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Ok, so if you’re a homeschooler (and maybe if you’re not) you know about the GMA piece and George Stephanopulous’s blatant bias at the beginning of the segment. In the time since that piece aired I have seen so many articles and posts and tweets about how bad everyone “else” is and how crazy “those other people” are. Even going so far as to claim that “those people” don’t love their children enough. It seems that society in general thinks that there are two camps of homeschoolers – the fundamentalist, religious, bible based homeschoolers and the ultra-liberal radical unschoolers. I’m here to tell you that nothing is ever that simple, or that black and white and in my seven years of homeschooling, every family I’ve met as fallen somewhere in between those two poles. I know of families on either extreme, but I’ve never actually met one.
When I first started this journey, there was an “us against them” mentality. Homeschooling was such a radical idea that those who chose that path felt that they had to defend it (no matter the ideology) and those not doing it, seemed to be attacking it at every turn. Over the years, homeschooling has become more main stream and now it seems that a lot of groups want to claim their ideology as the right one. I’d like to ask, can’t we all just get along? And if not, then can’t we just leave each other alone?
I know unschoolers, school-at-homers, virtual learners, private schoolers and public schoolers and at each turn the common thread is usually that we’re doing what we think is best for our family at that particular time. If we can stop for a minute, criticizing everyone else’s choices and oh, I don’t know, support each other? Wouldn’t the world be a better place?
My family is what you would call “eclectic”, we use virtual courses, text books, unit studies, child directed learning and mom directed learning (recently we used Grandpa directed learning) and I, for one, like to keep my options open. Every style has its benefits and I’m not going to shut myself, or my children off from any of these experiences. I’d like to humbly suggest that we stop attacking others and try supporting them.
Thank you for indulging me.
It is OK to use my photos or content provided a link back and proper crediting is given
You couldn’t be more right if you tried, I’ve been saying this for years. Where’s the support when you need it, and who the heck do these other people think they are? I removed my children from public school, because of some very obvious negative affects it was having on my kids, and began homeschooling. I have no regrets, however, there’s been more than enough criticism thrown at me, as well as bad-mouthing of my choices from mostly everyone I know. The only support I get comes from strangers I happen to meet and strike up conversation with, which is short lived since I rarely see them again. Family and friends bail out of their support obligations the minute one decides to do something the rest have never considered doing. It doesn’t matter if one can prove her point with plenty of facts, examples, and personal experiences. They believe stepping outside the box is unexceptable because they never did, nor would they ever take back and accept full responsibility for what happens to their own children because it’s so much easier when there’s someone else to blame.
@Cora, Finding a homeschool group was the answer for me. I met with many of the same obstacles when we started and finding a group of people who were exploring different options in education became my lifeline. Do you have a support group?
@Christine, No, I tried to get a group started when I began homeschooling 2 years ago, but those Moms are no longer homeschooling. They happened to be the same Moms that got me into it. I’ve heard of other groups in surrounding towns, but I’m not always to able to travel on a regular basis to participate. It’s ok though, I read a lot of other HS Mom’s sites, like yours, and I’ve got a pretty good routine set for us, so I think I’m doing ok. I still have no regrets, and would be very upset if I had to give it up. Thank you for visiting my site. I’m always working on something: pillows, tote bags/purses, blankets, scarves, etc. A lot of things I do are done without patterns, I tend to design or make it up as I go, but will hunt one down for help if I need it. Let me know if you have any questions, I’ll be happy to help.
.-= Cora´s last blog ..Gifts for my Sis =-.
I don’t think I could have home schooled. I just don’t feel capable enough in the higher math and sciences department. However, if I had been more confident and been able to stay at home I can definitely see the benefits. Of course 20+ years ago there weren’t as great of options as now either.
@daisy, That’s what’s so great about all the options open to us now – if you feel less than adequate in a certain subject there are myriad choices for curriculum, tutoring, etc. And you’re right, there weren’t many options 20 years ago.
It would be a perfect world if we could all play well together in the sand box…wouldn’t it? I saw that piece the 2nd day that it was on GMA and thought it was very interesting. I know of homeschooling from listening and reading from you, but have never really heard about un-schoolers. I found it quite interesting and somewhat intriguing how that featured family un-schools. As a mother of 4 who all attended public schools (& now 1 in college) I have been very happy with the education they have gotten. That doesn’t mean that I think anything less of other ways of educating children. The bottom line is that children need to be taught how to be socially acceptable and prepared for life in this changing and challenging world in which we ALL live in. That will come from example and real life experiences, so where your child gets there ‘academic’ education should come from what works best for your kids and your family. Kudos to ALL of us for parenting our children!!!
Exactly Jill! If we could all support each other in doing what is right for our own families, it would be a lovely sandbox!
You are so right!! People tear other ways of doing things down so that they can feel like their way is the right way. There is NEVER one right way in ANYTHING!!! Life is beautiful shades of gray. I love that:)
I love that! “Life is beautiful shades of gray.” Thanks Stephanie!
I have six children. All of the OLDER ones (ages 26 years down to 17) have went to traditional school, except for six months I had to pull my sixth grader out to catch him up (long story). I have not been all that happy with the results. The education system here in FL is not what it was when I lived in NY state. So, when I was surprised and we had a new baby (he is 11 months old now) the first thing I did was start researching home schooling. I was SHOCKED at the reactions of my husbands family members. You would have thought I told them I was going to sell him to the circus! So, although I have a few years until I officially home school I am bracing myself for the onslaught of criticism.
Julie, you live in a great area for homeschooling! We have great groups and resources and support. Be sure to check out http://ocalahomeschooling.com – register and get to know people – there are lots of people with young children there too – It’s an inclusive group with a diverse membership and some great families. Good luck on your journey!