Sunday, September 19, 2010

Looking for the clubhouse…

These thoughts popped in my head as I got a long overdue shower this afternoon. Ahem. So I thought I’d post them, for what they’re worth. Granted, I’m aware that that might not be much.

I was thinking about how some homeschooling bloggers avoid being very “Rah Rah!” about homeschooling. There’s a lot of “this works for me, but I’m certainly not suggesting that your choice is in any way inferior to mine” going around the mommy blogger sphere. I understand why this is… nobody wants to add extra to the loads of mommy guilt that we all feel over our decisions.

But… I’d like to find the “Rah Rah!” homeschooling clubhouse, please. I’m hoping for a quiet corner of the internet where those of us in agreement can climb in and pull up the rope ladder. There would be nice, hand lettered signs on the outside that say, “If you don’t think homeschooling is the most awesome thing EVER, please don’t come in. We don’t want to offend you. The Private School Clubhouse, and the Public School Clubhouses are just around the corner. Peace out.,” etc.

I think that a lot of us would like a little more “Rah Rah!” about our particular choices on some days. It helps keep us going when times are tough because of those choices. Unless you’re being smacked in the face that this choice isn’t right for you, you want to hear why it’s great.

For instance, the mom who’s spending $20,000 a year on her children’s private school education might not want to hear on a particular day that somebody else’s children are thriving in their local public school. If so, then she wonders if she’s totally wasting her money. Why not get that bathroom remodel and great big soaking tub she’s always wanted instead? If it doesn’t really matter that they go to private school, she wonders periodically if she might as well tear her money into bitty pieces and eat it. She needs to go to the Private School Clubhouse and kick back for a bit…

And if my children will thrive in the local school, then why am I planning to bust my hump every day to teach them? Might as well throw their backpacks on them, tell them to go wait for the bus, and put my feet up, right? If I feel like this, maybe its time to visit the Home School Clubhouse for some Little Debbies and a chat about the wonders of unit studies. =)

There are days when the clubhouse might come in handy for all of us, I think. It’s encouraging to see others get really excited about a choice that you’re embracing as well. What would be your clubhouse of choice? =)

4 comments:

littlebeemama said...

I'd love for you to post some Rah-Rah moments. It would provide a first hand glimpse for other moms to learn more about the benefits of homeschooling!

Ellen said...

Thanks for being positive, Ruthie. I wasn't sure exactly how this post would come across, and I was hesitant about putting it up...

Brandy Vencel said...

I would like to visit such a clubhouse! Maybe you are the one to build it, Ellen.

If you build it, they will come...

Ha.

Or something like that.

I'd come, anyhow. :)

Rachel said...

Yes, Ellen,
build it, I'll come!!! : )

I agree... if all choices are fine and lead to well adjusted, happy, Christian, well educated children in the end, then why do we have so many failures to look at for those who have been through the system? I know there are failures in every situation, but I don't feel like there is a choice for me, I home school because I feel it is the only choice for me. Ok, I'll stop now!! : )

I also agree we could use a little more talk about why we home school and that it is really a choice more people should think about!!