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Why is it that so many people are so mortally offended by the idea of homeschooling. I have decided to homeschool my two kids 5 and 7 next year unless they get into a charter school I have identified as an acceptable alternative to our local elementary. I have done a lot of research on different options, and in our area, with the special needs of our kids and in our budget, homeschooling is the best option right now. And I have a plan for academics, socialization, etc, as well, so I am not rushing into this blind.
So people are beginning to ask about what my plan is for the kids next year. My mom is very uncomfortable with the idea of homeschooling, even though neither I nor my sister succeeded in a traditional school environment. Today I was complaining about something or other related to my daughter, and she busts out with "Well, you know that kids don't like to learn things from their own mom. They are much happier learning from other people." I am thinking, yeah, right, I never learned it from other people either, and you weren't patient enough to do it, so I didn't learn it at all. So I guess we have two layers of issues here. One, my mom sniping at me about parenting decisions and two, my own unresolved childhood issues. Sigh.
Then later in the day my best friend from all the way back in high school calls and asks very specifically about my plans for the kid's school next year. I know she is not overly excited about the homeschool option, so I haven't brought this topic up in a while. So she starts going off about how tired I will be and I will never have time to run errands by myself if I homeschool and I won't be able to work. This from a woman who just gave birth to her fifth on-purpose child with her much older and unsupportive husband. And I haven't worked consistently since we had the second baby, so that is not a huge issue either. So I don't even know what to say to that. I shouldn't give my kids the best educational opportunities I am capable of because I won't be able to go to Costco by myself anymore? Which isn't even true.
I guess I am surprised by the attitudes. This seems like such a logical choice. The research on hs'ing all indicates it is a fine option for many families. So why do people have this visceral anger about it? And personally, it bothers me that people closest to me doubt my parenting. I try hard and usually make good decisions for my kids, even if I am not perfect. If I am wrong about hs'ing, I will find a good schooling option for them one way or another. :shrug:
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