dealing with family members who are teachers and NOT supportive of HS'ing - Page 2

[AllyRae]

We have a similar thing that happens here...MIL is a public school teacher and FIL is a college professor. They *love* to tell us all of the "horror stories" that they've seen in their classroom of previously homeschooled kids. So I just remind them that they don't see the success stories because if homeschooling was working out, the kids wouldn't be in their public school class.

And then we say "we are doing what is best for our kids and we are evaluating these choices on a yearly basis. If we decide that homeschooling is not the best for our kids, we will seek other options. But right now, it's working and it's what we've decided is best for our kids." The end. And they have access to my homeschooling blog so if they ever want proof that the kids don't sit around and watch tv all day, well, she is free to look. :

[kittywitty]

AllyRae-my dh is a professor and has only ever had one homeschooled kid in his class who he didn't know it until the kid told him near the end of the semester. I think people just like to look at the negative or exceptional cases. Like one kid in my German class in college who was homeschooled and still had to have his mommy hold his hand to cross the street-even after class. Weird. But I know not all homeschoolers are that way. I was pretty astounded how normal my weird wacky children were recently at a birthday party. There were some public school kids there that were truly *weird* in the way you usually hear people complain about homeschooled kids. I think a lot of teachers just get defensive about it.

[AllyRae]

Originally Posted by kittywitty

AllyRae-my dh is a professor and has only ever had one homeschooled kid in his class who he didn't know it until the kid told him near the end of the semester. I think people just like to look at the negative or exceptional cases. Like one kid in my German class in college who was homeschooled and still had to have his mommy hold his hand to cross the street-even after class. Weird. But I know not all homeschoolers are that way. I was pretty astounded how normal my weird wacky children were recently at a birthday party. There were some public school kids there that were truly *weird* in the way you usually hear people complain about homeschooled kids. I think a lot of teachers just get defensive about it.

I think so too... I mean, I went to a college where 30% of the student body was homeschooled, and they were also the top kids in the college class too.

It's weird that homeschoolers get picked on about not being "typical" when there are a sizeable number of public school kids that graduate with poor social skills, not being able to read well, etc. No matter how a child is schooled, there will be those that excel and those who do not do as well.

[Mebsy]

Thank you for the thoughts and encouragement to just move on, everyone.


About the hour and a half....that was an estimation and that may or may not happen. I obviously won't know how well he can sit and work on something with me until we get more into it, but he's been known to do stuff at the table happily with me for a good 45 minutes at a time this summer. Part of it was appeasing her because ,lord forbid, if I said something even less than that, I think she may die of a heart attack. We do plan on doing a lot of reading and other fun learning activities. My sister was very adamant that her day with the kindergartners did not boil down to a measly 1.5 hours of school time. That apparently insulted her.

[laohaire]

Originally Posted by Mebsy

My sister was very adamant that her day with the kindergartners did not boil down to a measly 1.5 hours of school time. That apparently insulted her.

No of course it doesn't. But you don't have the same hurdles she has to face. Plus, if she were teaching one-on-one, she could get a lot more done in the same amount of time.

I just think if you diffuse her defensiveness and then move on she might chill.

[ikesmom]

I would not let her make a debate about it anymore..I would just say " Please stop trying to belittle me for my choices, rights, and decisions. I am trying to be the best parent I possibly can and enjoy teaching my own child. My child is not a Kindergartener; she is a a person with likes, dislikes, feelings and opinions. I would like to encourage her to develop initiative to learn. I can see that you enjoy working with your little ones by opening their eyes to new ideas and I would like to do the same for my child. I am asking you to focus on the positive things in our lives and our relationship and not beat me down because I am your sister and I love you and need your support".

That should shut her up

[Momma Aimee]

Originally Posted by AllyRae

We have a similar thing that happens here...MIL is a public school teacher and FIL is a college professor. They *love* to tell us all of the "horror stories" that they've seen in their classroom of previously homeschooled kids. So I just remind them that they don't see the success stories because if homeschooling was working out, the kids wouldn't be in their public school class.

And then we say "we are doing what is best for our kids and we are evaluating these choices on a yearly basis. If we decide that homeschooling is not the best for our kids, we will seek other options. But right now, it's working and it's what we've decided is best for our kids." The end. And they have access to my homeschooling blog so if they ever want proof that the kids don't sit around and watch tv all day, well, she is free to look. :

My Aunt is a College Prof TEACHING EDUCATION -- and she is 100% in support of us homeschooling, and she is saddened (more adn more each year) with the student she has coming into her classroom -- from public schools. She has only had a few homeschooled student she knew were homeschooled adn she has been imporessed with them.

Now SIL is a publics school kindy / pre-school / lower grade music teacher .. and her Dh is a high school music teacher -- they are the biggest PITB I have in my life ...

but my Aunt is not feeling attacked nor does she need to defend herself, SIL and BIL on the other hand, for some reason, are personally attacked by it -- i don't know why...

Aimee