A friend emailed me this link: What Non-Homeschoolers May Not Know. It’s a list of things that friends, relatives, and neighbors who don’t homeschool don’t seem to understand.
Those for whom homeschooling is completely foreign tend to fall into two categories. One group seems to think that you spend eight hours in highly structured activities. The other thinks you do nothing all day long. The former thinks you are either a saint or a masochist. The latter thinks you have time to babysit their preschooler.
I don’t agree 100% with this list. I don’t want to use homeschooling as an excuse to not clean my bathroom or brush my hair. If manicured nails are your thing, a homeschooler has just as many hours on the weekend as a woman who works full-time to tend to that “need.” Personally, my relaxed appearance and the often chaotic state of my home are the real me, and I don’t notice people tsk-tsking over them. That doesn’t mean that they don’t, it just means that I’m not the type to care or pay attention. You would have to say some pretty obnoxious things right to my face for me to note your disdain of my lifestyle…but then, to say those things would make you a really obnoxious person and after a momentary flare of ire, I would likely calm down, forgive you, and make a mental note to avoid you in the future.
Also, I don’t want any help – not with housecleaning, not with babysitting, not with schooling, not with money. I definitely appreciate educational gifts for the kids, but we’re not poor by any stretch. I choose to not give my kids every little thing their hearts desire. And since my closest relatives are not local, Grandpa taking the boys to a museum or Grandma baking cookies with the little ones or Auntie doing weekly arts and crafts are not possible scenarios, and I just wouldn’t be comfortable having neighbors do that sort of thing. Honestly, I hate it when a non-homeschoolers says, “Oooh, let me watch your kids for you one day next week. You need a break.” Please, if you’re going to have a pity party, find another guest of honor.
But that’s just me, and situations vary. So the list is a good one.
Reit This Way 
well said!
I read the list and agree with you 100% Michelle.
I actually like to wear trendy clothes and have my hair done (although my nails are constantly in a hopeless state).
And yes, no pity here, thanks! I love homeschooling, and my kids have plenty of what they need, (and more of what they don’t!)
My home is usually messy, but my kids are learning to keep it neat, and that’s what my afternoons are for! (after rest time, of course!)
🙂
I totally agree with you, except on the house cleaning help part. I would love a housekeeper to come once a week!
Kristen,
I DO have a housekeeper come once a week, but I pay her. I don’t want my neighbor dusting my shelves out of pity for me!
I personally would crawl out of my skin if someone where to come over and start doing my laundry! Home schooling is a lifestyle, and you don’t fit life in around it, you weave in into your life. I have homeschooled for 9 years now, and once I finally quit worrying about what all the nameless, faceless “they” would think if they could see me, I have enjoyed the process much more. My house would not be any cleaner if I didn’t home school, I am afraid. I would fill up that time with something else I enjoy, and then spend my evenings with my kids, so it would probably be worse. AND,I ask you, what would I do without all my helpers all day long?? It would just be me and little kids, and a pile of dirty dishes and laundry and unmade beds, ewwww. As it is now, we get school done, get the house picked up, and enjoy our evenings free and clear. LOVE IT. Thanks for bringing this up!!