Last night we attended a retirement party where most of the attendees were public school teachers. Almost all of our local middle school and high school teachers were there. At first, I was a little uncomfortable because I knew that the questions were coming. As the ceremony begin, I noticed 4 or 5 kids walking around and touching the DJ's equipment or walking from table to table. When the pastor begin his blessing before we ate, I could hear a group of preteens standing at the back of the room talking loudly ignoring the events. I looked over at my children and both had heads bowed. As the evening wore on and the questions started coming: What hours do you teach, are they tested, how do you know if they are learning what they need to at grade level? What about PE? Socialization? What program do you use? Why do you homeschool? How can you teach every subject? How about electives? It went on and on? But my favorite question was " Don't you believe in public education? I knew that to respond with: Sorry, I have lost all faith in the public school (all my children have attended public school at least until 6th grade) system and I don't believe sending my children to school for 40 hours a week and entrusting 7 different teachers who really don't know my children, their learning styles or personalities is conductive to their education. Gee, I don't believe socialization that involves teasing, peer pressure, a 1 hour bus ride, and rude children will benefit my children. No, instead I just smiled and said "we want to give our children a christian based education" About half way through the evening, I begin to second guess my decision to homeschool, my husband, who by the way took a long time to convince that homeschooling was the way to go, sensing how I was feeling leaned over and whispered, " honey, look around, look how happy and well adjusted our children look, listen to how our kids are interacting with the adults, now look over there." As I turned around, I saw a couple of teens talking on cell phones and listening to ipods at the back of the room not interacting at all or participating in what was going on. My son was talking to a man about what he was learning in science. Case closed. LOL
You did a wonderful job. I understand how it is to be question all the time. I have tryed to stay away from people that do that. You are doing wonderful and have a good man standing beside you.
YEAH!!!!!! The proof is in the puddin' :lol: We had a party for our newbies last night and it was so much fun. For some they haven't even hit the one year mark, others it was there first "year" of homeschooling and for others it was their 2nd. Oh...where does the time go? We were laying in bed last night and I told my husband about the event and it dawned on me that I have done 3 years now. Hard to believe!!! I think the next time I blink it will be 6 - my oh my!!! Enjoy it and enjoy your children!!!!
