Enough negativity. It’s time I began a new series focusing on the positive, on what education really is, or should be. I’m trembling at the prospect.. and it serves me right. Always so much easier to carp and criticize. I feel like Job when he said “I have uttered what I did not understand, things … Continue reading
Author Archives: normaleducation
My relief
WE GOT the exemption. (See previous two posts.) Sighs of relief resound, but grumbles still abound. I could have got it so much more easily. I could have played their game. I could have said things like “Of course! I see it now! I should give my children spelling tests every week, because no-one can … Continue reading
My fault
Okay, it’s my own stupid fault I’m having so much trouble getting this exemption (see previous post). I just can’t make myself answer those people as if their worldview was right. They’re starting from the premise that children won’t learn unless an adult forces them to, and that the adult won’t do that unless bribed … Continue reading
My grumble
If you’re wondering why I haven’t blogged for a while, well, it’s because I’m in the thick of getting an exemption. (For my overseas readers – in New Zealand we have to apply to the local office of the Ministry of ‘Education’ for their gracious permission to bring up our own children. It’s pretty much … Continue reading
Not a special calling
I’m flexing my fingers here for another difficult one. I hope it will be of interest to people who are considering the broader questions of education. I’ve heard many versions of the following statement: “I wouldn’t want to push home schooling on [other people / my grown up children], because you can’t do it unless … Continue reading
Not a good educational choice
Pardon me while I vent my spleen. I’m simply sick to death of hearing “Oh, we don’t have anything against schools; we just felt that home schooling was a good thing for us, in the place where we were at, at the time…” This is nonsense, folks. There is a time and a place for … Continue reading
normal education 