Yesterday, Wendi C. Thomas posted an article on Memphis's Commercial Appeal website that is decidedly against homeschool kids being able to participate in public school athletics. Let me first say that I do not uphold Thomas's views on homeschoolers in general. However, I do agree that homeschool students should not participate in public school sports. Let the backlash from my fellow homeschoolers commence. That's right, if you didn't already know, I'm currently a homeschooling parent of three years. 

The pro argument seems to rest solely on some mythical taxpayers' rights. Paying taxes does not grant any inherent rights and, furthermore, they do not solely fund education. Those bating that they should be compensated for not using public resources like schools, might want to do some research on just how much of their tax dollars do go to education. 

Those in opposition seem to share some of my own sentiments. For example, there are some serious ethical issues when it comes to reporting grades and conduct of athletes. Can it be trusted that every homeschool family would be forthcoming in reporting their child's grades/ GPA which make them eligible to play sports in public schools? Would conduct issues that seem minor as they are typically only exposed to loved ones and in contained environments be disclosed or left to be disruptive in PS sports program? 

There's the looming notion of athletics being valued over academics. Period.

Then there's just the fact that this is ridiculous. To think we won't send our kids to a public school but will use their athletic program is incomprehensible. As I explained to my husband while in a heated debate about this, schools are microcosms of society. Students are contributing citizens in more than just what sport they might play if they play at all. It's unfair to those who invest any time or effort into that society for an outsider to come in and use resources without contributing or even caring about that society. It really comes off as trying to have your cake and eat it too.

If you want your kid to play ball or whatever for a public school, they should attend that school. If you're going to homeschool, commit to it on every level including the sucky athletics. I've opted out of the public school system(s) in Memphis...ALL the way out.

*drops mic and walks away*

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My seven year old ds reads well but has little interest in doing so. It's like pulling teeth most days to get him to read. My husband and I are both readers. So, while I did not come from a family of readers, this is still hard for me to wrap my brain around. I know that he is his own person and I can't expect him to have this innate passion for books as I do. Cultivating a love for reading is what has to be done and, again, it's a foreign concept for me since I came into the world with a book in hand. 


I've consulted with a number of moms with boys who were reluctant readers and the almost consistent response is "Captain Underpants". I've approached my son with a number of titles from this popular series a number of times and he always replies with: "Mmmm, I don't think so."  He is just not interested in fart jokes and boogers. And I'm kinda not upset about it. There has to be another series for boys a bit more tasteful or just appealing from another angle. 


Zion will read a handful of books so much that he pretty much memorizes them which causes him to only read the same books over and over until I hide them so he'll have to pick something new from his bookshelves. In my mind, this does nothing to expand his vocabulary which will improve his reading skills. He's very much into routine yet change is not a huge deal for him. I really believe the right series or even single book will turn this around. I'm just at my wits end searching.


He likes cars. There's been a natural evolution with that. He's been collecting Hot Wheels and other micro cars since he was two or three. Now, he's been showing a huge amount of interest in their real-life counterparts. He is constantly noting the cars we see on the street by make and model and referencing which ones he has in his collection. I would love to find some chapter books-fiction and nonfiction-on cars. I'm having a hard time with this one and I am the queen of research. I come across lots of fiction board books but not really anything on his reading level. Is nonfiction my only option?


What other books have some of you had success with for reluctant readers? And they don't have to be gender biased.