I used to have an idea of what a homeschooler was like, until I became one. I thought of tight buns, long skirts, and homemade bread (whole-wheat of course). While that is a wonderful lifestyle I admire, that is so not me.I’m more likely to drive through Starbucks, than to press fresh carrot juice. I watch Heroes with my kids and spend more time surfing the Internet than weeding an organic garden. Again, while all of those things are great, they’re just not what I’m about.
I remember the first time I ever considered homeschooling. We had friends from church who had eight kids, some of them teens, that I couldn’t help but notice. They set themselves apart not because of how they dressed or how they ate, but because of how they loved. The kids enjoyed hanging out with their parents, and the parents seemed to be having fun, too. Fun with their teens. They liked each other, and it was so unique I couldn’t help but notice. I wanted teens like that.
From the time my kids were toddlers I’d learned to fear the teen years. My toddlers could throw a tantrum in the middle of the grocery store and people would respond, “Oh, that’s nothing, just wait until they are teens.”
I’m glad to say that, years later after over a decade of homeschooling, I have teens like that. We hang out, we have fun, and we enjoy each other. Not that homeschooling is a magic formula, but by choosing it I was making a conscious choice to give my children time. Time to learn, time to share, time to grow up together.
Sometimes people are surprised when I tell them I’m a homeschool teacher. Maybe because I still look sane. Or maybe because I smile when I say it.
While it’s not the path for everyone, I’m thankful for my friends’ example. I also realize that even though I don’t look like how you think a homeschooling mom should, maybe people do see something different.
(photo courtesy of http://www.ringgerclothing.com)
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4 comments:
Tricia, this post describes my family's experience, as well--well, except for a time, I enjoyed making home-made whole wheat bread until my bread machine broke.
But my teen boys are turning into great young men, and I'm so thankful we had this option to teach them at home. Like your experience, our boys had more time to explore, to think, to deliberate, to learn, and most important, to talk with us about life questions.
So many times, friends AND strangers have commented on how well-behaved and articulate our boys are, going back to when they were as young as five and seven. Sure, I didn't get as much writing done as I could have if I'd sent them off to school, but looking back, I'd do it all over again.
Oh, and I found another bread machine on eBay. I won't be wearing birkenstocks and long skirts, but soon we'll enjoy that fabulous smell of baking bread again. ;)
Many homeschool parents actually STOP homeschooling children in the teen years in order to "expose them to the world."
I love your story because it shows that instead of them blending with the world (which can sometimes be downright ugly,) you instead wove them into your life.
It is inspiring. Thanks!
We really don't fit the "idea" of a homeschooling family either but that's such a great thing about homeschooling families, there is no such thing as a "one fits all".
Quote: "They set themselves apart not because of how they dressed or how they ate, but because of how they loved. The kids enjoyed hanging out with their parents, and the parents seemed to be having fun, too. Fun with their teens. They liked each other, and it was so unique I couldn’t help but notice."
I know a family like that -- so infectious with joy, the mom stating how much fun she had with teens (even though her mother in law kept chiding her, "You can't keep having babies because you love the baby years!") I knew her when she had both toddler and teens in the house, and it was so inspiring.
Now we have friends in our lives whose four children are grown, graduated from college -- and they still have fun together. The kids travel together, the family goes to watch hockey together. None are married yet, which I think adds to the dynamic. It's inspiring to me as my oldest is just tiptoeing into the teen years -- family connectedness can continue now and beyond.
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