Diary of a Homeschooler

(Before you read on, please understand that this is not a bitter letter or a letter picking on people: Its simply  a funny letter that debunks some of the misconceptions that I as a Junior in high school have come across in my 10 years of being a homeschooler.  Please enjoy this open letter as much as I enjoyed writing it.  Believe me, I enjoyed it immensely. XD)

Dear Reader, 
I may have previously mentioned that I am a homeschooler, but, if that is not the case, I'll straighten that out right now by saying: I'M A HOMESCHOOLER!  XD  I've been homeschooled all my life with my mom (and sometimes my dad) as my teachers.  They have successfully taught me up to this point ("this point" being my Junior year in high school) along with members of my church who have participated in the homeschool co-op my church supports.  

A good portion of my friends are homeschoolers or have homeschooled in the past or know so much about homeschooling because so many of their friends are homeschoolers, but there are those friends of mine (mostly neighborhood children) who had never met a homeschooler before they met me.  As a consequence, they had some pretty interesting questions for me after I told them how I received my education.  Here are some of the wacky things non-homeschooling people think about homeschoolers:

The Stereotype
For some reason, the stereotype for homeschoolers has been:

1. You don't leave your house

which would make you...

2. Socially awkward

3. You never do any schoolwork

but somehow...

4. You are REALLY NERDY!

and one my favorites...

5.  You don't know what "REAL SCHOOL" is

and apparently...

6. We don't know how to have "REAL FUN" either

I have one question and one statement:

a. Why are the words HOMESCHOOL and HOMESCHOOLER(S) not in the dictionary? I mean really?!  Every time I type HOMESCHOOLER or HOMESCHOOL into my computer (however large or small it may be), auto correct always seems to have what it thinks I mean.  Now, I know everyone has their own auto correct issues; you know, that occasional  text that slips out from under your fingers after your iPhone decides that "ROFL" is actually "ROLF" or "GOLF".  But, homeschool? C'mon...  (I know this wasn't supposed to be a post dedicated to auto correct, but, attached is an open letter to auto correct :D)

b.  Stop putting "REAL" in front of school (and don't get me started on "REAL FUN").  I cringe every time I hear these terms.  There is no such thing as "REAL SCHOOL" because that would imply that our teachers (usually our moms) aren't "REAL" teachers, we don't use "REAL" textbooks, and we don't receive a "REAL" education.  As the famous laugh goes: Ha-ha-ha... No... I believe I speak for all homeschoolers when I say: Everything about us is real! 

The Reality

The reality is that:

1. We probably leave our houses more than you "school-going" kids do

2.  We are not socially awkward.  Our circle of friends don't stay within our grade level.  They usually span from K-12 and beyond

3. I actually had a couple kids ask: "So, you never do any school, right?".  To them I said: "Did you not hear the 'school' at the end of 'homeschool' (emphasis on SCHOOL)?  Wouldn't that imply that I do at least some school?"

4. Thank you for the complement!  Maybe I'll get a really good job this winter while you are still in school and I'm on break if I wear those nerdy, wide-rimmed glasses!

5. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? (JK :P) I actually have been to what you call "REAL SCHOOL" and I hated every minute of it! (oh, and by the way: there are other ways you can say "REAL SCHOOL".  Ya know: Traditional School or Brick and Mortar School.  Try one of those on the next homeschooler you interview: it might go over better ;))

6. Please define "REAL FUN"

Now as I stated in my "disclaimer", I'm not trying to be bitter or pick on anyone.  If however you do find this letter to be unsatisfactory, please comment your complaint below and I will do my best to correct or explain myself to your satisfaction.  If you find nothing wrong with this letter and you have more questions for me, please feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer.

Homeschooling has been an still is one of the most exciting things in my life and I enjoy talking to people of all ages about it!  Thank you so much for reading this letter, and may its contents clear any misconceptions about home education.

Sincerely,
Sasha
A proud homeschooler since birth