It Is What it is!

When I started homeschooling back in the early '90's, the concept wasn't as widely accepted as it is today. If I told people I was homeschooling, they mostly looked at me like I we was an alien and I felt this immediate need to justify my decision.

Everyone who chooses to homeschool has their own reasons. Some for religious views, some for academics, perhaps they have a special needs child or one who excels, others homeschool because their child is problematic. For whatever reason, most people who commit to homeschooling have a conviction and purpose. Those who strive and push through the toughest of times, are convicted right down to their soul, literally.

My personal reasons to homeschool was a mixture of convictions. I wanted to raise my son in a Godly atmosphere, with Godly morals and character, I also knew he was exceptionally smart and I wanted him to be able to reach his potential. It started with just one child, but God had so much more in mind.

I bounced back and forth between public school and homeschooling for 2 years. Any 'seemingly' little problem sent me running. I saw later, they were excuses, not just for my lack of confidence in being able to teach, but also the desire to "fit in' and not have to justify my actions. When I finally came to obedience, I was truly blessed.

That first year was tough, just like for any first timer. Not just the actual schooling and getting into the mentality and rhythm of balancing life, home, and lesson plans, but also on my pride. That need to justify myself resurfaced again and again. And isn't that why we need to justify ourselves, for the sake of pride, in proving that we are right?

After that first committed year, I was hooked. I got into the lesson planning, excited about what we were learning, and most importantly, I enjoyed the time I had with my son, watching him learn was a privilege. I needed no more justification after that. Sure, people would still comment or look at me funny, but by this time, it didn't phase me. I simply didn't care what people thought. I went on to homeschool all 3 of my boys for many years.

Today, having another child late in life, I find myself back where I started as my 3 older boys have turned into young men and make their way in the world. My convictions are not just the same as before, but stronger, deeper.  It's a different world today. I look around and see nothing of the seemingly 'simplistic' life of my first 3 children.

I have enjoyed the acceptance that homeschooling has in today's society (relatively speaking). I almost got down right comfortable with it. But I had a reminder the other day, that there are still severe critics out there, critics of free thinkers and individuality, people who are content to go with the flow, despite where it takes them.

Let me interject here, that I don't think every parent is called to homeschool. For most, it's simply not an option. Economically speaking, most households require 2 incomes, and ours would surely do much better with 2! I've been in the place where I had to put my boys in public school because I had to work. I truly believe some are called to homeschool and some are not. There's no judgement or criticism for those who don't.

A retired military person said to me the other day, "Homeschoolers do the absolute worst at our training camps for kids (military summer camps). Of all the kids, they have the hardest time with someone getting in their face and screaming at them." I said, "Well, I admit, no one in our house is even a 'yeller' let alone a screamer. Sam has never been screamed at in his life. With the proper discipline, mostly with the parents, a person doesn't need to scream to be heard or obeyed. I know I don't like to be screamed at by my husband, do you like your husband to scream at you?" She looked at me kind of funny and said, "Well no, it pisses me off ."

WELL, DUH!

The fact is, anything that goes against main stream society is going to be frowned upon by most. In general, people are usually too polite to say what they really think. In the '50's and '60's, women who worked outside of the home were considered rebellious in some way, today if women stay home, it's considered lazy.

You can tell me my kid isn't getting the socialization he needs, and I say, "Look at our society." You can claim he's sheltered and fragile and I say, "He earns his own money and will stand up for what is right in the face of adversity." You can persist that his education is lacking academically and I say, "Check out his level of learning and test scores."

For me, there is no more justifying and and proving myself. It is what it is, you don't have to like it, agree with it, or support it. I don't care. The question is, why do THEY care so much, to prove me wrong?