en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/1741667 Comments by NCHometownGirl http://www.churchandculture.org/blog.asp?id=306#IDComment105086515 What a lovely story! Thanks for sharing it. Wed, 20 Oct 2010 20:58:42 +0000 http://www.churchandculture.org/blog.asp?id=306#IDComment105086515 http://biggovernment.com/ssorbo/2010/09/12/back-to-school-part-one/#IDComment99054806 Thank you! Yes, I understand what you mean about wasting one's breath. Thanks for pointing it out. That's interesting about Texas - I think the growth in my state is at about 30% per year. We're fortunate to have more freedom than in some other states, and Texas is probably a great state for homeschooling, too. God be with you and your family, as well! Thu, 16 Sep 2010 01:41:35 +0000 http://biggovernment.com/ssorbo/2010/09/12/back-to-school-part-one/#IDComment99054806 http://biggovernment.com/ssorbo/2010/09/12/back-to-school-part-one/#IDComment98620471 Haha! What a great comment. You have no idea where she goes or what she is doing. I would ignore your comment, but to stand up for all Christians, conservatives, homeschoolers and others who do things a little differently, here's a brief resume of my daughter: She's at a school with the same accreditation as Harvard, double majoring in finance and psychology, straight A's, AND...she already works for Disney (12 awards so far), has done a marketing internship in NYC, is an assistant teacher and demonstrator for a Broadway dance company, works in television and print modeling...and pays her own way at the age of 19. I won't go into all of the volunteer work she does. :) Have a good evening! Mon, 13 Sep 2010 23:57:42 +0000 http://biggovernment.com/ssorbo/2010/09/12/back-to-school-part-one/#IDComment98620471 http://biggovernment.com/ssorbo/2010/09/12/back-to-school-part-one/#IDComment98604649 My daughter had enrolled at a college where she was awarded a scholarship. She had to choose a freshman seminar from choices like "Sex and the Bible", "Sex and the Hebrew Church", "Social Justice" and "Gender Studies." She had to take 3 semesters of PE courses she could have taught: yoga, dance, sailing. When we looked at the ridiculous waste of time and money, along with the types of courses she would have to take, she chose not to enroll there and chose instead a program focused on real academics, not fluff or indoctrination. Realizing her first semester choices was like a knife in my stomach. She's excelling now in a conservative program. Mon, 13 Sep 2010 21:53:55 +0000 http://biggovernment.com/ssorbo/2010/09/12/back-to-school-part-one/#IDComment98604649 http://biggovernment.com/ssorbo/2010/09/12/back-to-school-part-one/#IDComment98603978 I understand that Hillary is working on the UN Rights of a Child treaty. I'm sure it's in the works somehow. Would be devastating for our country. Mon, 13 Sep 2010 21:48:27 +0000 http://biggovernment.com/ssorbo/2010/09/12/back-to-school-part-one/#IDComment98603978 http://biggovernment.com/ssorbo/2010/09/12/back-to-school-part-one/#IDComment98602793 One of our local districts doesn't have the money for all of the high school students to have books. They have one set of books per grade, so no student takes a book home. Too bad if they need to review something. Mon, 13 Sep 2010 21:38:11 +0000 http://biggovernment.com/ssorbo/2010/09/12/back-to-school-part-one/#IDComment98602793 http://biggovernment.com/ssorbo/2010/09/12/back-to-school-part-one/#IDComment98467312 What a wonderful legacy! You must be very proud, and it must be exciting to be part of the next generation of homeschooling! Thanks for sharing your story. My children say they cannot imagine not homeschooling their own children, and I look forward to sharing it with them, as you are doing. Congratulations on a job well done! Mon, 13 Sep 2010 03:22:45 +0000 http://biggovernment.com/ssorbo/2010/09/12/back-to-school-part-one/#IDComment98467312 http://biggovernment.com/ssorbo/2010/09/12/back-to-school-part-one/#IDComment98451427 Haha! Most definitely! Seriously, we have endured many, many rude comments and questions over the years, but we are fortunate to live in a state where homeschoolers represent one of the largest school districts, and the numbers grow tremendously each year. So, it's not as "weird" as it used to be, and homeschooled kids have proven themselves to anyone whose opinion really matters. :) Mon, 13 Sep 2010 01:04:37 +0000 http://biggovernment.com/ssorbo/2010/09/12/back-to-school-part-one/#IDComment98451427 http://biggovernment.com/ssorbo/2010/09/12/back-to-school-part-one/#IDComment98441232 Wow. I watched the video. I'm shocked at the closing of the school in order to save money, while sitting on funds to build a new school. What in the world is someone thinking? Sun, 12 Sep 2010 23:33:05 +0000 http://biggovernment.com/ssorbo/2010/09/12/back-to-school-part-one/#IDComment98441232 http://biggovernment.com/ssorbo/2010/09/12/back-to-school-part-one/#IDComment98438724 Thanks for sharing from the teacher's point of view. There are many wonderful teachers who must be as frustrated as the parents are. Sun, 12 Sep 2010 23:08:44 +0000 http://biggovernment.com/ssorbo/2010/09/12/back-to-school-part-one/#IDComment98438724 http://biggovernment.com/ssorbo/2010/09/12/back-to-school-part-one/#IDComment98438075 Yes, thanks for mentioning Lisa Whelchel's book. Great resource. Sun, 12 Sep 2010 23:02:53 +0000 http://biggovernment.com/ssorbo/2010/09/12/back-to-school-part-one/#IDComment98438075 http://biggovernment.com/ssorbo/2010/09/12/back-to-school-part-one/#IDComment98436908 My family experienced this very situation when our children started school. They spent hours on homework, while spending classroom time on activities and enrichment, such as first aid, junior achievement and drug education. Our daughter's 4th grade teacher asked us to teach our children long division before the state end of year testing, because they had not had time to get to it during the day. Our children begged us to homeschool, as they were bored from having to wait on others to catch up and not allowed to excel so that others' feelings wouldn't be hurt. I have many horror stories of their formal school experience, even though they were in Christian school for 2 years and in an exclusive private school for 2 years. I didn't think I could do a good job, but after sitting at the kitchen table at 10 pm night after night teaching math, it hit me: I was already homeschooling! The first year is a challenge, but homeschooling is rewarding and it becomes a way of life. It's not for everyone, of course, but if you're interested at all, know that you can succeed at it, and your family and your children will be blessed. Our daughter finished high school at 16 and went to work for Disney. She was offered a number of excellent college scholarships. Our son is on track to graduate early, also; he is working on his pilot's license, is a state champ in his sport and competed in the Junior Olympics. He's already earned college credits through dual enrollment. They have time and freedom to explore and to excel. Both have worked at real jobs and enjoy their academic work. My only regret is that we didn't start homeschooling sooner. I missed out on those early years of discovery, but am thankful we eventually made the leap. That's our story. Thanks for the article. I wish your family much happiness and success. Sun, 12 Sep 2010 22:51:21 +0000 http://biggovernment.com/ssorbo/2010/09/12/back-to-school-part-one/#IDComment98436908