[email protected]

In a message dated 11/21/2001 1:19:47 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[email protected] writes:


> They say they could never homeschool because (choose one or all
> of the following:) they're not organized enough, coundn't work that
> hard, that they don't know enough, that the kids need socializing, or
> (the saddest "reason" of all) that they couldn't stand being around
>

I changed how I responded to the last one when I realized that sometimes it
was being said by people I really respected and knew were very good parents.
What I started to see in many instances (not all, alas...some parents
genuinely don't like their kids much) was that the idea of spending most of
their time with their kids HOW IT LOOKS NOW sounded awful.

Think about it...if your kids are in school, a day can look like this: rush
and nag to get everyone out on time with everything they need, spend a day
apart, then fight about homework, etc. Feed, bathe, and get to bed.

Instead of being horrified, I now explain that when you homeschool, things
look different. I don't HAVE to nag and rush Julian out or to bed...we no
longer have to fight about homework. If we do have a conflict, we have time
to work it out. Our relationship is better because we have time to give it
the attention it needs.

What's neat is that I find that parents seem to respond to that most--more
than socialization, or being able to teach astrophysics, or organization
deficits. Parents WANT to like their kids, and I think they're sad when they
find themselves unable to. Here's a chance!

Kathryn


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