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Post by joannaehughes on Aug 4, 2008 11:01:23 GMT -5
We are older first time parents and are considering homeschooling. We have a three and a half year old boy that is going to pre-preschool for help with skills. He is having trouble bringing his speech in. Things are getting better between his part time public schooling and what we do at home. Recently though I have been jarred by a comment made by another parent noticing his slow adaption to speech - they basically told me to sign him up for social security and let the state raise him. That they could give him anything he could need education wise, and/or pay for his medical needs if something should arise! That we should stop worrying about ourselves and concentrate on his needs- otherwise we'd be negligent parents!!! I am horrified! He goes to speech therapy and plays with children as at any preschool age child and is blossoming! We are turning our entry room into a mini-school room for him and slowly stocking it - do not know how or where to find stuff... his school is getting rid of last year's computers so they are selling all the old stuff for 5$ (monitors, cpu,printers,laptops,speakers...) so we, Lord willing, will set him up with his own for his own programs for not much. I could not believe what kind of advice we just received! Anyone else find environments like this? Joanna
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Post by gratefulmomof3 on Aug 4, 2008 13:53:36 GMT -5
YES!!! We were told almost two years ago our son had asperger's syndrome by our pediatrician. She had him evaluated by Early Intervention, and they told us "he plays ok with his sister, so it's not a social problem, so its not asperger's". This was fine with me. I don't want a label thrown on my child. He was kicked out of pre-school at age 3, and I've been homeschooling him since. The preschool couldn't control his screaming, and "melt downs". Mathew is now 5 and we started our school year today. He is doing first grade, except for handwriting, b/c holding a pencil is a huge struggle for him. My mother out of the blue, said to me this past week, "if you pushed for a diagnosis, you could get social security for him" WHAT!!! Why in the world would I want to do that?!?! We are doing ok financially, and he doesn't have any needs that we can't meet. It is sooo common in our area for people to get SSI for themselves and there children.. I probably know more people who do get it then who don't! You know in your heart what is right for your son. As I know I'm doing the right thing for my Mathew. The next time someone mentions your sons speech, just kindly smile, and inform them that you are aware of the situation and its being handled appropriately! Good luck with your situation, I know sometimes it really can be a challenge just to make it through the day, but thats when you stop and pray!!!
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Post by mountaingirl on Aug 4, 2008 15:25:04 GMT -5
WOW!!! I have to say that I have not encountered this situation for our family. I am praying for you and your family that God give you the wisdom to raise the child that he created and has blessed you with, and the courage and strength to deal with those around you that think otherwise.
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tbhas6
Senior Member
Posts: 1,146
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Post by tbhas6 on Aug 4, 2008 17:26:53 GMT -5
Congratulations on the computer deals! What a blessing!
If you and your husband feel led by the Lord to home school your son, then by all means DO IT. I realize that every parent is not led to home school. However, to the parents who know they are led of God to do so: James 4:17, "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."
I would recommend that every parent read John Taylor Gatto's Dumbing Us Down - The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling, before deciding which avenue to take with regards to educating a child, whether it be public school, private school, or home school.
Yes, it is always temping to accept financial assistance from the government when one qualifies for it. However, prior to accepting government assistance, I think it is wise for every family to evaluate the true cost to their family.
How much will the government's interference conflict with your family's morals, values, goals, religious beliefs, etc.?
How many "parental rights" will you relinquish by accepting government assistance? For example, will you have the "right" to choose home school or private school for your son? Will you have the "right" to decline "experimental treatment(s) - medical or psychological - for your son?"
Does the government's idea of "in the best interest of the child" conflict or interfere with your family's morals, values, goals, religious beliefs, etc.? For example, I do not think it is of any value for my children to be taught sex education outside of my home. The material taught in our district's public school system goes against my personal morals, values, religious beliefs and purity goals for my children. I realize that your son is only three, however, our local district begins with sexual diversity education in kindergarten. Many parents do not find anything wrong with this type of education. However, for my husband and myself this type of education goes against our morals, values, purity goals and religious beliefs.
What sort of "label" will your child be given? Do you want him "labeled" for the rest of his life? It's been more than 20 years since my brother graduated from high school. However, he was "labeled" mentally retarded while in elementary school (1st grade). He was not mentally retarded - he was dyslexic. Today, he is in his 40's, and works as a very competent mechanic, is very smart, but reads a little slower than I. When he was in his 20's he was not rejected by the army because of dyslexia (which is grounds for rejection) but for "mental retardation". That inaccurate label has followed him his entire life.
These are, of course, only a few questions to ponder.
I find it confusing, sad and down right frightening that so many in our society can accept that an impartial, unloving, uncaring, unGodly government could possibly know what is best for a child. God did not give our children to the government to train up - He gave them to parents. As parents we must do our best to train them in the manner we feel the Lord is leading us to train them - no matter what others may say or even think.
I pray the Lord will continue to be your shield among flying arrows.
tb
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Post by missionarywife on Aug 5, 2008 7:43:42 GMT -5
we homeschool and my 9 yr old has dyslexia. He was diagnosed here in Ukraine. I don't want the government telling me what to do. We believe God gave us our children to raise not for the government to be involved.
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Post by dawn on Aug 5, 2008 8:47:38 GMT -5
AMEN !!!!
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Sister Michelle
Administrator
I must keep my eyes on Jesus my Saviour
Posts: 1,065
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Post by Sister Michelle on Aug 5, 2008 9:45:22 GMT -5
Very good responses, I was just told by one of our church members to try and get my youngest on all sorts of programs because he is small, he is very small for his age and she said if the dr.'s say he is failure to thrive he can get a ton of stuff. I was appauled at this abuse of the system. I know some people who honestly need help, and yet at the same time as a pastor's wife I wonder if they would need the help from the government if we as a church, would or could do more for them.
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Post by nocomment on Feb 2, 2009 19:43:37 GMT -5
First of all, there is nothing wrong with using public school resources because you are paying for them through tax dollars anyway. So, if speech therapy is helpful and free through that venue, then don't be afraid to use it.
However, to tell you to give up on your child so that you can go on with your life is thoughtless, heartless, and insane. I don't think a true PARENT of a child can say something like that so flippantly. Someone who happens to have kids might, but not a real parent. You are your child's best advocate. He will best learn life skills by watching you and listening to you.
That conversation sounds like it was pretty weird and probably had with someone who was really uninformed.
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