It’s What I Want. Sorry to Disappoint You.
Chris pointed out what appears to be a misconception about homeschoolers. Apparently we homeschool because men want to hold us back and keep us in the home where we belong. I can’t speak for all homeschoolers but as for myself I will say that I homeschool because I’m selfish and lazy. Plus, it’s what I want to do.
I homeschool because:
I like to sleep in on a rainy day instead of grabbing an umbrella and rushing my children to the bus stop.
I much prefer mucking around in the mud studying the life cycle of aquatic animals to spending up to 12 hours in front of computer screen trying to figure out what the hell that idiot did to my code.
Homeschooling gives me a good reason to have a messy house – I was busy teaching the kids.
I have time to plan, shop, and prepare what I want for dinner not choose from the crap on the menu at a local restaurant. If I want mac and cheese like mom use to make I can have it. Alternately I can fix a healthy meal with fresh ingredients. It’s good for my health.
I can go on vacation wherever I want whenever I want. The public school does not have the power to decide when I vacation. I like having the freedom to travel.
It pleases me that my children get to interact with groups of people with different backgrounds than my own. Not something they could do in their predominantly white, middle-class classroom.
I like fooling people. They think I devote my life to the needs of my children. I get a lot of undue respect. They haven’t figured out I homeschool because I don’t want to work at a paying job. I like scheduling my own days, picking my own work hours, and taking a break (or a bath) when I want one.
I like buying school supplies. Homeschoolers buy school supplies all year long. It’s a good excuse to indulge myself. The kids need glue sticks. I’m going to office depot. I’m a gatherer at heart.
I like having the chance to study things I’m interested in instead of learning a new programming language because my boss wants me to. I get the freedom to learn about the things that mean the most to me. I like learning and homeschooling is all about learning.
I have time to do what makes me happy. I don’t think a boss would approve of me knitting a hat in a meeting with an important client. Unless the client was Martha Stewart. Then it might be OK.
I could go on and on but I won’t. What I’m saying is
- I homeschool because I value my freedom more than a paycheck.
- I’ve never seen homeschooling as a means of restricting my life or holding me back as a woman.
- My life is a lot more fulfilling now than when I had a paying job.
- I value some things more than being able to afford a $400 pair of shoes.
- I don’t see my children as chores. The laundry is a chore. That’s why my husband does the majority of that.
I don’t suppose everyone understands.
I couldn’t agree more! Homeschooling is more important than a paycheck to me. And having the freedom to make that choice is what feminism is about.
Great post!
I would only add that I homeschool because I don’t like other people bossing me around. Oh, and I don’t have to suck up to anyone here.
And I am so glad to learn I am not the only one who loves to buy office supplies. By far the best homeschooling perk.
Summer – Yes. I’ll never understand why people assume a mother that stays at home is making a sacrifice.
Charity – Office supplies make the world go around. :)
We’ve been giving serious thought to homeschooling. We shall see.
I love your honesty. People always have a BS reason at the ready for whatever it is they do – I love it when someone just tells the truth!
I am considering homeschool and all your reasons look like positives. I am considering it because I don’t like that they changed to all day kindergarten and basic dislike of the teachers.
Whit – Go for it!
Island Girl – No BS around here. Ok that was BS but you know what I mean. I get tired of people always feeling they need a righteous reason for everything they do. Sometimes things are good just because you like them that way.
Jennifer – I have lot of other reasons I homeschool. My daughter was bored at school. I wanted them to have time to be kids. I thought I could do better job. etc. I don’t like full day kindergarten but that didn’t seem to be a problem with my oldest. I think it would have been for my youngest.
Disliking the teacher should be a huge concern for any parent. That is the person that will spend a large number of hours each week with your child. It’s also the reason I considered homeschooling a serious option. My daughters first grade teacher was terrible. She was nice to my daughter but that wasn’t the point. She had to spend time in a crappy environment with a bad example as an authority figure. Many parents complained but the school did nothing about it. I didn’t trust the school to look out for the best interest of my children.
Love this post! Your reasons are great! We homeschool too, for many reasons as well and enjoy the freedom it gives our family to be a real family.
I tag you to participate in this meme:
http://momtoanangel.blogspot.com/2007/06/8-things-about-me.html
Michelle – Thanks. I’m glad you liked the post. I’ll get to work on that meme.