Walking Therein

What Exactly Is A Christian Homeschool Mom?

8:43 PM, Monday, November 19, 2007 .. Posted in Are you Wondering If You Should Homeschool .. 8 comments .. Link

There are a lot of ideas about homeschooling and homeschool families and especially homeschool moms that are completely unfounded and almost pure opinion. If you are a homeschool mom, you know what I mean. If you are a Christian homeschool mom, perhaps you are unaware that we, as a whole, are viewed as 'holier than thou' women by many of our fellow moms and even fellow believers.
I was recently told in a comment a common belief about homeschoolers:
(mockingly) "But do you teach them about God? Yes? But do you teach them modesty and to only ever wear skirts and keep their hair long and never to tweeze, shave, color, or otherwise enhance her beauty? You do? But do you homeschool them? You do? But what curriculum do you use? Oh, do you UNschool them? NO ONE can live up to the impossibly high standards they (us homeschool moms) seem to have set. Of course, they claim to be imperfect, but do they really see themselves that way? Or are they just a teensy bit more godly than the rest of us?"

I contend that we know that we are not perfect. We struggle with our health, with finances, with loss, with our attitudes. We are not who a lot of people think we are. I have lived with this type of opinion for as long as I can remember. And, it is ok with me now. I am not yet content with who I am, because I am still working on it, but I am content to be a homeschool mom of 8. I am content to have people stare and ask stupid questions like, "Are those kids all yours?" "Are you done now?" "How do you do it?" "I couldn't stand to be home with my kids all day - and I only have 2!" Ok, maybe they aren't stupid questions, just stupidly asked. Tactlessly asked.
I know I am not sitting at home, waiting hand and foot endlessly 'like a doormat' or someone who stays home because 'I am not smart enough to do anything else' ... yeah, *you* try to organize and run this household, hehehh.

People act like it's ok to offend homeschoolers and large families, but, by golly, don't offend someone who doesn't want more children. Don't project your opinions on them. That is judgmental. And, don't force your beliefs on them, though they may do that to you. People also act like you must be rolling in the dough and have absolutely no other problems because your children will sit and be well-behaved in a restaurant and, well, you must be rich to afford all of those children. Or, you just do not understand about the real world. I mean, how could you? You don't shop and get gas and drive in the real world... Like we just fell off of the first spaceship back from Mars.

I know homeschool moms. We are all normal people. We have broken lives and great lives. We have children who are terribly sweet and don't back-talk, and we have children who shun our ideals. We have great health, and we have family who live with illness and even die from it. We are people. We may think differently. We may have to defend our ideals and reasons we homeschool, but we are human beings.

Have you heard of The Old Homeschoolhouse Minute-To-Minute e-newsletter? The MTM newsletter that I just found in my inbox, that reveals that "Yes, A chronically ill mom can homeschool." The answers and encouragement for this mom come from homeschool moms who are battling and homeschooling with auto immune disease, disabling depression, very long bouts with pneumonia and numerous lung/sinus ailments, chronic headaches, pain, and muscle fatigue, and the list goes on.

We are real people. We band together to encourage each other, yes, of course. That does not mean we think we are better than anyone. And, I think everyone pretty much thinks they are doing the right thing... or at least the best thing. I mean, who would intentionally do the worst thing for their family and children?

Ok, well, that's food for thought. I'm sure everyone has an opinion on this, because, we all have opinions on everything, don't we? Go on over to Home Where They Belong and join in on the discussion. My Keep Their Hearts post is the topic, but the commenting has moved to Deb's post and Tia posted it on The Front Porch, so there are homeschool moms commenting on this topic there too.

blessings!
Jacque

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9:18 PM, Monday, November 19, 2007 .. Posted by Kinley
Great post!!!! I understand it completly.

Kristy

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10:58 PM, Monday, November 19, 2007 .. Posted by MamaArcher
you wrote:
People act like it's ok to offend homeschoolers and large families, but, by golly, don't offend someone who doesn't want more children. Don't project your opinions on them. That is judgmental. And, don't force your beliefs on them, though they may do that to you. People also act like you must be rolling in the dough and have absolutely no other problems because your children will sit and be well-behaved in a restaurant and, well, you must be rich to afford all of those children. Or, you just do not understand about the real world. I mean, how could you? You don't shop and get gas and drive in the real world... Like we just fell off of the first spaceship back from Mars.

I CAN SO RELATE TO THIS!!!! frustrating to say the least!!

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7:36 AM, Tuesday, November 20, 2007 .. Posted by Vicki
Wow, that was such an awesome post!!!

I have to laugh at the part about shaving and tweezing...I know it's true, and yet it's still hard for me to grasp that that is something that would even enter someone's thoughts...Oh, I see, just because we are homeschooling moms, and teaching our children the ways of God, and modesty, we don't know how to teach them hygiene....

a true Christian homeschool parent

11:35 AM, Tuesday, November 20, 2007 .. Posted by HeartnSoul
I just read all the posts relating - I'm SO behind! lol..

I'm sure there really are some "purist, militant" homeschoolers out there. I have heard a few stories how some groups shun other people b/c they do not do as they do, sometimes ppl do make a 'religion' out of their beliefs and practices instead of walking in faith, grace and love.

For our family we try, with God's grace and mercy, to live out what we read in the instruction book (BIBLE), and it changes as we get more understanding and convictions on certain areas. For me, homeschooling is stepping out in faith, not in my abilities as a teacher, but in God's direction for us. Scripture says He will teach them, with His words, isn't that cool? He is the author of all learning, wisdom and truth. amen?

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4:47 PM, Tuesday, November 20, 2007 .. Posted by genamayo
Hi Jacque,
One thing I love about Homeschool Blogger is that I've met other "real" homeschool moms, like you, and like me! Thanks for sharing.
Happy Thanksgiving!
--Gena

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5:35 PM, Tuesday, November 20, 2007 .. Posted by cptwentworth
How wonderfully said! We're just people, like the rest of the world, and Christian people as well, just like other Christian people. What makes everyone think we are required to "have it all together" because we homeschool? We fail, we get up again. We have successes and make mistakes (surprise!) just like other folks. I needed this little bit of encouragement today!

Great post...

8:53 PM, Tuesday, November 20, 2007 .. Posted by Prodoceo
Thought-provoking. I know LOTS of people in my life think of me as different even though I DON'T! They relate to me differently. It's frustrating. It just becomes easier to hang with homeschoolers. They "get" me and they let me be me. They don't have expectations. And they don't automatically think I'm judging them. Wow...I'm not even really sure what I'm thinking. I'll be back to read and think about this some more!!

Thanks for visiting my blog...I really appreciated your comments...in fact, I think my post and yours here indicate we're kinda thinkin' alike!!

WHAT!

9:17 AM, Wednesday, November 21, 2007 .. Posted by heartofwisdom
Your rabiit cage doesn't stay clean! What a let down. And here I thought you were perfect. LOL.

Thanks agin for your honesty. I edited my post this morning to include a link to this post. Blessings,
Robin

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a true Christian homeschool parent

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Great post...

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