Re: Snappy responses
Lynda
My answer is "why?" You immediately get the fish out of water mouth
gapping look and then they shut up. Of course, if youngest kidlet is
around she is apt to answer them and I really feel sorry for them then!
Lynda
----------
From: megates@...
gapping look and then they shut up. Of course, if youngest kidlet is
around she is apt to answer them and I really feel sorry for them then!
Lynda
----------
From: megates@...
>
> > 1. "What curriculum do you use?"
> We put our own together.
> >
> > 2. "What do you do all day?"
> Probably the same things that you do with your kids when they are home.
> >
> > 3. "Do you work from home while the kids school?"
> Yes, when my children get involved in a project, I often find time to
> work on my own projects.
> >
> > 4. "I thought I saw you at the park yesterday. Are you on a break?"
> With our small class size, it doesn't take us very long to do our
> schoolwork. It leaves us plenty of time for other activities.
> >
> > 5. And, my personal favorite, "When are you going to put the kids
> > back
> > in school again?"
> I don't know. I'm taking this year by year.
> >
> Mary Ellen
> The darn trouble with cleaning the house is it gets dirty the next day
> anyway,
> so skip a week if you have to. The children are the most important
> thing.
> --Barbara Bush
>
> ________________________________________________________________
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Tim and Kerry Jones
Ok. I have received these five questions about homeschooling within the
last week and admit that I fell somewhere between sarcasm and outright
lying as I tried to answer each of them. So please, if you have a sec,
it would bring me great joy if some of you would submit your favorite
answers to the following questions so that I might be ready next time!
1. "What curriculum do you use?"
2. "What do you do all day?"
3. "Do you work from home while the kids school?"
4. "I thought I saw you at the park yesterday. Are you on a break?"
5. And, my personal favorite, "When are you going to put the kids back
in school again?"
See what I mean!! Thanks in advance for any advice.
Kerry in NC
last week and admit that I fell somewhere between sarcasm and outright
lying as I tried to answer each of them. So please, if you have a sec,
it would bring me great joy if some of you would submit your favorite
answers to the following questions so that I might be ready next time!
1. "What curriculum do you use?"
2. "What do you do all day?"
3. "Do you work from home while the kids school?"
4. "I thought I saw you at the park yesterday. Are you on a break?"
5. And, my personal favorite, "When are you going to put the kids back
in school again?"
See what I mean!! Thanks in advance for any advice.
Kerry in NC
Brown
Hi Kerry
After 13 years of homeschooling I feel far less threatened by questioners
than in the first few years. Take away the sick feeling in my stomach - what
do I say? what will they think if I give a 'bad' answer? - and I find I am
able to judge very quickly whether the person is actually genuinely
interested, but lacking understanding of what homeschooling is about, or if
they are just saying something to fill an empty space, or if they are
antagonistic to homeschooling.
So, if they are in the first category (rare) I explain nicely.
If they are in either of the other categories, I would say something like:
Keep it to the minimum. These questions are almost always in the same class
as 'how are you?' and if you've ever responded to that question with details
of your haemorrhoids, or your herpes virus, you'll understand what I'm
saying. They really don't want to know. And if you've misread them, they'll
ask more questions, so you'll know that they are really in the interested
but misguided category.
BTW my all time most hated question is 'Are you sure you are doing the best
thing for your children?'. The arrogance. I've been asked this a number of
times and after the first time I have responded brightly 'Oh no, I know it's
really bad for them, in fact I make it as unpleasant as possible for them, I
mean it really hurt giving birth so I figure I owe them a lot of agony for
that, I like them to really suffer, oh no it isn't best for them, but it
sure makes me feel better to see them suffer....etc. etc.....' This draws an
instant apology and is usually followed by some well considered questions,
and a far greater interest in homeschooling than was there before!
Good luck!
Carol
Carol
After 13 years of homeschooling I feel far less threatened by questioners
than in the first few years. Take away the sick feeling in my stomach - what
do I say? what will they think if I give a 'bad' answer? - and I find I am
able to judge very quickly whether the person is actually genuinely
interested, but lacking understanding of what homeschooling is about, or if
they are just saying something to fill an empty space, or if they are
antagonistic to homeschooling.
So, if they are in the first category (rare) I explain nicely.
If they are in either of the other categories, I would say something like:
> 1. "What curriculum do you use?"We don't.
> 2. "What do you do all day?"Enjoy life with my children.
> 3. "Do you work from home while the kids school?"We don't school.
> 4. "I thought I saw you at the park yesterday. Are you on a break?"No.
> 5. And, my personal favorite, "When are you going to put the kids backI'm not. (maybe adding - 'When are you going to take yours out?')
> in school again?"
Keep it to the minimum. These questions are almost always in the same class
as 'how are you?' and if you've ever responded to that question with details
of your haemorrhoids, or your herpes virus, you'll understand what I'm
saying. They really don't want to know. And if you've misread them, they'll
ask more questions, so you'll know that they are really in the interested
but misguided category.
BTW my all time most hated question is 'Are you sure you are doing the best
thing for your children?'. The arrogance. I've been asked this a number of
times and after the first time I have responded brightly 'Oh no, I know it's
really bad for them, in fact I make it as unpleasant as possible for them, I
mean it really hurt giving birth so I figure I owe them a lot of agony for
that, I like them to really suffer, oh no it isn't best for them, but it
sure makes me feel better to see them suffer....etc. etc.....' This draws an
instant apology and is usually followed by some well considered questions,
and a far greater interest in homeschooling than was there before!
Good luck!
Carol
Carol
[email protected]
In a message dated 01/18/2000 6:58:21 PM !!!First Boot!!!, pakt@...
writes:
<< it would bring me great joy if some of you would submit your favorite
answers to the following questions so that I might be ready next time!
1. "What curriculum do you use?"
2. "What do you do all day?"
3. "Do you work from home while the kids school?"
4. "I thought I saw you at the park yesterday. Are you on a break?"
5. And, my personal favorite, "When are you going to put the kids back
in school again?"
See what I mean!! Thanks in advance for an >>
Ok -- are you trying to blow these people off, let them know how rude you
think they are, actually answer the questions, educate them to possibilities
they might not know about, a blend of the above, none of the above. I find
these questions can take a lot of energy but sometimes, rarely, the
conversation is actually worth it.
So:
1. We do not follow a strict curriculum. It is not required in our state.
One can, of course, puchase a pre-packaged curr. I have check on what the
state standards are for the public schools and feel that these are so
pathetic that I have no fear that we are doing at least that much (in our
sleep). This last is usually met with vigorous nods from anyone with a child
in ps. My experience only of course.
If this does not fully satisfy the questioner, there is usually an actual
conversation about how different families do things and how each child has
different needs and rates and methods of learning. Etc etc etc.
2. I have never been asked this -- what a stupid question. Anyone who is
home with two kids knows what you do all day -- you never sit -- except for
now typing on the computer. Are they asking about your schedule or just not
comfortable being with their kids for that much of the day? I am confused by
the question and would probably laugh and say, well, we're very busy, what do
you mean??
3. I do work part-time, handling the billing/banking/payroll for my
husband's biz -- all that admin stuff that he can't stand -- at least we're
not paying someone else to do it. Yes, the kids now know how to use the
little pneumatic tube at the bank!
4. Really, we missed you -- were you there? Another odd question. I would
say we must have been playing tennis, or basketball, or kite flying, or
whatever it was we were doing. The kids had a ball!
5. I say that we are keeping our options open but I really haven't heard
anything that has made me want to rush back. Again, this usually brings nods
and a horror story or two about ps.
Sometimes people just want to vent about their ps, sometimes they even have a
nice program to brag about, sometimes they are genuinely curious. Sometimes
they are just nosy Parkers.
I guess you have to judge and go with how much energy you have that day.
Good luck.
Nance
writes:
<< it would bring me great joy if some of you would submit your favorite
answers to the following questions so that I might be ready next time!
1. "What curriculum do you use?"
2. "What do you do all day?"
3. "Do you work from home while the kids school?"
4. "I thought I saw you at the park yesterday. Are you on a break?"
5. And, my personal favorite, "When are you going to put the kids back
in school again?"
See what I mean!! Thanks in advance for an >>
Ok -- are you trying to blow these people off, let them know how rude you
think they are, actually answer the questions, educate them to possibilities
they might not know about, a blend of the above, none of the above. I find
these questions can take a lot of energy but sometimes, rarely, the
conversation is actually worth it.
So:
1. We do not follow a strict curriculum. It is not required in our state.
One can, of course, puchase a pre-packaged curr. I have check on what the
state standards are for the public schools and feel that these are so
pathetic that I have no fear that we are doing at least that much (in our
sleep). This last is usually met with vigorous nods from anyone with a child
in ps. My experience only of course.
If this does not fully satisfy the questioner, there is usually an actual
conversation about how different families do things and how each child has
different needs and rates and methods of learning. Etc etc etc.
2. I have never been asked this -- what a stupid question. Anyone who is
home with two kids knows what you do all day -- you never sit -- except for
now typing on the computer. Are they asking about your schedule or just not
comfortable being with their kids for that much of the day? I am confused by
the question and would probably laugh and say, well, we're very busy, what do
you mean??
3. I do work part-time, handling the billing/banking/payroll for my
husband's biz -- all that admin stuff that he can't stand -- at least we're
not paying someone else to do it. Yes, the kids now know how to use the
little pneumatic tube at the bank!
4. Really, we missed you -- were you there? Another odd question. I would
say we must have been playing tennis, or basketball, or kite flying, or
whatever it was we were doing. The kids had a ball!
5. I say that we are keeping our options open but I really haven't heard
anything that has made me want to rush back. Again, this usually brings nods
and a horror story or two about ps.
Sometimes people just want to vent about their ps, sometimes they even have a
nice program to brag about, sometimes they are genuinely curious. Sometimes
they are just nosy Parkers.
I guess you have to judge and go with how much energy you have that day.
Good luck.
Nance
[email protected]
> 1. "What curriculum do you use?"We put our own together.
>Probably the same things that you do with your kids when they are home.
> 2. "What do you do all day?"
>Yes, when my children get involved in a project, I often find time to
> 3. "Do you work from home while the kids school?"
work on my own projects.
>With our small class size, it doesn't take us very long to do our
> 4. "I thought I saw you at the park yesterday. Are you on a break?"
schoolwork. It leaves us plenty of time for other activities.
>I don't know. I'm taking this year by year.
> 5. And, my personal favorite, "When are you going to put the kids
> back
> in school again?"
>Mary Ellen
The darn trouble with cleaning the house is it gets dirty the next day
anyway,
so skip a week if you have to. The children are the most important
thing.
--Barbara Bush
________________________________________________________________
YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET!
Juno now offers FREE Internet Access!
Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit:
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Thomas and Nanci Kuykendall
>BTW my all time most hated question is 'Are you sure you are doing the bestThat's hilarious! I'll have to use that!
>thing for your children?'. The arrogance. I've been asked this a number of
>times and after the first time I have responded brightly 'Oh no, I know it's
>really bad for them, in fact I make it as unpleasant as possible for them, I
>mean it really hurt giving birth so I figure I owe them a lot of agony for
>that, I like them to really suffer, oh no it isn't best for them, but it
>sure makes me feel better to see them suffer....etc. etc.....' This draws an
>instant apology and is usually followed by some well considered questions,
>and a far greater interest in homeschooling than was there before!
>
>Good luck!
>
>Carol
Nanci K.
NMades
I'm not unschooling yet, but even talking about it to people has elicited
that "best thing for your children" response/question.
I've been answering that I'm going to blamed for how ever they turn out
anyway, I figure I might as well do what I think is right.
Nancy
At 03:08 PM 1/18/00 -0700, you wrote:
that "best thing for your children" response/question.
I've been answering that I'm going to blamed for how ever they turn out
anyway, I figure I might as well do what I think is right.
Nancy
At 03:08 PM 1/18/00 -0700, you wrote:
>From: Thomas and Nanci Kuykendall <tn-k4of5@...>
>
>>BTW my all time most hated question is 'Are you sure you are doing the best
>>thing for your children?'. The arrogance. I've been asked this a number of
>>times and after the first time I have responded brightly 'Oh no, I know it's
>>really bad for them, in fact I make it as unpleasant as possible for them, I
>>mean it really hurt giving birth so I figure I owe them a lot of agony for
>>that, I like them to really suffer, oh no it isn't best for them, but it
>>sure makes me feel better to see them suffer....etc. etc.....' This draws an
>>instant apology and is usually followed by some well considered questions,
>>and a far greater interest in homeschooling than was there before!
>>
>>Good luck!
>>
>>Carol
>
>That's hilarious! I'll have to use that!
>
>Nanci K.
>
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>
[email protected]
In a message dated 01/18/2000 12:11:30 PM Pacific Standard Time,
mjcmbrwn@... writes:
These responses are almost identical to my own! I have learned to give very
short 1-2 word answers. I am seldom asked more, even when I can see that
I have possibly confused someone. Either I intimidate them (possible <ev>)
or they really weren't that interested to begin with.
<< Kathy
If they are in either of the other categories, I would say something like:
home.
mjcmbrwn@... writes:
These responses are almost identical to my own! I have learned to give very
short 1-2 word answers. I am seldom asked more, even when I can see that
I have possibly confused someone. Either I intimidate them (possible <ev>)
or they really weren't that interested to begin with.
<< Kathy
If they are in either of the other categories, I would say something like:
> 1. "What curriculum do you use?"We don't.
> 2. "What do you do all day?"Enjoy life with my children.
> 3. "Do you work from home while the kids school?"We don't school. <<<< we don't do school at home. and yes I do work from
home.
> 4. "I thought I saw you at the park yesterday. Are you on a break?"No. <<<<<no we learn year round.
> 5. And, my personal favorite, "When are you going to put the kids backI'm not. (maybe adding - 'When are you going to take yours out?') << >>
> in school again?"
[email protected]
Kerry wrote:
Dear Kerry...
My general advice is to bore them to tears-using as much "education-ese" as
you can sprinkle into conversations. They'll either be impressed or sorry
they asked! This is what I mean...
<< 1. "What curriculum do you use?"
On a ___________(daily, weekly, monthly) basis, I evaluate the children's
skills and design for them an IEP (Individual educational plan...but use the
acronym, it sounds more impressive). According to the outcome of the IEP
conference, we glean resources from many different academic areas, using
content that is pertinent to their particular needs and interests. (get the
idea?)
2. "What do you do all day?"
We spend our day working on a rotation basis with multiple educational tools
designed for teaching ADL's (activities of daily living). Children and
adults work daily on expanding their creative potential using all resources
available to them. We also hold daily workshops dealing with the following
subjects: crisis management; diversity education; handling emotions and
sibling rivalry.
3. "Do you work from home while the kids school?"
My husband (partner, etc.) are co-researchers on a longitudinal study that
involves the observation of multi-age subjects while at work and play. On a
daily basis, we evaluate the relevancy of the educational approach to the
desired outcome for the subject. This study is time-consuming; requiring 24
hour attentiveness and leaves me too busy at this time to pursue other
commitments.
4. "I thought I saw you at the park yesterday. Are you on a break?"
No, we were actually testing a recently published study that states that
children learn better when offered the opportunity for regular outdoor
exercise and exposure to natural elements. After analyzing the personal data
we compiled, we found ourselves quite in agreement with the study!
5. And, my personal favorite, "When are you going to put the kids back
in school again?"
My children are already in school, if you consider school to be a place where
people pursue learning. With the new technology and all the opportunities
available for learning; why would anyone think that only children who attend
a traditional brick and mortar institution are indeed attending school?
I'm being very tongue-in-cheek here, obviously. If you don't want to bother
with all this, the old stand-by of smiling and saying nothing at all works or
turn the question back on them...
When they say "What do you do all day," smile really big and say...What an
interesting question...What do you do all day?
Good luck and have fun....don't let them know you're flustered; fluster them
instead, but do it with a smile
Carol from WI
Dear Kerry...
My general advice is to bore them to tears-using as much "education-ese" as
you can sprinkle into conversations. They'll either be impressed or sorry
they asked! This is what I mean...
<< 1. "What curriculum do you use?"
On a ___________(daily, weekly, monthly) basis, I evaluate the children's
skills and design for them an IEP (Individual educational plan...but use the
acronym, it sounds more impressive). According to the outcome of the IEP
conference, we glean resources from many different academic areas, using
content that is pertinent to their particular needs and interests. (get the
idea?)
2. "What do you do all day?"
We spend our day working on a rotation basis with multiple educational tools
designed for teaching ADL's (activities of daily living). Children and
adults work daily on expanding their creative potential using all resources
available to them. We also hold daily workshops dealing with the following
subjects: crisis management; diversity education; handling emotions and
sibling rivalry.
3. "Do you work from home while the kids school?"
My husband (partner, etc.) are co-researchers on a longitudinal study that
involves the observation of multi-age subjects while at work and play. On a
daily basis, we evaluate the relevancy of the educational approach to the
desired outcome for the subject. This study is time-consuming; requiring 24
hour attentiveness and leaves me too busy at this time to pursue other
commitments.
4. "I thought I saw you at the park yesterday. Are you on a break?"
No, we were actually testing a recently published study that states that
children learn better when offered the opportunity for regular outdoor
exercise and exposure to natural elements. After analyzing the personal data
we compiled, we found ourselves quite in agreement with the study!
5. And, my personal favorite, "When are you going to put the kids back
in school again?"
My children are already in school, if you consider school to be a place where
people pursue learning. With the new technology and all the opportunities
available for learning; why would anyone think that only children who attend
a traditional brick and mortar institution are indeed attending school?
I'm being very tongue-in-cheek here, obviously. If you don't want to bother
with all this, the old stand-by of smiling and saying nothing at all works or
turn the question back on them...
When they say "What do you do all day," smile really big and say...What an
interesting question...What do you do all day?
Good luck and have fun....don't let them know you're flustered; fluster them
instead, but do it with a smile
Carol from WI
[email protected]
Hilarious!
Mary Ellen
YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET!
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Mary Ellen
> BTW my all time most hated question is 'Are you sure you are doing________________________________________________________________
> the best
> thing for your children?'. The arrogance. I've been asked this a
> number of
> times and after the first time I have responded brightly 'Oh no, I
> know it's
> really bad for them, in fact I make it as unpleasant as possible for
> them, I
> mean it really hurt giving birth so I figure I owe them a lot of
> agony for
> that, I like them to really suffer, oh no it isn't best for them,
> but it
> sure makes me feel better to see them suffer....etc. etc.....' This
> draws an
> instant apology and is usually followed by some well considered
> questions,
> and a far greater interest in homeschooling than was there before!
>
> Good luck!
>
> Carol
YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET!
Juno now offers FREE Internet Access!
Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit:
http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.
Shimokawa Family
> 1. "What curriculum do you use?"*I've created my own tailor-made program for each child.
>
> 2. "What do you do all day?"*School. What do you do?
>
> 3. "Do you work from home while the kids school?"*Do public school teachers "work" while the kids school?
>
> 4. "I thought I saw you at the park yesterday. Are you on a break?"*recess
>
> 5. And, my personal favorite, "When are you going to put the kids back*They ARE in school.
> in school again?"
I have a problem with tact - can you tell :-P
Love, Melanie in Japan - whose oldest is three, but has to deal with
this kind of thing already!
AOL IM: Vouget