Written by Misha Thompson of Kind Birds and The Thompson Story
A note from Jamie: Trying to conquer our homeschooling fears means we have to also overcome negative stereotypes and limiting beliefs. The discussion in the comments on Monday reminded me of this encouraging post, written and published last February by Misha.
Recently I posted a question on my Facebook page. Can you tell me honestly, I asked, all the reasons you would never homeschool your kids?
Within less than a day I had over 50 strong opinions posted and some even stronger ones in my private in-box.
“Before I started homeschooling,” one friend said, “I was frightened I would lose my sense of humor–and start wearing jumpers.”
“I would never have enough patience. – I’m not organized enough. – I’m not smart enough. – I don’t think I’d have enough energy. – I am an introvert. – I would be too lonely.”
“I want to have a career. – I would never be able to make friends. – My kids need socializing.”
We have all have felt these worries and many of us have had them spoken from friends or family members.
Here are three things to remember as you consider homeschooling:
1. There may be many good reasons not to homeschool. But stereotypes should not be one of them.
The new face of homeschooling does not look anything like it did thirty years ago. In fact it looks nothing like it did even just five years ago. The new face of homeschool is as varied and modern and beautiful as mothers and fathers and children and all of their needs are.
The new face of homeschooling is inner city, rural, suburban, hip, trendy, multilingual, simple, crafty, classic, apprenticeship-based, nature walking, take-out eating, conservative, liberal, intentional, frugal, community based and neighborhood connected.
In short, it is everything you are.
Whoever you are, whatever your values are, the way your family loves and lives life – that is exactly what kind of homeschooler you will be.
I am still learning who we are as a family, what we love and who we can become. I am being educated right alongside my children and that is one of my favorite things about homeschooling. I never planned to live this life. But I have found that every single stereotype I had heard (or even believed) was totally wrong.
2. For every one of those aforementioned concerns, there is a family out there making them a moot point.
I ‘ve seen a single mom juggling a handful of kids without an organized surface in site and enjoy it sincerely, exhausting though it may be. I have seen a mom with thirteen kids, and a mom with a newborn and two young ones, both teach their kids and still deal with the laundry. I have seen moms who juggle full time careers and trade off with dads. I have seen both parents who get their kids up early enough to homeschool them before they go to work and I have seen parents discover their careers though homeschooling.
There are now a myriad of families homeschooling in cultures all around the world. There are professors watching for them in universities because they have learned that homeschooled kids can be remarkable initiative takers, confident and poised communicators. There are countless studies out there about all the reasons homeschooling is a positive choice.
Photo by Misha Thompson
3. Homeschooling is a mosaic made up of millions of unique lifestyles and faces. Be confident to be yourself!
I have found that what I teach my kids has less to do with what we do together and more to do with who I am as their mama. That has been hard to face. It’s easier to teach than be. It’s easier to stereotype than be confident.
So although in our home we love books and researching, polka dot umbrella walks and dancing to piano practice before dinner time, our greatest work is in trying to embrace life and enjoyment in such a way that it will color our children’s days with joy and fearlessness and allow them to do the same.
“The point is…what makes our children thrive,” I had a friend write to me recently, “what gives them the opportunity to be their best selves.”
We are not stereotypes, we are all beautifully able to be as individual as the children we are raising and teaching.
What are some stereotypes you had about homeschooling before you got started?
I am enjoying my first year of homeschooling my daughter (Kindergarten). I wasn’t nervous when I started ( I was actually homeschooled for 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th) but I did have to convince my in-laws, they are on board now and supportive. Luckily, homeschooling is very popular in our town and she’s going to do a weekly 3 hour co-op next year. This is a great article!
Ahh how nice to read all those happy words ! Am glad for all of you.
Good to know that there are people sincerely enjoying it! Someone mentioned general approval from the community. It means the change has begun 🙂
You may want to check out the list of i gathered together.
Monica’s latest post: All Benefits of E &8211 Learning
After reading this post, my concept of homeschooling has changed ‘coz just like before I’m against of it but now, I’m confident enough to homeschool my children ‘coz one on one tutoring with my children is one of the most effective method of teaching.
I’ve been homeschooling for 8 years and my sister just started last year. We were at our state convention a couple of weeks ago and I was telling her how much the face of homeschooling has changed just in the last 5 years! I now see a mixture of all kinds of people at the convention, and at our local homeschool group meetings. I think it’s great that people from different backgrounds and beliefs are learning about this wonderful method of helping our children to get the best education we can provide for them. Before homeschooling, only the very rich could have private tutors. Our children have private tutors who love them more than anyone else in the whole world and that is priceless!
I received 1 st business loans when I was 20 and that aided my relatives a lot. However, I need the auto loan also.
i really needed to read this post today. thank you!
Debbye @ The Baby Sleep Site’s latest post: How To Parent The “Right” Way and Baby Sleep Tips by Brenda Nixon
Fantastic post!
My stereotype was that the kids who were homeschooled were the kids who, due to ADD or ADHD couldn’t function well in the class room.
I Had alot to learn! Now we’ve been homeschooling for ten years!
karen Loe’s latest post: I Wanna Stay Home
This is my first year in homeschooling. I was up against the lack of socializing. Both of my kids can talk with anyone of any age and they’re respectful plus have manners. You think you know your child, but homeschooling has been a great blessing because I’ve learned even more about each of my kids!!