Before I start talking about the misconceptions about homeschooling that I posted about last time, I have to add some more that I ran into today.
I go, once a month or so, to a place where I can prepare a number of meals for the month very quickly and reasonably-priced, while leaving the mess behind. This morning as I was paying for my session the very nice lady who owns the store asked if I had kids home from school yet. When I told her that we homeschool she said, "Oh, I could never be that disciplined. We have a hard time getting the homework done."
Later, two other women came in and as we were all assembling our meals and chatting about our families, the owner mentioned to them that I homeschool. "I could never do that. You must be so organized, " said one. "There would be blood all over our house. You must be so patient," added the other.
Those of you who know me well can get up off the floor and stop laughing now.
I bet that if you asked my friends and family members to list the top ten traits that I have, disciplined, organized, and patient wouldn't even show up. Disorganized and impatient would probably be near the top.
And yet we survive. We actually thrive.
I wish these mothers, good mothers who volunteer at school, have their kids' friends over, and are trying to hold together the family dinner time against all of the pressures of life, could see what homeschooling can do for family life. Of course getting homework done is a battle. They've been at school all day. They rightly think that eight hours should be enough! One of the moms today said something about her son's attitude. We have seen wonderful changes in the attitudes of kids who come home. She might be amazed at how much better she likes him after six months at home.
It is the second day out of school and at 10:30 this morning one of these children who was at home vegging in front of the TV was calling her mom saying that she's bored. The mom is trying to plan events to fill the summer with activity--camps, lessons, classes--to get the kids "out of the house." I wanted to say, "Just live." Cook together. Clean together. Do some crafty projects. Go to the park. Lay on a blanket in the backyard and watch the clouds.
Then you might get a glimpse of what it can really be like to be a homeschool mom.
2 comments:
Oh yeah, I get that all the time, or this one, "But isn't it hard to know ALL THAT STUFF?" I tell them, "Shh don't tell anyone, but I don't know it all." I don't even feel the need to learn everything my kids are learning. That is shocking to people sometimes who haven't experienced homeschooling. It is really an unheard of thing in some of my circles that children would,.. or even could actually teach themselves.
I can related a lot to your experience. I have seven children and they have all been homeschooled or are in the process of being homeschooled. I've seen and heard it all. It sounds like your doing a wonderful job! Homeschooling has been such a great blessing for my family. All the best.
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