Kris Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 A lot of really kewl things have happened the last couple of months, and I thought of these boards. So here I am to brag on my son and thank those who were so helpful. My husband and I were just talking today about how homeschooling my son was the absolute best decision we ever made, and now we are reaping the rewards in a big way. I'm getting a lot of pats on the back from friends and family for doing such a good job, but it definitely wouldn't have been possible but for all the information and feedback here. This was my only resource for learning about how to do things and what was available -- except for TWTM and TWEM books, of course! :D Jann in TX -- Thank you for all your patience while we got his math program straightened out. He has literally been flying through math ever since, working independently with no hitches or glitches. It breaks my heart to think we wasted so much time with Saxon insisting that we could "make it work." We'd probably still be fighting that beast if it wasn't for your help, and it was greatly appreciated. He has -- finally! -- decided what he wants to be "when he grows up." He's never had a plan before, other than "I want to go to college." But why, or what he wanted to do -- not really. And we were always worried about how to pay for it. We are all dead set against him graduating from college with a huge pile of debt. He decided he wanted to check out the Marines, and after talking to them, he was sure that was what he wanted to do. But, of course, as soon as the recruiter found out he was homeschooled, he wasn't very optimistic. He told us my son had to score at least 50 on the ASVAB because he's homeschooled. Since neither of us knew what that was or what it involved, both my son and I were concerned that, now that he'd finally found something he *really* wanted to do, the simple fact that he was homeschooled was going to ruin the whole thing. When we asked if he could take the GED, we were told that was even worse than being homeschooled. So we were very proud of him when he scored in the 80s. :001_smile: He was so far behind when we pulled him out of public school, we spent extra time catching him up before he "officially" started high school. So, technically, he has only done high school for two years, but he does have 15 credits. We had planned on two more years, but he has told me he wants to work extra hard this year and finish high school in three, rather than four years. I think it might be three years and a couple of months, but he's definitely motivated. And even if he changes his mind this year and decides he wants to do something else, he'll be finished with school and ready to move on to whatever that is. Since we aren't a military family, I couldn't figure out where this came from. But in talking to him the past few months, he has really thought this out. Some of you may remember how quiet and introspective he is -- there's a lot going on in there, but most of the time I have no idea what it is. We've discussed his decision, of course, almost to death -- and every time we do he only makes me more proud of him. All the stuff that we have been working on -- all the stuff that I thought was so important -- has actually, really and truly been "getting in there" and he's using those thinking skills now. Of course I'm worried that he's chosing something that's so dangerous. But I've always said it was my job to make sure he could take care of, and think for, himself. And he is definitely doing that. He really doesn't need me anymore! 95% of me is really happy about that. :001_smile: Thank you so much for helping me with the tools and encouragement (directly and indirectly) to raise and educate this fine, outstanding young man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 What a great young man! You are right to be so proud of him. :patriot: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PollyOR Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 Kris, thank you for sharing such an uplifting post. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kris Posted July 27, 2009 Author Share Posted July 27, 2009 What a great young man! You are right to be so proud of him. :patriot: Kris, thank you for sharing such an uplifting post. :grouphug: Thank you, Ladies! I can't believe I forgot the best part -- the big smile and bear hug I got when he found out his test results, and the "Thanks for homeschooling me, Mom!" :lol: Congrads on the new grandson, Polly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brindee Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 That is such a beautiful testimony! And the hug and thanks brought tears to my eyes (okay, I'm a wimp! :D) Thankyou so much for sharing! Congratulations to him for getting such a great score and to you for your hard work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutor Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 Congratulations to your son and to you and your dh! Great job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilbean05 Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 Just as an aside, so you know, there are many scholarship opprotunities through the military for your son to go to college and then join the service upon graduation from school. It isn't the best choice for everyone, but the option is there and is a way to both serve your country and have a financially debt free college degree. It also opens many doors for jobs that are not available to those without a college degree (and closes some doors for jobs that he could do if he didn't have the degree) Just wanted you to know that college doesn't have to be out of the question if he wants to join the military. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryhob Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 :001_smile: It's wonderful to be able to share in the joy of your blessings. Thank you for such an uplifting post! Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnandtinagilbert Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 hip hip :hurray: Stories like this make us all shine! Thank you and congrats on your success! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eaglei Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 What an encouraging post! Thanks for sharing! Congratulations to you and your son on the outstanding accomplishments! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RegGuheert Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 Congratulations, Kris, to you and your son! I know it is a long road for a homeschooling Mom before the big rewards come, but the results generally speak for themselves! But, of course, as soon as the recruiter found out he was homeschooled, he wasn't very optimistic. He told us my son had to score at least 50 on the ASVAB because he's homeschooled.Some people have very closed minds, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kris Posted July 28, 2009 Author Share Posted July 28, 2009 Thank you, everyone. It is kind of fun! Sometimes I don't think my face is wide enough to hold all this grin. :D Just as an aside, so you know, there are many scholarship opprotunities through the military for your son to go to college and then join the service upon graduation from school. It isn't the best choice for everyone, but the option is there and is a way to both serve your country and have a financially debt free college degree. It also opens many doors for jobs that are not available to those without a college degree (and closes some doors for jobs that he could do if he didn't have the degree) Just wanted you to know that college doesn't have to be out of the question if he wants to join the military. Actually, they've spent most of their time talking about just this very thing. It isn't either/or -- so I'm pretty happy about that. :001_smile: Some people have very closed minds, IMO. On the one hand, I understand it, because 'round here we definitely have our share of homeschoolers who were home, but not schooled. As a matter of fact, my neighbors are sending their kids back to PS this fall after having them home for almost a year and a half on "vacation." But, in my limited experience, that's the exception, not the rule, and I'm hard-pressed to think of *any* other group that could be acceptably singled out in this way, i.e., "Oh! You're one of those? Then you have to be better than everyone else!" It was quite an emotional roller coaster for a bit. This has been my "job" for almost five years -- making sure that he could do whatever he set his mind to. And the realization that this door might have been slammed in his face because of the choices I made was pretty heartbreaking. I'm just glad that feeling didn't last long. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.