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How do you answer this (?)
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How do you respond when asked, “Why are your kids not in school today”? Besides the obvious answer, “We are done for the day.”
This morning we went to the store early because of weather and having guests over for dinner tonight. So we didn’t have school yet-sometimes we don’t on Fridays. I don’t know how to respond. I said, “Well we homeschool.” The cashier smiled and said, “I bet you are a good teacher because you are so happy.” LOL, if she only knew! That was it. However, I want to know if there is a clever way of saying so. Or any ways you have responded.
We generally don’t go out until after 12. One year when my kids were real young my son got asked the question. What do your kids say? And do you program them to say it before hand!!
Thanks ahead of time!
I, or my girls, just simply say we’re homeschooled. If I’m feeling chipper, I’ll add that we’re in the middle of Consumer Education class.
Yes, that’s all we say, too. Also, I do prepare my children for questions that may come up from others, be they children or adults.
Rachel
I find that most people at the check out stand, or the sandwich counter, are just making small talk, and really don’t care why the kids aren’t in school. They are just being friendly. Sometimes, if I’m not in a hurry, I say that “we homeschool”. I know that doing so can invite unsolicited input. Most people say something positive like your cashier mentioned 2Flowers. Occasionally people are negative, and the rare person must air their concern about “socialization” and “this one weird homeschool family they once knew.” I’m pretty thick skinned, and don’t feel the need to defend myself or explain myself. If I wasn’t though, I probably wouldn’t mention it.
Most of the time though, since I usually am in a hurry, and since I know that they actually don’t really want to know why my kids aren’t in school, I just say “Oh, we’re on our way there.” Most people assume we’re on an errand. And it’s true. We are usually headed back home…to “school”…eventually.
If the question is directed to my kids, by a stranger, I tell them to say “You’ll have to ask my mom.”
Same goes if they ask “What school to you go to?” It’s inappropriate to give that kind of information to strangers. I tell my kids that many adults are well-meaning, but still ask children for inappropriate information. They can always respond respectfully, will a smile, and simply refer them to mom or dad.When people ask my kids what grade they are in, I tell them to just say what grade they would be in at a traditional school.
Sometimes less is more when it comes to answering questions in public. 🙂
I usually answer, “We’re homeschoolers. We are in school.” Or if I feel like fielding questions about homeschool, I might say, “School is done for the day.” Most people really don’t care, imo, and are just making small talk.
I answer the same way. “We homeschool.” My girls proudly answer, “We’re homeschooled!” Then that turns into a conversation about what we do in our school, do you have to have a teaching certificate, how do you teach high school, etc. 😉 Most people however are very pleased to hear we homeschool. I used to fear negativity, but haven’t come across that yet. I love when I can encourage others to give it a try! Or those who didn’t think *they* could homeschool in the eves after work, decide they want to pursue it!
Tara
We also just say we homeschool. Like Tara, we get all kinds of fascination, questions, and only a few funny looks. Mostly they want to know why we do it and they always say something like, “Oh, I could never do that. I need a break from my kids.” It’s hard for me to bite my tongue on that remark, but I smile through gritted teeth.
I think it’s great for people to ask why our kids aren’t in school. I love people knowing that there are those of us out there who are breaking out of the mold of public school.
This is something that, although seems small and insignificant, can have a lasting impact on others. No matter what, I always try to prepare my children for these kind of questions. For example I took all my kids to the dentist last week. The hygienist commented on how quiet and well behaved my kids are. LOL, if she only knew their usual noise level at home! But I gently drill them to remain composed and speak respectfully when asked something. It is important for my kids to communicate as best they can to others, and also show that we are not to be ashamed or hiding the fact that we are homeschooling, nor overly PROUD about it too.
When asked these questions, i usually just say we homeschool with a smile on my face too. If there is the look, (and you know the look when you see it :), I try to calmly keep smiling and move on. After all, their ignorance should not be my concern, but I would hope that a gentle smile of grace would bless them in a positive way. A sweet spirit towards others is worth a lot more than my spoken opinion on schooling, and that is my hopeful eternal goal for my kids anyway…by God’s grace to treat others with love and respect whenever possible, and not to take the defensive on these temporal issues of the world.
Blessings to you!
We have fridays off most of the time because we get out work done in the week. So when asked this question we just say we’re homeschooled and have worked enough hours in the week to have the friday off. Plus we’re usually out anyway going to the museum, library, seeing a movie based on a book we read, etc… I haven’t had any negative looks or answers in a long time.
I guess times have changed – I get tons of positive feedback & I’m excited to be homeschooling. We live in a small town so my kids are tickled when they get asked what grade they are in, because everybody always then asks who their teacher is – my kids giggle & point to me! That’s when I get a few questions – but most are positive. I have only been reprimanded by a neighbor (who leaves her kids at my house every minute they aren’t in school that I will keep them) that SOME mom’s are homeschooling for all the wrong reasons & running away from the serious problems in our school and SHE’s not afraid to get in the face of the administrators and fight for her kids. I got defensive at first – because I have a high schooler – and I know for a fact that pushing for what is right in our school has not helped much – if any – and it’s such a slow go that any changes will not benefit him before he graduates. She wasn’t listening though and started offering some pretty intense criticism – so I just told myself this was not my problem – took a deep breath and told her I needed to get back to my kids…she could just do what was right for her family as I would for mine.
The funniest thing that happened is when I pulled my 4th grader out before school started this year – and – because I’m on the school board – the principal and attendance clerk tried to bribe my son by asking him, “to give school a try”; and, “wouldn’t he miss the Friday pep rallies” they always hld in the elementary school gym for the kids?!? He made me so proud – he snickered and looked at both of them and said – “Did you forget? I’ve been in school for years – I’ve tried it – I’m homeschooling now!” It has been a great experience for us!
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