Ask a Homeschooling Blogger: Is Homeschooling Sexist?

Question: I’ve been recently reading that some homeschoolers are emphasizing in their home education programs that girls are to be wives and men are to be the leaders. As a teacher I am concerned about this trend and want your opinion. Is home schooling inherently sexist and do you think something should be done to legislate how these families are teaching? It seems to me that homeschoolers may well raise a generation of women who aren’t well educated. There indeed has recently been some buzz about sexist home education. Since I have four daughters, I do of course have thoughts … Continue reading

The Freedom To Be Socially “Awkward”

Last week I had the opportunity to watch my oldest daughter’s ballet class. It’s very interesting to watch her. She is not the most gifted in the class. But she works and she works really, really hard and it has definitely paid off. She follows instructions and listens very intently. She is one focused young lady. What was most interesting to me though was watching the scenario unfold at the end. The teacher wanted the girls to just do some ‘free’ dancing. The pianist began to play a classic piece from “The Nutcracker” and this group of tween girls stood … Continue reading

What Grade Is Your Child In?

This is a benign question that we’re often asked that frequently leads one or more of my children to mention that we’re homeschooling. What should you say? I know one lady who begins to prattle off what grade level each child is performing at in any given subject. I know another person whose child is working about two grade levels ahead and so despite her child only being 9, she says that her child is the 7th grade. I however, always answer with the grade my children would be in if they were in public school. If you’re tempted to … Continue reading