A couple of weeks ago our home ed group went to the park. It was a glorious day – even though we hadn’t reached the advertised dates, the water features had been turned on and as my kids had brought sunsuits and towels ‘just in case’ they were very happy. soa had a good time too – close encounter with some grass and plenty of cuddles from other ppl.
On our way back to the car with her in wrap, we elicited the usual round of interested comments. All my children as babies seem to have been attractive to passers by, but soa comes out way ahead – I think it’s because in the wrap she’s at head height and therefore pretty much irresistible. It’s even more effective when she smiles back, but happens whether she’s awake or asleep.
Right next to our car there was a couple waiting, I’m not sure what or who for. They complimented us on the wrap, and asked what school the other kids were at. Small internal sigh and I said brightly, they don’t go to school, they’re home educated.
The instant and cheering response was “good for you! Think that shows that you have strength of mind.”
Wow. Big smile. Once they’d started with that we did go through the standard questions on what you have to teach, curriculum materials and so on, but I really didn’t mind given how positive an overall reaction we were getting. They’d met some other home educators in the past, none of whom were familiar to me – it does make me wonder time and again how many ppl are home educating in isolation and whether there is anything we (the networked ones) can be doing to reach out to anyone who is looking for assistance/ community. Any thoughts? I’m quite happy for ppl not to get dragged into home ed groups if they don’t want to be, but I do worry about ppl going it alone desperate for someone to talk to and just not knowing where to look.
So, glowing from the compliments as well as the afternoon in the sun, we had a good trip home 🙂
Leave a Reply