NOT FUNNY
I think this columnist was trying to be cute. She failed.
I never thought the day would arrive when I would understand the impulse to home school.
The idea of removing children from the real world and educating them in the cloister of your basement rec room — in essence to deprive your children of any knowledge but that which you spoon-feed them — has always struck me as problematic, if not wrongheaded.
Until last Tuesday.
That was when my daughter asked a question I’d presumed to be still years away.
“Mommy, can I have lip gloss?”
7 Responses to “NOT FUNNY”
 Comment by darby November 28th, 2004 at 8:49 am |
I’m sure she’ll get swamped with mail, but here’s what I wrote to her: “I sympathize with your views on consumer culture, but as a homeschooling parent I can’t help wincing at your stereotyped depiction of homeschoolers. Though, I do know that you were just trying to be funny. I could go on and list all the activities my kids have, and how much time they spend with friends, but I’m sure you’ll get plenty of e-mails like that. Instead I would just ask that you think about one thing: Is your dear daughter cloistered away from the real world every summer? (I’m assuming – hoping? – that you don’t actually have her in institutional care 365 days a year!) For my kids, their lives are very much like an endless summer, with academics tossed in. They ramble around with a pack of other children, they swim, and they involve themselves in the community. You may find yourself in the position someday of having a child who is desperately unhappy in school, and it may turn out that there aren’t any other good options besides homeschooling. I hope you don’t, but if you ever do I’m sure you won’t cloister your child then, either.” |
 Comment by Tim Haas November 28th, 2004 at 9:34 am |
Darby always makes me feel bad, because she’s so darned reasonable. |
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Comment by Dave November 28th, 2004 at 12:01 pm |
And humble too. Well said, Darby. |
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Comment by Daryl Cobranchi November 28th, 2004 at 6:43 pm |
Darby always makes me feel bad, because she’s so darned reasonable. And humble too. Well said, Darby. You’re both right. Darby’s terrific. I think we need more female “voices” around here. How ’bout it, Darby? Need another “job”? You’re invited. |
 Comment by Chris November 28th, 2004 at 8:42 pm |
So my role as the unreasonable and inflammatory voice of HS’ers is still safe? |
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Comment by Daryl Cobranchi November 28th, 2004 at 8:45 pm |
In fact, Chris, we’re counting on it. |
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Comment by darby November 28th, 2004 at 9:50 pm |
Aw, gee… 🙂 |