[MizLiz]

After a rough three years in public school, we pulled ds(9) out and have had a fantastic first year learning at home. There are so many reasons we pulled him out... he hated school from day one; I felt his day to day experiences were limited by being in school as opposed to being with me and going to new and interesting places; I didn't feel that his teachers understood him and knew how to handle him in a respectful and encouraging way; he was bored... I could go on and on.

Now that the "school year" is coming to a close we have been running into many people whose children ds did attend school with and they want to know why we pulled him out and why he isn't going back anytime in the next number of years. These people aren't close friends and I don't feel that I should have to give them the longwinded explanation of why I don't think the school system is appropriate for my child (or anyone esle's for that matter). But at the same time I don't want it to seem like there was something wrong with ds and I feel that perhaps some simpler explanation would be helpful in conveying our decision to learn at home.

Most of our homeschooling friends have never had their children in school at all so they don't seem to encounter as many "why is school not good enough for you anymore" questions.

Anyone have any good responses to these types of questions?

TIA
MizLiz

 

[Jen123]

It kinda depends on who asks. If it's someone close I give a complete answer.

If it's a casual acquaintance I'll say "it works for us".

If it's someone I don't know at all , I gauge HOW they asked. Are they trying to start a fight ? Do they honestly want to know ? My answers vary from "it works for us" to " why do you public school?"

OR you could just say PASS THE BEAN DIP

 

[SagMom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MizLiz Now that the "school year" is coming to a close we have been running into many people whose children ds did attend school with and they want to know why we pulled him out and why he isn't going back anytime in the next number of years. These people aren't close friends and I don't feel that I should have to give them the longwinded explanation of why I don't think the school system is appropriate for my child (or anyone esle's for that matter). But at the same time I don't want it to seem like there was something wrong with ds and I feel that perhaps some simpler explanation would be helpful in conveying our decision to learn at home.

We had this experience too! My son was that age when we pulled him out mid-year. His classmates, for some reason, assumed that he'd be back in September, even though we'd never given that impression. When I'd run into parents who would ask, I'd just reply, "We're really enjoying homeschooling, so we're going to continue with it." Or, "It's working out well for us, so we're not planning on coming back to school." Like you, I had far too many reasons
for not returning to ps, and I didn't really want to get into it with some people at the checkout line in the supermarket. I also didn't want to sound like I was attacking their choice to continue in school, so I just kept it short and sweet. Really, who can argue with "It works for us?"

 

[warriorprincess]

I just tell them that I enjoy it. If they press, I tell them I can give the kids a better education that the schools.

 

[MrsMoe]

To peopel we don't know? That we feel it is in our daughter's best interest. Other than that, it's none of thier business. I don't like it when people ask pointed quetions about homeschooling, because they tend to be passing judgement in a negative manner.

Close friends of ours are very supportive of our choice and didn't ask questions! In those cases, close supportive friends and family... we went on to tell them it was for Emma's emotional well being... we had issues with her very nasty teacher, we witnessed the teacher's behavior first hand, she was nasty with us as parents... and I would hear things from Emma's school mates. The principal refused to address the issue. So, we pulled her out.

 

[UUMom]

Whenever I'm asked by someone who really doesn't care, i say "We love the freedom". Then i tell them how I took the kids and fled to Fl for 5 weeks while they froze their butts off in the MA cold.

 

[umbrella]

I'd treat is the same as if I'd chosen a different school.

Why might someone move their child to a new district, or the local private school?

Because they looked into it, and decided that the other option would suit them better, in some way.

 

[Monda]

I tell them I am a bit of a deffensive HSer. I started HSing this year because I was already spending so much time helping my boys with homework (up to 2 hours a night each) and dealing w/behavior problems created/exaserbated by the school enviroment, that it is actualy easier to keep them home.

As the year has gone on, we are learing to love the freedom and the fun more...but to start with, it just made things easier.

 

[mama_kass]

I tell the person that there were many reasons. Too many to really get into, but basicaly it's what works best for us and we love it.

 

[whimsy]

I usually say we have differences of opinion with the public school district.

If they are truly interested, I will go into it further.