Most parents make sacrifices for their kids

I read the Oct. 22 letter to the editor, “Sending children to school good idea,” and found it interesting to see that the letter writer could possibly believe that home schoolers were hiding something. That family in Carnation that starved their child and “claimed” to be home schooling were just plain criminal and nothing like your typical home school family. If they weren’t feeding their kids, they certainly weren’t taking the time and effort to teach them.

Most home schooled kids have parents that sacrifice a lot to teach them. Many moms could be working outside the home but have chosen to give up that income in order to do what she feels is right for her children. Besides having to buy our own curriculum, we have to put a lot of time and effort into teaching.

There are many reasons parents choose to home school. I personally don’t like the public school environment. There are no gangs, foul language or bullies in my home. Most of the home schooled kids I’ve met are kind, polite and a pleasure to be around.

The public school has more than its share of troubled kids. I’ve talked with some teachers who relate horror stories of situations they deal with in the public schools. In all the years I’ve been home schooling, I haven’t met any children who aren’t being fed, but I’ve read in the paper about the public school children who come to school with no breakfast and those who are being given cheese sandwiches by the school because their parents didn’t pack them any lunch.

So, does this mean I should suspect all public school children of having neglectful or abusive parents? No more than the letter writer should suspect home school parents when most are making great sacrifices for their children.

Karen Van Etten

Camano Island