Homeschooling Doesn't...

I know I've said it before in other ways, but homeschooling isn't perfect. It certainly isn't a way of setting apart the really good parents from the really bad. Bad parents can homeschool, too. It's a decision many make after careful and thoughtful consideration. It's a decision that some make on the spur of the moment without much regard for future ramifications (I don't have anyone specific in mind here!).

Homeschooling doesn't mean that parents love their children. Many loving parents homeschool their children. Many loving parents send their children to school. Some children who are homeschooled are, and will be, neglected and abused. The fact that the parents are educating their children at home does not make abuse any less vile and disgusting.

Homeschooling doesn't shield children from smut or evil or rebellion or... whatever. There are many ways that rubbish can enter our homes and our lives. If we as parents have a habit of letting that rubbish in, our children will soon learn to do the same.

Homeschooling doesn't create strong family relationships. It can facilitate strong family relationships, but ultimately people build relationships. Unless we directly put our efforts into building relationships, they won't... be built. (Simple, really, but I have to remind myself... often!)

Homeschooling doesn't make our children kinder, or more thoughtful, or less self-centred. It is an opportunity to teach and guide them more closely in these areas, but if the opportunity is neglected, the outcome is likely to be mediocre (although our children are certainly able to rise above our failures as parents).

I could go on and on, but what I'm trying to say is that homeschooling is a tool. A hammer in the hands of a psychopath is a weapon, but in the hands of tradesman, it is a tool. In the hands of an expert tradesman it can produce a masterpiece. In the hands of a toddler, it's likely to yield sore toes and a lot of noise.

As parents it's worth remembering that both homeschooling and schooling are tools. We are the tradesman and our children apprentices. If we neglect our work and leave it to the apprentices, we can expect poor results. We hope that ultimately our children will become expert tradesman, but that depends both on our commitment to mentoring them and their commitment to growth.

Homeschooling doesn't guarantee success. It doesn't guarantee happiness. But, when all is said and done, may we all have the satisfaction of knowing that, whatever tools we used, we used them well.

Between Two Worlds

We homeschoolers often don't like to talk about the challenges we face. Maybe because we're scared that Others will take it as proof that we are inadequate for the job. Or maybe because it will shatter an illusion of perfection.

My challenge right now is that I feel caught between two worlds. The world of toddlers and library story time and playgroup and the world of big kids and big kid activities. The two don't always mix well. A lot of big kid activities are... difficult ... with a toddler in tow who wants to do it all too.

I gave up taking big kids to playgroup a long time ago - it just seemed... weird.

And in the world of homeschoolers, it seems a lot of people don't start on this journey until they've experienced a few years of mainstream school. Sooooo, this can be a lonely place - homeschooling and having little ones to consider and nurture.

It can be really, really hard work investing the love and care into each of these little people. Definitely worth the effort, but... well, if you're considering homeschooling and have toddlers/preschoolers, be prepared for some hard times.

No doubt I will find new challenges with each season of being a parent. I'm OK with where life is right now. Not ecstatic with the wonder of just living life, but OK with it.

Sometimes we don't say these things though. We don't always talk about the ordinary, day-to-day Life. So today I am. I'm just saying - this is how it is for me right now. That's all.