What About the Rest of Us??

We read often about homeschoolers that are engaged in outside activities; whose high schoolers have part time jobs and still excel in their studies; daily nature walks that result in wonderful discoveries; 5-year olds that can speak fluent French.

Then, we homeschoolers who do not manage to make nature walks even a weekly activity, who struggle with English grammar and take a year to get through a foreign language program {we didn’t even think about a foreign language when they were five}, who cannot imagine their high schooler getting a part time job because we are still focusing on making sure they can do the every day tasks around the house… What about us?

I was talking with a mother who homeschools on Sunday before church and while our conversation did not center around homeschooling, it really made me aware of the things they do in their day that differs greatly from what we do in ours. This mother {and her 12 year old daughter} were spouting off the names of numerous flowers that I had no idea what they were talking about. They participate in many musical activities {at a famous orchestral center perhaps} and we are barely getting into music appreciation, let alone actually playing instruments or actively singing. I won’t lie; it made me feel inadequate.

When we first began at the church we attend now, which was the end of September, we talked with the pastor about what they do with homeschooling. I know what curriculum they use and of course it’s different than what we use but I found myself comparing {bad, bad} my children’s progress with their children. Their 15 year old is advanced in math; my daughter, also 15, is right on schedule. Their science for their 3rd and 4th graders includes a lot of fun, hands-on activities; for both 7th and 9th grade, our science is quite lacking in the ‘fun’ department.

I know that our homeschooling family is not the only family (or perhaps it is just me as a parent) that feels our experience could be so much more- if it were more like those other homeschoolers.

There is nothing wrong with my homeschool. There is nothing wrong with my kids and there isn’t anything wrong with me as a teacher. {haha…dd said, jokingly “Keep telling yourself that.”} We are just different. Sometimes watching those other homeschoolers, I get the feeling that I am not doing all that I can. But all families are different.

Some families have more in the way of finances than others; that dictates a lot of what can be purchased in regards materials and curriculum as well as the opportunities that are available. Some families have more support, whether it be family members, other homeschoolers, church family, etc. People learn differently and teach differently; we make our choices {about the above curriculum, opportunities, etc.} based partially on this.

It really is never good to compare. We are all different. Bottom line. What works for one family may not work for another. This post at ChildlightUSA at first made me feel no better- but after reading it more than once {I have to do that quite often}, it did make me feel better.

My children are unique; I am unique; our learning and experiences will be unique. It doesn’t mean that my children will become ‘ordinary’ and although they may not be what some would label ‘gifted’ or ‘exceptional’ {labels, schmabels} I like what Jennifer Gagnon says:

“Just as our body types are unique to each of us, so is our heart, soul and mind. I would argue that each child has special needs and is gifted.”

The photo I added to my post is what my ds was focused on this morning before school started. There is an invasion of Bionicles, Hero Factory and Ben Ten… well, we have fun even if we don’t get all the other things fit into our day… {I will keep telling myself that}

What about you? Do you ever feel that your homeschool doesn’t quite ‘measure’ up to others? What do you do when you have those thoughts?