Comments on: An open letter to my non-homeschooling friends https://simplehomeschool.net/an-open-letter/ Never let your schooling interrupt your education. Wed, 18 Feb 2026 15:36:54 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 By: Joy https://simplehomeschool.net/an-open-letter/#comment-743290 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=18941#comment-743290 In reply to Jamie.

FYI…I am not this Joy! Didn’t have any children in 2012.

]]> By: Joy https://simplehomeschool.net/an-open-letter/#comment-743289 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=18941#comment-743289 In reply to Andrea.

It seems like the defensiveness goes both ways. Unfortunately in my circles the only time homeschool mothers interact with public school mothers is at church. Ever since I was a teen, the meanest force in my life–and I attended public middle and high school–were the home school families whose mission was to let me know why I was a terrible person. I have had to work through actual hurt and anger on the issue, navigate this strain with my own home school friend, and have had to choose to let go of the pain of those messages and the shrinking feeling I get any time a homeschool mom gives me the smirk. At the end of the day it is just strife and sin.

]]> By: Joy https://simplehomeschool.net/an-open-letter/#comment-743287 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=18941#comment-743287 In reply to Amber.

Side note: Note everyone is like this (as the commenter shows), but I was home schooled with a stack of workbooks and a lot of reading and bumming around the house or outside. That’s pretty much why I will only consider traditional school for the elementary years. So many special activities happen then, I didn’t have any problems with peers, and my parents never tried to make me scared of “systems” or “Big X.” I was really lonely and sad those two years we had to sit out because of where we lived. My parents made the right choice given the circumstances, but I don’t have the mental health resources to do anything else but workbooks at the moment, and that’s not fair to my kids. 🙁 When they are older or if they have particular needs we are going to reconsider…we are flexible.

]]> By: Joy https://simplehomeschool.net/an-open-letter/#comment-743286 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=18941#comment-743286 Good job! A good home school mom takes what she is doing seriously. As a former teacher, I love seeing kids learn in any context, and I think you are doing things right. I am not a homeschool mom, but a good friend of mine is. I started having her over at 3:30 when my kids are home from school and hers are ready to get out of the house for awhile (without spending money). This probably works because, while most homeschool moms I meet assume I’m just waiting to take on a career or am super happy to get my youngest in school and “out of my hair,” the truth is that my friend and I are both really focused on building our homes and our children…I just need a lot more structure and support to keep up my mental health. No shame in that, and it opens the door for my family to walk alongside all of the other Christian families who find themselves using public school–learning to disciple our kids, develop our families, and support one another in that context. My testimony built me for that, and I’m thankful, and hers built her for what she is doing. Homeschool and public school families are often very mean to each other, and it is WRONG. Don’t give up on your friends…just meet with them when you can on your terms!

]]> By: Catherine Lee https://simplehomeschool.net/an-open-letter/#comment-627568 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=18941#comment-627568 HELLO LOVELY WONDERFUL WOMEN ON THE PATH OF “TRYNG THEIR VERY BEST TO SERVE THEIR TRUTH AND DO WHAT THEIR CALLING CALLS THEM TO DO!
I am a UK based home school mum and I salute all your comment and resonate with every perspective. We are called and we act and we are all doing such an incredible job, I mean even reading this blog means we care – we are looking, tuning in, listening learning. I say – lets party – WE ROCK – lets go beyond our temporary differences and see each other on the other side – what a blessing to and a gift to be a Mum – how many people long to be parents but aren’t able to, whatever we are doing – which ever route we are taking, if we are doing it out of love – then we are part of the solution in this crazy old world. Home edding is an intense path – you have to be called form deep in your heart to be able to dig that deep. Parenting is intense too – we are all called ( and I am speaking as a person not from a religion ) we do our hearts calling and we do our best, end of x

]]> By: Andrea https://simplehomeschool.net/an-open-letter/#comment-347260 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=18941#comment-347260 In reply to Karen Yingling.

I love your response.

]]> By: Andrea https://simplehomeschool.net/an-open-letter/#comment-347258 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=18941#comment-347258 In reply to Lisa M.

I’ve seen that meme too. The village is fine. I already homeschool every day; it’s called life. We do the life lessons, talk about numbers, biology, history, reading, health and so forth. Public school will expand on that, get the fundamentals down and I’ll continue to homeschool.

I’d try not to think much of that meme. Commenting is not going to change her opinion. And she probably didn’t think it through. Hopefully her children are taught better than that.

]]> By: Kalpana https://simplehomeschool.net/an-open-letter/#comment-347147 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=18941#comment-347147 I have been homeschooling for 3 years now and I have a full time job as an online teacher….i am willing to admit that it has been a tough road and quite a struggle to keep up with both. I know I’m lucky to be able to work and still see my kids full time. Recently I have. Been very stressed and one of my best friend asked why I couldn’t just send my kids to school to help me but I don’t think that they understand. My kids are proud to be who they are without outside pressure to be someone they are not. Even more they get to pursue their own interests which they wouldn’t be able to do normally. I know it my heart it works….although I will readily admit I have a hard time seeing friends..homeschool and non homeschool.

]]> By: Erica https://simplehomeschool.net/an-open-letter/#comment-347082 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=18941#comment-347082 In reply to ajmama.

I know your comment was almost a year ago but I’ve experienced the same thing. I think it is a matter of perspective. If you don’t answer the phone you never have the chance for the friends to decide they don’t want to hangout with you and your kids. I think it is the trying to hold on to those relationships at the same time as homeschooling that leads to the inevitability of those friends realizing you are on different planets now.

]]> By: TW https://simplehomeschool.net/an-open-letter/#comment-347073 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=18941#comment-347073 I have to agree with one of the posters above. The tone of the letter sounds very “I’m more committed to my children then you are ” and is not likely to smooth over any difficult feelings between friends. I am somewhat unique in that I homeschool some of my children and some attend public school. Both are good options for different children and different needs. I have found the homeschool community to be much more judgmental about public schoolers than vice versa. I have also been a public and private school teacher and your example about applying math during simple activities is also done in schools.

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