"I'll sail past and give you a wave."

You do just that, imajulianutter.

Don't forget to sail straight on past.....

With your attitude, it's probably for the best.

Dear Poirot,

Do not answer the question if you feel it's intrusive. However, if you don't mind answering why did you decide to home school your children? I have a stereotype of people who home school their children, and you don't fit the stereotype.

My stereotype is that some people who home school do it because they don't want their children exposed to the interplay of ideas in schools and want to indoctrinate their children with their own ideas. Some don't want their children exposed to people of other religions or ethnicities. Religious schools may admit children with other backgrounds than that of the founders and supporters of the school. Others may think that their children cannot cope with bullying and the other problems of being with other children. I think that we shouldn't be overpropective of our children. I feel there is an advantage to my children of mixing with children whose parents may have different ideas from mine, hearing views that go counter to mine and growing up to be independent thinking people so I do not favour home schooling.

However, you seem to me an individual who fits none of the above, and I have a great respect for the way your think in general. What is your reason for home schooling? I will not expect an answer since you may see the question as intrusive. In that case I apologise for asking it.

CARFAX: You need to be the one that stops digging and looks up Finland's official education page; but particularly if you believe any part of my second post is wrong.
If so, please feel completely free to point to any actual mistake as evidenced in the OFFICIAL page; or apologise!
And can the abusive abrasive nature of your next post, thank you! Common courtesy and civility cost nothing!
Parenthetically, Private schools that are fully funded by the state, are arguably, private in name only!
Rhrosty.

David f,

There wasn't just one reason for our deciding to homeschool, but a few.

Firstly, this was a second time round thing with educating a child. My son was born when my daughter was 19. I was aware that most of the influences that shaped my daughters intellect and her strengths were things she had pursued in her own time, not those she had been taught at school.

Being much older with my second child, I was a little more confident in following a path, not prescribed by our increasingly institutionalized society. Our son read very early, and being mildly autistic, excelled at following his own self-directed investigations. I found it very easy to guide him through his particular interests, and to introduce aspects of the various disciplines into the his areas of interest.

"Homeschool" is a bit misleading. He just lives in the community. He is the most confident child I know and mixes easily with other children and adults. He attends a theatre class once a week and mixes with other homeschooled children and with the children of our friends.

Kids with mild (high-functioning) autism/ Aspergers can tend to have high anxiety and social difficulties. All the children I know in this position are dosed with Ritalin in order for them to attend school (many taken off it in the holidays)and still they are often wracked with problems fitting themselves in at school.

Our boy is not dosed with anything - is confident, not particularly anxious, healthy, happy and bright.

That's why I homeschool.

Poirot,

it certainly one thing I can congratulate on. It takes some guts to homeschool and its not for everyone however done right it yields outstanding results.

Thank you, runner.