Ways to respond to this? - Page 2

[deesmomma]

"What you consider normal behavior in public school is considered criminal behavior in the real world. Thus proving the point that public school is not a reflection of the real world."

You know, I don't see how people can't see it this way. Getting in fist fights? Assault and battery. Getting your food/money/whatever stolen? Criminal. Getting teased/picked on about being a nerd? Harrassment. Having your butt slap/boobs grabbed/hair pulled/subject to lewd jokes because of your sex? Yeah, that would totally be okay in the workplace. *eyeroll* Thank you for opening my eyes.

@ mangopassion - Nope, not at all and doesn't plan on it. Grr.

[marybethorama]

I wouldn't even discuss it with her. It's your decision. "Thank you for your concern; we're happy with our decision. Could you pass the bean dip please?"

Being the victim of bullying is not fun and schooled kids suffer from plenty of depression.

[marybethorama]

I wouldn't even discuss it with her. It's your decision. "Thank you for your concern; we're happy with our decision. Could you pass the bean dip please?"

Being the victim of bullying is not fun and schooled kids suffer from plenty of depression.

[mattemma04]

I would say,'You can choose to toughen your own kids by allowing them to be bullied on a daily basis,and then not stepping in to help when they ask.That is not the path I have chosen for mine,and it is not up for dabate"

My child was bullied in K and I watched his love of school and life erode over the months.Only 4 months. I will never get back the innocent child I put into public K at age 5.Years later he still remembers what was said and done to him.

I really don't feel exposure to mean people made me or my children better or stronger in any way.We simply survived as best we could until we could get away from those situations.I would never purposely expose my kids,and if my dh or anyone encouraged it I would not talk to them for a very long time.

Best wishes!

[mrsfussypants]

If a sibling said this to me, I'd bring up the fact that *I* had 18 years of school, and still ended up a social misfit. Heck, maybe school CAUSED it.

AAAAAAND, I would say "What's wrong with being shy or socially awkward? We can't all be butterflies."

[kittie313]

Does your sister actually HAVE kids in ps? lol Seriously, the best parenting advice always comes from those who have no kids............................. LOL I think this applies to home/ public/ private schooling too, the best advice comes from parents who don't have kids to put in a school.

Tell her you'll gladly discuss it with her when she becomes a parent and has kids coming home beaten up and lunch money stolen, then you'll be MORE than happy to discuss how this stuff is vital to the kids learning how to function in society.

[numericmama]

Melissa at A Little Garden Flower has some great podcasts on handling difficult people with confidence. I have noticed that my confidence has increased since my time homeschooling has increased, and listening to her podcasts.

She would say, "I love you, but I'm not going to have this conversation." And then it would be done. I'd probably add in, "because it's going to get ugly, and we'll both be hurt." But that's just me.

Another "pass the bean dip" type of response, but really, some people don't change their mind, and I assume you aren't going to change yours, so what's the point. It will just end up with hurt feelings and anger. This is what I had to do with my MIL with many things over the years. It's too bad I didn't set the boundaries sooner so that we could have some semblance of a relationship instead of the freezing politeness we have now.

Another way to see it is that she has some sort of negative feelings about homeschooling or bullying and she wants to pass of all of those icky feelings onto you. Well, don't take them by not having the conversation. It's not going to go anywhere anyway, so why not enjoy your time together discussing something that makes you feel good.

I really can't suggest Melissa's podcasts enough. It's under confidence or bag of poo.

[mntnmom]

If she would pull her head out a minute and think, she knows quite well that phych studies show *being bullied* causes social anxiety. School shootings do not happen because parents choose to keep their kids at home, they happen because no one stepped in to protect them from systemic cruelty. I would also love to see those numbers on homeschool kids who can't cope. I would be willing to bet they are lower than schooled kids.
Of course, at some point kids need to learn that not everyone is nice, and not everyone thinks they're as special as mom does. As a friend(or sister) I might discuss with you ways to make sure your kids are getting the positive socialization that fits their temperments. But your sis is speaking out of ignorance, fear, and her own.
I personally see no reason to expose my kids to criminal behavior and abuse where they learn they have no recourse to protect their own safety. If they have to be exposed to that, I want it to be when they are old enough to have constitutional rights apply to them.