« Why are Homeschoolers so Weird & Unsocialized? »

Children are who they are {mostly} because that is the child's general character, not because of how they are educated.

The things that my children are learning in school are not the same things they would be learning at a 'normal' school.

"But surely, they are sheltered from something by not being in school?" I am often asked.

Well, yes. Yes, they are.

They are sheltered from the dread that comes with having to go to school every single day where they could possibly be bullied, teased by friends or singled out by an over-worked, under-paid teacher.

They are sheltered from being required to sit through a class for an entire year on subjects that are not pertinent to them. (and more importantly, are not in line with our own personal value system)

They are sheltered from spending all day, every day, in an environment that might not be the best for them, in a multitude of ways.

They are sheltered from not being able to have any say in the subjects they learn.

I'm proud to be raising Christian children who are honest, faithful and respectful.

I'm proud to be raising a son who wanted to create a lemon battery just to see if he could light an LED (he did). 

I'm proud to be raising a daughter who loves animals so much she wanted to create her very own rain forest.

I'm proud to be raising a 5 year old daughter who knows who Leonardo da Vinci and what he is famous for.

I'm proud to be mom to three weird, unsocialized homeschoolers! Children with amazing characters who frequently enjoy the company of their friends.

Comments

[Stasha]

Oh T, love this post. How our children reach their education is a path, not a goal. Goal is a well rounded and knowledgable people who will run this world tomorrow. And if they can light up an LED with lemons, OUR FUTURE S BRIGHT!

[Michelle @ ocm]

Sounds like a fun ideal way to get some schooling to me. :)

[Tessa]

Stopping by from the Happiness Is... blog hop!

I think about homeschooling all the time! So far my kids are in public school and very happy (1st and pre-K) but on a near weekly basis I wonder if it's the best thing for them. Or what would I do IF they started getting bullied, or IF they got a bad teacher one year. Who knew parenting came with SO MANY choices!

Congratulations for making strong choices and being proud of them. I'm sure you're kids are doing just fine! The lemon battery project looks awesome.

[Nancy @ A Rural Journal]

Rats. I forgot the captcha.

Well, I think you are doing a great thing. :)

[Serednipity is Sweet]

Amen. ;)

[Breena]

Love how creative your children are! I'm proud of you and them too! Thanks so much for sharing at "Life as this Mommy knows It"!

[June Makes Six]

Awesome post, the battery and rain forest are fabulous....so glad the battery worked!

Tiffany

[Molly]

I am always telling my kids they are weird... and that this is brilliant as I am too. Weird is wonderful in my book, embrace and love who we are

Mollyxxx

[Dina @ 4 Lettre Words]

You should be proud! Great job, my friend.

[Herding Cats]

What a fantastic post and such great pictures.

[Gina]

Oh you certainly summed it up T!!!! I get these questions all the time & when I get the socialization questions I just have to say "oh- you mean where they learn about drugs, cussing, disrespectful behavior to their parents & promiscuity" Um- like I tell my hubs when he is telling me about how he gets grief from others for "sheltering" our kids. Our kids will be curing cancer one day & their kids will be mopping the floor around them. My son always tells me that he likes to have school be just for school- where he can focus & learn. Then when he's done he can go hang with his friends. He knows that he would not be getting all that he could from his coursework if he had the distractions of friends around. Here in NV we have a graduation rate of about 50%- surely I can give them better. They certainly deserve it.

[Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell]

I see nothing weird here. I just see talent, creativity, and wonderful minds blooming with ideas!

[Katherines Corner]

Weird? I don't see anything weird? I see a lot of creativity! xo

[scrappysue]

awesome :) have u been homeschooling long?

[tracey]

Weirdos exist in public school. I can think of a couple of recent events that prove that public school doesn't churn out 100% well-adjusted, happy people. Any shootings or stabbings in the news lately? Yeah. I thought so.

We have plenty of friends. PLENTY. Don't worry about my homeschooled kids and I won't worry about your public schooled kids.