Always on the Defense

It seems to me that homeschoolers are always on the defense.

We have to answer as to why our kids are not in schools when other kids are.

We have to explain and prove to relatives that our children are not being neglected and that they are actually learning.

We have to show statistics of homeschoolers standardized tests vs public schoolers.

We have to give lists of outside activities to prove our children are "social" if not "socialized"

Actually, no one holds a gun to our heads and makes us explain any of these things, but we always feel like we need to, don't we. Personally, every time I do a virtual mind dump about homeschooling in order to get someone's approval, I feel like a great big idiot, and I seldom get the response I want anyway.

So why do I do it?

Why???

We homeschool... period. No one has the right to demand proof from us as to what or why we are doing it... not our relatives, not our friends, and most especially not strangers on the street. I think we explain ourselves in a search for affirmation..... well guess what people.... Such statements are sure to be few and far between.

Let's try something different for a change. Next time you feel obliged to explain why you homeschool... stop. I tried it recently, and it is an empowering feeling.

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