strangers opinion

[chrispeters]

:wave:

[Dianna]

Okay, is it just me, or did Chris' message get lost in the void? Chris, do you happen to have a copy of your message so you can repost it?

Dianna

[hh_spring]

Well Im strange and got plenty of opinions does that count:cool2: !!

Harriet looking for smilie with curlers PlZ!!

[Dianna]

Chris, did you delete it? If you did, please repost it. It was such a great post. I even have a semi-answer for it on my FAQs page since it's a common problem. Please repost it! :eusa_pray

Dianna

[hh_spring]

Really if she is talking about what i think she is.....I wil have to tell my stranger opinion about the checker at the BEST BUY store!!!:confused2 :smile2: Harriet

[chrispeters]

Has someone hung a sign on my back that says “insult me; I’m a homeschooler”? When we decided to homeschool six years ago, I had no idea how many people were going to feel compelled to give their opinion of my choice. I think everyone has probably had that initial surprise and disappointment of the lack of support or even outright opposition from family members. That’s not what I’m ranting about here. I’m referring to the incidences of people who barely qualify as an acquaintance; moreover, complete strangers questioning my judgment, my motives, and my ability.

Questions I have actually been asked range from goofy to downright unkind.
Here are a few examples:
1. The last resort of the willfully uninformed, “Aren’t you worried about socialization?”
2. How do know if your kids are learning?
3. Don’t you want them to get used to the real world?
4. My daughter is s teacher and she had to go to school for five years. What makes you think you’re qualified to teach?
5. How do you stand being with them all day?

I understand that homeschooling is not the path for everyone. The difference here is, I don’t going around telling anyone who doesn’t why they are wrong. Could you imagine telling another parent with a child in public school how awful you think their choice is. Good grief! You’d be known as the town kook. Alas, there it is. Many people feel very little hesitation to criticize families that homeschool. I have no idea why this is; maybe because we are still outside the mainstream.
This outburst could be credited to mounting frustration or it’s possible that I’ve had too much caffeine this morning! In any event, I feel better for having said it. Please let me know what you think and if it’s still there; would you kindly remove my sign!
:rolleye11

[Dianna]

Chris, thanks for reposting it. I'm still chuckling about it. Have you ever seen a copy of the first issue of the Carolina Homeschooler newsletter? It has the Top 10 Answers to "What About Socialization?"A friend of mine wrote it. I'm going to repost it here because I know she wouldn't mind.

======================

The Top 10 Answers to... What About Socialization
by Pam Hartley

10. We’re training him to like isolation so that he can be an astronaut.

9. Socialization? We’re Republican!

8. Don’t worry. We get together with other kids twice a week so he can learn how to spit on them and treat them disrespectfully.

7. We do unit studies on Socialization, and also Hair Washing, Clothes Folding, and other completely redundant subjects.

6. I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you. I was mentally planning her week of Girl Scouts, 4-H, dance class, karate, and soccer. What were you saying about socialization?

5. If I could get him to stop planning so many group camping trips and book fairs, I’d be able to convince him to socialize!

4. Huh?

3. Please, just for a change, ask me about college, okay?

2. Squeak, dive under the nearest object, peek out, and mutter “who are you and what do you want?”

1. Oh, I know what you mean! That’s why we’re homeschooling, for the socialization!

======================

Have you seen my FAQ about dealing with anti-homeschooling family and friends? Some of my suggestions may be helpful for dealing with strangers, too. Also look at the "How do I handle quizzing?" section... that's bound to come up sooner or later. Here's a direct link to my FAQ page: www.carolinahomeschooler.com/faq.htm (http://www.carolinahomeschooler.com/faq.htm)

Anyone else have some good comebacks? Post them here! :lol:

Dianna

[hh_spring]

Uhuhuh....yes indeed!

THe socialization question....give me a break....put a kid in a room with 30 kids all the same age and pile on the rules, can't talk at lunch or in class and give them 20 minutes for recess that most of them regularly get taken away for any minor infraction.

I will say that there is not a naysayer in my family...all very supportive....Thank God!! My ex doesn't count does he....he has had plenty to say, but then he didn't realize I was homeschooling our son until he had been out of school for 2.5 years....so :razz: on him!!

The real world is what they are living in!!

So I can tell my BEST BUY checker story....I had some credit on that program with them and I needed to use it...so about 10:00 am one fine morning, my son and I went to spend the credit! Well when we got to the check this older woman who was the checker said Do you Homeschool. I smiled and Yes I do....and she went into this diatribe about how could I do such a thing to my child, I wish I could remember all she said. Most of it didn't really make much sense...her final shot was well when they vote to make Homeschooling illegal which I am sure they will, I will be first in line.....I was so shocked, I just said, well...Sorry you feel that way....But for my family it was the best decision I ever made...took my receipt and left!!!

And when I went to best buy's website to comment on my service, as they ask you to do...I unloaded and wrote the clerk number and day of service....of course....I got no response....but I felt better!!

I never have gotten people who think they have the right to tell you what they think, when you didn't ask!!! My mom has a fav response to people who ask nosy questions, which I have often used "Well if you will forgive me for not answering your question, I will forgive you for asking!!" But this lady caught me totally off guard....another rule I live by applied to the situation and I used it successfully. NEVER Argue with an IDIOT!!!:lol:


TTFN, Harriet:wave:

[hh_spring]

(Gently removes sign) and whispers Bless you for being a Homeschooler!!! {{{CHRIS}}}

:wink2: Harriet

[martylamarche]

Know what you mean Chris although I have been for the most part very fortunate with regard to people's reaction about homeschooling. Occasionally I experience a nasty look or raised eyebrow when I'm out during the school day. I try not to let it get to me. I've even had relatives get mad for me over homeschooling. Basically, I think a lot of people are misinformed and afraid of something that they know nothing about. And, gosh, we're all so scary with our ideas about what we want for our kids.

I think the response I like the best is the one where they are just waiting for you to fail or you'll suddenly wake up and realize the errors of your ways like it's a fad or phase that you're going through. Yep, that's gonna happen...NOT! I know what I'm doing is what God called me to do for my children regardless of the worldview. :aniflower

Marty

[Dianna]

Just read this one a little while ago. It's joke about the "But what about socialization...?" question:

New studies show that, contrary to popular mythology, the average homeschooled child has no problem "socializing" with other children - as long as he remembers to use smaller words and shorter sentences.

Yes, it's rude, but it does challenge some assumptions about homeschoolers. :smile2:

Dianna

[chrispeters]

New studies show that, contrary to popular mythology, the average homeschooled child has no problem "socializing" with other children - as long as he remembers to use smaller words and shorter sentences.



Dianna[/QUOTE]
It would be so devilishly delicious to turn to someone and with a straight face and dish that back out. :evil: I seriously doubt; although, that I would ever have the, let’s say “juevos” or the heart to actually do it. It’s too akin to shooting fish in a barrel, but would be priceless for the reaction alone!

[SChomemomof3]

I had a lady at Long John Silvers who cornered me one day. Her daughter had gone to school with me. Not a great life they have made for themselves over the years at all but I wasn't surprised at all by it. Anyway maybe she recognized me as a classmate of her daughters and wanted to cut me down or something mental. She started out as to why we were eating lunch and not sitting at home schooling. Went on to what they have done today and completed in school work. What was written down, etc. I have never been so shocked or upset in my life. I just told her that we were on a lunch break. I told her what we had done for the day as if it were any of her business anyway but I was nice. I told her that we planned to do more when we got home and that homeschooling worked nicely for us. She was holding up the line and by the end of the conversation the whole line was watching me like a hawk. LOL