Ooooh...you homeschool...

I was reminded tonight that not everyone I encounter is pro-homeschool, no biggie really, but nether the less it has bounced around in this over analytical brain of mine the rest of the evening.

I had been asked what I was going to do with my child tomorrow since the public schools were out. My immediate words were, "We homeschool, so my kids are home everyday" and what I meant of course was, I don't have to "plan" anything because it's a typical day...I finished the sentence with "even though the schools are out, tomorrow will be a school day for us". Innocent enough...(guess I should have noticed the "OMG YOU HOMESCHOOL" look, but I missed my mark)...the conversation turned from "What ages...grades" to "Are you going to ALLOW your son to attend high school", in which I answered "If he wants to, but I would not encourage it...but then again, I would not discourage it if he truly wanted to go". This led to "I ASSUME that you or your husband have the "CREDENTIALS" to teach him Calculus when he gets to high school?", to which I replied "No, neither of us have the credentials...but should that need arise there are plenty of options available to help him should he need it"...of course I'm thinking, Calculus? who cares?!?...who the heck dictates that we'll even WANT, much less NEED calculus?

The story continues with "When I hear that someone homeschools I get a little nervous"...of course I'm thinking, grrrreat...here we go. I'm told she's nervous because she "remembers" the arcade at the mall with kids there and had obviously ran into "the" mom and was told that they homeschooled...so her "only" knowledge of "homeschool" is allowing kids to play in the arcade at the friggen mall...again, grrrreat. I calmly explained that, it's not unusual to have time to "play" or enjoy many activities as our days are typically complete in 2-3 hours verses the 7-8 hours spent in school allowing for greater flexibility of schedules, and just like schools, we do have days off.

That was pretty much the end of "that" conversation...today anyway.

I just really hate explaining myself...there are so many misconceptions and stigmas attached to homeschool and I could never nor would I want to defend them all. Out of every homeschool friend I have or have ever met, not one of us follow the same path, ever. I love that about our journey, it's unique...it's fun and definitely not "boxed"...yes, I homeschool...get over it!