Education or Assimilation

The topic of home schooling has been coming up a lot around here.  James covered it in a short interview with a traveling YouTube journalist and on the Fatherland Podcast.  My kids are just under school age and we have done some pre-schooling work and will begin a formal home schooling program this autumn.

Home schooling seems like the domain of women, yet here are all these masculine men in the LaFondiverse showing interest in it, as well as some hesitation.  James mentioned that he was prohibited by the State of Maryland from home schooling, and that his wife preferred to send their boys to public school.  Most everyone has heard about the importance of a school setting for socialization.  Many of us have been out of school for decades and wouldn't know where to begin to educate a small child.

The following are my thoughts on some of the challenges you will face, and things to think about for patriarchs who wish to home school their children.

State Law

Here at the LaFond Media Empire, we always advise you to remain within the boundary of the law and avoid drawing the Eye of Sauron upon yourself and your loved ones.  Home schooling requirements include the competency of the educator, notification to the school district, course requirements and more.  The HSLDA (Home Schooling Legal Defense Association) maintains a 50 state (plus territories) database of requirements for home schooling.  My family will be joining the HSLDA for the duration of our children's education.

A Classical Education

I have taken the liberty to reprint an essay describing a classical education by Susan Wise Bauer, a proponent of home schooling and a scholar of the Classics and Western Canon.  Public educators seem to always be seeking some novel teaching method, whether whole word reading, common core math or learning through videos or electronic devices.  Modern technology offers us a great deal, including access to materials and tools, but I believe a focus on ancient methods and subjects is necessary for the development of an autonomous intellect.

I am no Good at Math (or some other subject)

There are tremendous resources out there to help you cover all the subjects your children will need to know.  There are also home schooling co-ops in your area, and hybrid academies, where children meet in class a couple times per week and complete their studies at home with parents (this will also help get "socialization" objectors off your back).  A parent's lack of mastery in any particular subject should not be considered an impediment to home schooling.  Anyone interested in specific recommendations should leave a comment below.

Mom

Let's face it, home schooling is not going to happen unless Mom is on board.  Home schooling will likely mean she won't be able to work outside the home and will have virtually no time to herself.  Ideally you would find a mate who agrees with you on this from the outset.  I don't really have any advice here, maybe some of the Dads will chime in in the comments.

Good luck to all on raising the next generation of dissidents!

(c) 2018 Lynn Lockhart