| "What? You're home-what? Homeschooling? | | | | relatives. |
| What's that? Teach my own kids? Oh, I could | | | | You gotta be bold - Have you ever been in a |
| never do that. You're not a teacher. You don't | | | | situation where one of your children was falsely |
| have a teaching certificate. You don't have a | | | | accused? Or, maybe one time there was a bully in |
| degree in education. What about the kids? What | | | | the sandbox at the local park that picked on your |
| about their socialization? You're going to teach | | | | daughter? Do you remember that feeling that |
| them high school levels, too? You didn't take | | | | welled up inside you when your child suffered the |
| Biology in high school, how will you teach it? You | | | | injustice? That feeling is a protective instinct which |
| can't homeschool with the hours you keep! You've | | | | is sometimes referred to as a "mother bear |
| always been a second-shifter. You can't let your | | | | instinct". Chances are that you had absolutely no |
| kids keep those hours. I can't wait 'til the school | | | | trouble running to your child's rescue when they |
| bus gets here, so I can put my kids on it. 24 | | | | were in danger or a difficult predicament. The |
| hours a day with them? I could never homeschool | | | | next time somebody gives you grief about your |
| my kids - they drive me crazy. Are you crazy?" | | | | personal choice to use home school curriculum for |
| Wow! Have you ever heard any of these | | | | your children, you can decide NOT to run for |
| questions and comments? Maybe not | | | | cover. Instead, you can harness your natural |
| word-for-word, but I bet you've heard something | | | | protective instincts and flex those bulging courage |
| similar. Well, friend, I have been homeschooling for | | | | muscles by politely and BOLDLY responding to |
| TWELVE years and I kid you not - I have | | | | their questions. |
| personally received every single one of those | | | | Be prepared with a gracious answer - Let's face |
| off-handed comments listed above! | | | | it. You are going to get questions. If you stick |
| I'm here to tell you today - who cares? It doesn't | | | | with your decision to homeschool, you will get |
| put me off today. It didn't put me off in the | | | | questions, comments, judgmental attitudes, and |
| beginning. And, it's not going to put me off in the | | | | funny looks. You may even be jeered, ridiculed, |
| future. Careless words coming from your | | | | talked down to, and snubbed. So, if we KNOW |
| well-meaning friends and family members don't | | | | AHEAD OF TIME that folks are going to dish it |
| have to bring you down either. Instead, let them | | | | out, then WHY get upset over it? |
| serve as a catalyst to keep your fire burning, to | | | | One truth about human nature that I learned long |
| keep you fueled up and motivated year after | | | | ago from working in the restaurant business is |
| year through this wonderful homeschooling | | | | this: People are people. AND, people are ALWAYS |
| journey! Here's some tips to turn the negativity | | | | going to be people. When my children are |
| around... | | | | adamant about getting offended over somebody |
| Do you have conviction? Do you know "why" you | | | | else's words or actions, I am quick to remind |
| homeschool? Chances are if you don't know WHY | | | | them that the only person on earth that they can |
| you're doing this, then you've got no conviction | | | | control is themselves. So, if this is true, WHY get |
| for WHAT you're doing. There's no way that you | | | | upset with "well-meaning, caring", individuals that |
| will EVER win over your inquisitive parents to your | | | | quiz you over homeschooling? Just be prepared |
| way of thinking if you don't even believe in what | | | | with a gracious answer and call it a day! |
| you're doing! | | | | Don't be offended - When people ask questions, it |
| Would you buy a car from someone that couldn't | | | | is a tell-tale sign that they are interested. Resist |
| look you straight in the eye? Why not? Because | | | | the urge to jump immediately to the conclusion |
| you don't believe the guy! In the car salesman's | | | | that they are "questioning" your judgment or |
| defense, he may not be shady or unscrupulous at | | | | expertise. That may only be your pride getting in |
| all. He may just be lacking conviction for what he | | | | the way of having an intelligent conversation with |
| does. Very much in the same way as the car | | | | your mother-in-law. Flip the coin over and try to |
| salesman example, your family doesn't believe | | | | see it from her perspective. Perhaps she is just |
| YOU if you don't have a strong conviction for | | | | so in love with her grandchildren that she just |
| what you are doing with your children's education. | | | | wants to voice her concerns. She may just need |
| When you believe in yourself, they will believe in | | | | you to listen to her, and give her the same |
| you, too. You need to take some time and put | | | | proper respect for her "mom" title that you |
| some serious thought into creating a list of your | | | | require from your own children for yourself. Use |
| reasons "why" you choose to homeschool. You | | | | the conversation as an opportunity to share with |
| and I both know that it has nothing to do with | | | | her all that you have found to be true about |
| choosing the right homeschool curriculum. Your | | | | homeschooling. In the long run, she will appreciate |
| "why" is personal to you and your family. | | | | you for caring enough to listen to her and also, |
| Whatever it is, figure it out and write it down. | | | | that you've provided more information about |
| Refer to your list when you feel like you're | | | | proven success for her. |
| wavering in this decision. If you don't have a | | | | Sometimes you have to be at peace in "agreeing |
| strong conviction, you'll never win your family and | | | | to disagree" - Obviously, there *may* be |
| friends over. Once you figure out your "why", | | | | someone in your life that is arrogant, prying and |
| then you'll be able to discuss the subject with | | | | maybe downright vindictive. However, you don't |
| confidence and your family will hear your heart | | | | have to get upset over their choice to be |
| and your conviction loud and clear. | | | | negative. Let them get their thoughts and opinions |
| Be informed - Do you know homeschool facts | | | | out and then, you can look them in the eye and |
| and statistics for successful homeschool | | | | say, "Thank you so much for your concern. I |
| graduates? Do you know ACT and SAT test | | | | appreciate you expressing care for us. It sounds |
| score comparisons between public school learners | | | | as if we may never agree on this subject. I'm |
| and homeschool learners? Do you know how | | | | okay with that and I love you anyway." Then, |
| many homeschoolers have taken top seats in | | | | just leave it at that. You don't owe anybody any |
| national academic competitions? How about | | | | additional explanations! You are the appointed one |
| scholarship award statistics? These examples are | | | | as caretaker for your children. YOU are |
| only a few of very worthy facts and figures to | | | | responsible for making the educational choices in |
| seek out and share with those folks that love | | | | their lives. It's as simple as that. |
| you, but are unsure about this crazy thing called | | | | I hope you find something here to help you resist |
| "homeschooling". | | | | the negative feelings that may well up from |
| You will have to do a bit of homework and a little | | | | normal human curiosity expressed via your family |
| fact research regarding homeschooling, but once | | | | and friends. May you be encouraged to stay |
| you do, even YOU will be impressed by the | | | | strong and keep rolling forward, day by day, and |
| statistics. Then you will know that you KNOW you | | | | year by year. I promise you that there are just |
| are doing the right thing for your children. After | | | | simply too many rewards for sticking to your |
| discovering the nitty gritty about homeschooling, | | | | guns and remaining steadfast in your calling to |
| you'll also strengthen that conviction we talked | | | | "teach your children in the way that they should |
| about earlier. You'll come across as strong and | | | | go" because down the road, "when they are |
| secure when you answer those presumptuous | | | | older, they will not depart from it". |