Frost and the Hare

It finally happened.  Our fat, lazy, arthritic dog killed a rabbit.  She proudly pranced up to Matt to show it off.  She seemed totally befuddled that he wanted her to drop it.  Oh yes, not only did she successfully kill the thing, she got it's fleas and brought them into our house.  I really hope I was able to kill them all.  I am totally paranoid now about every itch, tickle, and black dot on the floor.  I am sure tomorrow she will vigilantly patrol our yard for any other foul vermin that dare entire her domain.

I'm not lucky to get to homeschool.

I drove my friend to the clinic the other day and while I was waiting I went for a coffee.  I got to chatting with the older woman behind the counter when the topic of homeschooling came up.  She asked the old questions like, "Where do you get a certificate for that?"  "How do you socialize them?"  "What do you do all day?"  Honestly, I haven't been asked those kinds of questions in a really long time.  The perspective of homeschooling has changed over the years to a more positive one.  The woman was nice and we had a good time chatting, but it made me think about the types of comments/questions I've gotten in recent years.  Now it, "Why did you decide to homeschool?"  "I couldn't do that!"  "You are so blessed/lucky to be able to do that!"  "It must be nice to be home all day!"

First off, I actually like the questions.  I like enlightening people.  It's some of the comments that kind of drive me nuts.

The "I couldn't do that!" comment is understandable if you are a single parent and it's financially impossible.  However, I do know 2 people who are single parents that homeschool, so it's not all together impossible.  But lets be honest, that comment actually means, "I would never want to do that."  And that is fine.  Honestly, at first, I didn't want to either.

"You are so blessed/lucky to be able to homeschool!"  I am blessed in many areas, but usually they mean I'm "lucky" to homeschool and luck has nothing to do with it.  I work my ass off!  I gave up a career that would have doubled our income!  We don't live in a nice house, our cars are crappy, and our budget is tight.  There are days I feel like I can't do it anymore.  God always seems to remind me why I do as soon as these thoughts enter my head.  Teachers strikes and school lunch Nazis to name a few that have come up recently.

"Must be nice to be home all day."  Yes, the same 4 walls don't feel like they are closing in on me at all! *Sarcasm*  I'm thankful for homeschool co-ops!  I think I would go insane without them!

So why do it?  Because the benefits outweigh the sacrifices. I can teach from a Christian perspective.  I can adjust curriculum depending on learning style and or challenges. Examples: Sam is dyslexic and ADD, but because I can teach her in the way she learns best she is doing great!  Not lagging behind at all. When Zach was younger and learning how to write he treated ever letter like a piece of art. It took forever for him to write a sentence because each letter had to be perfect.  He's stubborn so no amount of encouragement, punishments, or bribing was going to make him go faster.  I wonder how that would have went over in a public or even private school - LEAD BALLOON!  Fast forward, he has excellent penmanship and writes at a normal speed...finally!  And lastly, he can be a proud geek/nerd without condemnation.

I love and loath homeschooling at times.  As they say in homeschooling circles, "The pay sucks, but the benefits are fantastic."  In the end, it's the right choice for us.  See that people, CHOICE not luck.  Thank God I have that choice and a great homeschooling support group.