An Open Letter To Those Thinking About Homeschooling

Dearest Parents,

Let me first start this letter by saying, that I'm SO glad you're here and you're thinking about this "thing" called homeschooling.  It's scary, it's overwhelming and it's new.  A crazy new frontier is probably the best way to describe it so it's pretty amazing that you're at this point of decision.

So here's the deal.  I'm a homeschooling Mama.  I have officially been a homeschooling Mama for almost 7 years, so I can say with absolute certainty that you can do this because if I can do this, I know anyone can.  Did you hear that?

You.

Can.

Do.

This.

I am not a college graduate.  I don't have a degree in anything, especially a teaching degree.  I am not super duper smart.  But I'm a Mom.  I care about what's best for my child.  I have a desire that NO teacher ever will to see him succeed and develop a life long love of learning.  And that my dear parents is all you need.

But what about all those subjects you can't teach?  What about high school? Oh dear God what about socialization?

Sigh....good questions sure, so let's tackle some of them.

Show me a teacher that can teach every single subject known to man.  Really, let's find one.....ah....but they don't exist.  There is no one person who knows everything and is therefor qualified to teach everything.  So rest assured dear parents, that you can "out source" the difficult subjects.  There's amazing things called tutors, co-ops, classes etc so that it doesn't all rest on your over stressed shoulders.  Whew!  Now that's a relief!

And socialization.  Ah, yes....THE big question that we all hear when it comes to homeschooling.  Let me just tell you that it is proven (it's a fact Jack!) that homeschooled kids are WAY better socialized then their public school peers.  Think about it....public schoolers sit in a classroom all day with kids of their approximate age, exact grade level, maturity level and demographic.  Six plus hours a day, five days per week.  While homeschoolers are typically out in the community and interacting with the elderly, babies and toddlers, folks in different cities and economic levels, their own siblings, family members, other homeschoolers of all ages....really, the list goes on and on.  Now tell me- which form of socialization would you prefer for your child?

Now parents, I'm not going to lie to you.  Homeschooling is hard.  Probably the second hardest job behind being a parent, but can I just tell you that it's also the most rewarding job.  Seriously, it is.  I taught my child to read.  I taught him to write.  I struggled with him through 3 digit subtraction and addition.  I was there when the light bulb went off, I was there for all the questions, I was there to facilitate the learning.  Me.  And that my dear parents, you simply can't put a price on.

So for all of you struggling with this decision, let me just say this again.

You.

Can.

Do.

This.

Really, you can.  Don't be afraid to  make that leap.  Trust your gut and follow your heart because there is truly nothing better then teaching your children.  I promise that you won't ever regret it.

Sincerely,

The Homeschooled Housewife

10 Truths Every Homeschooler Already Knows

1. We march to the beat of our own drum.  We are trail blazers, free spirits and in general- we do what we want, we we want to.  Simply because we can.
2. Sometimes we forget what grade our kids are in.  Seriously- this has happened to me.  Someone asks you what grade your child is in and you get this blank stare- ummm....3rd?
3. We fail to see the importance behind tests.  Yes, we get that as our children get older and perhaps go to college- they will have to take tests.  But right now?  Why take a test when we already know how our kids are doing?
4. We have no idea how to line up.  Ever been on a homeschool field trip?  The concept of forming a nice, neat line is foreign to us.  And further more- why would we even do this?  Makes no sense to us at all.
5. We don't fit in with normal.  We sew our own clothes (project!) and grow our own food.  Some of us have farms or just several chickens running loose in the backyard.  We wear a lot of tie dye.  We like comfy shoes and usually don't wear makeup.  We take our kids to GMO protests and make signs for animal rights.  We are different.
6. Sometimes we forget what day it is.  Yes, I have to admit that when you are home everyday having fun, learning and playing Legos it can be super easy to forget what day it actually is.  Many times the only way I know is that my phone beeps a reminder at me that I need to do something that day.
7. We don't understand why we have to ask permission.  Spend any amount of time inside a public school classroom and you'll see all these well trained children asking permission to get up for some water, to go to the bathroom or sharpen a pencil.  Homeschoolers just do what needs to be done.
8. We are much better socialized then public schoolers.  Yes, I said it.
9. We do not all fit into one mold.  Homeschoolers come in all shapes, sizes, colors, cultural backgrounds, religions, etc.  We homeschool for many different reasons.  Our families include 1 child, 10 children, foster kids, special needs, gifted, 2 Moms, grandparents, etc.  We are not all the same.
10. We are rule breakers.  And there it is- perhaps the biggest truth about all homeschoolers.  We challenge the norm, we question the rules and many times, we make up our own!

Chrissie's Top 5 Homeschooling Myths

There are a few things that irritate me more then they should.  Many of those things come from a long list of homeschooling myths.  I'm sure you've probably heard a couple of them....perhaps even believed a few....that's alright, I'll forgive you.  But only if you read this and promise to never believe the myths again.

So here's my top 5, in no particular order.

1.  What about socialization?
Ugh! Nothing bugs me more then an uninformed public school Mom asking me if my child is appropriately socialized.  So I must confess that I've become a bit, shall we say, "snarky" in my reply to this question.  The reality is that homeschoolers are better socialized then their public school peers.  Say what?!? I know, I know...but it's true.  Click here to read a little more about this but here's my short version. Public school kids spend all day, every day in a classroom filled with other kids who are almost identical to them.  Think about it....20-30 (or more) kids of the exact same age, from the same general neighborhood, same basic demographic & social background are the kids your typical public schooler is exposed to on a daily basis.

A homeschooler socializes with a wide range of people.  For example, William's peer group consists of younger kids that I occasionally babysit, kids in his classes at Edmonds Heights who are normally 3 grade levels apart, parents and grandparents of his friends at school, his own grandparents who visit us several times per month, his aunt who we live with, the neighborhood kids one of which is several years older then William and until recently- my co-workers at my part time office job where William went to "work" with me several days per week.

These are his peers.  He's comfortable around ALL people.  He can hold a conversation with your grandma or with your 2 year old nephew because he does it every day, all day.  He knows how to behave in every situation from the grocery store or a friend's 100th birthday party.  He knows this because he lives this.  He goes everywhere with me and interacts with everyone that I interact with- all day, every day.

2.  Oh- you must be very religious to homeschool.
Well sorry to burst your bubble folks, but we aren't.  At all.  It is very possible to homeschool for reasons other then religion.  So I'm sorry, but I don't have 10 sister wives, I don't wear a bun and old-fashioned dress and I don't homeschool because we are religious.  Many do and that's great.  That's just not the reason we homeschool and it sure would be nice if people didn't assume things.  Right?


3.  Something must be "wrong" with your kid.
Can you believe some of the things that come out of people's mouths?!? No filter I tell ya!  So yes, something's definitely wrong with my kid but it has nothing to do with homeschooling.  Child never listens and does as he's told- but I digress.  Seriously, can you believe that some people actually ask this question.  The real answer is- it's none of your f*&%*&* business you *&%$#&! But the nice answer I give to people is- no, there's nothing "wrong" with my kid.  <Insert patronizing smile here>  I can only assume people who ask this question think homeschooled kids have some sort of handicap that keeps them from learning in a "real" school.  Ha! If they only knew what a "real" school was doing to....ok, yikes, I'll just stop right there....

Yes, some children need the individual attention that comes from homeschooling.  But all children thrive in this environment.  And there's nothing "wrong" with that!

4.  You must be very smart to teach your children.
Why thank you...I am very smart.  I'm a genius, sometimes.  But like most folks, I could be a whole lot smarter....but I manage to get by. 

Let me ask you this- when your child was learning to speak, did you think to yourself- "how am I ever going to teach my child to talk? I don't have the proper education".  Or when they started singing their ABC's, did you panic and say "how am I ever going to teach them to write their numbers & letters? I don't have a Master's degree." Of course not!  You weren't worried about your education level then, so why would you worry about it later in their life?
The good news is that you don't have to be a genius to teach your children.  You just have to care and put forth the effort.  Yep, that's it.  And of course when they thirst for knowledge outside of your "genius level" well...you find someone who can teach them! Currently hiring tutors for Physics and Trig, in about 7 years....

5.  Homeschool Moms are SuperMoms.
Sometimes when telling other parents about our lifestyle, I see this glazed look of disbelief cross over their faces.  You do what?  You spend how much time with your kid?  You make all your food from scratch?  You taught your child to read?  You work from home and bring in a full time income?  And so on and so forth.  But let's be honest here- I'm just like any other Mom.  I still yell, I forget to feed the dogs until 9pm on a weeknight (sorry pups!), I warm up veggie chicken nuggets & fries for dinner because I'm too tired from my crazy day and on & on I could go.  See, I'm just like you.  The only difference is that I've made a different choice for my family.  My path is just as hectic and full of struggle as your path is- I'm just heading in the opposite direction.  And that's ok.

So there you have it!  My top 5 homeschooling myths.  Would you add anything to this list?  I'm sure given enough time I could come up with another 5 or 10...perhaps for a different post....