Does she think I just woke up one day and said, "Gee I think I'll homeschool my kids!"? - Page 2

[LemonPie]

Originally Posted by Lillian J

Whether they're on track? Do they not get that NO, her kids are not ON a track?!

Truthfully, probably not! LOL I know before I really explored the world of HSing, I assumed it was very much 'school-at-home'. . . kids sitting down and working on curriculum for a specified block of time. It wasn't until fairly recently that I realized how 'free-form' homeschooling can be.

[Ruthiegirl]

Originally Posted by Savoir Faire

Trust me....it is never about you.

So. freaking. true.


This is the best sentence I have read in ages.

[dannic]

My parents began HSing me when many were being arrested for it. Yet, we were in a city where there were many educational options and I don't recall a negative comment. (I'm sure my parents got some, but I was young, lol) Actually, the grandparents were concerned; I guess I recall that. As a tween we moved to a rural community and it was very different! The world revolved around school sports and there was a lot of talk about us. (One friend told me that her parents said we were HSed because my dad didn't want to pay taxes...um, what?!)

I still live in that community, and while things have gotten somewhat better, th schools employ many, many of our neighbors and life still revolves around highschool sports.

My FIL was a teacher and is now an administrator--I have never gotten an ill comment from him. My MIL, otoh, is very defensive in a passive agressive way--like we HS just to show them up or something. Any time anyone asks about how our DC are in regards to HS, she'll pipe up with how great BIL's kids are doing in such and such a program, lalala. And yet, she really has not ever asked us why, or spoken directly to us about HSing.

Some people have a hard time understanding other people's choices and seem to have to quantify their own somehow if yours is different.

And it's true, that it's not your problem, it's theirs.

[2xy]

Originally Posted by Irishmommy

I love being around my kids. I cannot homeschool. You know that stereotype of the homebound not socializing homeschool family? That would be us. Dd1 and I are quite introverted, and generally are happiest at home. I can't see me being able to push to join groups/activities/etc. as a homeschooler, it would have been impossible.

So in our case, my kids are better off in school, I love being around my kids, and I think homeschooling is awesome.

That's all great, but I was referring to people who don't like being around their children. Your post is an example of a straw-man argument. People who like being around their kids was not the topic of my post.

[craft_media_hero]

Yuck.

How great that your other hs-er friend was there!

I think you are right that she is defensive about her own issues with coping with having her kids when they're home full time and also probably feeling like her career choice (even though she's not using it right now) gives her more weight in the conversation.

I think her statement about school being 20/80 academics/socialization is a great pro-hs argument. IMO kids really don't need THAT much socialization with THAT many kids five days a week, and if the 20/80 thing is true, then how sad that so much of these kids' time is just basically filler when they could be pursuing their own interests/chosen group activities, etc. Why would anyone want their kid to get a 20% education?

Good luck dealing with this woman and others in the circle that you mentioned! Sounds like you may be in for more than one justifying session. Stick to your guns, mama!

[Katwoman]

Originally Posted by LemonPie

There are also a couple of teachers in the aforementioned social circle, and one of my HSing friends has told me that a mutual teacher friend feels the need to 'quiz' her from time to time on what her kids are doing and whether they're on track. I've already decided that I'm not going to entertain such conversations. "Pass the bean dip please!"

My MIL had the kids over one day and asked that I bring what they were working on. She said she wanted to participate in their learning process. When I picked them up, I asked how it went. She told me they didn't do anything with the work, she just wanted to see the work and make sure we were doing something.

I think sometimes people just don't realize what comes out of their mouths.....

We are a filterless society.

[Brisen]

I ask myself the same question 95% of the time homeschooling comes up for the first time, lol. It seems like everyone has the same questions to ask, and they all sound like I'm just doing it on a whim and haven't thought it through.

Some people are genuinely asking because they want to know, but many seem to be asking me questions the way parents lecture a misbehaving kid with questions -- "Why did you hit your brother? Don't you know it's not OK to hit? Do you think he will want to share his toys with you if you hit him?" etc.

I agree that an angry, over-the-top reaction is not about you.