Posted in Parenting on Jun 04, 2010 - 12:53 AM
Last week, I wrote about how bummed I was because so many people--especially one or two people that we are very close to--do not support our decision to homeschool. It is very distressing, especially when you provide explanations and clear reasoning--that we really shouldn't have to provide in the first place, to most of these people--and you're still met with disapproval.Fortunately, where there is despair, there is always hope. People who support our decision have been coming out of the woodwork--friends, acquaintances, people at the library... I can't believe how many people say they'd like to homeschool, too, if only they didn't have to work, and especially how many people there are who've have the problems I've experienced with the public school system (and much worse). I know I've read articles, watched videos, and seen how the system fails so many children every year, but I've never really connected it to so many people in my own area until now.
Many are offering help, contacts, materials, and especially their support. The community we've always felt like we've lacked seems to be slowly coming to fruition, encompassing our family into this warm circle of friendship--and acceptance.
To those people who might have doubts about choosing to educate their children at home on the basis of others' opinions, I have this to say: follow your own hearts rather than those belonging to other people. Even if they are important to you, your children are your own; if you believe it is in their best interest to be taught outside the public system, then it is.
Support will come from places where you least expect to find it. Seek out other homeschoolers, groups, web lists. Connect with people and browse the resources here at IDEA. If you have doubts based on other aspects of your life, by all means do not discount them; but if you feel like you can't offer a home education to your child simply because other people disapprove of your choice, please don't let that stop you.
You are not alone.
Tags for this entry:
community,
parenting,
homeschooling,
parent involvement,
homeschooling and unschooling,
community-school interactions
Comments
Jun 07, 2010 - 02:47 PM
Exactly, Melia—when I was growing up, I had no idea, either; and when I met my first homeschooled friends, I thought the whole idea was just creepy and alien, and definitely not natural. Now I feel very much the reverse!
Jun 07, 2010 - 08:49 PM
Yeah, the only homeschoolers I knew had set up little classrooms in their homes, which wasn’t too different from the traditional classroom except they were socially isolated. My impression didn’t change until I read about (and later, met) homeschoolers who were more community-based than home-based, and more self-directed than parent-directed.
Melia Dicker
Jun 07, 2010 - 12:29 PM
We’re lucky that the digital age lets us find out about a diversity of educational options, and it connects us with likeminded people all over the world. When I was growing up, I had no idea that school could be any other way than the traditional classroom model. Now parents and kids can see videos of other methods of education, read blog posts about them, and ask questions instantly.
I’m glad that you’ve found folks who support your decision to homeschool! Thanks for the reminder that ultimately, no matter what anyone else thinks about your choices in child-rearing, they’re your family’s choices to make.