but it would be too hard...

[mommy68]

I get so tired of hearing this response from someone when they respond to me saying we H/S our child. I swear this is the response I get 95% of the time, and all other times it's usually the silent treatment.

What do you say to someone when they say something like "It would be too hard" or "I could never H/S my child, they won't learn from me"?? I'd love to have something quick and clever to come back with.

[elizawill]

in my experience, most people who respond like that genuinely aren't interested in homeschooling. when people tell me why they "can't" do it or "wouldn't" do it, i simply diffuse unnecessary statements by saying, "well homeschooling doesn't have to be for everyone". once they realize i'm not trying to judge why they don't homeschool...they usually relax & stop trying to explain why they chose a different path than me. at least that's been my experience. i had a conversation at my work with a customer a few weeks ago. we were talking about her kids and i mentioned mine were the same age...school came up of course...i said i homeschool...and i could tell she was uncomfortable by her facial expressions. she was quick to tell me "why" she couldn't homeschool, etc. i just smiled and said, i think homeschooling is one choice, and my family loves it. each family has to do what works best for them. after that, she was delightful to talk with and she even told me about her neighbor who homeschools, etc. it was nice.

[frogguruami]

I get a similar comment a lot. "I couldn't hs, I don't have the patience for that." My response is usually something along the lines of, "I hs because I ran out of patience with the public school system."

[Kleine Hexe]

I kind of say what Eliza says with a twist depending on my mood.

Sometimes I just say it works for us. Other times I'll say, "Yes, it is hard at times. It's not for everyone."

Because let's give ourselves credit when it is due. Homeschooling is hard. It's hard not getting a break when you may really need one. It's hard not being able to go to the Dr for yourself because the kids are with you all day. It's hard researching and finding the best programs and curriculum (if you are not an unschooler) that works for each of your kids. It's hard trying to get all the household stuff done. You mamas know.

Of course homeschooling has so many many rewards and is so satisfying as well. My list of pros would be much longer than the cons.

We love homeschooling and yet we all have days when we hate it. So go ahead and feel free to agree with people that homeschooling is hard....and we do a darn good job.

[mommy68]

Thanks everyone. It's so nice to know I'm not alone. When at home doing this every day and not getting out amongst other H/S families very often I tend to forget that others are going through much the same that I am.

Originally Posted by Kleine Hexe

I kind of say what Eliza says with a twist depending on my mood.

Sometimes I just say it works for us. Other times I'll say, "Yes, it is hard at times. It's not for everyone."

Because let's give ourselves credit when it is due. Homeschooling is hard. It's hard not getting a break when you may really need one. It's hard not being able to go to the Dr for yourself because the kids are with you all day. It's hard researching and finding the best programs and curriculum (if you are not an unschooler) that works for each of your kids. It's hard trying to get all the household stuff done. You mamas know.

Of course homeschooling has so many many rewards and is so satisfying as well. My list of pros would be much longer than the cons.

We love homeschooling and yet we all have days when we hate it. So go ahead and feel free to agree with people that homeschooling is hard....and we do a darn good job.

I enjoyed reading your comments on this.

I have told people in the past that I know home schooling isn't for everyone so I guess I'll just stick with that one.

I too try to always remember the main reason for doing what I'm doing and that in the long run it will be the best choice no matter how long and how hard the days may be between now and then.

[dawningmama]

It depends on how much time I have to answer, but usually I just say something about how hard un-teaching and re-teaching were when my kids went to public school [not to mention the volunteer time I put in beating my head against the wall (read: on the PTA board)].

[Tigeresse]

Originally Posted by Kleine Hexe

Because let's give ourselves credit when it is due. Homeschooling is hard. It's hard not getting a break when you may really need one. It's hard not being able to go to the Dr for yourself because the kids are with you all day. It's hard researching and finding the best programs and curriculum (if you are not an unschooler) that works for each of your kids. It's hard trying to get all the household stuff done. You mamas know.

Of course homeschooling has so many many rewards and is so satisfying as well. My list of pros would be much longer than the cons.

We love homeschooling and yet we all have days when we hate it. So go ahead and feel free to agree with people that homeschooling is hard....and we do a darn good job.

I love these comments! So true! I look at some of my friends who have chosen the school route for their kids and sometimes I am envious because they can actually go out to lunch with other mamas or go get a massage during the day. They can be really organized and keep their houses clean and have time to properly shop and plan meals every night. But then I look at my kids and realize not a second has been wasted homeschooling. And yes, at times it has been hard. But now that my oldest is pushing 16 It's starting to sink in that he won't be around forever. I am so grateful I have had these years to watch him grow into a charming young man that makes me laugh every single day with his wit. Much better than being able to make it to yoga class only 1 day a week rather than every day.

Sometimes I want to tell friends who I think would revel in homeschooling what they're missing, but I know that is not my place. If someone says it's hard I have to agree, but not because I am sitting with my kids in lessons for hours and hours, but because of the personal time sacrifice. But that's just where I want to be.

[Linda on the move]

I make a joke out of it and change the subject.

them: "It would be too hard to homeschool."

me: "For me, it would be too hard to get them out of bed and off to school! They just aren't morning people."


Then, segway to something like, Did you guys see the new movie, read such and such book, enjoy the great weather last weekend, etc.

If you are talking to people, you must have SOMETHING in common with them. Focus the conversation on that stuff.

[attached2mason]

Originally Posted by Kleine Hexe

I kind of say what Eliza says with a twist depending on my mood.

Sometimes I just say it works for us. Other times I'll say, "Yes, it is hard at times. It's not for everyone."

Because let's give ourselves credit when it is due. Homeschooling is hard. It's hard not getting a break when you may really need one. It's hard not being able to go to the Dr for yourself because the kids are with you all day. It's hard researching and finding the best programs and curriculum (if you are not an unschooler) that works for each of your kids. It's hard trying to get all the household stuff done. You mamas know.

Of course homeschooling has so many many rewards and is so satisfying as well. My list of pros would be much longer than the cons.

We love homeschooling and yet we all have days when we hate it. So go ahead and feel free to agree with people that homeschooling is hard....and we do a darn good job.

Thanks for this KH (fancy seeing you here! ). I am in the midst of trying to decide whether or not to homeschool and pretty much every homeschooler I've talked to makes it sound like a breeze - likely because they are tired of hearing the "but it would be too hard" comment . I have been looking for someone to be honest with me, yk? The fact that it is hard doesn't turn me off of it, but doesn't set me up for failure like if I were expecting it to be no work at all. Sorry, a bit OT .

I do hear the "it would be too hard" objection ALL THE TIME from non-hs'ers, although I think I hear more "won't that screw them up?" :. I'll have to remember the responses listed here for the future .