[purplemoon]

I had several opportunities during the holiday to explain that I will be homeschooling. EVERYONE asked when my LO will start pre-school and what school he will be going to for kindy. I just said I didn't know. I see them often, so that will only fly for about another year. Why can't I just say I will be homeschooling? I just have no desire to debate (and my family likes to debate so it would happen). I feel strongly in it, I just want to have a good time at family events.

Does hallmark have a "I'm homeschooling, thought you should know!" cards?

 

[nov05mama]

Haha...I am the same way. I have brought it up before, but I still get the "when he goes to school" comments...I know they don't mean anything by them...they honestly say it out of habit, but I always cringe

If you find the cards, let me know

I know for us, they won't realize it til we are doing it

 

[scoobymummy]

I pretty much avoid the topic....sometimes I'll throw in "i'm a teacher' to ward off an argument (people think that would make me a better hser - sooooo not true). If people ask me what we do, I'm very vague.....on the one hand, I'm a complete and utter chicken, on the other, it's no one's business. I also really don't want to advertise what we do....I figure keeping a low profile is a good thing in a small town --- everyone knows we hs, but not how.

When we started, I said, 'We're homeschooling for a couple of years and then we'll reevaluate'. It's only 6 months in and we've decided this is forever, but again, I don't advertise it. Just take your time, tell as little or as much as you feel comfortable with. You can start with 'I'm homeschooling for kindergarten' and then just let it naturally meld on into the years.... You don't have to be a warrior for the cause if you're not comfortable with it.

I know, I'm a complete wuss, but I'm comfortable that way!!!

 

[Smokering]

Naw, you're wise. I bring up our (very firm, concrete, well-thought-out, result of years of planning and strong philosophies, informed by personal experience as a homeschooled, public- and private-schooled child and ex-teacher-aide and ABA-teaching adult) plans to homeschol Rowan, who's one.... and I get amused responses along the lines of "Yes dear, just wait until she's five and you'll change your mind".

Not bringing it up until a) you have to and b) it's close enough to the event that people don't think it's a passing whim? That's wise. Unless you like debate... which, actually, I do, which is probably why I bring it up.

I think I smell a home business in "sympathy" We're Homeschooling cards!

Let's see...

[Front of Card, curly font, surrounded by pastel flowers and ribbons] To a Disappointed Grandma...

[Inside]

You're a very special Grandma
And you couldn't wait to see
Your children's children go to school
And learn their ABCs

But dreams are fleeting, Grandma
And we're sorry you'll be sad
To know we'll be homeschooling
'Cause we want to drive you mad.

This card is meant for treasuring
The last from us to you
For once we've locked our kids away
They won't learn nothin' new

Their social skills will soon decline
And writing will be scorned
Because it is the Devil's tool
So Grandma, you've been warned

We're sorry that your grandkids
Will be socially inept
(And jobless, broke and single too)
But after you have wept

Take comfort in the thought that you
Won't have to pay for Uni
They don't accept homeschoolers
'Cause we're all a little loony!

*bows*

 

[lavieenrose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokering : think I smell a home business in "sympathy" We're Homeschooling cards! Let's see... [Front of Card, curly font, surrounded by pastel flowers and ribbons] To a Disappointed Grandma... [Inside] You're a very special Grandma And you couldn't wait to see Your children's children go to school And learn their ABCs But dreams are fleeting, Grandma And we're sorry you'll be sad To know we'll be homeschooling 'Cause we want to drive you mad. This card is meant for treasuring The last from us to you For once we've locked our kids away They won't learn nothin' new Their social skills will soon decline And writing will be scorned Because it is the Devil's tool So Grandma, you've been warned We're sorry that your grandkids Will be socially inept (And jobless, broke and single too) But after you have wept Take comfort in the thought that you Won't have to pay for Uni They don't accept homeschoolers 'Cause we're all a little loony! *bows*

:

:

 

[mrsfussypants]

This is priceless!

 

[mom2ponygirl]

LOL! It gets easier once you are actually doing it. The first year I still gave somewhat hesitant answers which made dd really hesitate when people ask her where she goes to school. By year 2, we could both confidently say, 'We homeschool!'

It will get easier, promise!

 

[scoobymummy]

Please, please go into business!!!!! You crack me up!!
PS Man, if you gave me your " bring up our (very firm, concrete, well-thought-out, result of years of planning and strong philosophies, informed by personal experience as a homeschooled, public- and private-schooled child and ex-teacher-aide and ABA-teaching adult)" plan, I would be so blown away, I wouldn't be able to comment.

Cheers!

 

[LauraLoo]

Smokering......that is the best! I almost wish that my family hadn't been so supportive otherwise I'd be ordering a dozen!

to the OP. I had an interesting conversation with my mother the other day. She said that she had shyly told a few people on different occasions that I was homeschooling, and they almost sighed with relief because either their daughter, niece, or some other relative was also homeschooling. Even though they were supportive, they knew that there were many outside skeptics and they just didn't want to deal. So, even though you may be a wuss, you *may* be surprised at where the support will come from. They may all be hiding until you say something. And you know, we're all here for you! So, congratulations!

 

[purplemoon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokering Naw, you're wise. I bring up our (very firm, concrete, well-thought-out, result of years of planning and strong philosophies, informed by personal experience as a homeschooled, public- and private-schooled child and ex-teacher-aide and ABA-teaching adult) plans to homeschol Rowan, who's one.... and I get amused responses along the lines of "Yes dear, just wait until she's five and you'll change your mind". Not bringing it up until a) you have to and b) it's close enough to the event that people don't think it's a passing whim? That's wise. Unless you like debate... which, actually, I do, which is probably why I bring it up. I think I smell a home business in "sympathy" We're Homeschooling cards! Let's see... [Front of Card, curly font, surrounded by pastel flowers and ribbons] To a Disappointed Grandma... [Inside] You're a very special Grandma And you couldn't wait to see Your children's children go to school And learn their ABCs But dreams are fleeting, Grandma And we're sorry you'll be sad To know we'll be homeschooling 'Cause we want to drive you mad. This card is meant for treasuring The last from us to you For once we've locked our kids away They won't learn nothin' new Their social skills will soon decline And writing will be scorned Because it is the Devil's tool So Grandma, you've been warned We're sorry that your grandkids Will be socially inept (And jobless, broke and single too) But after you have wept Take comfort in the thought that you Won't have to pay for Uni They don't accept homeschoolers 'Cause we're all a little loony! *bows*

That is pure talent there. I will take a pack of 20 cards please?

I will just keep being silent until it is obvious that I cannot be anymore. I wouldn't mind debating it except I believe my reasons would make people who do choose institutional schooling defensive and uncomfortable. I don't want to do that because I know they are making the best choice for them. It would be so awkward and really, it is a personal decision.

I will keep the idea that I don't ever have to explain "what" I am doing as far as homeschooling.

Glad I am not alone!

 

[birdie22]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokering [Front of Card, curly font, surrounded by pastel flowers and ribbons] To a Disappointed Grandma... [Inside] You're a very special Grandma And you couldn't wait to see Your children's children go to school And learn their ABCs... *bows*

Would you PLEASE post that on your blog or something, so I can link to it-- or else I will be tempted to copy and paste it into an email!

:

SOMEBODY PLEASE STOP ME!

 

[Leersia]

Smokering,
You need to submit that to Deborah Markus at Secular Homeschooling Magazine - I'll bet she'd love to have it in an upcoming issue. So clever!!!! Thanks for the laugh . . .

 

[Bird Girl]

Brilliant! I love it!!

 

[Plummeting]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leersia Smokering, You need to submit that to Deborah Markus at Secular Homeschooling Magazine - I'll bet she'd love to have it in an upcoming issue. So clever!!!! Thanks for the laugh . . .

Yes, DO IT! It was HILARIOUS!

 

[Plummeting]

Quote:

Originally Posted by purplemoon I wouldn't mind debating it except I believe my reasons would make people who do choose institutional schooling defensive and uncomfortable. I don't want to do that because I know they are making the best choice for them. It would be so awkward and really, it is a personal decision.

I've found the best way to avoid that is to come up with some reason that won't make them feel like you're criticizing their choice. So for us, it's that we're a military family and we feel that moving every couple years, with all those curriculum changes, can be damaging to a child's educational achievement. That one works without making anyone who's not in the same situation feel defensive. For military people, we just sort of switch it up, so that the theme is the same (moving all the time is hard) but that it's more about ease and ability to transfer as a family at any time of year, rather than about achievement.

You really just have to find something that won't make them feel like you're saying their choice is wrong.

 

[Smokering]

Heh! Copy and paste away if you want to, birdie22.

 

[Needle in the Hay]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plummeting You really just have to find something that won't make them feel like you're saying their choice is wrong.

I agree, it's good to have a short and simple answer ready. That's if you feel you have to give a reason at all--occasionally I have but often I just say "it's been really working well for us". I think the last time I actually gave someone a reason though was last September when a homeschooling parent asked me why we chose to homeschool. Usually people don't ask why once you are doing it, it's more when you are in the planning-to-do-it stage that people want to grill you. I say the longer you hold out to tell them the easier it will be on you. And "I don't know" was a fine answer, IMO. Changing the subject is helpful, especially if they are parents start asking about their kids! And you don't have to respond to every comment someone makes either. I had two random people tell me "He will go to school next year" and an in-law cousin say "he'll have to go when he's six, that's the compulsory schooling age". I am not going to argue about it, obviously they don't get to decide anything so it's not worth getting into with them.

Smokering

Very cute card!!

 

[mama2cntrykids]

I am ROLLING after reading the HSing "card". Oh man, now THAT was funny!!

 

[linguistmama]

Hysterical!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm going to copy and paste too if that's all right?

 

[KJoslyn78]

me 3 (to copy and paste) ... i have a local HS friend who's find that funny as all heck!