Homeschool

During the Roar of Love, each parent is asked to volunteer their time behind stage. I dutifully accepted and assisted during dress rehearsal. We were in a room full of very excited little girls, all playing happily with one another or coloring while waiting their turn to shine on stage. Every little girl was dressed and prepped for stage except one. One little girl made it through every mother as she whined and moaned over the fact that she wasn't going to go on stage. "I want mommmmy" or "I am not ready to get dressed" or "I don't want to go on stage".....those were the three statements she made over and over and over. Of course, it wasn't long before she ended up beside me. And she moaned and hung on to my leg - I don't even let my own children hang on my leg!

I was talking with another mom and I said, "What are we going to do with this little one?" And the mother rolled her eyes and replied, "I don't know. We can't find her mother." And then she said, "You know, she is homeschooled. I just don't think she gets out much." I smiled and listened to this mother as she said a few more derogatory comments towards homeschooling. Then I offered, "I homeschool and my children would never act like this!" I could tell the lady was embarrassed by her comments.

I shared with her how homeschooling was a gift to our family. It is an opportunity that some do not have. The network here is huge. The co-ops offered are fabulous and they provide a school-like environment one day a week for my children - we do co-op specifically for the socialization AND for the classroom/teacher interaction; the responsibility is all on my kiddos and if their work doesn't get done, they get a note home from their teacher (thankfully, this has never happened!). I recognize that my children need this should they go back into a school setting in the future. Aside from schooling, we have a rule (one that I am tempted to break when we have a busy week!) that our children must be involved in one activity or sport. This, too, allows them the experience to be with children their own ages and be under the direction of another adult. We recently had an experience where we did not particularly agree with the coach's direction, he was a bit on the rough side. Our child did not complain but we noticed his anxiety through the comments he would make after games and practice. The mother side of me wanted to just take my child and tell the coach we quit due to his abrupt behavior with the children. However, we took a step back and looked at this particular situation as a learning experience, one that our child would have to adapt to. I shared all of this information with my new friend, and all the while, the little "homeschooled" urchin was wrapped around my leg!

Homeschooling, for us, began as a trial run. I personally wanted to see what it was like. I did not have any expectations. I could not tell you how long it would last and I still can't - my attitude has always been that we will homeschool until it isn't working for us. Right now, it works. The children are all together, and nothing warms my heart more than watching them in the afternoons playing together outside or seeing the relationship blossom between my oldest and youngest when he takes her out to play or listening as Pryce and MK create a whole imaginary game that only the two of them understand. It works. And my children are well adjusted. Well spoken. Happy. Independent. Sheltered? Maybe. (This is the other comment I have gotten lately.) The only response I have for it is that my children are exposed to the world and the negatives it entails.

At the end of the day, homeschooling is a choice. And it is a choice that our family has made and loved. We will cherish the memories forever! Is it for every family or every child? No.

And the little "homeschooled" girl at rehearsal? Mom was found. Costume was put on. She pranced out on stage, shined and, as she was making her way back to our room, she asked, "So, do you want my picture? Did you see how well I danced? Take my picture!" Gee, if she only knew the mental picture of her that will be etched in my mind forever!