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Guy Swann 1y ago

I did great in high school and was so concerned about being top of my class and always having good grades. Then I did poorly (I thought I did, but not really) on a really important test and was crazy upset about it at the end of my junior year.

My biology teacher, who was a seriously cool guy and had a really solid lookout on life, sat down with me and reframed how I thought about how the relationship between the real world and this ridiculous controlled experiment called “schooling.” Literally blew my fucking mind. Suddenly I saw school for what it really was and all of my frustrations and anxiety about it made so much more sense. SO much of it had felt pointless to me but I couldn’t explain why.

I immediately let go of the weight of it all and had a great senior year realizing that my frame should be on what I wanted to do afterward that was going to matter, and how my high school GPA basically wouldn’t mean shit in that regard. I still did pretty great, ended up 4th in my class, but literally all of the anxiety had vanished when I saw it for what it was.

I’ll never forget what a profound impact such a simple change in perspective was. And how quickly I was looking back on my “old self” and thinking what an idiot he was for not seeing what was right in front of him. Even something that he had felt and had itched at him for years, but couldn’t understand.

I look back now and realize that 99% of what I learned during those years that was even slightly useful, was all in Science Olympiad, which was basically a series of engineering challenges for students to compete on. It had nothing to do with my classes or my grades.

Had it not been for that, I would be shocked at how utterly pointless all of it really was. I can’t believe the amount of time and energy I had put toward something that was so meaningless when it came to the real world.

Homeschool your kids and teach them something useful. nostr:note18t3fcafeq8gxnj520frhleh3lrx2njrjpn9fyktez7dytguafcjs07lh9g

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Ava 1y ago

Great post. It is unfortunate that many, if not most parents are either not qualified, or do not have the time or time management skills to adequately homeschool their kids.

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Freebird 1y ago

I've heard this said time and time again but I can honestly say there is almost zero point worrying about it. I'll take a guess that the people you are thinking of are extremely unlikely to even attempt it. But it does depend on what you class as being "qualified". You don't need qualifications to educate your own children. I've had several fellow home educating parents, who are ex-teachers, tell me the best home educators are the ones who have not had any teacher training, as they are not governed by their training bias. They are often coming at from an entirely different angle.

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Carl 1y ago

I was on the fence about homeschooling our son 25 years ago. But a public school teacher friend of mine - (his wife homeschooled their 3 children) helped me make the leap. The final push was that my father-in-law was diagnosed with terminal cancer and he and my son were very close. So I figured we needed to spend all the time we could with him.

One need only look at the stats - you would be hard pressed to do worse the government school. Especially early on. If you look at it that way - you have nothing to lose.

After 2 years (and I regret this) we put him in “regular” school. But - I still took him out at least 30 days a year up until about 8th grade (then sports and friends made him fairly busy)

I would say well more than 70% can educate thier own children. And maybe it’s even 85%? 95?

Early on It really only takes the 3 R’s, sprinkled in with whatever else you want: some history, some art, physical activities, field trips, maybe just driving around talking.

We basically did whatever from 9 or 9:30 until noon, then maybe 3 times a week we had lunch with my father-in-law.

The things our son learned from my father-in-law can not be measured.

Just talking day after day to a then 65 y.o. Man and listening to the wisdom he has gleaned over a lifetime is a gift he never would have gotten had he been in a government school everyday.

And remember - you never get time

Back.

If you have Love, commitment, a little energy, you can educate your child. Just jump in. I wish you well.

Carl

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Zordon 1y ago

Agreed 99% isn’t useful, BUT I was blessed to have at least heard of Austrian economics and other outlooks that gave me a baseline to understand Bitcoin. And that has proven to be invaluable over many years.

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Carolyn 1y ago

I “passed” high school which was enough for my parents. Definitely my time could have been better served in the coalmines 🤣.

I did better in college, I think having a job and working helped me be successful.

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ChipTuner 1y ago

I had some decent teachers and counselors, but I wish I had that person who could have given me that before I had to figure it out the hard way. I mostly just did what I was told I had to do in order to be useful in the world. I hated it, it also felt pointless but I didn't know any better alternative. I knew what I liked to do, but was told I couldn't pursue it without a degree. To be fair, the reality is, ATM for %99 of the generic workforce, a degree is required, literally doesn't matter if its in the same field, otherwise your resume hits the bin. I have never worked a "normal" 9-5 and I really hope to keep it that way, but haven't figured out how to do it yet. I made it sound like I didn't have the ability to think for myself, which is not true, and it probably made it more difficult because I just wanted to rebel but didn't have the confidence.

I'm hoping someday to be that person for someone like that teach was for you!

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Sir Spencer, Wolf of KC 🐺 1y ago

I wish anyone in my school would have told me something even remotely similar 💛

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f0xr 1y ago

You could debate whether school is the best format to teach reading, writing, and basic arithmetic.

You'd be hard pressed to argue that everything beyond that has degenerated into the kind of feminized nanny state brainwashing that borders on abuse, particularly for boys.

Less schooling and more real world experience, on-the-job training, and as-needed career-specific higher education would be a huge improvement.

nostr:note1vp4pxjctlqvwaems54g34037crf4a5rsp8u93p36qg5ucms5arasfkuzqa

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Classicaldad⚡️ 1y ago

💯! Agree that Science Olympiad was one of the most meaningful academic parts of high school for me, too.

Do whatever you guys can to homeschool Rad. Homeschooling was one of the most unexpected, yet most fulfilling choices my wife and I have made as parents. Play, explore, and read aloud like crazy to him now, and feel free to hit me up if you want ideas/suggestions as he gets to a more “formal” school age. Actually, regardless of age, always keep reading aloud to him. Even through junior high and high school. It’s great family bonding. 📚