When homeschoolers move on to something else


There aren’t a ton of homeschoolers in my part of the state, especially in my town with its “good public schools”. So, when I first started homeschooling, I remember keeping track of everyone I met because it made me feel better to have a circle of people who had all chosen this not-very-popular way of educating their kids.

But, lately, it feels like more and more of them are choosing a different path, and it’s made me a little sad to see them go.

There is the awesome friend and new neighbor who moved to my town—my town!—but then decided to try out those good public schools. There is the wonderfully supportive friend whose oldest just got into the local charter school and started today. There is the well-known radical unschooling mom whose teen decided to try out school this year. Another mom I know just sent her oldest to private school. And then there are friends who are trying a public-school-sanctioned virtual learning course, with a teacher overseeing their progress.

This all doesn’t mean that a bunch of people have decided that homeschooling sucks or doesn’t work or is too hard. I know they all had to do a lot of soul-searching and had to think of their child’s wants as much as their own. And, for those who are my friends, I know we will still remain friends, no matter how their kids get educated.

But, I’m sad that my circle seems to be shrinking, just a bit.

Comments

  1. Well you're better off than me: there's only two other homeschool families in my town and they are both of the Darwin-hating, raising up an army for Jesus-types.

  2. Well you're better off than me: there's only two other homeschool families in my town and they are both of the Darwin-hating, raising up an army for Jesus-types.

  3. Suburban Correspondent says

    As your kids get older, it is essential to keep widening your circle of homeschool acquaintances. The attrition rate is high! Make new friends, but keep the old…

  4. Suburban Correspondent says

    As your kids get older, it is essential to keep widening your circle of homeschool acquaintances. The attrition rate is high! Make new friends, but keep the old…

  5. There's still us imaginary friends out here! I'm all alone in my circle, except for one dear friend whose kids are ten years older than mine. If it weren't for the internet, I'd shrivel for sure.

  6. There's still us imaginary friends out here! I'm all alone in my circle, except for one dear friend whose kids are ten years older than mine. If it weren't for the internet, I'd shrivel for sure.

  7. It is sad. Noah said that if all his homeschooling friends keep going to school, he's afraid he will have to go too. Our circle has gotten much smaller this year.

  8. It is sad. Noah said that if all his homeschooling friends keep going to school, he's afraid he will have to go too. Our circle has gotten much smaller this year.

  9. Like LadyHash, you still have it ALL over me. There are other homeschoolers, but they're other a) nuts or b) homeschooling their kids so their kids don't end up in jail.
    Grim!

  10. Like LadyHash, you still have it ALL over me. There are other homeschoolers, but they're other a) nuts or b) homeschooling their kids so their kids don't end up in jail.
    Grim!

  11. I couldn't find any homeschoolers in my MA town, either. It would make such a difference if we had some nearby.

  12. I couldn't find any homeschoolers in my MA town, either. It would make such a difference if we had some nearby.

  13. I feel the same way….*sigh*

  14. I feel the same way….*sigh*

  15. stephanie rushton says

    Oh Christina . . . . I know, I know. It's ironic that I actually moved to this town to be closer to all the HS'ers I know. Now both kids are in school.

    You keep plugging away. We're still your friends. The boys still love hanging with your kiddos. I love having such an awesome neighbor in the 'hood. I still fly my freak flag – it won't come down. Also, thanks to you, everyone in town that I meet doesn't think I'm that big of a freak for HSing at all. Everyone knows you, how awesome you are, how amazing and well adapeted your kids are, and that you rock.

    Take care neighbor and know that we're here, we're freaks, and we really think you're great.

  16. stephanie rushton says

    Oh Christina . . . . I know, I know. It's ironic that I actually moved to this town to be closer to all the HS'ers I know. Now both kids are in school.

    You keep plugging away. We're still your friends. The boys still love hanging with your kiddos. I love having such an awesome neighbor in the 'hood. I still fly my freak flag – it won't come down. Also, thanks to you, everyone in town that I meet doesn't think I'm that big of a freak for HSing at all. Everyone knows you, how awesome you are, how amazing and well adapeted your kids are, and that you rock.

    Take care neighbor and know that we're here, we're freaks, and we really think you're great.

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