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  • NOT FUNNY

    Filed at 7:20 am under by dcobranchi

    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.
    We don’t have a basement. We do have cable TV. We’re seeing the Spongebob movie today, for my son’s 7th birthday.

    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.


    Comment by
    Dave
    November 28th, 2004
    at 12:01 pm

    And humble too. Well said, Darby.


    Comment by
    Daryl Cobranchi
    November 28th, 2004
    at 6:43 pm

    Darby always makes me feel bad, because she’s so darned reasonable.
    Posted by Tim Haas at November 28, 2004 09:34 AM

    And humble too. Well said, Darby.
    Posted by Dave at November 28, 2004 12:01 PM

    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?


    Comment by
    Daryl Cobranchi
    November 28th, 2004
    at 8:45 pm

    In fact, Chris, we’re counting on it.


    Comment by
    darby
    November 28th, 2004
    at 9:50 pm

    Aw, gee… 🙂
    I’m glad everyone liked my letter! I really hope she reads it.
    Did anyone else write one?
    (Daryl, I e-mailed you!)