I'm an unschooler and my mom has never taught me, but people get this idea in their heads from nowhere after they hear the words, "don't go to school," that my mom is my teacher and I have a classroom at home and live in a bunker with a stack of Bibles and chastity belts in the corner.
Then they find every hole in my knowledge -actually everything they know that I don't, forgetting that I know more about many things than they do- and go around blaming my mom for that.
I wouldn't care if they were calling me incompetent or stupid, but bringing my mother in on it is just low.
2007-02-14 02:53:55 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Home Schooling
I have the same problem. Tell people your self-taught. Your mom is there to help you if you need it and check your work. As for the part about bringing your mother into it, I've never had that problem, but I would just smile, tell them you have to go, and walk away. Its better than getting into arguments. If they follow you and perset that you answer, tell them you have better things to do than wasting your time arguing with idiots.
2007-02-14 11:55:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ugh! I feel your pain! My children are mosly unschooled and I work with them in homeschooling. We pretty much do a combination of the two.
We get so many crazy things, such as you have described.
My family had no understanding whatsoever about homeschooling and unschooling. They thought that I should have my kids in a highly structured environment, studying each subject equally each day.
Wrong!
Some weeks we only do math or writing.
People will believe what they want to believe. If it is family or friends that are criticizing your schooling methods, you can educat them by recommending books like "The Idiot's Guide to Homeschooling." There are also many websites that explain how homeschooling actually works.
If it is strangers who are "butting into your business" and making snap judgments about your family and education, you can try giving a brief explanation - if you want. Some people are open to acually listening and learning, but some are not and you must be prepared for that.
If they are "insignificant," meaning random strangers making uneducated, ignorant snap judgments, don't pay any attention. Their opinions don't matter.
You do what is best for YOU. Learn in ways that are best for YOU. Research your own educational path, whether you are college bound, planning to join the military or will go straight into the workforce. Make sure you know what you need to know, do what is best for you and close your ears to the nay sayers who will only hinder your progress. They will destroy your confidence, motivation and desire for your education - don't allow them the satisfaction.
2007-02-14 11:08:03 · answer #2 · answered by fotojunkie 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
When someone asks you about your schooling and you tell them that you "don't go to school" add a little more information. "I don't get my education the usual way, I am an unschooler." First question that will come what is "What is an unschooler", then you can start explaining your way.
Some people just don't like things that are different. You don't have to get upset with them when they start tearing you down, just smile and walk away. This is hard to do but it really gets to them because it leaves them with nothing to do and no one to talk to.
You know what you know and no one can take that away. Have the confidence in yourself and ability to know that you are special and that there will be people who are jealous of what you do or don't do, and these people will be in the world forever.
2007-02-14 11:18:44 · answer #3 · answered by Catie I 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
This might not be at all helpful, but I would stop trying to convince people of this. I'd just say, "I unschool, it's kind of hard to explain it, but my mom doesn't teach me. I learn on my own. That's just how it is." They may or may not accept this. If they don't, that's their problem. They're the ones remaining ignorant and not wanting to entertain other ideas. Accept them for how they are, even if they do have faulty information.
2007-02-14 12:44:09 · answer #4 · answered by glurpy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some people are just busters, and some are really curious. If someone is just trying to make you look stupid in some way because you are homeschooled, resist the urge to make logical arguments--just figure out a way to make the critic look bad--you don't have to make sense, you just have to shut him up! If he is wearing something trendy (it's cool now, but will be a joke next year), you can tell him you need to learn about that from him--how to wear that goofy stuff is woefully absent from your education.
If someone is genuinely interested in your homeschooling, they will ask a lot of the same stupid questions the buster is (I guess you tell the difference by attitude, smile, and whether it is just the two of you in the conversation--you prob. know better than I do), but in that case you should give answers. Even the 'just curious' people will ask a few questions that are out of line, but roll with it--they know what they got out of school and wonder how you do without it. Tell them. They really want to know.
2007-02-14 11:05:17 · answer #5 · answered by wayfaroutthere 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Trying to convince people your mom isn't your teacher is like trying to convince them your dad isn't your principal.
No matter what we say, we always get the same questions, ranging from:
"So is your mom your teacher, and your dad your principal?"
"Do you wear your pajamas to school?"
"Do you get snow days?"
"Did they pull you out because you couldn't keep up?"
"Don't you have any friends?"
etc.etc. People are going to think what they want, and no matter how many times you might make the Dean's list at college, they're still going to treat you like an idiot for not falling into the "norm".
I know it's dumb, but after a few years of it, I've learned it's best just to ignore them. Plus, I know that anyone who would meet my mom knows she's far from stupid. ;)
2007-02-14 14:30:43 · answer #6 · answered by Furr. 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't waste your time trying to convince a bunch of losers of something you know to be true. Years from now you'll meet them again somehow and you'll be successful and they'll still be living in their parents' basement and working at Burger King. Then you can have the last laugh.
Focus on yourself and ignore them. They aren't worth the effort.
2007-02-14 11:04:15 · answer #7 · answered by IT Pro 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
dont tell them you dont go to school then tell them you unschool i do the same thing!
2007-02-14 12:20:09 · answer #8 · answered by Avaria 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just ignore them...people are stupid and don't like what is unfamiliar to them...there's no way to get them to just stop so all you can do is ignore them.
2007-02-14 16:53:59 · answer #9 · answered by ♥Catherine♥ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You shouldnt people should just mind their own business.
2007-02-14 11:03:13 · answer #10 · answered by Rican87 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋