Someone at work this morning asked if my kids were starting school today. I told  him I homeschool my daughter and we started last week.

He said his ex homeschooled thier kids and he hated it. Homeschool kids don't get to play sports (ha!), homeschool kids miss dances like the prom.. he said a few other things and I just laughed.

I told him my daughter swims and plays soccer. There are plenty of sports around that are not on a school team. And she is only 10, so not concerned about a prom, but I told him ,just because she is homeschooled doesn't mean she doesn't know any other kids.

It is kind of funny how some people think.

I'm a SAHM who homeschools and I got used to some of those goofy comments when I became a SAHM, but they get more weird when you add in homeschooling.  I also used to work fulltime (before ds) in a glass office building and would watch in wonder at the people that got to be "out" during the day.  I felt so free when I quit that job, so I think some people assume that you do that with homeschooling as well, never leave the house.  I just smile anymore at those comments.

yeah, maybe we need to change the name of homeschooling

"World Schooling" "Real World Educating" something like that, LOL!

I was talking to someone and mentioned my oldest was in college.  She says to me "does he really go to college, or do you teach that too!" 

Its amazing what people think. 

That reminds me, does anyone have any good explanation to give to your kids who ask about their friends who "go to REAL school"? My DD (almost 6) started REAL homeschool four weeks ago, but all her friends at church go to public school. So last week they all started and it's the big topic of conversation right now.  She asked me the other day about the kids who go to "real" school, if they miss their moms all day long. (I've tried to drive home the point to her that her friends that go to day care and/or that big school around the corner from our house don't get to spend as much time with their families as we do.)

When she said that, I told her, "Your school is real school too. The difference is I teach you." I'm not sure my argument was very persuasive, but I didn't know what else to say. Mostly it just reinforced in me my desire to link up with a local co-op group so that she can meet other homeschool kids her age, but alas that is not happening very quickly since everyone I call or email never contacts me back!! (AARRRggg!)

I had the problem in the beginning with the wording of homeschooling vs public school.  We just started saying "traditional classroom" that cover public and private. 

Maybe mention they have no time for fun trips to museums, places of interest like factory tours, historical tours, symphony, and such.  Just a thought.

FrugalMom,

My two kids are homeschooled and attended the public school dance last week.  Most dances and prom are considered a club,  since you have to pay admittance fee.  I don't know if other areas are set up this way?  Our homeschool group also participates in 4-H.

Being part of a homeschool group has really made homeschooling more enjoyable for all of us.  Our group meets twice per month and we all look forward to going. 

Maybe mention they have no time for fun trips to museums, places of interest like factory tours, historical tours, symphony, and such.  Just a thought

Sure they do, we just don't do it during the school day. :)  It's probably not a great idea to build up HSing by tearing down other types of schooling.

Hang in there Susan!

I had a man ask me was school out because I had my kids with me at Wal-Mart (On way to Dr appt).  I ignored him the first two times he asked but on the third time (and on my last nerve) I just smiled and said I guess you'll have to call the Board of Ed to find out if school is out today!  My children attend Private school.  He asked which private school?  I just smiled and responded At Home with Mom and GOD!  Can't get anymore private than that!  (He looked like I was from another planet!)  I just smiled and said a little prayer for him!

"What school do you attend?" seems to be adults' way to communicate with kids these days. Every time someone asks my daughter that question, I picture Great Aunt Edna with her puckered lips leaned over a baby saying koochie koochie koo wittle baby-waby. It's false communication. lol

I've gotten that a lot too. My daughter is 5.5, but she has DELIGHTED (and yes, I mean in ALL CAPS!) telling everyone everywhere we go, since the day of her fifth birthday, "Do you know, I'm FIVE?" Which of course, then leads them to ask the question, "So are you starting kindergarten?"

She just sort of looks at them blankly for a couple seconds and then responds, "I do home school".

I'm not sure if she responds that way because she doesn't understand that what we do is real school too, or if it's really because she's confused about the grade level distinction... she's doing K level some stuff, grade 1 level some other stuff, and we really don't dwell on what "Grade" she is in. So maybe she really doesn't "get it" when people ask her if she's starting kindergarten!

Well, around here we HAVE homeschool proms - and kids can go for all 4 years of highschool - not just 1 or 2.

We just went to a dance last week.  We spent 9 days touring the Biltmore, then going to the Live and Learn Conference - and then touring caves, gem mining, and going to Grandfather Mountain's animal conservatory and museum, and my son went across the swinging suspension bridge.  I did too - but I was scared! 

Feel sorry for the kids in school that have to stay in a classroom all day myself.  ;)