We are in our 7th year of homeschooling and throughout these years we have talked to quite a lot of people about homeschooling. Most of the responses to our homeschooling have been positive. Some just have honest questions because they can’t comprehend what we do and why we do it. Others, not so much, but I just try to ignore those.
Here are some questions (or statements that I have rephrased as questions) that I have heard throughout these last 7 years and my answers to them. Maybe you’ve heard (or asked) some of them?
1) “Do you ever feel that you have wasted your degree?” I have a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood. I also have a Master’s degree in Bilingual Education and Technology. Do I think that I am wasting my degrees on MY children? Absolutely not! Why would I go out and teach other people’s children when I can be using the knowledge and skills that I have learned on my own children.
2) “Don’t you hate not being able to get out of the house?” We do get out of the house! A lot!
3) “How do you socialize your kids?” We live life. My kids talk to the cashier at the store, the next door neighbor, and the kid that lives across the street. They talk to kids and adults while at church and family functions. My kids talk to adults AND kids.
4) “Don’t your kids miss having friends?” My kids DO have friends…and NO they are not all homeschoolers.
5) “Why don't you "let" your kids go to school? Don't you think they will miss out?" It's inevitable that all children will "miss out" on certain things. While my children will "miss out" on prom, homecoming, a large graduation ceremony, etc, they gain time with their family, time to explore their interests, time to go to lunch with Grandma and Grandpa, etc. What they "miss out" on doesn't compare to what they gain.
6) “Do you think everyone should homeschool?” No. We have always said that we don’t think that this is the best choice for every family, just ours.
7) “What if your kids don’t want to be homeschooled?” Guess what? They do! They see the benefits of homeschooling and want to continue. If I can say this without being rude, it's not really their choice, though. We are their parents and we will choose to do for them what we think is best.
8) “How long do your kids learn?” It depends on what you’re talking about. Are you talking about “doing schoolwork” from their books and such - 3-5 hours (depending on the grade). They are learning all day everyday. Life is learning.
9) “Do your kids know what grade they are in?” YES. Even though they are doing work outside of their grade level, they know what “official” grade that they are in.
10) “Did you know that you are sheltering your kids?” Yes, and we’re okay with that right now. They will be “out in the world” soon enough, and for most of their life. We want to give them the opportunity to grow confident in themselves and their beliefs before hounded by what the world thinks.
11) “Do you like homeschooling?” Most of the time, YES. There are those days, and weeks, that I look at that yellow school bus with longing in my eyes. Then I remember that I wouldn’t give up this opportunity to live life with my kids and give them the best education I can.
12) “What do you DO all day? Don't you get bored?” Well, we don’t all sit around all day in our pjs watching tv. We get up, get dressed, eat breakfast, and start our day. Homeschooling is a way of life for us, though, not just time around the table with textbooks. We go to the post office, grocery store, Grandma’s house, library, etc. during the week. My boys are learning how to keep a house up for a family (this is not a skill just for girls), work within a budget, mail a package, make a meal, deal with issues in a Biblical way, and how to live together as a family. Along with all of that, we do “school” or what most people would call school. We "do school" Monday - Friday year 'round, calculating in some much needed breaks. We have a dedicated time to work on subjects like Math, Reading, Science, History, Bible, Language Arts, Computer Skills, Typing, etc. So what do we do all day? We live life, that's what.
What questions have you been asked about homeschooling and what have been your answers? For those of you who don't homeschool, what questions do you have?
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