I have struggled with the fact that homeschoolers have responsibilities just due to the fact that they homeschool. After all, I have always been a “me against the world” kind of girl, and since I married and had children, I have been an “us against the world” woman. If it were not for my “take care of my own” attitude, I probably would not have started homeschooling to begin with. I would have bent to the camp that says, “It is more responsible to help at the school than to homeschool your own”. So how did an individualist like myself conclude that I have responsibilities to anyone but my spouse, my kids, and myself?
Over time, I have come to find that you cannot homeschool in a bubble. Besides the threat of attack from the socialization police, homeschooling in isolation is just plain unhealthy. You need a community to homeschool. A homeschooling community consists of families with like attitudes, and goals. It helps if they homeschool too. To be part of a larger group of this sort, you need to do your part. You need to have responsibilities to the group, to the children in the group, and even to homeschoolers in general.
This evening, I fulfilled one of my responsibilities as an experienced homeschooler. I did what I call a mind dump. As I was dropping off clothes for a big bi-annual consignment sale, on of the workers and an old friend approached me. She had just started homeschooling her daughter and wanted information. I did not hold back. I just took all the information that my mouth could funnel from my brain and dumped it on her. I also promised to email her links because no one can write as fast as I talk. While we were speaking, another woman walked up and interrupted. Three of her kids were in Montessori Schools and she did not feel she could afford the fourth. She wanted to know her educational options including homeschooling. I gave her my name, number, and a couple of website addresses. I hope she contacts me. I would love to help her.
Here are the responsibilities I accept as a homeschooler:
- I feel it is my responsibility to share information with other families who are interested in homeschooling.
- I feel it is my responsibility to encourage (without pushing) people who are considering homeschooling to follow their hearts.
- I feel it is my responsibility to guide new homeschoolers through the process.
- I feel it is my responsibility to befriend homeschoolers so they do not feel like they are alone.
- I feel it is my responsibility to let others know that homeschoolers are people too… even cool people at that.
- I feel it is my responsibility to show the world that homeschoolers turn out just fine.
Hmmm… I think homeschooling may have actually made me a more friendly, giving person.
*Have a question about homeschooling? Just ask.
*Want to know more about homeschooling? Start here!