Replies

Gabz, I've been reading the posts and haven't seen that Jen or Talon insulted parents whose kids are in public school. Did I miss something? I'd really like to know what the insults are that you mention.

As a homeschooler, I have often found myself backed into a corner by public-school parents loudly ranting how great their kids' school is, what good grades their kids have, they're involved in this team and that club, and were on the Principal's List, blah, blah, blah -- all because I said, "We homeschool." It seems sometimes to me that just by making that statement, non-HS parents become defensive and feel the need to hammer home how great THEIR choice is to public school. This has happened to me numerous times with people I have JUST MET!!!! Example:

"Hi, I'm Lisa. My kids are in ice skating with yours."
"Oh really? What school do they go to?"
"We homeschool."
"Oh! Well, mine go to XXX school and they make straight A's and the school has this awesome...."

I AM NOT MAKING THIS UP!

Sheesh!!! I really need to come up with a good line to just stop the rants and move on with the conversation. I have never, ever come back with how much better our homeschool is or bad-mouthed public schools, which I could easily do. I keep my opinions to myself, unless asked.

I taught Jr. High and 4th grade for many years, and I have a much better idea than these parents of what goes on. I taught in suburban and small-town schools that were pretty much run by Mormons, so it's not like I was in inner-city schools.

Just because someone states their belief that homeschooling is the best option doesn't make it an insult. If you take it that way, I have to wonder why?

I have been discussing this issue with Jen for quite some time now and she well knows I respect her position. All I am asking is for the same respect from homeschoolers that I give them. Jen and Talon are different than many of the nomeschoolers on this forum, they don’t agree with the decision my husband and I made for our child, but do accept it as our decision and not theirs.

I’m sorry you have been made to feel uncomfortable by parents of children in public school. When one of the moms of a team mate on my daughters little league team commented that she homeschooled I asked her if she was using Saxon or Abeka. She was amazed to learn my daughter is in public school, yet I knew about those curricula. After having read some of the threads here and reading the insults thrown at parents of children in public schools she remains amazed that I still am a proponent of homeschooling even though I did not choose that route.

Homeschooling may be the best option for some, but it is not for all, thus stating it is the best and only option is an insult to those who have chosen another option.