Just today after church I got on the subject of homeschooling with a friend of mine. She asked me what curriculum I use. OH BOY, how do I explain that I am going through a transition away from packaged curriculum (at least some of it)? She went on to highly recommend the ACE paces. I told her that would not work. I told her about living books for history, she asked what about math and science. I basically told her I am still trying to figure it out. I did tell her we have been using Apologia, which we have been and may continue with. I don't think she was convinced, but I know I have to be confident and defend myself or maybe just refuse to go into detail unless I know it is a like minded person.
Whenever I know that I'm doing something that goes against popular thinking, I just state it with a smile. Not sure if it's because I really like being different, or if subconsciously I think I'll affect the world's opinion one person at a time.
For the same reason all of us do...when you're unsure or changing things, even though you KNOW what you're doing is right, you might not be able to quantify it for the world yet. Good thing is you don't have to! You can let this friend know, "Thanks for the advice, but the textbook route doesn't really work for us. Isn't it great with Homeschooling that you get to tailor the curricula to the child and not the other way around???.". You'll dazzle them with brilliance with that! You're doing great, don't let other's questions make you 2nd guess yourself. I've had to learn to shut off those voices. I have a few friends who are HUGE Sonlighters. They're always questioning what I do, why I do, and are my kids missing things. But my kids are constantly doing well, scoring well on Std. tests, etc. So I'm doing SOMETHING right!!!
I get this all the time!!! People will ask "oh well what cirruculum do you use" and if you think you get looks when you tell people you homeschool then tell them that you unschool!! That will get them going for sure. I haven't used cirruculum before except for workbooks a little along and that's all. I may use them in the future. Talk about people hitting the roof. I have even had the response is that legal. Of course, it is. But seriously, I know you have to be comfortable with what you have chose for your child and that's the bottom line. You could always tell the lady with all the recommendations thank you but this is what's working for now. It gets though and it sometimes leaves you wondering okay if this is such a good program then why not try it. I wonder that at times and realize I have to do what works for my girl and not what someone else thinks might work. After all there is more than one cirruculum for a reason.
Who cares what anyone thinks? It's results that matter. I have homeschooled four of my great nieces and nephews. Three of them were failing in Hawaii's extremely poor public schools, and the youngest was bored to tears. Two of them took their GED and passed in the 90+ percentile. One went back to highschool and graduated to go on to college. The youngest who is eight is far ahead of his peers in public school. You just can't beat the ratio of one caring teacher to one or a few children. I use an very eclectic curriculum made up of whatever I find that the child needs at the time. Alot of it comes from the internet and is free. We move on after the child has mastered the current lesson(s). At the end of the day (and they're short days compared to a public school day) the child is thoroughly educated. Oh, and I also work full-time from home as a project manager for a large techie company and run a 20 acre farm!
I would just say " oh a variety of things" and then mention your favorite that you feel like sharing about. A lot of people have thier favs, most the people I talk to have no clue and ask me if I get my school books from the schools or how I do that. So I end up going into lenghty explanations or short answers like " I order it from the prinbter or Curriculum company" Usually the people who ask Me have no clue though so it is different.
I smile and say "We use this and that, whatever happens to be working for us on that day." You have no one to impress but yourself and your son. People who try to one up you all the time drive me nuts and it seems that this woman was trying to do just that to you.
People that ask me usually fall into these categories: 1. truly interested 2. truly interested but clueless about homeschooling 3. have an anti-homeschooling bias and are looking for an opportunity to belittle your homeschooling efforts and tout the benefits of ps 4. a fellow homeschooler legitimately looking for ideas or an opportunity to do a little one upmanship (sorry cynical I know but it happens) My answer and anxiety or worry level is based on who is asking. But the longer I homeschool (on our 4th year) the less I care about explaining to anyone what I am doing. I don't need to explain it to anyone - especially when they don't really understand homeschooling. You don't need to justify or explain anything to anyone (unless you want to)- it's your children and your homeschooling experience. Sounds a little bitchy..sorry pmsing pretty badly today...:twisted:
crazymomma, I don't think she was trying to impress me or one up me, but I think she doesn't understand different educational philosophies. To me, the majority of people see the way things have been done in the public/private schools so long that anything else is too "out there" even if the results are better. I was there myself just at the beginning of this school year. I try not to be too hard on people, because I used to silently judge other styles myself. Thinking "how are they going to cover everything?" etc. I thought the only way to do this was through the traditional textbook style of school. So, I think a lot of people are stuck like I was and really concerned or curious.
I think this is true, too. I've found it especially so more recently. Or maybe my hs friends back in TN were much less school-at-home than those around here! It is frustrating to feel like someone is belittling what you know works for your family.
You are right.. it does always make me kind of laugh inside when someone who went against the grain to homeschool acts like there is only one way to do it... they obviously know that traditional school doesn't work for them for what ever reason, it should be obvious that what works for one won't work for another, but such is life right? Just know that you are doing what is right for you and your son and that you are doing a great job
I usually chose not to discuss curriculum with someone who is not really interested in what we are doing. I would listen politely to what she is offering. Say, "Thank you for the suggestion", and then move on to talk about something else. If you let her know it's not your style-she may try and just convince you otherwise. That always gets prickly.
One thing about starting out the second time around with my grandson, I can always fall back on the example of my daughters! :lol: I don't have to argue any more. I HAVE the proof!
