My mom always insisted that home-schoolers were a little odd. She’d point to families we knew who chose not to participate in public schooling and say, “Look at that one; they must be in a cult. And that one’s kids can’t even read!” My husband shared similar concerns when I mentioned my plans to home-school our children. He thought it meant we’d reject evolution and don a wardrobe of prairie skirts.
They also assumed we had no respect for teachers. Ironically, my mom and mother-in-law both taught, and my husband is a public high school educator. We love teachers and value education; we just believe that home-schooling suits our kids better than traditional schools.
I have a philosophy about how children learn best, backed by some pedagogical training, and I’ve found that this approach isn’t typically supported in public education. I’m not a fan of glorifying Columbus, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, or assigning busywork and rote seat-time assignments. I’d only end up driving my kids’ teachers crazy with constant disagreements. So, we decided to keep our kids at home.
Now, don’t get the wrong idea; we don’t believe fossils are the work of Satan trying to trick believers. In fact, my husband and I are amateur paleontologists with a treasure trove of fossils at home. Our children study them as part of their education. We even listen to podcasts about extinct whales during science class! Dinosaurs are a favorite topic, and our kids can name bones and their locations on a dinosaur’s body like little experts.
We’re also not part of any cult or extremist group. We’re Catholic! This means we do incorporate religion into our learning, but we also acknowledge that the Earth is round and revolves around the sun. We’re aware of global warming and encourage discussions about its impact on developing nations. My son is preparing for his first Communion this year, so we’re diving deeper into the “body and blood of Jesus” aspect. Unlike some cults, we’re teaching our children to be accepting of all.
Our children may be a bit quirky, but they’re not socially inept. One is fascinated by Spinosaurus, while the other can regale you with facts about extinct sharks. They have plenty of friends, both home-schooled and public-schooled, and engage with them in age-appropriate ways. They’re not shy, they don’t act out, and they certainly don’t just stick to each other when playing.
As for my fashion choices, I avoid the typical wardrobe that some home-schooling moms embrace. You know, the endless denim skirts? I’m more of a ModCloth dress person, which is easier and more flattering than squeezing into jeans post-baby. And no, I’m not boycotting pants; it’s simply a style preference. I also have a detailed makeup routine involving contouring, just like anyone else who works in an office.
I have three children trailing after me, as many picture home-schoolers with six or more kids, all teaching each other while mom juggles it all. We’d love to have more kids someday, but for now, three is plenty while I teach reading, the alphabet, and basic math. This way, my 6-year-old gets his reading lessons, my 4-year-old learns the alphabet, and the baby enjoys storytime. Everyone gets quality attention!
And yes, my son can read. There’s a stereotype that home-schoolers have 10-year-olds who can’t read, but we believe kids will learn when they’re ready. My almost-5-year-old isn’t interested in letters yet, and that’s fine—this approach is similar to what they do in Finland, where children typically don’t start reading until around age 7.
I’m also not the ultimate homemaker. Some folks picture home-schooling moms as barefoot and pregnant, whipping up their own sausage and brewing kombucha. Not me! I spend more time driving my kids around than cooking, and I’ve managed to kill every plant that’s ever entered my house, including cacti.
We’re not “bad weird.” We’re just a family who decided to opt-out of the public school system and pursue education at home. Our kids have friends, social skills, and no bizarre religious ideologies. I don’t wear denim skirts or brew kombucha. We’re just a typical family with typical kids who happen to be home-schooled. And it works for us! For more insights into home insemination, you can read our related article here.
In summary, home-schooling can be a fulfilling choice for families, allowing for personalized education that suits individual learning styles. Our kids are well-rounded, social, and engaged in their studies, proving that home-schooling doesn’t equate to being “weird.”