I've mentioned before that I've been homeschooling for almost 20 years.  This week however, has brought some new questions and comments my way about homeschooling.  My 15 year old is taking driver ed at a local public school.  My kids are very active in art, music (multiple instruments each), drama, speaking etc... They are always busy inside and outside the home.  Some of the other students in her driver ed class asked her where she lived and why they didn't know her if she lived in the school district.  She mentioned that she was homeschooled.  The following are only SOME of the questions she received:

"Do you just roll out of bed and grab a book or don't you bother getting up at all?"

"How do you learn math if only your mom teaches you?"

"Do you get recess?"

"Where do you eat lunch?"

"Do you have homework?"

"Are you a normal kid?"

"Do you get to go shopping?"  To which another student replied, "Of course not! Everybody knows all homeschoolers live off the land, they're back to nature people!"

"How do you serve detention?"

"How do you expect to find a boyfriend?

"What do you do with all your extra time, isn't it boring?"

"Do you have any friends?"

I really thought that homeschooling had become popular enough that the answers to these questions were common knowledge.  My daughter and her homeschooled friend (both taking the class together) thought it hysterical!  "Bored?" says she, "I don't know what that means!"

I did ask someone at work today what they picture when they hear of a homeschooled child and her response was refreshing, "I picture a child that is educated at home because the parents are very focused on that child and their education.  I see a well rounded student who usually has outside interests like music, ballet, 4-H etc...  When a homeschooled student calls me to offer their services I know they have a more flexible time schedule and can work during hours that are difficult for me to fill. I know that generally they are very polite and can communicate well."

After telling me about this experience my daughter thanked me for homeschooling her.  She is appalled at the manners or lack of them and the disrespect shown for the instructor. She is disgusted by the learning environment in the school with all the talking and distractions as well as foul language.  I found it interesting that not only was she grateful for what she considered better learning opportunities but that she said, "If I'd been in that situation as long as they have I'd be just like them!  Thank you for homeschooling me!"

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Posted by eclecticeducation

Posted by KayinMaine