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I took our girls to the park this afternoon, since it was so nice and sunny. There were a LOT of kids there. Obviously we weren't the only ones who thought it was perfect weather to take the kids to the park. Anywhoooo....I met a very nice woman the same age as myself. She had three little boys and two girls, all around the same ages as my own kids. We chatted for some time, exchanged stories, laughed a bit and rounded up our kids. She then asked if we'd be going to the park later on in the week. I told her that I could arrange it if she wanted to meet again, since her 9 yr old son was begging to see my girls again. So, we agreed to Friday afternoon. She said that she couldn't make it til around 4:30 because of her kids' school letting out at 3:30. I told her that was fine. She then asked when my kids' school let out. I just smiled and said, "Whenever we finish." She got a somewhat dumbfounded look on her face and I expounded on it by saying, "I homeschool my girls." Then came the gasp, the open gaped mouth and the infamous phrase of, "Oh! I could NEVER do that! I WOULD NEVER do that! I NEED them gone during the day! I HAVE to have those eight hours without them!" I honestly couldn't believe my ears. Yes, I could understand her initial reaction of 'couldn't' do that, as I still have tons of feelings of inadequacy on almost a daily basis. However, I couldn't believe my ears on the rest. Even before I homeschooled all my kids, I had always wanted them at home with me. I just never had the confidence enough to follow through with it til this school year. But here I was listening to a mother that wanted her children to be away from her all day. Yes, every mom wants a break once in a while, but EVERY day until adulthood?! She then confided, "Yes, I love seeing them in the evenings, but I just don't like having them around me all day." As if to make it sound not as bad as implying she wanted a daycare service; she continued," I want my kids to be socialized. Plus, my daughter is in advanced math and I barely passed math myself. I couldn't imagine teaching it to her." I then tried to tell her that she was more than capable to teach her daughter and that there are many helps out there for parents. I also highlighted the many 'social' benefits of homeschooling, since she mentioned dreading her daughters jr high and senior high years ahead. Also, her seeming misinformation on socialization of homeschoolers...as if my kids never leave the house or see other children. Mind you, we were at the park with other KIDS! (and my girls were babysitting her 11 mo old son and sliding down the slide with him on their laps! Also, playing with her four year old son, 9 year old son, and 13 year old daughter, quite happily too. AND, taking up conversations with the adults around the play area as well!) She just shook her head and said, "No way. I can't do it." I didn't push it. This woman obviously relished her children's 'daycare time' too much. It just made me wonder how many parents just use public schooling as a glorified daycare service. I admit, as a previous public school mom, that having eight hours of free time was kind of nice. But the whole time my kids were gone I'd be wondering what they were doing, what they were learning, was the teacher nice to them or crushing my daughters' spirits while they sat in their room, or were they being bullied on recess. I remember all too well the public school system and what it was like. I hated that my girls were there. Every morning when they hopped on the bus, I would wave at them as they drove past our house to the next corner stop. They would turn in their seats and keep waving til we were out of sight of one another. I would miss them instantly. When they arrived home, I'd be at the door awaiting them. They would always start running toward the door and give me a big hug. The first words out of their mouths would be, "I''m glad to be home." So was I. However, the joy was always short-lived as they ALWAYS had a mountain of homework to complete after their eight hour day of school. I felt like I was brow-beating them with school just by sending them off each day and then enforcing homework each night. It was aweful. I can't believe parents want that for their children. Yes, I want my child educated but that doesn't have to be at a public school. I truly believe (amid my fury of self-doubt) that they will grow up to be better educated, more well-rounded, moral, Christian girls being taught at home than they would be if I dumped them off on the ol' cheese-wagon and left the state to it all. |
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