Two conversation I have had recently; both on the same day.
(I will put my thoughts in parenthesis)
Dr: You have 5 boys which means that you are busy. I hope that you have help, you know family and friends. The support that you need each day. Don't suffer in silence. Get help if you need it.
Me: I have plenty of support and we have lots of family around, and the older boys help too (Of course I am busy, but I am not incompetent. I don't need you to remind me of one and assume that I am the other).
Dr: How old are your other boys?
Me: 6 and 7
Dr: So you homeschool?
Me: yes
Dr: What do you do about socialization?
Me: (I hate this question, can he think of nothing more original to ask me about homeschooling?? Man, everyone I meet asks this question. It seems to be the only question people ask about the matter. Why?) Well, we are part of a great church, and the boys are active with other kids in AWANA and SMASH. Which are two great......... etc, etc, etc.
I know, sometimes my thoughts can be cranky. It happens when you have been sitting in a Dr's office for 1.2 hours answering the same questions about your children's ability to draw circles and recognize colors.
Second conversation (later that evening while taking Siah on a date):
A lady in line at the book store: So you are on a date?
Me: yes, we try to make it a point to take each boy on a date every so often. The boys really enjoy it and my husband and I enjoy taking turns having some one-on-one time.
Lady: So... do you homeschool your boys?
Me: may I ask you a question? what made you think that I homeschool my children? (Nothing that we had been talking about even hinted at that).
Lady: I don't know, it just seemed logical that you would be a homeschooling mom. I have often thought about homeschooling too.
Me: Well, yes, I do homeschool. It fits well with our family. (our hot cocoa's were ready so our conversation was over)
Lady: enjoy the rest of your date.
Me: thank you, have a good quiet evening (she was having a quiet book store time by herself)
Odd really, both of these conversations struck me as odd. I have answered one of the questions they sparked and not been able to answer the second. Maybe you can help me.
1. When someone asks me about socialization; I am not going to answer, but rather ask them in return if they have personally seen socialization as a problem with homeschooled students. (This would work well with a Dr. as they see lots of kids.) I myself, have been involved with homeschoolers one way or another for almost 20 years and have never seen this apparent lack.
2. What sort of vibe do I give off that screams "I home school my children!"? Alas, I still haven't answered this one and would welcome your hypotheses.
