Comments on: Shutting down the homeschool fight (before it even starts)

By: Taisa

Taisa

I love this post! My husband and I are both teachers, and amazingly get very few questions from the teacher community about why we choose to homeschool- sometimes we wonder if it is because they know what those classrooms look like! I love the response “because we love it.” Such a respectful response that leaves no room for argument- brilliant!

By: Allison

Allison

Such a refreshing post! I love this! And yes, I can get a little defensive when people ask although I think mostly they are curious and not trying to pick a fight. It’s not the norm and people tend to question what’s different. I have found myself saying that we just really enjoy it and leaving it at that too. If I listed all my reasons, they’d be bored anyway!

By: Vicky

Vicky

“So, what happened at the movie night? Absolutely nothing.” You built me up and built me up like a good story teller and then popped the surprise climax. This was a fantastic post. As one who tends to keep claws only loosely sheathed, this was a fantastic reminder to stay calm and really figure out what the other person is asking.

By: Jonah Lisa Dyer

Jonah Lisa Dyer

“Oh, I don’t like to debate my family’s choices,” I’ll say with a wave of my hand, as if I’m incapable of getting worked up, and have never, ever attended a nurse-in or written an emotional 3-page letter to the editor about library funding cuts.” Best sentence I’ve read all week. Made me laugh out loud and connect so deeply! I love it when those 2 things happen together! Thanks.

By: Shantell

Shantell

In reply to John. #10: Love it! (Though #9 is true)

By: Elaine

Elaine

I am always a bit nervous telling people I homeschool (I’m relatively new to this), and I find myself automatically in defensive mode. But fortunately almost all the strangers, acquaintances, friends, and family have responded positively (except my parents). Many ask about how it works, whether there are required tests, etc. They have been genuinely curious! I love telling people about what we do and how much I enjoy it. But I think for those picking a fight or expressing doubt or bringing up the “socialization” topic, I love the answer you propose of just saying because we love it!

By: Kathleen

Kathleen

Thanks everyone for your comments. I’m on the OTHER side of the fence- my children go to school. Many of my friends and a few of my family homeschool their children, and it’s very uncomfortable when I’m with them and they start to bash the system I’ve chosen for my children. They don’t seem realize I’m in the room or can hear their comments. I have to walk away before I get hurt.

By: Carol

Carol

In reply to Erin@The Humbled Homemaker. Yes, it is OK to support both. I teach public school part time, my son is homeschooled, and my daughter goes to a charter school in another school district. I really agree with number 4 and I constantly remind myself, when people ask about our homeschooling, that people are usually just curious or making conversation.

By: Katharine

Katharine

I usually say, “‘Cuz we can’t afford shoes…?” with a wink and a big silly grin. Almost always makes ’em laugh. Then I say, “No, seriously, all parents home school,” still, really pleasantly, and wave and walk away. They usually get that “hourglass STILL turning” look. I’ve checked. They really do.

By: Beth

Beth

We too run our own business from home, so I may have to use Rosa’s answer, it certainly is true! We usually use a variation on “It works for us.” or “We enjoy it.”

On the flip side, my 15 y.o. recently enrolled in high school (his choice) and at parent teacher conferences one of his teachers, upon learning that he had been homeschooled up to this point asked “Why did you send him to school?”