Julie Stauffer

<<Julie: Are there any websites you could direct me to concerning your
beliefs?>>

As far as I know, I'm the only one who believes like I do. Surely there
must be more, but I'm unaware of them. I worship Lutheran and attend an
organized church because my children like it. I tend to keep my mouth shut
a lot :)

Julie

Joseph Fuerst

>>We finally got the Jan/Feb issue out the door to the printer, and
it's another terrific one. It's a good feeling to have all these many
parts and pieces - articles, columns, photos, ads, letters, etc. come
together into a nice, cohesive whole. Still just amazes me how we
keep managing to pull it off after almost 20 years at this - and we
still get just as big a kick out of wrapping up an issue as we did
back in 1984! <g><<

Congrats!

>>Nice to see this list didn't implode. <<<

No, actually it appears quite a few 'new' voices are speaking up.....like a
plant with new growth. Hope it doesn't get choked out by the sense of
righteousness and argumentativeness that can still be seen at times (I'm
trying to ignore it myself.....not always easy especially when coping with
an aggravating headcold which was not in my 'plan' for the holidays!!)


>>Had an interesting encounter yesterday while getting my brakes fixed
down at the local tire shop. <snip>... I was beginning to wonder if I'd
unconsciously frowned at the word 'school' or something to invoke
such a defensive reaction.

this lady's intensity has been
making me wonder whether or not it's a good thing that homeschooling
is perceived as so... I dunno... wholesome? Unimpeachable? (Where's
that damn thesaurus when I need it? <g>)<<

Had a similar experience at our family doc's office a few weeks ago when I
took the baby for a well check. Our family physicain is a true gem. His is
a homeschooling family, and we always chat about how things are going with
that. It's great to not have to put on that generic "homeschooling is
great" face and say things are terrific ....which is what I do for most
people I think would not really understand.
Our doc said his sister was in to get her teenaged son checked and he
wanted to introduce us. His sister and I have a mutual friend......anyway,
I was talking with her and eventually asked if she homeschooled. She got a
funny look on her face and gave the ol' "Well, I could never do that. It
wouldn't work for my family. I don't know how you do it...I want you to
know I really admire you for what you're doing!" This said with a look
which I read to say....."you must be crazy to take on such a monumantal
undertaking....and you must be *something else* to be able to have your kids
around 24-7."
I was taken aback somewhat...I got a strange feeling in my gut ...and in
my head thought, "Look lady, I'm a mother, as you are, and I love my
children. And not sending them to school does NOT put me in the category of
untouchable saint with supreme patience. We just chose a different
lifestyle...in fact, I don't know how *you* manage with four children in
three different schools." [Her children are older than mine - one
elementary, one in middle school and two in high school.) Of course, all I
could muster was "uh, ..well, thanks."
This whole scene keeps coming back to me for similar reasons to what you
mentioned, Helen. I remember thinking later that the whole thing was so
strange.....wondering why she seemed to put me and this lifestyle on some
sort of pedestal. I have decided I need to be prepared for these types of
encounters. maybe we (listmembers) can come up with responses which may be
ready.
I'm aware of my own guarded statements with aquaintences vested in the
school process....I notice I usually say how 'great' everything is with
'homeschooling' (goodness knows what they'd think of unschooling!!) With
friends, I can always talk about some of the trade-offs of this lifestyle
vs. a 'school' one.

>>On the one hand I think it's great that homeschooling has such a warm
fuzzy rep, but on the other hand I worry about this attitude
backfiring, people going overboard to justify their decision NOT to
homeschool, and weighing in even more heavily on the school - even
alternative school - side of the issue.<<


This is tough....I have one friend who used to proclaim, "I could never do
that!" She has seen at least four friends move into or engage in a
homeschooling lifestyle. And it's challenged her to see a) that she *could*
do it; and b) that her friends who have done it are happy with this
lifestyle.
I know for myself, I do love this lifestyle....and couldn't imagine the
stress of coping with my children in a school system...all the
parent-teacher politics, the competition between children....and between
parents, the car-pooling, the schedule, the 'after-school' activities.
Yet I know I present the ever-rosy "Homeschooling is GREAT!" to those I feel
sort of defensive around (teacher-types -or the I-could-never-do-that
types), even when going throug a rough spot.

I can say that as I gain more experience and insight, I gain confidence
in my conviction that this lifestyle is more peaceful for our family - and
would possibly be for many others. And that "I could never do that" comes
from a total lack of understanding - the "school" mentality is deeply
ingrained!! (myself included...at least for me it's past tense now).

I remember once a t a seminar...the presenting couple had nine children
and homeschooled. I was sitting with some friends I knew since
college...and they seemed thoroughly amazed at this.... and I said, "Think
about it....with nine children, homeschooling HAS to be simpler than
juggling infants, preschoolers, elementary, middle and high schoolers -
just in terms of packing lunches, dressing everyone, and getting them where
they are supposed to be."

My ramblings......interested to hear other's perpectives. Have a great day!

Susan