I've been thinking A LOT the past week or so about being a homeschool ambassador and how I articulate my values to others.
Maybe it's a couple of conversations I've had with "potential" homeschool moms, or maybe it is the conversation I just had this past weekend with a homeschool skeptic.
Then again, maybe it was that compliment I received at church from someone who said they WISHED they had had the courage to homeschool when their children were school age.
Or, maybe you're the ones I'm looking to for encouragement?
Ambassador:
An authorized representative or messenger
(definition courtesy of Mirriam-Wester)
Part of my job as a homeschooling parent is to lend credibility to what we do. Yes, I know I don't have to "answer" to anyone, but it sure is nice to show non homeschooling parents that we are intentional, intelligent, and successful. After a long conversation with a public school teacher last week, I came away feeling like I had furthered the cause of home education, and that just maybe I had encouraged a deep rooted interest in home education in the woman I was talking with.
This woman and I have been sitting together at the tennis courts for the past several months. We always exchange pleasantries (normally I'm busy knitting); I know her children attend the public school where she is a teacher. Last week, she struck up a conversation about homeschooling, and expressed to me her worries about middle school, and how she felt the public schools limited her daughters from achieving their potential. As I listened, I saw SO MUCH of myself in this woman ~ so much of the uncertainty and concern about her children's education, and her longing to try something different, but at the same time being worried about trying something different.
As we were talking, another parent from the class approached me and said,
Excuse me - I don't mean to interrupt, but do you mind if I listen while you talk about homeschooling?
Right then I put down my knitting and gave them my full attention. Each of them had daughters approaching middle school, and each of them longed for more freedom, creativity, and control in their children's education.
We had a wonderful conversation about homeschooling, and I feel perhaps I made a difference in both of their decisions - at least I hope I did. Driving home, I began to think about WHY it is so important that we, as homeschooling parents, can articulate our viewpoints and the importance of what we do. This led me to some personal questions, which I thought I would share with readers of my blog - maybe it will give us all something to think about.
Can you clearly state WHY you homeschool your children?
When people ask why we homeschool I simply state, "We tried the public schools and after several years I just realized we could do it better at home. We have the resources and the time and think they will get the best possible education on our watch."
Can you clearly articulate your educational philosophy and what your children are learning?
People inevitably ask how you decide what they will learn and if they will go to "regular" high school and how will they get in college? I have researched all of this thoroughly and once I start talking about the four year cycle of history in the classical education model their eyes start to glaze over - ha! But seriously, I make a point of telling them the major things my children are learning and usually my oldest chimes in because she's excited to share about our homeschool.
Are you able to relate to parents with children in traditional school, and affirm their worries about homeschooling?
In the conversation I had at the tennis court I made sure to mention that I had worried about how I would "get it all done", and "would my children really listen to me?". Moms contemplating homeschooling worry about the death of their "me time" and think they might be very isolated homeschooling . I share my fears and how I dealt with them, and also tell them all about our co-op and local homeschool association.
Are you really honest about the toll homeschooling can take on you at certain points in time?
I have to confess and tell people it isn't always easy and the first year was ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT! It does, however, get easier - and through our struggles my children and I grew closer. I would say the good days outnumber the bad, hands down.
Do you show a genuine love for being with your children each day, or do you see them as your "educational burden"?
I have to be careful sometimes (especially with my closest friends) not to complain when I'm tired and run down. I have days when I could fill a whole conversation with complaints, but then I have to stop myself and realize how blessed my family is to be in each other company each day. I love watching my children learn and I love learning with them. Does this radiate through in a happy, loving spirit?
I'm finally getting to a point (now that we've been homeschooling a couple years) to where I feel as if I can encourage others, and I feel it is my responsibility to further the cause of home education. God placed it on my heart to bring my children home, and now He has placed it on my heart to share that good news, if you will, with others.
Have you found yourself in a situation like the one I described recently? What did you do? I'd love to hear from you!
*photo credit - Phae
Sunday, April 1, 2012 at 11:22PM 
Reader Comments (14)
Great post. I have had people ask me questions about homeschooling as well while out and about on our journeys. I carry blog cards and hand them out after answering questions. My cards have my email, phone #, FB, Twitter and Blog listed. I tell them to let me know if they have any more questions. One reason I started my blog and gear it towards freebees is because I like to encourage people to think outside the box. I like to inform them its not super hard and that your kids will guide you based on their interests, skills, etc. Its funny because often people think Gwyn is 7ish and that I have been homeschooling for a couple of years.
Great point about the blog cards -- I keep several in my wallet for that exact reason! Your freebies are such a GREAT resource, Kathy!
This is my 1st year homeschooling my 3 girls & I have to admit that I am full of worries! How do you get past that?
It is very easy to fall prey to the complaints. Yet, when we do this for the glory of God, then we need to allow Him to work with what we have. It seems we so often allow our selves to become selfish in our thinking and that's when we question what we are doing. Complaints only make others back up. Yet, it is necessary to make sure new homeschool mommas understand the "stress" that comes with it.
Mary, I remember this post from when you originally posted it :) I loved it then, and I still do! I have been able to act as a homeschool ambassador in my own community many times, and I really enjoy the role. Since we're such a small community, and I am a fairly visible person (working in the library as I do), people with homeschooling questions come to me. I recently had the opportunity to have a very rewarding meeting with two moms who plan to homeschool next year.
Two thumbs up! I agree with you. We should be able to clearly explain why we homeschool. We ARE ambassadors. The question is whether or not we do it well.
Yes, it's important to remember that we are ambassadors. Sometimes we have to be self-controlled when we just want to complain.
(Actually, due to other things in my life, I'm starting to wonder if we shouldn't always be self-controlled and not complain....)
In any case, it's a great post. To tie in with it, here are some facts to help you be a homeschool ambassador. http://anniekateshomeschoolreviews.com/2012/04/statistics-and-homeschoolers-a-helpful-summary/
Blessings!
Grr..I hate typos ;)
LOVE this! I too feel like we should all be Homeschool Ambassadors. [Ok is it bad that I had to glance up to make sure I spelled that right!!??]
Seriously though, I have had several people ask me about it. In fact, 2 people that I have spoken to about it has begun homeschooling! It is funny because sometimes I see Momma's that I just 'know' would rock at homeschooling. It is in their hearts but they just aren't sure yet. I am still working on them. :)
I agree with Jimmie, we are ALL ambassadors, we just need to make sure we are positive ones. I also think our children are Jr. Ambassadors. Nothing speaks as highly of homeschooling than our children. Keilee has actually always been really good at presenting HSing as a positive thing because she loves it so much.
Great post Mary.
I remember this post from when you first wrote it. Working in the public library, I have had to answer many questions from both sides. I always find myself trying to convey the awesome benefits to everyone who asks and feel that I fall short in explaining how awesome homeschooling really is!
I remember this post and think of it often! I do think it's important to know why we homeschool and to have a clear explanation ready. I try to explain in a way that isn't judgmental or haughty sounding, I hope! I try to convey that it is a schooling choice that has worked well for us, it's not for everybody, but I'm so grateful that we have the opportunity to make this choice for our children.
Great post, Mary, and I, too, remember when it first ran. Just this evening I had a chance to act as an ambassador with one if my very best childhood friends who's considering homeschooling next year!
I'm struggling with this because this is my first "real" year homeschooling (my oldest started kindergarten) and it's been a hard year. I feel like I loose site of exactly why I'm homeschooling, and I only have the energy to keep going. I don't have what it takes to "defend" it to the world right now. I'm not super familiar with lots of teaching concepts, etc, I can't "show" that what we're doing is working. All I say for now is that my husband is on weird shifts (he's a police officer) and so I want our family to have common off days. I know I have other motivations that I can't vocalize.
Great post! Since this is our first year homeschooling, I have found myself playing it off as we only do it because my daughter is extremely advanced. While that was our original reason, there are thousands of other reasons and benefits that we see from being able to homeschool our children. I am going to make a new effort to better articulate why we homeschool.
Oh I love this, Mary! YES I am always a homeschool ambassador, but it has only been in later years (the past 6 or so) that I began to be really truthful about the cost to new or potential homeschoolers. They have to know what they are getting into. Know that their time will be gone, their house probably won't be as clean as they want it to be, and that they will need intentional FUN times with their kids so that they don't only have SCHOOL time with Mom and then she's too tired to do anything else. We have to be ready to talk about both sides of the homeschool coin.