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There are a lot of ideas about homeschooling and homeschool families and especially homeschool moms that are completely unfounded and almost pure opinion. If you are a homeschool mom, you know what I mean.  If you are a Christian homeschool mom, perhaps you are unaware that we, as a whole, are viewed as 'holier than thou' women by many of our fellow moms and even fellow believers.
I was recently told in a comment  a common belief about homeschoolers:
(mockingly) "But do you teach them about God? Yes? But do you teach them modesty and to only ever wear skirts and keep their hair long and never to tweeze, shave, color, or otherwise enhance her beauty? You do? But do you homeschool them? You do? But what curriculum do you use? Oh, do you UNschool them?  NO ONE can live up to the impossibly high standards they (us homeschool moms) seem to have set. Of course, they claim to be imperfect, but do they really see themselves that way? Or are they just a teensy bit more godly than the rest of us?"

I contend that we know that we are not perfect. We struggle with our health, with finances, with loss, with our attitudes. We are not who a lot of people think we are. I have lived with this type of opinion for as long as I can remember. And, it is ok with me now. I am not yet content with who I am, because I am still working on it, but I am content to be a homeschool mom of 8. I am content to have people stare and ask stupid questions like, "Are those kids all yours?"  "Are you done now?"  "How do you do it?"  "I couldn't stand to be home with my kids all day - and I only have 2!" Ok, maybe they aren't stupid questions, just stupidly asked. Tactlessly asked.
I know I am not sitting at home, waiting hand and foot endlessly 'like a doormat' or someone who stays home because 'I am not smart enough to do anything else' ... yeah, *you* try to organize and run this household, hehehh.

People act like it's ok to offend homeschoolers and large families, but, by golly, don't offend someone who doesn't want more children. Don't project your opinions on them. That is judgmental. And, don't force your beliefs on them, though they may do that to you. People also act like you must be rolling in the dough and have absolutely no other problems because your children will sit and be well-behaved in a restaurant and, well, you must be rich to afford all of those children. Or, you just do not understand about the real world. I mean, how could you? You don't shop and get gas and drive in the real world... Like we just fell off of the first spaceship back from Mars.

I know homeschool moms. We are all normal people. We have broken lives and great lives. We have children who are terribly sweet and don't back-talk, and we have children who shun our ideals. We have great health, and we have family who live with illness and even die from it. We are people. We may think differently. We may have to defend our ideals and reasons we homeschool, but we are human beings.

Have you heard of The Old Homeschoolhouse Minute-To-Minute e-newsletter?  The MTM newsletter that I just found in my inbox, that reveals that "Yes, A chronically ill mom can homeschool." The answers and encouragement for this mom come from homeschool moms who are battling and homeschooling with auto immune disease, disabling depression, very long bouts with pneumonia and numerous lung/sinus ailments, chronic headaches, pain, and muscle fatigue, and the list goes on. 

We are real people. We band together to encourage each other, yes, of course. That does not mean we think we are better than anyone. And, I think everyone pretty much thinks they are doing the right thing... or at least the best thing. I mean, who would intentionally do the worst thing for their family and children?

Ok, well, that's food for thought. I'm sure everyone has an opinion on this, because, we all have opinions on everything, don't we? Go on over to Home Where They Belong and join in on the discussion. My Keep Their Hearts post is the topic, but the commenting has moved to Deb's post and Tia posted it on The Front Porch, so there are homeschool moms commenting on this topic there too.

blessings!
Jacque

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Comments

Saturday, November 24, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by blessedmomof10

Jacque,
Oh how I needed to read this post! I am feeling a bit discouraged about things as of late and your post was a big boost of encouragement!
As a homeschooling mama of 10 precious ones.... I can honestly say I am *real* ....... I deal with the same stuff that non homeschooling moms go thru..... I have good days and discouraging days and moments and yes I do even yell at my kids occasionally!
I don't know why some think that because we homeschool we think we are better..... for surely that is not true... in our prior congregration there was a big deviseness between those that homeschooled and those that didn't and I just couldn't figure out why?
I homeschool because I feel that is what is best for my children and yes, I am an imperfect mama...... what can I say -- 10 kiddos in a 3 bedroom 1 bath home in the country taxes me ....... but this is what I feel the Lord has called me to do.
Thanks for writing and sharing.
Blessings,
Gloria
ps. I just discovered you blog at homeschool blogger ......

Saturday, November 24, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Charity

Thanks for sharing!!!

Sunday, November 25, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

Maybe these women's conscience's are pricked by our presence? They either did not, or are not home education and feel the need to lash out, be defensive, be hateful.

Who cares what they think anyway? Are we serving man (woman) or are we serving God? Who cares what the world things.........

Sunday, November 25, 2007 - Living transparently

Posted by blessingsbaound

It is so important that we live our lives out transparently for others to see His good work in each of us. Some will mock that work, some will try to make excuses for that work they see in us that He couldn't do that with them, and others wil be drawn to that work... they will see teh fruit mixed in with all the prunning that we are doing each day, that the Lord is doing in us and they will desire to know Him more. That is my prayer.. not that people think I have my life together, not that I have great kids, not that I have a perfect marriage but that I have a FAITHFUL GOD!

WIth much love, Mrs. Joseph Wood

Monday, December 24, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by 2GodBPraise

Thanks for sharing this!
Karen
www.homeschoolblogger.com/salt