we met the other day at Kinder-Gym and you asked me the question dreaded by most home schooling parents you asked "So what Kindergarten does Edison attend?" I quietly replied that he attends home kindy. and you got a look in your eye of incredulous disbelief. Have you never met a homeschooling family before? So immediately and predictably you ask me "WHY!!" as though I've just made some horrible judgement about you for your decision to send your children to school and kindy and daycare. I quietly tell you "it started off because he missed this year because of his birthday. He wouldn't be able to start until next year and we've found he's doing really well, just as good if not ahead of other kids his own age with what we're doing with him at home so.. if it ain't broke.. don't fix it I don't need to pay $475 for them to do less than what I do at home I don't think schools are bad or anything it's just my personal preference"
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| credit to https://us.beamly.com/exclusives/2014/08/18/crazy-eyes-emmy-right-world/ |
The next sentence out of your mouth was equally as predictable "how will they be SOCIALIZED how will they learn to get on with other people and work and make friends I'd be so BORED at home with them all day!!!! This was where I started to sense you were trying rather desperately to some how make me change my mind and say "your right I should send him to kindergarten" like some how your self worth was pinned on how you could convince me this was a great idea.
Instead I motion to were both of our children are playing, Edison is busy negotiating a disagreement between YOUR child and another unrelated child. making sure they take turns and make up so they can all go on playing happily and say "being home schooled doesn't mean you stay home and don't see anybody, Kinder-Gym is just one of the many things I include in his curriculum as you can see he's got friends and he just broke up a fight, he's doing fine socially, also I was home schooled and I am not Anti-social we do lots of things outside of the home and we see and interact with people of all ages. If anything we're over socialized." I smile warmly trying to communicate that we're different but that doesn't mean anyone here is any less.
"Is he going to go to Kindergarten later on or Primary School?!" I reply "if he wants to or if I have to work then he will go to school so he is safe while I work, we're open to it but it isn't our ideal situation."
You got quite angry with this "IF he wants to!? WHAT kid WANTS to!! you have to MAKE THEM GO!! HOW THE HECK WOULD HE KNOW IF HE'S NEVER BEEN!!" trying hard to be diplomatic I respond "we've been to three come and try days at the different local Kindergartens and one school, he did not like any of them and couldn't wait to get home. he has no interest in going and Kindergarten is not a legal requirement."
You are storming inside and I can hardly fathom why my choices are so offensive to you. Perhaps you're not entirely comfortable with the choice you made to use a kindergarten and daycare. Perhaps you think that I think I'm some kind of super parent because I never take a break from my kids.
oh Mainstream parent I am sad. My decisions regarding my children have never had anything to do with you. It had to do with careful research and a desire to educate my own children. I have never and will never judge a parent based upon attendance of a certain education system or if you breastfeed or use a bottle or co-sleep or use a crib. Because I know you're trying. All we can do is the best we can.
That said I do not need you to educate me on why I should or shouldn't send my children to school or tell me how much work that is- I'm the one doing the work -right now. It requires effort that is for certain but it's a price I'm happy to pay. I don't need your judgement and neither do my children. We need you acceptance and we'd like your friendship; Please Mainstream parent the next time you meet a home-school family just out enjoying the day please remember our conversation and how nice and normal my children were. Please just accept them and when you hear them quietly tell you "they are home-schooled" say "oh yep, I know someone else who does that" Because you've met us and we come every week and our children are in no way behind the mainstream children. Please realize that we are not trying to "convert" you or think we're better than you. We are just trying to raise our family the way we see fit.
Love "that home school parent"
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