I just saw that line in a blog, but can't remember who to attribute it to!  It was a brilliant assessment.  Let me know if it was you, ok?  My husband and I were talking about it and he said that all homeschoolers "unschool" to one degree or another.  But lines are being drawn in the sand, and we keep talking about it nevertheless. 

The unschooling debate goes on, and I do hope people will have an open mind about it.  Look at all sides of the issue before you condemn it.  Talk to some radical unschoolers, talk to some conservative homeschoolers.  I *think* we just might fit into the conservative group.  I dunno.  I really don't like the label thing, and have written about that before.  At any rate, we are all different and we learn and teach differently, our family circumstances are different.  My burning question is;  why does anyone care?  Why do non-homeschool parents (or non-parents) care about what we do?  Why does the local school care?  Why does the NEA care?  Why do newspapers and talk shows care? 

I think it is because we have chosen a different path, and it is proving to work for many families.  Homeschooling worries some public school parents, for many reasons.  You ponder that.  It worries the schools because of $$$.  It concerns the NEA because they can't influence those they don't have control over.  Newspapers care because it's a good story,  and if they can't report it accurately and get readers they can sensationalize it and get readers.  Talk shows care because they can get viewers.  How many homeschoolers and non-homeschoolers watched Dr. Phil just so they could see how awful it was?  We are just a curious bunch of humans.

I am sure you can come up with some reasons of your own.  These are just off the top of my head, and I know there are more concrete reasons than mine.  But maybe we just need to "chill" as they say. 

Right now, I plan to chill with my kiddos.  They are rehearsing a musical they have put together for their grandparents.  They made sets, put together costumes, picked songs, have completely transformed my living room into a theater.  They are going to record it and make a DVD to send for Christmas, and the deadline is looming.  I love hearing them right now singing in the other room.  A few minutes ago, they were fighting.  We worked through that and are now working together again.  Gee, I can't imagine what it is going to be like when they get out in to the real world......

Blessings!

Homeschooling Is Life!

Nancy

©Nancy K. Baetz Homeschooling Is Life! 2006