Musings of Homeschool Mom - Part I

Questions and comments of the general public to a homeschool mom are often amusing. Yesterday, after I had finished my grocery shopping, a gentleman helped me out with my bulging two baskets (yes I know that's a ton of groceries, but that's another story), started questioning me on the amount of food I was buying and guessed that I had at least 2 children at home to scarf down these delectables that I was trying to stuff into my truck. I informed him of my three precious children and then he politely asked what school were they attending. I immediately and profoundly stated, "I homeschool." And this is were I found myself chuckle because he then flatly stated, "Well, there is nothing wrong with that." Hmmm.... I thought, no there isn't anything wrong with that, but why would someone say that to me? Why would I think there is anything wrong with homeschooling my children and found myself giggling under my breath. My giggle was a result of numerous years of hearing comments from, "Are you stupid?", and, "Christian schools are a great alternative", and "Do you know everything you teach?" Also being accosted by flying words from individuals who are vehemently against my homeschooling. I've been the but of jokes and the topic of conversations. Our family has been labled, upholded, put on a pedestal, made fun of, and so much more that we find it amusing anymore to hear the views of the public when they find out our homeschooling ways.

Another interesting subject that I like to broach as people bring up the topic is, "How do you teach all those subject that per say you struggle in or don't know anything about?" Good question I tell them and then I proceed with my explanation. "I haven't a clue how to teach trigonometry, but I'm not past learning yet myself. I have the ability to learn that subject and teach it with my children or I proceed with a tutor in that subject." Every subject I am not an expert in. However I can receive help if I need it or learn it myself and then teach it. The other night I studied biology, mythology, and freshened up with my Algebra II. I was beginning to wonder just who was going to school, but amazingly I find myself enjoying new subjects. Just for you sciencey people, Biology though I still don't get. This is where other moms help out. There are some in our city that LOVE science, and there are some in community that LOVE English, and so on. We all partner with one another in our different interest and either form a group where we learn individually but gather together once a week to discuss what we've learned and do labs (biology, I'm loving that teacher!)or we discuss with one another on different areas in which we can improve.



There are difficulties and joys with this particular job I have chosen. But with any job I believe the same is true. I love how some people believe that what I do at home is not a job. As if I just sit at home all day and really do nothing (Please come sit at my house for just a day and it will change your mind). I am usually up by 5 am and do not lay my head down until 10 and some nights 11. (Last night while laying in bed I was able to slay every Algebra dragon my dear daughter brought in from the school room because she was doing homework very late at night! Okay teaching her how to slay them!) EVERYTHING my children learn is usually produced, bought, studied, or glanced at by me. If you've lost count, I have 3 children, with at least 6 to 7 subjects each, and that would be up to 21 subjects everyday that I'm helping, reading, glancing, teaching, sweating over, grading, and planning for the next day, next month, next year. I'm always, always on the clock. The pay is horrible if you consider it monetarily. There are some days in which at the end of the day your child looks at you and asked you a question that you KNOW you covered in school that very day and they so effectively spit it back out at you, but their mind goes blank and you feel as though all you are doing is talking to a wall and therefore wanting to bang your head up against a wall at the very moment (I know that is a run on sentence but say it out loud without taking a breath and that is how I feel some days). Even so, the pay is received when you children are riding with you and all discussing the eight Kingdoms of Biology and all of them can tell you with relative ease the 1st law of Thermodynamics. The pay is received when they accomplish something and you grade it and your smile shows them your approval and they know they GOT it! Your pay is when your children are always around you giggling, laughing with each other, and expressing to each other something that they learned that day because they enjoyed their day of learning! The pay isn't what I do this for but it is a great luxury knowing that I've done what the Lord has called me to do.