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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Home education

188 replies

Chortlesauraus · 20/04/2018 18:51

Inspired by another thread but......AIBU to think that home schooling is a bit weird and the people that go down that route can sometimes be a little strange themselves?

I can't even really put my finger on why I find it all so odd....but maybe I'm missing something that home schoolers can enlighten me about

I always get the sense that people who home school are cut from the same cloth as Steiner School enthusiasts.....but that's just me casting wild aspersions 😆

OP posts:
AnneLovesGilbert · 20/04/2018 18:53

What’s wrong with Steiner school enthusiasts?

Does the way other people choose to educate their children affect you in any way?

Pengggwn · 20/04/2018 18:53

I'd consider it and I am DEFINITELY weird.

yoyo1234 · 20/04/2018 18:54

I think there are lots of people trying to do what they hope is the best for their child. All children are different and certain approaches may suit some and not others.

Original poster
Chortlesauraus · 20/04/2018 18:55

Lots of things don't affect me-I can still have an opinion on them though!

OP posts:
Original poster
Chortlesauraus · 20/04/2018 18:56

As for Steiner schools, I mean where do I even begin.....

OP posts:
Chocolala · 20/04/2018 18:56

What yoyo said

overmydeadbody · 20/04/2018 18:57

I spoke to a friend the other day who is considering home schooling her child because she doesn't think she will manage to get her DD to school on timeShockConfused

That's a pretty weird excuse to home school.

Most home schoolers I know are interesting. Not just boring normal. But not the same by any means.

ibicus · 20/04/2018 18:57

Strange as in not the typical normal school clone/not completely brainwashed? Grin I personally prefer democratic schools to Steiner and I'm definitely wanting to do it.Wink

Ummmmgogo · 20/04/2018 18:57

the majority agree with you or schools wouldn't be so popular. it's abit impolite to actually make a post about it though!

Littlecaf · 20/04/2018 18:58

My friend has recently chosen to Home school her youngest child, (He’s 5, the other 4 range from 17 to 7) it would really suit him, he’s safer at home (there are safeguarding issues with his allocated school) and I’m pleased she’s made that choice. She’s turned a negative into a positive. I’m a huge believer in state education but as a parent you have to do what you think is best for your child.

I also have another friend who is home educating and she’s definitely weird. But lovely

justabunchofbunting · 20/04/2018 18:58

well its not what the majority do.... but that doesnt make it 'weird' I can imagine there would be many circumstances where it would seem like the best course of action. All children are different and not all of them thrive in school.
Id certainly consider homeschooling if I felt my child was really not coping with mainstream school. I think a lot of people would.

And again theres nothing wrong with Steiner education if thats what works best for the child.

Babyplaymat · 20/04/2018 19:00

We home ed and are totally normal. 🤤😲

Original poster
Chortlesauraus · 20/04/2018 19:00

Absolutely totally normal? Like definitely for sure? 😬😉

OP posts:
Mousefunky · 20/04/2018 19:00

I had an ex that went to Steiner school and he was one of the strangest people I have ever met. My friend homeschools and yes, she isn’t ‘normal’ by any stretch. The school her DD went to was a lovely small village school so I never understood the decision but she enjoys it so live and let live I suppose.

Sirzy · 20/04/2018 19:01

I think it depends on the reasons for doing it a lot of the time. I know it’s not a popular opinion but I do think there should be some level of supervison - not massively invasive but just to check all is ok and progress is being made.

It is certainly something I would consider for ds if I couldn’t get him into the right provision for secondary age.

grasspigeons · 20/04/2018 19:02

I think its hard to go against a very strong social norm such as sending your child to the local school. So I think home school parents are different in some way - brave or already 'breaking' other social norms. although some seem forced into it by inadequate school provision if their child has additional needs or a rubbish response to bullying.

wheresmycake · 20/04/2018 19:02

I think most other people are odd in some way. Homeschooling isn't a choice I would ever make (I'd make a rubbish teacher) but I'd never dismiss a whole group of people just because they made a different choice.

Some people doing homeschooling are what I'd call odd but that's because they are very different people to me who make different decisions. Not necessarily bad ones.

Babyplaymat · 20/04/2018 19:02

Yup. Totally normal. No twitches whatsoever.

justabunchofbunting · 20/04/2018 19:02

would love to be able to afford to send DS to Summerhill! Looks amazing. I can imagine it would be so beneficial to confidence and motivation in the long term.

Its a shame alternative types of schooling are only really available to people who have the money. I do think state schools should be allowed to embrace different styles of teaching.
It doesnt look like its ever going to go that way with all these extra sats etc sadly

WeirdCatLady · 20/04/2018 19:03

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stitchglitched · 20/04/2018 19:04

I home ed due to my son's additional needs not being met in school and there are several of us doing it for similar reasons in my local community. We aren't weird, just doing the best we can for our kids rather than continue sending them to an environment they can't cope with and can't learn in. My life would be alot easier if I could send my son to school.

HairyToity · 20/04/2018 19:04

Disagree entirely. A friend home schooled for 8 months. Her high functioning ASD daughter was struggling in mainstream. A space came available in a specialist school and she is now much happier.

grasspigeons · 20/04/2018 19:04

can I just clarify - that home-schooling isn't a rubbish response to bullying, I meant a school school had responded rubbishy to bullying so the parent had to do something better.

Swallowfalls · 20/04/2018 19:06

The reasons for HE are many and varied, as are the people who choose it for their children so I don't think you can generalise. We're working class, not generally thought of as 'weird' (as far as I know anyway), don't live any kind of alternative lifestyle other than that our DC learn at home instead of school. It's a different approach to one area of life/parenting, I'm not sure that adds up to us being weird generally.

athingthateveryoneneeds · 20/04/2018 19:06

Frankly I think society is going to pot so if someone thinks I'm weird because I'm doing something that isn't "normal" I consider that a good thing.

We home educated our DC for a few years - they were joyous, messy, fascinating and amazing years. Loved it. But it is no longer the right choice for our family so I love this phase too.

In my experience, people are just doing the best they can with what life has thrown at them.

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