Homeschool Criticism and Supportby Andrea Hermitt | More from this Blogger 11 Jun 2007 09:09 AM I received some email questions this past weekend from a student who is researching homeschooling. This student had some very good and informed questions, and so I thought I would present some of his questions here, with my answers. The first questions involve my decision to homeschool. The next question set of questions involve criticism and support. What kinds/types of criticism have your family had because of homeschooling? I cannot say that my family and I have had direct, in your face, criticism because of our homeschooling. There are however, always the annoying "questions" that are definitely critical of homeschooling. In the beginning, I noticed a deluge of questions about the children's education with people saying, "How is schooling going", from people who were never concerned when they were in public school. Never before had I heard so much concern in the voices of friends and family when inquiring about the children. After a year or two, the question turned to "When are you putting the kids back in school?" "Do they have friends?" is also the topic of many a conversation. The worst-case scenario was a beloved relative who stated, "That homeschooling mess has got to be eliminated." While I may get my feelings hurt from time to time by such a lack of support, I cannot say, I have been directly criticized or ostracized. What support have you received? Support of our homeschooling has primarily come from other homeschooling families, especially in the beginning. In recent years, however, I have been getting a lot of "you are doing a good job", from many of the same people who were wary in the past. I have even received the compliment of people confessing to me that they were interested in homeschooling, and even people coming to me for advice on how to do it themselves. My family has been called "inspiring". Who could ask for more support than that? Read: Why I homeschool: An Answer for Kaye "Why I Homeschool My Son with Asperger's Syndrome." One Mother's Story Mother Knows Best: Why I Homeschool, Part One and Part Two *Have a question about homeschooling? Just ask. *Want to know more about homeschooling? Start with the 2006 homeschool blog in review! * Have you seen the homeschooling curriculum glossary? Learn more about Andrea Hermitt  Andrea Hermitt is a native New Yorker currently residing in GA. She has been married for over 16 years and has two teenage children. Relevanthomeschooling tags User Comments  Julie Gentry (5915) 11 Jun 2007 12:33 PMUgh. The "criticism" I hate the most is the oral tests from people who tell you that their niece or some other relative in government school would KNOW the answer to the question your wonderful and brilliant homeschooled child was unable to retrieve off the cuff.  Tristi Pinkston (10839) 11 Jun 2007 07:49 PMIf I hear someone ask my child a "testing" sort of question, I immediately intervene even if I know my child knows the answer. They shouldn't have to prove anything.  Valorie Delp (49340) 12 Jun 2007 05:46 PMLOL I used to do that. But one day, before I could answer, my daughter said. . .I don't know the answer to that. I haven't studied that yet. Instead we're studying. . . LOL the asker got what they deserved. . .a lengthy diatribe on the Peleponesian Wars and how if Persia knew any better they'd have just stay put. And anything else you'd want to know about Ancient Greece. And then my lovely daughter said to the adult (who wanted to know the capital of some state) what do you think? Was ostracism a good practice for Ancient Greece? And on and on she went. . . Now my in-laws--the only ones who would do 'testy' sort of questions--steer clear! Who wants to get shown up by a 8 yo?  Andrea Hermitt (5512) 12 Jun 2007 06:52 PMAwesome Val! My son usually says, "you'll remember it better if you look it up," as if they were asking because they did not know. He goes around correcting people so much, no one dare tests him! Community Tags criticism, FAQ, homeschool, questions Discuss this article
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