3rd Degree at the Beauty Shop

There I sat yesterday getting my hair cut with no way to gracefully get out of the cross-examination. It's actually been a long time since I've had to defend homeschooling, so I was a little out of practice.

I always get my hair done in a lady's home who has a shop in her basement. So usually there are just the two of us there to converse--except when I meet the person ahead of me who is all finished and ready to leave or when the person just after my hour's appointment comes a bit early. That's what happened--on both ends.

My beautician loves to inform everyone that we homeschooled our four children. It never fails; she likes to introduce her customers, and this little tidbit of information is sure to elicit conversation--especially among her older clientele who are of the old school of thinking. Yesterday was no exception.

"What about socialization?"  "Well, we found there were so many activities in our homeschool group in which to participate that we actually had to say "no" in order to not socialize so much and to get some schoolwork done." [I left it at that--this was not the time to go into a spiel on peer pressure and age segregated type of socialization.]

"So, you're a teacher by profession?" "Actually, no, I never went to college."

"Then how could you teach your children?"  "Well, because I love them and could spend quality one-on-one time with them teaching them exactly the way each one of them could learn the best. And I used excellent curriculum throughout our 17 years of schooling."

"Did your husband get involved in teaching?"  "Yes, he taught math and science every evening."

"What educational qualifications does he have?"  "He's an electrical engineer."

"And you said you have two sons in college?"  "Yes, one is in his second year of medical school studying to be a surgeon."

"Well, that says a lot!"  [Thanks, Micah, you made me look a lot better.]

"Aren't your daughters interested in college?" "No, not for a career. They're pursuing a business from home currently and then will be wives and moms someday" [Lord willing].

"Hmm..."

Well, I'm not sure I swayed this lady at all; she had plenty of her own opinions to add to the subject. But I managed to have an answer for the rapid-fire questions she threw at me. A couple of weeks ago I wrote a post on feeling a kinship with homeschooling families starting school. Now I'm right in there with them again--defending the right to do what they're doing.

~Deb

Comments

[Susan]

Yay, Deb!!!! This blesses my heart. I've had to defend myself to my extended family - aunts, uncles, cousins - for the years we've been homeschooling. My harshest critic has been my cousin, who is a teacher in California. All she can see is that I'm not following the school's calendar, and to her, that's horrible! LOL My children aren't getting enough education, yet she spends her days with fourth graders who can't read or spell, teaching her students according to government objectives. She is artistic and loves to teach art, but she can't do that freely in her classroom, because of the outcome-based objectives. I'm free to teach my children in a way that is best for each of them, but she is required to teach only what the government decides is necessary and the amount of time each day that is necessary. It's amazing how brainwashed she is! Maybe I should go blog about it instead of filling up your comment section! LOL Thanks for your post; we need more people to graciously defend homeschooling and turn out students who are actually well-educated!

[Paula]

One thing you can never be sure of in public school either is an attitude. The ground is pretty level when it comes to that. But at least at home, the parents have more say over the discipline of the students when attitude affects behavior.

[Deb]

Thank you, Susan, for your support. I'm glad you commented. I feel for homeschooling families who have to endure criticism when they're trying to give the best to their children.

Paula, I'm trying to recall some attitude problems through our years but can't really dredge any up. I'm thinking the majority of homeschooled children enjoy how they're learning and parents don't have attitude problems to overcome. But I could be wrong in that; I just never had to deal with it.

[Paula]

And I think that may have been my point! Trickle down effect maybe. What happens when 'school' isn't in session carries over into the 'classroom.' I didn't homeschool, but have friends who do. This is their experience. I support them wholeheartedly.