My 14-yr old freshman and I have been talking about her high school years and planning ahead.  I often ask for her thoughts, what’s going well or not.

While there are classes and activities, attending regular school hasn’t been a request.  She loooves homeschooling. 🙂  We recently had some fun compiling a short list of what her peers think about being a homeschooled teen.

Here they are for your reading pleasure (and because I really needed to laugh this week) —

Myths About Homeschooling

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1.  You choose what work you want to do (if any) :: now, there’s some truth here.  My 9th grader has plenty of input into areas of study, or how we might pursue a certain topic.  We rarely follow anything exactly.

But somehow her non-homeschooled peers think she gets up each day and simply decides if work is to be done or not.

Hmmm…interesting.  Her response?

‘You don’t know my Mom…I can’t do that!’   Good answer! 🙂

2.  Your siblings are your only friends ::  this one is quite hilarious because it often comes from those she knows fairly well and sees on a regular basis at group activities.

But, they are really close as brothers and sisters…

my friends really love me!

3.  You don’t use classroom supplies or electronics  :: most recently – you use a microscope and have lab work?  There’s even shock when mentioning sitting at a desk (Wow, you have a DESK!?).

This one is a mix from friends and from parents who might ask me questions about homeschooling.  A look of surprise often crosses faces if we mention Kindles, an iPad, lab supplies and more.  I guess it’s not common knowledge most science items used in a classroom can be purchased for home.

That’s okay, I really do get it.  But sometimes, I want to chuckle and respond – ‘and we have electricity too!’

4.  Your Mom must be really smart :: well, thank you! 🙂  But I’m not aiming to teach every subject – that’s not even how homeschooling works.  But others think I do.

For example, when my teen mentions studying Arabic, there are looks of awe my direction if I’m present.  What friends and parents may not know is how I responded to the request for this particular language study:

“Sweetie, I’m not really interested in studying Arabic with you – I’ll support you in every way I can, but we’re finding another teacher and a class.”

And we did.

deep, thoughtful reading at my ‘desk’

5.  And the #1 and often first response from peers is…You get to stay in your PJs all day ::  well…there is truth to this.

We do romp around in lounge wear on some days, especially in the winter (it’s just comfy)!  But no, pajamas are not everyday around here.  Not at all.

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I guess mystery will always surround the subject of homeschooling, and how families manage to do it so well.  So, keep following the blog – next year might bring new myths to discuss!