Okay, this rumor must come to an end!!!! I know that there are people out there that think because we are a homeschooling family that we MUST think that public school is wrong. The truth is… we do. We think it is wrong for John and Kathy Lee’s children. Does that mean we think it is wrong if you choose to send your child to public school??? Absolutely not. The great thing is… God gave John and I John Michael, Alvaro, Grace, Jackson, Ellie, and Henry… not you. He gave you ??, ??, and ?? . They are yours, YOU get to decide what you believe is best for them. What shows they will watch, what type of schooling they will be enrolled in, what clothes they will wear, what food they will eat, see my point?? I am soooooo sad that people actually think I believe this. If you need proof of my view point call my next door neighbor, Carol (or Tamara, or Ann, and Kirsten, etc…). Ask Carol how many days her son is at my house, eating dinner with us, or spending the night. Guess what, they all send their children to public school.
If you need further clarification of my views, please do not hesitate to comment or call me, I would love to talk about this. The best way to find out what someone believes is to ask, not to assume.
Okay… enough about that. What’s next??? =)
Thanks for letting me rant today…
Laury said,
April 2, 2008 at 11:45 pm
Rumors are a nasty little thing. I do wish that people would grow up and ask what they really want to know. Secrets and “hush-hush” comments only feed the rumor weed. I’m glad you have given a firm answer to where the Lee family stands on this issue. If people only knew how liberally open-minded you and John are about topics like this ~ they would realize they have been “barking up the WRONG tree”! You and John, ringleaders??? Very funny indeed!!!
Bulldawgy said,
April 2, 2008 at 11:59 pm
The really, really sad thing is that you even have to address rumors at all. The next thing you know we’ll be battling rumors, out of the mouths of Christians, that we are convinced our daughters must wear their hair in a bun.
Ridiculous.
Kevin said,
April 3, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Hey – you guys homeschool?
No seriously, I have always known the Lees are serious about homeschooling for their family. I also have always known the Lees don’t expect others to share that same passion. It’s unfortunate and hurtful when folks are misrepresented.
Kathy said,
April 3, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Laury, not so fast. John and I are pretty good “ring leaders” at Ring Around the Rosey. =)
John… sorry, I ordered the girls some bonnets for their buns from one of those freaky, family web sites yesterday. =) Just kidding!!!
Kevin, you hit the nail on the head. We do not expect (or think poorly of) anyone who chooses a different, biblical approach to life.
I hope my rant was not offensive, I just want the truth to be told. There have been several people who have now made that comment about us, I thought it would be best to just address it. Talking is a good and healthy thing. I invite anyone who reads this to call or write if they have questions about our views. We are thankful that God gives us brothers and sisters in Christ to talk with, even if the issues are tough.
guiroo said,
April 3, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Now it’s time to start writing vague statements and have people misunderstand everything you meant to say and then spend the next 374 comments trying to explain yourself.
The nature of blogs.
Question … what’s Carol’s phone number?
Just kidding, I’ve never seen you and John draw a universally moral line regarding schooling and like any other parent, I’m willing to bet that Carol, Tamara, Ann, and Kirsten have similar parenting values, levels of discipline, and generally the same allowances (clothes, games, movies, music, etc.) with their children as you do with yours.
guiroo said,
April 3, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Technically speaking, there is no leader in Ring Around The Rosey — it’s a circle.
Personally I’ve never thought that game was any fun at all.
P.S. I think this is the closest John has EVER been described as “liberal and openminded.”
Bulldawgy said,
April 3, 2008 at 3:55 pm
I think I may vote for Barack.
wheniwake said,
April 3, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Dang, I must be playing that game wrong. =)
Actually most of our neighborhood friends are unbelievers and have VERY different parenting values, etc.. However, our neighbors are aware of our views and are very respectful of that.
I probably shouldn’t post Carol’s number on the blog, but I will e-mail it to you.
guiroo said,
April 3, 2008 at 5:16 pm
I was just joking about Carol’s number.
Interesting … by parenting values I mean things like teaching respect for authority, respect of others in word & deed, when a child disobeys there WILL be an appropriate consequence, not allowed to watch Booty Call Part IV, listen to Marilyn Mason or vulgar hip-hop, etc.
Or does that not describe Carol, Tamara, Ann, and Kirsten?
wheniwake said,
April 3, 2008 at 5:33 pm
I figured you were, but just in case. =)
Booty Call Part IV – what is that? Wow? I guess I am pretty isolated. =) Oh.. well, I give up. =)
guiroo said,
April 3, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Ah yes, an excellent piece of cinema history — NetFlix!
So were you addressing that your neighbors have different religious/spiritual views? Can you offer an example of what you mean by “VERY different parenting values”?
(I’m not setting anyone up, I investigating a social theory.)
Bulldawgy said,
April 3, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Indeed, Kevin…. it is unfortunate and hurtful when people are misrepresented. You have a very good point.
Tracy said,
April 3, 2008 at 10:20 pm
I would suggest you call the people you know (not think, know) think this about your family and clear the air. I didn’t even know you had a blog until today and it’s possible these people may not read the blog to hear your “rant”. The information gets there faster with a phone call of clarification.
wheniwake said,
April 3, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Tracy, you are right. I have talked to the people that have brought it up to me, but I do not know who else is out there thinking this way. I just thought I would post it, I never knew I would get so many comments. I feel so special. =)
David, I don’t know everything the neighborhood parents do, I just know what I have observed from living in this neighborhood for 7 years.
Thanks for all of the commenting everyone!
Tracy said,
April 4, 2008 at 2:30 am
I think the idea that people are either for public school or homeschool (but not both) is somewhat universal. I seriously doubt this idea is personal to your family, even by whomever thinks this of “you” (probably meaning homeschoolers).
Christy said,
April 4, 2008 at 3:14 am
Kathy, I agree that we can’t make parenting decisions for other people;however, we are called to justify our choices for parenting through God’s word. That doesn’t mean that ALL our decisions are going to be the SAME. We just need to be sure that we establish our position Biblically. How sad it is that Christians and friends whom you’ve known for so long who have seen the way you have lived and have served for so many years and now choose to believe something that is so contrary to who you are. You would think that they would give you the benefit of the doubt rather than allow these rumors to persist. It is my opinion that this rumor mill has been needlessly given life when it should’ve been snuff out long ago. Jesus said, ” If you abide in me and my word abides in you than you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” Although Jesus was speaking of the gospel, the principle applies. There is bondage in falsehood.
guiroo said,
April 4, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Tracy, I disagree that it’s an either/or subject. I don’t think problems arise out of the methods themselves, but when you project/imply parental motivation — that’s when people get offended.
For example:
“Homeschoolers are over-protective and are pretending education is the means of salvation.”
“Public schoolers are lazy and would rather sacrifice their child to Baal.”
I like the way Challies’ pastor addresses this subject:
“Depending on your view on this subject you may fall into the weak category or the strong category. In either case, you will be ‘tempted by the devil, the world and your flesh to either despise or condemn those who hold a different view from yours…Depending on whether you are weak or strong, you are being tempted to despise other members of this church or condemn other members of this church.”
Weaker/stronger doesn’t have to do with schooling choice but your attitude in the matter.
Whether you home or public school you may think you have no freedom in the matter — in this case you become the weaker. You will be tempted to force everyone else into your point of view
Whether you home or public school you may realize there is freedom in the matter — in this case you become the stronger. You will be tempted to look down on the public or home schooler that tries to force you into their view.
So let’s try to be strong, stop arguing about meat, and pray that we aren’t lead into temptation regarding this subject.
Tracy said,
April 4, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Yeah, sorry about that. I guess I should have used different words. I’ll consider this one of my “repair” posts. Only 373 left…:0)
I was trying to say that some people assume that because you practice one or the other educational method, you don’t agree with the other. It’s a wrong thought, but I still think you can find it anywhere. Both of the quotes you mentioned are extreme, but you still find people who actually believe those things.
Freedom in Christ is so crucial. Recognizing the sovereignty of God over our children should allow us to be free to make the best choices for our family based on the information we have when we make the choices. We also need to recognize that any hard line deserves (and sometimes requires) a hard criticism. Like Christy said, defend your position with the Word and walk in faith. That’s all we can really do.
guiroo said,
April 4, 2008 at 8:41 pm
“Both of the quotes you mentioned are extreme, but you still find people who actually believe those things.”
Right those are the verbal extremes, and like Christy said, we need to be Biblically intentional whatever we choose. Now let’s examine the subtle judgments we imply as we defend our various Biblical positions.
“I home school because I want my child to have a Christian worldview.”
“I public school because my family values evangelism.”
These are not defenses for schooling choice but accusations against some of the essential values of any Christian parent.
I offer that we shouldn’t even be defending our position regarding the method of schooling we choose. If someone goes on the offense, point them to freedom and defend it. Otherwise your defense is perceived as an offense.
Whatever you choose, do it to God’s glory and do it well.
P.S. This blog is mis-titled … there is no debate on this subject.
wheniwake said,
April 4, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Man, I have missed a lot today on my own blog.
I think I will leave it with Dave’s statement, “Whatever you choose, do it to God’s glory and do it well.”
Okay, I like this blogging thing. =)
Bulldawgy said,
April 5, 2008 at 3:08 am
Dang, guiroo. You hit the nail on the head. Nicely put – I wish I was eloquent like that. It would have kept me out of a few scrapes in my recent past.
CAN said,
July 20, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Wow! This was an impressive and well balanced discussion. I am sorry that I was 3+ months late in reading it! I think everyone we know on either end of this discussion should read this blog thread and just nod their head and say Amen. I wished more people believed and expressed themselves as well you guys have on here with love and respect.
Kudos in Jesus.