Can I change the term "homeschooling"

[StormySar]

LOL...

I'm having a hard time saying we are/will be homeschooling because we aren't going to be shutting our kids inthe homeconstantly...

I'm considering it more "lifeschooling" and really want to start referring to our schooling as such... Is that a bad thing? Of course when the kids are old enough we'll be doing typical school subjects, but not like typucal school where they get a boring lecture and book time.. we'll be encorperating everything into every day life and seeing and experiencing as much as we can.

So many times in school I found myself asking the teachers "when am I ever going to do this in real life?" and they say "someday you will!" and I find many things I never have... lol. Sure, lots of things have been stepping stones to learn more complicated things and that's fine, but when my kid asks me that question I would like to be able to show them how they'll be using it in life. :-) hehe.

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by StormySar

LOL...

I'm having a hard time saying we are/will be homeschooling because we aren't going to be shutting our kids inthe homeconstantly...

I'm considering it more "lifeschooling" and really want to start referring to our schooling as such... Is that a bad thing?

Good start! But how about removing the "schooling" part - since learning doesn't need to be contained in the form of a school either. Let's see - that leaves us with "Life"

But of course, that isn't a verb - and "lifing" is kinda' awkward - so that leaves us with "living." Maybe you could get a big trend started, and then everybody else could get to use a bright, shiny new name too! : Lillian

[gr8fulmom]

a lot of people around here use "home learner" and I have also heard "life learner"...

[onlyzombiecat]

Call it whatever you want.

[Hera]

I've been considering telling people "Oh, they don't go to school" and leaving it at that. Admittedly, I just want to see the looks on their faces and hear how they try to make sense of it

[moominmamma]

Lately I'm finding that "home-based learning" is a decent compromise. It is straightforward enough that most people understand more or less what it means, and yet it doesn't imply "school at home".

Miranda

[Drummer's Wife]

I don't like the term homeschooling either 'cause so much of the learning happens away from home but like Lillian said the "schooling" part of the phrase bugs me even more as they are not in school, they are living life and learning a ton along the way.

But yeah I usually just say we homeschool because that already sounds weird enough to most people

[Rivka5]

Originally Posted by StormySar

I'm having a hard time saying we are/will be homeschooling because we aren't going to be shutting our kids inthe homeconstantly...

I'm going to respond with a quote from one of my favorite authors:

"My home is not a place. It is people."

[mommy68]

Originally Posted by moominmamma

Lately I'm finding that "home-based learning" is a decent compromise. It is straightforward enough that most people understand more or less what it means, and yet it doesn't imply "school at home".

I agree with this term.

I never had a problem with saying we were homeschoolers. If your child goes to a school then they are public or private-schooled so homeschooled just makes sense IMO.

[genifer]

In the uk we say 'Home-Educating' or Educating otherwise than at school. or Homebased education.

[HappyAgain]

This is my first year homeschooling so maybe I am a little thinskinned, but I feel put on the defensive when people ask this, and like I need to reaassure them that their choice is still valid, allthough I think a lot more people could do this.

What I would like to say is, "I parent my own children". Because isn't teaching children what parents do?

[Ruthla]

I just say "I home school DD" or "DD is homeschooled." It's the term most people understand, it's the term I have to use with paperwork to the school district, etc. But all the "homeschool" stuff in my computer is in a folder labeled "Learning with DD" (using her actual name of course) because we're learning together.

No, "home school" isn't the most accurate phrase, but then very little in life is accurately phrased!

[Grumpy72_ga]

I like the term "Living"

Deborah (Happy Again) the folks around here tend to get a little sensitive when we indicate that we parent our own! LOL! I'm a little thin skinned as well - I feel like I have to explain... etc... but I've just stopped and started answering Hera's way....

Our conversations this month have gone pretty much like this....

Them: "Where does your daughter go to school?"
Me: "She doesn't!"
Them: (puzzled) OH?!
Them: (still puzzled) How old is she?
Me: 5 and 1/2
Them: Oh late start?
Me: Nope.
Them: (visibly frustrated) Where will she go next year then?
Me: Same place as she went this year.

Its not quite as effective at 5.5 yrs old, but I'm liking it... it fits but I'm thinking people find me rude.... *sigh*

[Quindin]

Here in the UK we say "home educate"! I prefer that term because it is the most accurate

[HappyAgain]

Them: "Where does your daughter go to school?"
Me: "She doesn't!"
Them: (puzzled) OH?!
Them: (still puzzled) How old is she?
Me: 5 and 1/2
Them: Oh late start?
Me: Nope.
Them: (visibly frustrated) Where will she go next year then?
Me: Same place as she went this year.

Love it! But than isn't the next thing ALWAYS (I swear) "But what about socializing ?!?" And than, "But when do you get to be alone? or "I could never do that". AARGH. It's probably people just trying to make conversation, I'm just not of a mindset to have to educate/defend from almost every person we meet!

What ever you call it, I am so grateful to be able to do this and I am so glad I took the leap!

[3momkmb]

I have thought about this but figured people are confused enough when I say I homeschool, changing the name might just make their brains explode

Seriously though, I like *home based learning*, maybe I'll actually start using it?

[halfpintwil]

We've sometimes used the term "home based education". You could take from Inge Cannons description and tell them:
"She is a student in an exclusive experimental multigrade academy designed with the express purpose of enhancing genius and maximizing potential in a select group of creative individuals".
I've had that posted on my board for about 14 years now. And when talking about yourself (ie your job description), you change the 'she is a student' to "I am the admiinistrator/instructor of"
Dawn

[phathui5]

Grumpy72_ga, I want to use that.

[frogguruami]

Originally Posted by Hera

I've been considering telling people "Oh, they don't go to school" and leaving it at that. Admittedly, I just want to see the looks on their faces and hear how they try to make sense of it

I do something similar . When people ask if it is a holiday or if they are on spring break I just reply, "Oh, I am not sure what the school schedule is." and shrug my shoulders. DS1 is OBVIOUSLY of school age so it gets some interesting looks on occasion.

AM

[Piglet68]

We call ourselves "homelearners" because when I people hear the word "homeschool" they seem to immediately picture a living room with little desks and mama watching over the kids as they do their worksheets, LOL.

Actually we unschool but that is just too far out there for mainstreamers to figure out and I think their heads would probably explode if I tried to explain it to them.

Unfortunately, most people out there have never heard the term "homelearners" which means I have to say "it's a type of homeschooling" and then I get regaled with questions. I, too, am already getting tired of it (and DD is only turning five this year) and am tempted to do as Grumpy said and simply say "oh, they don't go to school" and let them figure it out, LOL.