This is the sixth installment of the “Interview Zan” series. (I’ve already received five requests for interviews, so unfortunately…no more requests! However, because I’m mean and unfair like that, if you’re interested in sending me five questions to answer, I’ll be glad to do so.)
My sixth interview comes from Nadine.
1. What’s your opinion on home schooling? What are your memories about that?
This is probably the hardest question to answer because I have a lot of “What if?” scenarios in my head. (What if I’d never been home schooled at all? Or what if I’d never gone back to public school and “graduated” from home study like my older sister did? I’m sure both of these scenarios would mean that my life would have turned out very differently than it has.)
Basically, I’d have to say that I don’t think I always had ideal home schooling conditions — primarily because I feel like I missed out on certain things. I don’t care about the lack of school dances or junior high angst, but I think a larger taste of public school (other than just kindergarten/1st grade and 11th/12th grade) would have given me a better idea of what my options in life were. When I went back to public school for my junior and senior year of high school, I got A’s and B’s right away even though I’d been home schooled for the previous 7 years. I belonged to some honor societies and took a few honors classes, but I know I could have done more. It took me a while to feel like I fit in there, though, after having been gone for so long. By the time I was starting to feel comfortable, it was time to graduate.
That being said, I know that my home schooling experience contributed to who I am today, and I know my parents had good intentions.
2. Where do you think we’ll go when we die?
I grew up in a devout Baptist household, so I know the “correct” answer to this question as it relates to my upbringing. I believe in heaven and hell, but (sorry, mom and dad) most of the time it’s not something that I put any thought into.
3. Did you keep something from your childhood that still means a lot to you?
I still have the baby book my mom put together for me that follows my first few years after birth. It’s the oldest thing I can think of that I own, and it means a lot to me. I haven’t looked at it in a while…I should do that sometime soon.
4. If a non profit organization gave you enough money to live in a third world country for 6 months, would you move there to help this organization with helping people?
I’m trying not to sound like a spoiled brat, but it would probably depend on the living conditions. Would it be very-very hot there? Would I have enough to eat and drink? Would I be expected to do very hard, physical labor? If I were asked to go somewhere for that long and the conditions were right; yes, I would put some serious thought into it.
5. If you had to choose between keeping your memories from birth till now and forever lose the ability to remember new things OR forget all the memories from birth to now but keep the ability to remember new things? What would you choose?
I would choose the second option — I’d forget all the memories from birth to now but keep the ability to remember new things. Even though my past memories have made me who I am today, I can’t imagine going forward only remembering those things, but not being able to retain anything new. I could always build new memories.
8 Comments
If it makes you feel any better, I don’t think I ever fit in at school and I attended public school my entire life. :P
My sister home schools her kids and it frightens me sometimes. But then again, you seem pretty well adjusted so who knows?
It makes me sad that anyone would chose the other option for question #5 — they’d have to think their best times were behind them.
Zan, I like your answers. What few people realize is parents second guess themselves all the time. Our situation was different as we lived close to the church and close to civilzation you were in the boonies. Our homeschool experience was better, more interaction. That said, I did home school only because of Sharon and her health I was not now or ever the radical christian mom. I was also trying to protect the kids from prejudice and prepare them for hatred, the hard lesson I learned was it is everywhere. Even in the church.
on the memories thing though, do you realize you would not remember things like people who have gone home? Would you really want to forget loved ones? I might admend that one to remembering only people of my childhood. because of Sharon.Of course old parents of your friends couldn’t hassle you like I am if you did. Hmm maybe you wouldn’t want to admen it after all.
Denise and Eric had a hard fitting in as well, I have always regreted that just like I have regreted other things. Do you know what haunts me? silly things like the fact Sharon never went trick or treating because I was so gung ho then.
Unfortunetly kids learn from their parents mistakes.
Whats done is done but I just wanted to weigh in on this one.
Before we have to publish this book, I am moving on.
The last question reminds me of that Adam Sandler movie 50 First Dates. There was the guy named 10 Second Tom. He remembered old stuff but could not retain anything he just learned. It went something like this: “Hi, my name is Tom”…a few seconds later he extends his hand again for a freindly shake and says “Hi, my name is Tom”. Repeat. Too funny! I love that movie :)
Your thoughts on home schooling are interesting. Home schooled kids were always a curiosity to me (I dont mean that in a bad way) when I was in high school and college.
I would totally do the 6mths somewhere. It’s only 6 months. I would however get all the vaccines etc and probably tell people there was I Canadian! Being an American abroad can be very annoying.
The last question is odd. Both options stink. hehe.
Thanks for your answers!
I am going to be bold and ask a sixth follow up question, you say you weren’t homeschooled under ideal conditions. How was that? What would have made it ideal?
Yay for new memories! I came up with that question because I saw the movie Elissa is referring too. You should see it!
Sometimes, I wish I believed in heaven and hell.. but I just can’t.
also? YAAY for spa night! and yep, there shall be drinking before hand. ;)