Addressing a reader’s comment on home schooling
Smiling Sally left this comment the other day:
Children are children. No one looks down on you because you home school. It’s your choice, and I think that it’s a worthy choice! So stand tall and smile at all the people like me (who are grandma-aged!
Thanks for an interesting comment, Sally.
At 5′9″, I doubt many women are looking down on this home schooling mom. Hee hee. Couldn’t resist that one.
Seriously, though. I know for a fact some think I’m crazy and making the wrong choice for my children. The critics are out there, which is fine. Longtime readers know how I feel about free speech. Of course, I happen to think anyone sending their child to a government-operated public school could do way better as a parent, especially if they are raising their child to think with a radical Christian world view.
Before any one jumps all over me: I know there are valid reasons for a Christian to not home school. Sending your child on the Big Yellow Bus just so you can have the day to yourself is not one of them. Sorry if that sounds judgmental, but it’s my blog. Free speech for Paper Bridges!
As a home schooling mom, I do get a lot of “I could never do that!” from strangers I meet. That is often followed with “I just don’t have the patience.” And I often agree with those two statements. I can’t in my own power. Without the Lord, I would’ve pitched the whole endeavor years ago.
In the next day or two, I’m going to post about why I home school - a topic I’ve yet to address here. Stay tuned, it’s got lots of potential for controversy: a demon in a local elementary school.
Oh, and today is the last day to enter the latest book giveaway, Love as a Way of Life by Gary Chapman. Follow this link to leave a comment and enter. Winner announced tomorrow.
Tags: christians, home schooling, mothering
7.22.08 at 8:28 pm
Becoming Me comments:
You have an interesting blog. I am planning to home school our children. I will say, I’m a wee bit nervous.
Becoming Mes last blog post..I’m Such A Beautiful Girl (Revisited)
7.22.08 at 9:10 pm
Marianne comments:
Hey Monica, read your post the other day about going to the store with four kids…meant to comment, but I was worn thin after taking my three weefolk to the store.
I think it’s great that you can homeschool while you still have very young children at home. That to me seems to be the biggest hurdle — meeting the needs of many children over a broad spectrum of ages all day, every day.
And, as to your earlier post, I’m always aware of those other adult eyes on me when I’m out in public with my children. I know — kids are kids. But it’s still hard not to feel judged as a mother when they misbehave.
Looking foward to your homeschool post.
7.23.08 at 6:28 pm
spaghettipie comments:
Looking forward to reading your thoughts on homeschooling. Funny - in my circles your “Christianity” is questioned for NOT homeschooling . . .
spaghettipies last blog post..The newest member of our family
8.21.08 at 1:04 pm
casual friday everyday comments:
I couldn’t agree with you more. The only reason I’ve ever had to back out of the homeschooling plan is that I would be with my kids all of the time…AH GASP! Isn’t that what being a parent is about? It’s a huge huge sacrifice. Often it’s something we wish we could run away from just for a wee bit. But we signed up for a lifetime.
I don’t think sending my 5 year old off to school for 8 hours a day is what parenting was supposed to be. When you grow up and get an 8 hour a day job and hardly see your family you wish you could be home more. Goodness, what about kids? I wonder how they really feel being gone that long?
I can remember it. I went to school for a couple of grades as a child. I missed my family. I didn’t like being gone so long. It just isn’t natural. At least not in the younger grades.
casual friday everydays last blog post..He’s Getting Ready
8.21.08 at 1:52 pm
Monica Brand comments:
Yes, it’s a sacrifice. Some days the sacrifice is easy… and then there are the days I want to escape. Very well said, thanks for commenting.