Wow - this thread hit home. Although I tried to act like it didn't bother me when I first started homeschooling, the negative comments did bother me. They never made me doubt my decision, but they just irritated and upset me, and sometimes made me feel like an outcast. However, once I "sat down with myself" and just told myself - hey, this is the absolute best thing for the boys, they're happier, I'm happier, they're away from the deplorable social influences at school now and are learning more than ever - the comments/reactions almost immediately ceased to bother me. I just find that focusing on how right it is for my boys makes everything else completely irrelevant, including the reactions of others.
Have not read all the posts, but....................... When we first starting hs and someone would say something, I would kindly educate them about hs and inform them on what hs were required to follow, i.e. rules and regs. If they tried to debate the topic or personalize it I would simply state the topic is not open for debate and let them know it was a personal decision that had nothing to do with anybody else but our own personal convictions. The way I look at it, they don't pay my bills and until they do, their opinion does not count! My boys graduated from homeschool this year and they are both well ground, happy, wonderful, well educated, prospering with gainful employment they thoroughly enjoy and contributing to society. What more can you ask for?
I just started HS and I am lucky that my mom started HS my youngest brother about and sister (they are 19 and 18 years younger me) 8 years ago so she has "paved the way" so to speak and no one will be surprised or give us a hard time. DH's family on the other hand I dread discussing this with. I do know in my heart this is the best for our family and we are so happy about this decision. I don't need anyone's approval but I don't want to have to defend our choice. I guess I just feel like family should be supportive but I am not sure his will be. With that said, I could care less what people I don't know think. Anyone that can judge me or my family based on our homeschooling choice is not someone I would want to be around anyway and I won't waste a second thinking about it. I am thankful and blessed that we can do this for our children and I won't let anyone take that away.
I got a lot of flak at first from family and friends. BUT they all knew what my DSD was like before homeschool and when they see her now they all shut up! She's much more polite, cooperative, smarter and happier. You can't argue with good results! I usually say "it was the right thing for us" which doesn't make non-HSers wrong for sending their kids to PS. I think sometimes the rude comments stem from the other person thinking they are wrong for sending their kids to PS, especially when HSers state the problems with the public school system. I usually say something nice like "I'm sure the school where you live is excellent, you are so lucky! We aren't so lucky so homeschooling is the right choice for us."
ABSOLUTELY, FS! We were at an engagement party Saturday, and a friend I haven't seen for a while was there. She knew we hs'ed, and is a strong proponent of it. She started in on how hs'ed kids are "so much more mature and responsible". And my neighbor was there listening, whose youngest daughter is my daughter's friend, and I could just SEE her (the mom) bristling at that comment!!! So I really tried to soften it a good deal. First of all, my neighbor has three VERY responsible young ladies!!! The oldest had trouble with school, but some kids aren't as academically gifted, and that's OK; she has other strengths! The younger two are both honors students. And the LAST thing I need is for her to think that I think that my kids are far superior to hers (which they aren't!!!) because we hs!!!
