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Maren
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| Posted: Oct 09 2008 at 8:42pm | IP Logged
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Now that my oldest is four (and looks five), we frequently get asked by friendly strangers if he's in school yet, and I'm never sure what to answer. My instinct is not to volunteer the fact that we homeschool because I don't want to enter into a debate about homeschooling with a stranger. At the same time, however, I don't want to give my kids a sense of reluctance about sharing the fact that they are homeschooled, and perhaps it is an opportunity for evangelization too.
How do you answer these kinds of questions from strangers?
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Oct 09 2008 at 9:25pm | IP Logged
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We just answer that we homeschool. It rarely goes beyond that, although we get a lot of, "you know, I think that's great!!!" If questions come up, I intercept with an answer that is disarming - one that a negative response won't work on. Let me think of an example....
"You homeschool, I can't imagine having to spend *all day* with my children."
"I can't imagine not...we love learning together." Big smile.
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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Cay Gibson
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| Posted: Oct 09 2008 at 10:17pm | IP Logged
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I took my birthday girl and a friend out to eat and shopping today.
One of the store ladies said, "Ah, playing hookey today?"
My dd's friend (also hsed) looked up in fear. My dd shrugged and said, "We homeschool."
"Huh?" the lady asked?
"We're celebrating a birthday today," I winked at her.
"Ohhhhh..."
Case closed.
Then we ran into my aunt who is a retired teacher and doesn't think highly of hsing at all.  She always glad to see us but I hate to think what she says behind our backs. 
Anyway, we've been making lots of doctor trips with my 15 yr old son. He loves hsing and he's very open and non-afraid to tell people he's hsed.
They always ask if we need a dr. excuse for missing school.
"No, thank you but that's okay," I tell them.
The last dr. visit Garrett said he wanted a dr. excuse as a momento.
They didn't ask if we wanted one. 
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
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KC in TX
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| Posted: Oct 09 2008 at 11:08pm | IP Logged
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I just say "We homeschool." It usually ends there. I usually get positive responses as well.
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KC,
wife to Ben (10/94),
Mama to LB ('98)
Michaela ('01)
Emma ('03)
Jordan ('05)
And, my 2 angels, Rose ('08) and Mark ('09)
The Cabbage Patch
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chrisv664
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| Posted: Oct 10 2008 at 7:36am | IP Logged
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My husband and I teach in-home pre-cana. Usually we share a bit about homeschooling with the engaged couples. Last week we were running late, so all the kids had to help us set up coffee and cake and chairs. 5yo Hannah was being particularly cute that night. One of the girls in the group was asking her about school and Hannah was not readily sharing about homeschooling. Her answers were pretty generic until she was asked her teacher's name. Everyone was confused when she said "Chris". That let the cat out of the bag! Luckily the kids were all having a good night and I think gave a great witness to homeschooling (this time!  )
But I guess, to answer the question, generally we only attend homeschool functions during traditional school hours so we don't encounter being confronted too much. I usualy don't volunteer information unless asked and I answer honestly when I am asked. I find people are usually intrigued with the idea and not particularly opposed to it. I get alot of of "Oh, I really wish I was able to do that" remarks. I wonder if, as the problems in the public schools continue to be exposed, there will be more and more people homeschooling, or at least a better understanding of our educational choices for our children.
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Chris
Loving Wife of Dan and Mom to Kate, Jessica, Ben,
Rebecca, Thomas and Hannah
Burning The Candle At Both Ends
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Barbara C.
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| Posted: Oct 10 2008 at 2:21pm | IP Logged
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If you don't feel comfortable saying you homeschool, I would just say, "no". I mean, he's not even five yet.
We just tell people we homeschool. I love it, and I love to talk about it. And my daughter is very proud, happy, and thankful to homeschool. And most people will be respectful. And most people who disagree with it, it is just because they are still very "schooled" in their thinking.
Of course, I live in a very homeschooling friendly state and area of that state. I feel a little more free to just live our lives without worry.
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Barbara
Mom to "spirited" dd(9), "spunky" dd (6), "sincere" dd (3), "sweet" dd (2), and baby girl #5 born 8/1/12!!
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Rachel May
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| Posted: Oct 10 2008 at 7:54pm | IP Logged
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I not shy about saying we homeschool, but often when we're out and get asked about school, the kids jump in with "We're done with school today!"
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Rachel
Thomas and Anthony (10), Maria (8), Charles (6), Cecilia (5), James (3), and Joseph (1)
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Oct 10 2008 at 8:04pm | IP Logged
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I wouldn't want to be too reticent about just saying we homeschool. I've noticed that the more you act like it's something that should be secretive or hidden or such that other people treat you like you're doing something that you shouldn't. But when you're upfront and act like OF COURSE you should be ... whatever, in this case homeschooling.. then other's treat you like it's an ok thing to be doing.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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Maren
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| Posted: Oct 11 2008 at 11:56am | IP Logged
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Thanks so much everyone. It helps a lot to hear that you generally get positive responses from the people you talk to. I've had so many negative responses from friends that I've been doubly nervous about telling strangers, but I'm starting to think that it's important to be open and positive about it, regardless of what others might say.
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Oct 11 2008 at 12:14pm | IP Logged
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Maren, strangers can often be more polite than friends and family.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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Vanna
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| Posted: Oct 11 2008 at 12:22pm | IP Logged
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I've noticed that a lot of people are very secretive about homeschooling, like it's something naughty or to be ashamed of.
Say it loud and proud. WE HOMESCHOOL! Yay us! LOL
Trust me I get a lot of flack from my family and friends but..oh well, their lives are anything but perfect so they certainly are in no position to judge.
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Wife to K  Mommy to B (ds18) and G (ds8)
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Topic: Talking to Strangers about Homeschooling
