Comments for Homefires Journal

Comment on Rites of Passage by Mama Owl

Mama Owl — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 17:56:30 +0000

I am a little surprised and miffed at your remarks! That is the beauty of homeschooling… tailoring to fit your needs and wants. Just because I choose to follow more “traditional” schooling methods, does not make me any less of a homeschooler. I am a personality type that likes definite guides and lines to follow and stay within. That means setting a day to start and a day to finish… taking a summer break… it keeps me accountable, or we would never get anything done… and gives us a needed break to spend with our “public schooling” friends. If year round or “unshcooling” is your way of doing school, then so be it. I won’t bash you for doing so, even though I don’t understand either one. Please have the courtesy to do the same.

Comment on Rites of Passage by Teresa Nelson

Teresa Nelson — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 01:53:54 +0000

We graduated our first two sons three years ago. We had a wonderful service where our Pastor gave them advice on serving God and doing His will in their lives, we (the parents) prayed over our sons and then we all went downstairs for a meal. We saw it as an opportunity to be witnesses to our friends and relatives. It was beautiful and I hope to do it again for my next two sons who will graduate in 2013. I do not agree with having to do everything the way public school does either. But the opportunity to draw our friends and relatives together to witness the way God has worked in our lives was irresistible.

Comment on Rites of Passage by Renee Beck

Renee Beck — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 15:21:00 +0000

Our homeschooled daughter will attend college to become a teacher – with a different attitude toward school! Our celebration will be a “sending off” instead of a graduation party.

(Just a comment: Pomp and Circumstance is actually good music. It may be used in a “dim-witted” way, but the music itself is worthy.Being the recipient of negative generalizations because of our choice of schooling, we try very hard not to perpetuate that attitude.)

Thanks for all the research you do on our behalf.

Comment on Rites of Passage by Annette

Annette — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 23:24:21 +0000

I thought I’d share a lesson on Rituals and Rites of Passage for students working at the 5th-6th grade level, prepared by Jennie Rasband.

http://teacherlink.ed.usu.edu/tlresources/units/byrnes-celebrations/rites%20of%20passage.html

Comment on Rites of Passage by meg cox

meg cox — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 15:48:10 +0000

Diane–
This is Meg Cox, author of The Book of New Family Traditions, and I was so pleased to see you recommend my book in your post. I know it is on your list of top books for homeschool parents as well.
I am fascinated by stories about how HS families mark things like graduation in their own way. I’ve seen several major media stories about that this month.
Anyway, I am contacting you to let you know that I am currently researching and writing an updated/expanded edition of The Book of New Family Traditions, which will be out next spring (the 2003 edition is sold out and now hard to find). I would love it if you can let your community of HS families know that I am actively seeking new rituals to include in the new edition! That includes rituals and celebrations for everyday and special occasions– like graduation, milestone birthdays, etc. If anyone wants to reach me, just write to meg@megcox.com.
I will be sure to send you a review copy next year when the book comes out!
thanks for your support, Meg Cox

Comment on Yes, My Grown Homeschooled Children Are Odd — And Yours Will Be Too! by Leslie Bandi

Leslie Bandi — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:28:30 +0000

Wow, I needed that! Excellent article! And, as a grown homeschooled parent now homeschooling my own two kids, I can say that yes, I’m odd. I’m blendable in most situations but always looking at things in a nonconventional way. I HATE the s-word, always have. But I think this article helped me to embrace who I am, who my incredible parents are, and who my children are becoming.

Comment on Rites of Passage by Laurel Santiago

Laurel Santiago — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 03:07:22 +0000

Thanks so much for this affirming and empowering article. I decided to graduate my daughter on her 16th birthday. My husband and I talked about presenting her with her diploma at her sweet 16 party, but decided that rather than have to deal with the negativity that other relatives would bring with the early homeschool diploma, we are going to save the graduation party for her college graduation. I am proud to say that she is enrolled in an online bachelor’s degree program as of today.

Comment on Rites of Passage by Mayra

Mayra — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 02:27:45 +0000

I was just talking to my daughter this morning about this very thing. She graduates this year. We have always had year round school. We will be having a graduation celebration for her at the end of July when her dual credit college classes end. These classes will put her at 18 transferable college credits. Attending this celebration along with our family will be another family which is very close to us with their public schooled kids and our Pastor. This is the only “graduation” she will have ever had and we had to talk her into it. No matter how we celebrate this milestone in her life she knows we are very proud of her. Now I only have 10 more years of homeschooling left, awww.

Comment on Yes, My Grown Homeschooled Children Are Odd — And Yours Will Be Too! by Melody

Melody — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 01:51:56 +0000

I also have noticed too, that no matter how hard I try to keep my children isolated we just can not escape the socialization from Church functions or from our ballet classes. In fact there is not one day during a given week that we spend all to ourselves. Except for the occasional holiday when things are canceled, but then we are usually around the cousins or other kids. I’ve never been concerned about getting my kids socialized, I’ve been concerned that we are getting too much socialization. And I do love your article, as I see that when my children do play with other public school kids they influence them to use their imagination in playing outside and making up new games. My children do have different ways of thinking and influencing the children to follow them in their way of playing. I’ve not thought of it they way you have put it.
Very good insight you have.
Thanks
Melody

Comment on Heads Up, California Voters! by Homeschooling Guide

Homeschooling Guide — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 21:22:20 +0000

While all of the above are true facts, remember that you need to, as a parent, understand that this is the right choice. Choosing free homeschool could be the best thing that can happen to your child and you can read up on many reviews that will showcase this by and large.

Moreover, what you also need to understand is that there are other parents just like you wondering about free homeschool. What you need to do is to reach out to them and then see what their viewpoint is. There is strength in numbers and latching onto parents who are also in the same boat will help you in the long term as well when it comes to making a decision of sorts. Remember not to be cowed down by perception but to see it for what it is.