Pictures Confirming We’re “That Family”

In the immediate surrounding neighborhood, we’re the only family I know of that homeschools.  Added to the fact that our driveway abuts the house immediately to our right and the wife and grown-up daughter both have long-standing public school jobs and you might understand why I wonder sometimes what people think of our family.

The family sharing our driveway have a wide open view for every day that

we didn’t homeschool during the sick, pregnant days,

the hours spent outside instead of sweating over workbooks,

the days we just played monopoly when my dad was in the hospital,

and they keenly see that we stop way before public school days ends.

They don’t ask me any questions(I wish they would) but they ask my kids, “What did you do in school today?” and it’s always on the day that the answer sounds like “We just played monopoly today” or “My mom’s too busy taking care of my grandad to do school today.”  and never on the days that they’re overflowing with excitement about explorers, math games, art, or new reading skills.

I go back and forth over being concerned with the perception of our family.  I think our learning life is great, moving with the seasons of real life, but I can let what others might think buzz in sometimes.

This was one of those days.  The kids had created beautiful paint with chalks and quickly switched from decorating the sidewalk to decorating each other.  And of course, being kids, they wanted to show off the fashion statement on anyone who walked by the house.  I didn’t discourage them in anyway but inside I thought, “This seals it.  Now we’re the family who’s kids are always home, outside during school hours, and look at how their mother lets them run wild.”

Oh, well.  Maybe next time I’ll join them and really give the neighbors something to talk about. Ooh, and I can paint baby Sparkles, too.

Do you ever struggle with the opinion of others toward your unique lifestyle?