UNEXPECTED HOMESCHOOLING BENEFITS– From Someone Who Was Homeschooled By Vida Mercer
Don’t worry, Mom. It will all be worth it. I was on the receiving end of all that effort. And the greatest homeschooling benefits I got were the ones my parents, perhaps, didn’t even think about. When I was homeschooled in the 80’s and early 90’s it was still relatively uncharted territory. Most people had never even heard of homeschooling. After you told people you were homeschooled, and explained what that was, it was almost always met with skepticism at best–if not outright scorn. My mother had a lot of concern about the school board trying to intervene (even though I was always well above grade level). And resources were few and hard to find. My parents were pioneers. And they were brave to even attempt it. But they knew in their hearts it was right–and it was the best thing they ever did for me. I entered college early and graduated summa cum laude. I had a very rewarding career in the legal field and then was able to transition my skills to work from home when my family became the priority. But, more than all that, do you want to know what I really owe to homeschooling–to my mom and dad? Here are the things that mattered most: I learned that I can learn anything on in front of a person deemed worthy to all day.” “What grade am I in? Well, that’s my own. I have always felt a pang of sad- dispense knowledge to me was transforcomplicated.” And yet, despite all that, I ness whenever I have heard someone say, mative. had friends–real friends. And you learn “I wish I could do [insert activity], but that real friends are made because of Instead, your children will learn to seek [insert excuse].” Reasons I have heard who you are. Not being in the same knowledge everywhere. And you will range from, “I don’t have anyone to show home room. Not wearing the same brand take an active part in that. The “teacher” me,” “My mother never taught me how,” of shoes. (a.k.a. mom) becomes the guide and “I don’t have time/money to take classes,” assistant in finding knowledge. So what And when you learn to be that different or the absolute worst one, “I’m not smart does that translate into for your kids in and still make friends, it becomes a lot enough.” adulthood? An unhesitating confidence easier to be different in other ways too. in their ability to adapt and learn new It’s a lot easier to be the “good girl,” to With the help of books and things. Rather it’s to fulfill a need or a make the unpopular choices. It’s a lot the internet, I have yet to desire, homeschooling taught me there is easier to ignore the peer pressure when run across something that nothing that hinders me. you are already known for being the I could not learn how to do different one. I learned that NOT being the same as on my own. everyone else is okay (and you will still And I valued my education all the more And, without a doubt, it is homeschoolhave friends). As if having a name that because I knew it was a trade-off. Homesing that instilled this in me. There is no one has ever heard before isn’t hard chooling is a choice to not have what the something about homeschooling that enough...“Yes, I go to school at home.” public school system offers in order to helps children own their education. NOT “Yes, my mom is my teacher.” “No, she’s have the better education. And even as a growing up with the experience of going not a real teacher.” “No, I’m not dumb.” kid, I knew that. When my friends asked to a big building somewhere and sitting “No, I don’t get to do whatever I want Homeschool continued on page 19 sacramentoparent.com FEBRUARY 2019 17