And What About the Prom? Silly answers to the silliest questions about homeschooling.

by Valorie Delp | More from this Blogger

26 Jun 2006 08:09 PM

We knew when we chose to home school that there would be questions. Even our own parents were skeptical about our ability to educate our children at home. We had a ready defense to answer why we wanted to home school. We knew what to say when people asked the dreaded socialization question. But for every few people we talk to, we get stumped with a new question; something to which we have not thought of a reply. These questions have left my husband and I, standing there with curious expressions, scratching our heads, thinking, "HUH?" So, I've begun compiling a list of questions and their. . .um. . .appropriate answers.

#1--What about the prom? I honestly hadn't considered basing my decision regarding my children's entire education on the possibility that they might not get to attend an event that they may or may not be interested in attending in 12 years.

#2--How will you teach them when the subjects actually get hard? Well, besides the fact that I am now instilling in them an ability and desire to learn any subject they so choose. . .I don't know. I do know that it's improbable that I could use the teacher's manual for help though. School teachers never do that.

#3--Don't you get sick of having your kids around you all day? Hmmmm. . .I like the oldest two and the twins but yeah, the 3-year-old I could do without! (Sometimes a snarky question deserves a snarky response!)

#4--5 kids huh? Gosh, isn't that too many students to teach at one time? Gee--you're right! It would be much better in a classroom with 25 other kids than in a class with only 4 other students. That would definitely improve the teacher to student ratio.

#5--What will you do when they get to college? Send them off with a celebration and then take a long overdue cruise with my charming husband!

#6--How can your kids play on sports teams? With protective gear?

#7--If you're home schooling all day, when do the kids get a chance to do their homework? Okay. . .so there's still a few questions that stump me!!!!

#8--How will your kids have access to good books if you keep them at home? We couldn't possibly take them to the library. In addition to not taking them to the library, home schoolers are notorious for not really owning very many books!

#9--How do you know what to teach them? You mean besides how to read, write and add? My kids actually ask to learn about things.

#10--How can you do field trips if the kids don't go to school? It is a bit tricky since the museums, zoos, and other venues won't take you if you're not with an official school group. They never have visitors that just go for the day apart from school--no families or individuals--just school groups. But those groups are so large that we can just try to sneak in with the rest of the crowd.

Feel free to use any of the above answers to respond to just about any question you receive regarding homeschooling. Please be aware that a snarky response, while humurous, is likely to be lost on the 'askee' and may further convince them that you homeschooling your children is a bad idea. On the other hand, doesn't every silly question deserve an equally silly answer?

Learn more about Valorie Delp

Hello everybody! My name is Valorie and I am one busy lady! When I'm not writing or editing for families, I am busy trying to get my brood of 5 in line.

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Nola Redd (7081) 01 Dec 2006 12:28 PM

Hysterical! I, personally, look forward to my #5 cruise! ;)

Tristi Pinkston (10839) 09 Feb 2007 11:22 AM

I knew I loved you, Valorie, and you've just given me more reasons!

Valorie Delp (49340) 09 Feb 2007 11:33 AM

Gald you enjoyed it ladies. I'm actually working on another list!

Valorie Delp (49340) 27 Feb 2008 04:13 AM

To Jane whose comment I've deleted because it's just that rude. . .

You mean the ONE grammar mistake that you so rudely pointed out? No excuses. I should've caught it. I have fixed it. Thank you. Please don't bother commenting here again unless you have something constructive or intelligent to say. Don't even mind someone pointing out mistakes in my blog either--but rudeness is just bad social skills.

As far as our children competing for that spot at Harvard. . .maybe you want to read the blogs about my son who is gifted?

RachelsDream (80) 25 Aug 2008 09:36 AM

Valorie, you made my day! Boy, can I relate! lol

Kara (21310) 25 Aug 2008 09:47 AM

#7 is just such a silly one!!!

Samual (11722) 25 Aug 2008 10:10 AM

Whats a prom?

Samual (11722) 25 Aug 2008 10:21 AM

Also whats a teachers manual? Here if a place is open, zoo, museum, gallery etc anyone can go in, not just large parties, it's odd that they only let certain people in.

Kara (21310) 25 Aug 2008 10:24 AM

LOL she was kidding! and prom is a dance they have for 12th graders at the end of the year...its a big deal to some.

Samual (11722) 25 Aug 2008 10:35 AM

Yet another question :) how old are students in 12th grade?

Kara (21310) 25 Aug 2008 10:36 AM

17 and 18.....some 19 if they failed a grade

Kara (21310) 25 Aug 2008 10:37 AM

oh and a manual is a book that has "all the answers"

Samual (11722) 25 Aug 2008 10:44 AM

School at 19 thats crazy, there is no such thing as failing a grade here. Your a second year university student by that time here. We don't have those manuals here, the only time the teacher has written answers is for marking exams as of course certain things cannot and can be accepted so everyone in the country is marked under the same guidelines, otherwise some students may be marked harshly and others marked loosely.

Andrea Hermitt (5507) 25 Aug 2008 04:00 PM

So if you don't learn anything you aren't required to repeat the grade?

Kara (21310) 25 Aug 2008 06:23 PM

I finshed high school when I was almost 19 (turned 19 a month later) because my mom had me held back in preschool because they thought I wasn't ready for Kindergarten. I think you should always be allowed to have your child repeat a grade if they're that far behind.