the Lord. I am thankful to be the one in charge of all the educational material that my children learn from, and I have the authority to censor inappropriate information if I want or study any subject I choose. If my kids went to public school, there is an 88% chance they would get brainwashed with liberal humanism and graduate believing lies and rejecting God. Homeschooling allows me to indoctrinate my own kids with traditional Christian morals and values, along with real science and academics. Children are going to get indoctrinated one way or the other – might as well indoctrinate them with the TRUTH.

Even parents willing to make that sacrifice may not make for good teachers. In fact, it may be a terrible mistake. Just because a parent is willing to teach their kids doesn't mean they should.

 

[Lighthouse]

Do you have the background to teach:

• English
• Literature
• Art Theory (Painting, ceramics, silk screen)
• Physics (laws of motion, electricity)
• Chemistry
• Math (Algebra, trigonometry calculus, etc.)
• Biology (including the theory of evolution taught honestly)

I mean really teach it, not just repeat what you read in the teachers manual. Do you understand the laws of motion to the point where you can answer any question your student might have? Do know algebra to the point that you can factor polynomials and three equations for three unknowns? Are you comfortable with the language of Shakespeare? Can you recognize all of the required parts of speech and punctuation such that you can grade a high school level or even college level paper? Do you have access to the lab equipment so that student scan do dissection, chemestry and physics experiments to better help them understand what they read in t the text books?

For the most part, yes.

But why do you assume that all of these are a must for students before they finish high school?

I can do some of these and my wife can do others but even together we cannot cover every subject with the expertise necessary to give our children an education that will give them what they need to do well in college.

Don't even act like you don't have access to the internet. We know better.

I think some people can do a wonderful job teaching their children at home. I think that for some families, they can start their children at home but will eventually need to put them into a more formal school better able to meet their needs.

What you fail to understand is that many children are exceptionally able to teach themselves. A lot better than any "qualified" teacher.

One last thing, I am disappointed in your constant deragatory over generalizations of public school teachers. To be sure, there are some teachers out there that are terrible teachers and other teachers with anti-God agendas. But there are many more who truly care for kids and are Christians as well. The didn't go into teaching to get rich, they went into teaching to work with and help children. I know many teachers that care greatly for children. I have had public school teachers take my daughter aside in class and say a prayer with her. I watched my mother try to adopt some kids because their home life was so tragic.

Your anecdotes mean very little. The truth is that while there are exceptions to the rule, the rule is that most public school teachers are Godless, including many who wear His name.

A great many of the problems faced by public education today are caused by the parents, not the teachers.

Exactly. The parents who are sending their children to someone else to raise them.

I wish I had been homeschooled, but I didn't even know it was an option. My parents wouldn't have even had to teach me -- I could have done it myself. Once I learned to read, I taught myself everything anyway.

You and me both.