I have been fortunate not to have had many occasions where my homeschooling has been under scrutiny. Whether because of the people I associate with, the educational milieu where I live, or my forthright personality, I have never felt questioned or challenged. What I do frequently run up against is number 4. People seem to see my homeschooling as an indictment of their own educational choice. No! My choice has nothing to do with “opting out of the system” and everything to do with how much I enjoy enacting my vision for rich family learning. This holiday season, I will work on developing a snappy spiel to express this with warmth and good humor.
I’m a homeschooling mom of 17 years. This is the best advice I’ve probably ever read. Wish I would have heard this years ago. I have learned some of these lessons and the rest I will add!
Thank you Julie! The “socialization” question is the one we get every. single. year. 🤪 We live in a remote location and our 3 children get hammered every gathering with predatory questions revolving around what they must be missing out on. Questions like those are frustrating for homeschooling parents but also incredibly manipulative to ask children. Your post reminded me I’m not the only one this holiday season that feels like the odd duck at the table; too afraid to share the magical things we’ve been learning as a family because you are surrounded by people who are searching for fault between the words. I’m so thankful for you Julie! ❤️
I have been fortunate not to have had many occasions where my homeschooling has been under scrutiny. Whether because of the people I associate with, the educational milieu where I live, or my forthright personality, I have never felt questioned or challenged. What I do frequently run up against is number 4. People seem to see my homeschooling as an indictment of their own educational choice. No! My choice has nothing to do with “opting out of the system” and everything to do with how much I enjoy enacting my vision for rich family learning. This holiday season, I will work on developing a snappy spiel to express this with warmth and good humor.
A sense of humor helps! I love to say when challenged: “Fingers crossed! Hope it works out.” Kind of deflates that defensiveness disguised as concern.
I’m a homeschooling mom of 17 years. This is the best advice I’ve probably ever read. Wish I would have heard this years ago. I have learned some of these lessons and the rest I will add!
Thank you Julie! The “socialization” question is the one we get every. single. year. 🤪 We live in a remote location and our 3 children get hammered every gathering with predatory questions revolving around what they must be missing out on. Questions like those are frustrating for homeschooling parents but also incredibly manipulative to ask children. Your post reminded me I’m not the only one this holiday season that feels like the odd duck at the table; too afraid to share the magical things we’ve been learning as a family because you are surrounded by people who are searching for fault between the words. I’m so thankful for you Julie! ❤️