While in a decision with other women, I was stereotyped to my face. Now I realize that stereotyping is just something most humans do and I have fallen into the trap more times than I can count. But I think I have been a skilled "stereotyper" by hiding it from the person who I am stereotyping. Now I am not proud of that...just saying.
Here is the false "stereotype" said to my face.
"All Home Schoolers are Millionaires!"
Choke, choke...now do you hear my daughter? "Do What? Really?"
Well, if all home school families are millionaires then I need to make a trip to our bank...something is wrong and the numbers on our account aren't accurate. Somehow we missed out on that advantage the last 23 years of home schooling.
"I don't want to home school my teenage son so he can play video games like all the home school high school kids do all day!"
Again..."Do What? Really?"
Well, I didn't get that memo when I raised four home school teenagers. What was I thinking...instead I drove tens of thousands of miles taking them to music lessons and home school sports, while wasting my time from 8 to 4 each day trying to educate them. Wow!, you mean I could have just set them in front of the video games and enjoyed my million dollars!
Stereotyping isn't fun and I felt the sting as I gasped and tried to decide if I should even try to explain.
But just in case you have the same stereotype of home schoolers, I thought Benjamin and I would share with you our "non-conventional" school day this week.
The sun and temperatures just called us to take our school outside.
Handwriting was done on the picnic table.
Math was done on the fence. Yes I labeled the fence post (don't they look like fence post you would see on a million dollar house?) and he did his addition and subtraction facts. He tossed a rock to hit the fence with the correct answer...so we combined math and exercise.
Benjamin believed there were four leaf clovers...so we investigated...since our yard is full of green clovers.
Discovery....only three leaves on a clover.
Discovery....only three leaves on a clover.
Painted with watercolors after the reading of "The Clown of God".
Making shadows in the backyard...discussing the sun's position in the sky.
I hope I will think twice before I stereotype again....what we usually assume is miles from what is reality!
First, I came to tell you that I shared your picture from the previous post on my blog. I credited you so I hope that's OK.
ReplyDeleteSecond, don't EVEN get me started on the stereotyping. To use my husband's phrase of contempt: I'm bored with it.
I'm sick and tired of hearing people (too often moms, I hate to say) making broad generalizations about the other side of the fence.
I will say one thing: If you count wealth like I do, I would say that every home schooled kid I personally know is, indeed, a millionaire.
And that's all I have to say about that.
Bummer I got all excited when I read the million dollar comment-I was ready to run to the bank too and withdraw all that money to pay off Brandon's medical bills and then the two sets of braces we will be getting in two weeks and the new glasses Alyssa will be getting next week and the MRI I will be getting on my knee this next week, oh the things I could do with the money I didn't know I had. ha!
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas on the HS. Hasn't the weather been so nice. Today it is supposed to be 80 here-crazy isn't it, even warmer than normal for us here this time of year.
Hope you have had a great week my friend. I still need an updated address from you-I have two things sitting here waiting to be mailed. E-mail me where you want me to send it. Love you-praying that have a great week.
Have fun with those video games-come on admit it you know you are a closet Pac Man player. :) lol
Love and hugs
Jill
Your homeschooling sounds and looks a lot like ours did! What fun we had learning and exploring together! Hey, even your fence post looks like ours!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't trade those days for all the money in the world. Continue to enjoy your boy and these wonderful times.
Love,
Sandy
Oh, yes! Tell Benjamin that I think his clown painting is the bomb!!
ReplyDeleteOh that's unfortunate. Homeschoolers are some of the highest achievers ever.
ReplyDeleteI love the fence idea for showing place value! Very cool idea. There are four-leaf clovers, of course. Some people have the vision to see them quite clearly (my sister does and finds them all.the.time.) The rest of us just have to keep looking and looking.
Don't worry about explaining homeschooling to me. I once had this happen when a teacher told me that all children in Christian school were receiving an inferior education. I laugh now when I think of the numbers of graduates who have gone on to excel in their fields.
If only all schools could be as fun as yours! It does hurt to be misjudged by someone but you owe no one any explanations. You have done and are doing a wonderful job raising (and teaching) your children. The proof is in the puddin'.:)
ReplyDeleteGood morning! Oh yes stereotyping, we have probably all been guilty of that one at one point or another...I do make a conscious effort NOT to do that anymore...however, I do have to say I have NEVER heard those things about home schoolers...WHY are they millionaires?? haha Had I known that I would have taken it up. And again, my thought would have been, ANY mom who cared enough about her kids to home school them, would just NEVER be the type to let them sit in front of a video game all day. People are soo funny, but these two make NO sense to me. I personally have only admiration for home school moms. The patience that would be required. The dedication and KNOWLEDGE, the creativity, (aka your math lesson yesterday ~ brilliant). My stereotype of a home school mom? A super educated person who is disciplined, responsible, diligent, caring and dedicated to her child's well being. And I think I heard a statistic somewhere too that says the home school kids are BY FAR receiving the BETTER education. I totally believe it. It only makes sense. Benjamin is soo cute, and he's a lucky guy in my opinion! Have a good week-end! HUGS
ReplyDeleteVery well said Janette! I imagine we're all guilty of this very thing and I know that I've been the victim of stereotyping and it is so hurtful. I've tried to let it be a "lesson unto me" to always be careful before "I go there."
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend my friend!
Ditto what Debbie said. Ouch - I hate stereotyping, too, and I'm guilty of such at times and then I hear myself get on to my husband when he does it! Sting and burn!!!
ReplyDeleteI just think the home-schooled kids are lucky to have their mom WANT to home school them. None of the home-schooled kids I know come from Millions!
oh boy! One more way to compare the world's description of a millionaire... and God's way! I'm so glad you have been building up your bank account in His terms, by the years of sacrifice and blessing you have poured into those precious lives in your family.
ReplyDeleteI DO remind myself that I AM rich... that HE owns every cow on 1000 hills, so they are mine as well! :)
Great post Janette!
Do What? Really? ... I'm so sorry you had to be hit with that, but I'm glad you shared about it. Stereotyping is definitely a tool of the Evil One, and sadly I've let it be used on me a few times, but your post serves as a great reminder to catch ourselves PRONTO when we're about to go there. Thanks -- and lucky Benjamin! I think he has a million dollar Mom!
ReplyDeleteYou know I do believe in home schooling, I also believe that not all parents should do it. Myself included. (one I was not smart enough or patient enough when our children were smaller) Our gransons are home schooled and they are excelling in many areas, our granddaughters go to public shools and do well too. There is something to be said about 'one on one learning'. This is a controversial topic and very judged by many who have no clue about what they are talking about. If it works for you and your famiy, then do it.
ReplyDeleteJust do it for the right reasons not because everyone expects you to home school. I never did and my 'grown children did fine'.
There certainly is a sting to sterotypes! I wonder if more of us were home schooled, we'd be less likely to sterotype? ;)
ReplyDeleteWell, I know that most home-schoolers are not wealthy in monetary terms, but you guys are so rich in blessings and may the Lord continue to shine his brilliance upon you and through you! xo
Standing ovation!
ReplyDeleteApplause!
Clap, Clap, Cheer!
"I gasped and tried to decide if I should even try to explain." Blogging about it is probably the better choice. I miss homeschooling. It was one of the highlights of being a mommy!! Oh, and I haven't found my million yet either. :-(
ReplyDeleteI've NEVER heard those particular stereotypes of homeschoolers! In fact, I confess my personal stereotypes would be just the opposite.
ReplyDeleteThe day you documented was full of fun and creative activity. No need to defend or explain yourself if you're "on target" with your educational goals, Janette.
Enjoy!
I'm sorry that you had to hear those things. Bravo for you in teaching your children at home and giving them good character traits at the same time. :)
ReplyDeleteAll too often people lump others together into their own perception of that group. And that is so sad.
ReplyDeleteI carpooled with a gal to work for six months or more. Her now husband hated Christians and was very vocal about the many reasons why. I shared that not all Christians do the things he assumed. I think my friend learned a bit about faith and Christians while I had her full time attention on our almost hour drive to work. I pray that some of it will sink deep into her heart and take root. Only God ...
Love you and I love homeschoolers.
Debbie
Yes, I believe it is very easy to make judgments without knowing or understanding someone or situation. Guess that is why we are told not to judge, but we all do. What a life lesson, one of many we will all receive, I am sure. Thank you for sharing yours with us, maybe we will learn it without doing it the hard way.
ReplyDeletewe live in an area that is very accommodating to home schoolers, I know many families who choose this route.
ReplyDeleteWHile None are millionaires any one of the would say they are rich indeed because of what they were able to invest in their children.
Janette I wish you were my homeschooling mom! Enjoyed this day with you and Benjamin. Homeschooling Moms are the TOPS in my book, I have so much respect and admiration for them and their sacrifices, and if I had young ones Homeschooling it would be.
ReplyDeleteThe investment you and other women have made will draw dividends long after the millionaires have spent their money.
Your thoughts on stereotyping! awesome. why am I not surprised! As always great posting,. Still waiting for that book!!
Please tell Benjamin what a great job he did on his painting!
I have been offline this week and have wanted to mail you and send Benjamin some photos, but we have been so busy as the weather has been so great, today it is raining, and I am taking time to try and catchup on blogging, if that is possible. ~smile~
Give my love to Benjamin,
Hugs,
Sue
Just laughed my way through the toilet job post, with a lesson learned!! and cried my way through the Too Busy post! Oh How I did relate to this one. Janette you have such a gift for putting your thoughts down and for helping me think things through! I now know why God keeps me here in blogland, He is still teaching this hardheaded child of His. I am so thankful he never gives up on me!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Sue
So true, Janette. So true. Good lesson for us all. blessings ~ Tanna
ReplyDeleteIm ashamed to admit that I do sterotype without even thinking.. and time and time again God has used it to correct me.. but Im gonna do it just one more time with you.. Your an awesome mom , great teacher and wonderful woman of God.. I think im right this time...
ReplyDeleteLove ya friend..you keep doing what you are doing,, your awesome.
Hi Janette!
ReplyDeleteOh, I know what you mean. Last year, when I taught eighth graders, the kids had SO many wrong impressions of home schooling. I always defend home schooling mothers. Always.