Friday, March 23, 2012

VERY Opinionated Post

DISCLAIMER:  DO NOT READ THIS POST IF YOU CANNOT TAKE IT FOR WHAT IT IS: SIMPLY MY OPINION.
When I tell people that I homeschool I get many reactions.  Most of them are negative reactions, but I knew that would happen when I signed on with homeschooling.  However, there are some responses that REALLY bug the crap out of me.  Some of these include: 

"If things got bad enough I'd homeschool":  Just HOW BAD do things have to get?!??! Enough said.  If that's NOT enough for you, check out this post by another mom, that nailed my thoughts exactly on Why things are already bad enough.

"I don't know how you do it.  I'd never have the patience.":  I am not a saint.  Some days I have more patience than others.  I do this because the LORD CALLED ME TO DO IT.  If HE wants me to do it, then who am I to argue?

"It's ok to homeschool if you......(keep your kids on track, do it like the schools do, ect).":  Frankly I have some friends who subscribe to an unschooling philosphy of school and their kids are just as smart, or smarter than other kids their ages.  What really matters is the mother being ENGAGED in the education of her children.  Not the way in which she goes about educating them.

And my ultimate pet peeve............
"My children would never learn from me":  Do you want to know what that comment tells me?  It tells me that your children are holy terrors that run your home.  Do you not teach your children to be respectful?  Do you not teach your children to clean up after themselves?  Do you not teach your child to follow the rules?  Teaching your children academics is no different than teaching them discipline and courtesy.  Is it hard?  YES.  Do we have good days and bad days?  YES.  It's all about the expectations.  If you want to leave the education of your children in the hands of others, fine, but DO NOT tell me that you do it because your children CANNOT OR WILL NOT LEARN FROM YOU. 

And that is the end of my post.  Remember that this is simply MY opinion and it in no way reflects upon you or your decision of how to educate your children. I simply hope that the decision you made was based upon revelation for your family and not simply the traditions of society. 

4 comments:

Lynette said...

Very well said, friend! :) I've heard a few of those things myself, but you articulated a more clear response than I've ever given. I hope you've had a terrific week!

P.S. Now that we are all finally getting over being sick (the youngest is finally on the mend), we should be at your place next week, as usual. :)

heiditurtles said...

So true awesome post Shelly!!!!!!!!!!!

Suzanne Vincent said...

Like!

SLC said...

I hear ya. Responses I have gotten have have mostly been negative. I too get very bothered by the stupid things people say about our choice to homeschool!