“Oh, I don’t care what you expect or what they think.” Scarlett O’Hara
Homeschooling moms, to the outside world, are sweet, passive women swarming with kids of varying ages (some overlapping with impossible conception dates). They are those moms who wear denim jumpers with pockets of limitless patience and crafting abilities, right? They humbly hide their children’s abilities from the public eye of scrutiny and politely bow out of confrontation with those who disagree with their choice.
Just picture Melanie Hamilton from Gone With the Wind? She was the mild mannered, humble wife of the weakling, Ashley. She was nurse to the poor, kind hearted, and always hung in the shadows doing good deeds and refusing all credit. A saint in a petticoat. Nauseatingly sweet.
“Thank heavens I’m not that modest.” Scarlett O’hara
Lawsy me, just call me Mizz Scarlet! I’m not into stealing husbands or anything. I barely tolerate my own at times. But I’m no Melanie Hamilton. I’m going to flaunt my homeschooling efforts around in red velvet, feathers, and an unapologetic raised eyebrow of defiance. Scarlet never settled for good enough. She took the reins and gave it all she had for her family and ended up pulling half of Atlanta up out of the ashes.
Now if I owned half of Atlanta, I’d have possibly hired private tutors to teach my boys, but seeing as though I have to milk my own cows here, so to speak…well, I’m at least trying to raise my boy’s education above the level of “good enough.”
Some of my “friends” took personal offense (as in stopped inviting me places and my kids to parties) when we withdrew from school, and I openly stated that it was because “my boys are capable of so much more.” How dare I call into question the perfectly adequate institution of commonality they’re happy with sending their kids.
We homeschool because my kids are more important than the rest.
There. I said it. And I’m not sorry.
Who do I think I am anyway?
But to that I ask, why does your darling need those outrageously priced, Olympic quality athletic shoes, specialty pencils with their favorite character shaped erasers, a $200 backpack monogrammed with his or her initials, and a cell phone with more memory than a NASA space probe? Huh? Because you think he or she is maybe a little more “important” than the rest of the class, right? They are YOUR kids, after all. Of course they are more important! And so you slap that ninja honor roll sticker on your bumper, or post about Suzy-Q selling the most cookie dough and winning the limo ride to Chucky-Cheese. (For the record, I despise fundraisers, but more on that later.)
Ok, so my kids had monogrammed backpacks in our public school days. But, I have since found a new outlet for bragging about the importance and abilities of my children. And all I’m saying is this: It is commonly accepted for mom’s to be proud and boastful of their kids achievements in traditional school, no matter how small.
But why the disclaimer for those of us going at it mostly alone? “Oh, they homeschool they don’t have to do hard math.” or “They may be smart, but they’d never make it through a real school day.” My favorite, “Of course he got student of the month, they homeschool.” Seriously, student of the month is difficult when you gave birth to the entire class. But on occasion I secretly have a favorite student. Which changes rapidly from math to history, or disappears all together from one mess heap to an explosive preteen attitude.
When my boys do something awesome, you can bet your participation trophy you’re going to hear about it! I don’t like to think of it as bragging, but rather a plea for commendation of my work efforts. Homeschool moms don’t get quarterly reviews, bonuses, raises, employee of the month awards, or mediocre dinners with warm applause and an engraved plaque. Hell, we don’t even get a grocery store birthday cake and a forced sing-along in the break room! So when one of my life projects (i.e. my kids) achieves greatness (or finally remembers that dirty socks go in the hamper), I’ll thank the Lord first, and stamp that success on my forehead like a Nike swoosh! I feel I have more than earned the right to brag.
Oh no, you’re not a God fearing Mom?
Where’s the LOVE THIS SO MUCH button???? I’ve always wanted to create a bumper sticker that says “My kid’s valedictorian of his class!” or “We read for knowledge, not AR points!” or something snippy like that. But seriously…..I’ve often wondered why it’s ok to brag about honor roll but if we say we homeschool, they instantly pull out the “oh, I know that ONE family who can’t read!” Yeah, gee….hadn’t heard that one before!
Anywho, love this post and now excuse me while I go put my denim jumper in the wash. I only own 5 of them and I need my fancy one for reading circle tomorrow night 🙂
Thank you for up cycling this through Facebook just in time for my posts Iove Somehow I missed this one when it went live. Love this and as always you made me snort laugh, which is sexy right? Lol
Laughter, snorts and all, causes sexy wrinkles. Those are better than worry wrinkles, and the normal wrinkles we’re all going to get anyway. Haha!
So I’ll brag! My oldest and first graduate from our homeschool is a National Merit Finalist and has had many offers from colleges and universities. He will be attending Liberty on a full scholarship, tuition, room, and board. And all of it accomplished through homeschooling.
Wonderful! It’s so great to hear homeschool success stories. Congrats to you all!
Umm Hi. You don’t know me but can we be best friends ? Yes – yes yes to this article !! Every word – YES ! When I pulled my kids out of public school, I was one of those moms who lived at the school, I was on the pta board. I lost every single friend I had because they took offense to me wanting better. My best friend understood and we still hung out. It was devastating- but reading this article makes me feel like Scarlett more than ever …. so I will fluff up my hat, suck in my gut, push up my chest, and proudly be the Mom I am meant to be ! Because that other junk …. “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn”
You fluff those feathers and stand proud! I was at the school all the time too. It was a waste of all our time. Do your thang!
I think I love you. Is that weird?
Nah, it’s not weird. As long as its more of a sisterly love. Don’t be sending creepy love letters or anything. Unless there are coupons for takeout. HAHA!
LOVE this post! And RIGHT ON GIRL!! We homeschool for the same reason. Our kids are capable of so much more! Blessings!
Well thanks! Its nice to just be honest and tell it like it is. No apologies.
I love this line, We homeschool because my kids are more important than the rest.
But after homeschooling five through high school with three more to go, I will add this caveat, “Your kids will blame you for something, whether they are homeschooled or not!” That being said, I wouldn’t have done it any other way!
OH yes! I’m their favorite punching bag, for sure.
Yes, so true. Thanks for making me smile
Thank you for smiling!
Awesome post! I never thought of myself as Scarlet O’Hara, but I might start. Just a little bit.
Yes, be a Scarlet! Or just hifalutin. Raise that eyebrow!
Yes, be a Scarlet! Or just hifalutin. Raise that eyebrow!
I also think about stuff like this: mediocrity. All the kids that are our own kids’ age that go to public schools (or private), are all in the same classes…so whoever takes home the gold stars at the end of the day/week/month/semester/school year are the “superior” students…but homeschooled students are at different levels constantly and most of the time there’s no touching them. If there was some type of contest that pitted homeschooled kids against public or private school kids homeschooled kids are more likely going to wipe the floor with those kids and their knowledge. I think public and private school parents know that, and envy that, that it causes them to constantly question their own lives and choices with their kids. While homeschooling may be becoming more popular, I think it’s still…frowned upon with people…close-minded people in particular…and those people don’t think twice about their comments, behavior, and actions. It’s interesting, I’ve noticed that as soon as I share with someone that we’re going to be homeschooling, their entire persona with me (and my family) changes. It’s like we’ve suddenly become these evil, horrible people. It’s a shame.
Shouldn’t be a surprise really. Anything you do that looks like self-sufficiency that is outside someone’s realm of “normal” gets the same reaction. You want to live far out in the country? Horrors. You want to stockpile some food for an emergency? Horrors. You want to do the remodel of your house on your own? Horrors You want to care for your child at home instead of putting them in daycare? Horrors. Content to be a housewife? Horrors. Or for that matter making your own clothes, cooking instead of eating out all the time, where you go on vacation and what you do… dang, some people just feel threatened by any dumb little thing that is different from their world
Bwahahahahahahahaha!!!