Debunking the Mythical Homeschool Stereotype and Mondo Favor

When you think of homeschool, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? 

• Non-schooling
• Weird, mal-adjusted children
• Militia like
• Schooling in PJs
• Control freak parents
• Unsocialized children

Come on, you know you have thought this before.  I certainly have. These thoughts and misconceptions come from ignorance.  I do not say that to be snarky or mean.  I say it honestly and sincerely. Ignorance is a lack of knowledge or information.  In general, homeschooling is not an acceptable practice.  Sad isn't it? I will say that the homeschool stereotype had changed some for the good in recent years.  Yes, there are those that homeschool for the wrong reasons.  There are those that use homeschooling as an excuse to skip on school.  Those, however are few and far between.  It seems that those are the ones used to form the public perception of homeschooling.  People do not want to talk about the norm.  That is no fun and rather boring. 

My kiddos are not weird, at least, I do not think they are.  They are certainly not mal-adjusted. We do not school in our PJs.  We have a set schedule and stick to it. I am certainly not a control freak. There is no militia here (even if my boys are obsessed with guns and hunting).  And, my kiddos are social butterflies.  They love to be around and interact with others.  The misbehave...the whine...they fuss with one another...they are incredibly smart...they amaze me...they make me crazy...they make me happy...They are typical children.  Everything about them is typical.  Everything about them is extraordinary. They are mine and I might be a little biased and that is alright, because they are mine. I love them without end. Amen.

Why did I choose HS'ing?  I found myself giving my best to other peoples children and having a short fuse with mine.  I didn't like it at all...one bit.  I wanted to give my best to my children.  They deserved it and still do.  I knew that if I could spend the majority of my day educating other people's children and loving it (which I did), that I would love it that much more to be able to give that to my babies. I do!  I love teaching them.  I love it when they teach me, because they do.

We have school at our house.  It starts at a set time and ends when we finish all I planned to get done in one day.  We get up, get dressed, and go to school.  Because we are at home and only have three and a half in our classroom, it is less formal.  My children are however, receiving a formal education, as are most homeschooled children. 

Tell me what your conceptions of homeschooling are? I am curious to know what you think about it.  It is not for everyone.  Even if it is not for you, what are your feelings on other's who choose this path?

Also tonight, I have a mondo favor to ask of you.  I have an unspoken prayer request that I would like to ask you to pray with me about.  I can not share anything about this request out of respect for others.  This is something that I have prayed about so very much and I would like to ask you to take some time out of your day tomorrow (technically today) to pray about with me.  There are no life threatening illnesses involved and Jamie says be sure to let you know we are fine (relationship wise). This is a very real and very big request. Please pray for God's grace in this request.  Thank you in advance for your prayer. 

Much love,