ahh homeschooling....

    As with any journey in this life, there's always unexpected turns and twists (isn't a turn and a twist the same thing almost...??? anyways, it sounds nicer together, ha!).  I totally went into homeschooling expecting one thing, and I got another! Why did I think I would suddenly be self disciplined and organized? Go figure. But, that's not even what I was really expecting... I can't put my finger on one style or look that I thought we'd have, but I can say... it's not this. And I really didn't think it would be this hard!

My eldest is a classic example of why parents started homeschooling. He doesn't fit the mold. The nice mold of children who are fascinated with everything educational and can sit still for hours on end. HA! No, I have a real boy.  And I'll be honest, I'm proud of him. It doesn't bother me that he loves lego more then math. Or that he doesn't like me reading to him, he wants to read only to himself (so he can skip the boring parts probably!). Or that he would much rather be outside on a nice day then writing out spelling words. Or that he much prefers going to work with his Daddy and doing clean up for him then staying home and doing clean up for me! I think these are actually all normal male traits.

But what I find hard is that some how I have to learn how to join the educational need in this life to him.

That's why a lot of parents homeschooled. Because their kid didn't fit inside the box so they decided to teach them outside the box. But that's not as common anymore... Homeschoolers are now teaching more and more inside the box and feel that they must stay there to properly educate their children. Homeschooling took so much flak that it's like we had something to prove, we have to prove that we're just as good as the school system. And we're doing that by looking more and more like schools themselves.

Now, bear in mind that I have another child who that system works just fine for. It's not that it's wrong to teach like that. But we're loosing touch with homeschooling if we can only teach like that. I'm learning that, when you've got a child that doesn't fit in the box, get out of the box! And I thought it would be easier to get out of that box too.... It's not. It's very scary. It seems that once people know that you're homeschooling everyone else takes it upon themselves to worry if your child will graduate. I find that kinda funny actually...

Oh, a little off topic, but worth noting. You know how the other fear that everyone asks homeschoolers about is the whole socializing issue. They fear that our children will turn into hermits. Now, I'm not blind, I have seen times where homeschooled kids seem very awkward in new groups, generally, it hasn't taken most of them very long to get over that though. But, something else needs to be noted here.
Sometimes, socially awkward people choose to homeschool because they're shy and they can't imagine sending their kids out into that big scary world. Or other reasons, but still, the parents are introverts. So, the kids tend to be awkward and shy too. Wow, what a surprise!

 I've noticed two things, most of the time ...

Social Parents = Social Kids

And sometimes, some people are just like that!

Remember that kid in your class who was shy and awkward? Did you ever hear the adults talking about him like... "well, poor Johnny, if he wasn't in school he wouldn't be like that. He's shy because he's in school"

um...

So why is that everyone who's homeschooling labeled that way just cause they're homeschooling? It could be sometimes because it's pretty strong in their gene pool or, it's just who they are!

The homeschooled kids who are shy because of lack of exposure usually get over it pretty fast. Not always, but usually. But if the parents have friends over and are social, they shouldn't have an issue. So far I've never seen school cure a kid with shyness, it often makes it worse. I don't know why it would make any difference with homeschooling either.

My two bits.  

Well, on that fine bunny trail I'm gonna end.   I'm soooo curious what ya'll think, as I know there's all types out there reading this. Comment and let me know!!