16 and Sailing Around the World? What is Wrong with the Parents?
I must admit that was my first thought. No way a 16 year old should be out sailing the world alone.
Then I found out she was home schooled. To take a line from Wizard of Oz, that’s a horse of a different color. This young lady and her brother are the product of parents that only want the best for them. So they did not send them to public school to be just another cookie cutter robot spewing the propaganda that only a free government education can bring.
These kids didn’t learn that we must all be equal, so the smarter kids must come down to the level of the lowest achievers. No. These kids were pushed to the top level of their own abilities.
My kids attended public schools. In Hanover County, a public education is much better than in most parts of America. Achievers can rise to the top, while others can still be slackers, either by choice or by Providence.
Abby Sunderland, the 16 year old young lady that set out on an adventure other kids could neither do nor even dream, was tossed around by a rogue wave, damaging her vessel. This appears to be a story more of bad luck than poor sailing skills.
My kids are now grown. They will do just fine with their public education. My eldest starts Medical School in August. But if I had it to do all over again, both would have been home schooled.
When my first born entered kindergarten in 1993, home schooling was not as prevalent as it is today. I honestly never considered the option. I don’t recall ever having met a home schooled child, though I am sure I had and just did not know.
But the last few years, as I have become more active politically, the circles in which I travel have many advocates of home schooling. I have met dozens of kids of all ages. NOT ONE HAS FAILED TO IMPRESS ME.
These kids are far more mature than public school products. One can easily talk politics, sports, and even ballroom dancing with 10, 11, and 12 year old children. They are advanced in all aspects of life when compared to publicly educated kids.
This is not an indictment on public education. If a parent is satisfied with allowing someone else to teach your kids, then that is probably the best they can hope for. But if the parents are willing to undertake the commitment of home schooling their children, they can offer so much more.
When I thought “What is wrong with the parents?” I really should have thought “What is RIGHT with them”.
Although I am not a product of home schooling, and did not home school my own children, I am a very strong proponent for a home schooled education.
And the smart money is on Abby Sunderland having another go at it very soon. And she will be successful.
That’s how Home Schoolers roll.
Article written by: Tom White
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About Tom White
Tom is a US Navy Veteran, owns an Insurance Agency and is currently an IT Manager for a Virginia Distributor. He has been published in American Thinker, currently writes for the Richmond Examiner as well as Virginia Right! Blog. Tom lives in Hanover County, Va and is involved in politics at every level and is a Recovering Republican who has finally had enough of the War on Conservatives in progress with the Leadership of the GOP on a National Level.
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