Maybe I am a Feminist
June 4th, 2007 at 12:12 am by Hope (Homeschooling)
LOL! Been doing some late night reading at Throwing Marshmallows and Just enough. They phrased much more eloquent responses to a blog post saying, among other things that homeschooling is being forced upon us. What? Isn’t it public school that is technically “forced?”
Go read their posts for something really coherent and well phrased. Here are my attempts:
First, I’ve never heard a homeschooling mom say she felt “forced” into homeschooling. Ok, at least not in the way the article implies if I understood it correctly. Forced by circumstances maybe. NO ONE forced me to homeschool. I chose it because I had the desire and the opportunity. Throwing Marshmallows sez, “And isn’t that what feminism is all about? About being able to do anything that we set our minds to without being told that we can’t?” Guess that makes me one. 
Second, I am “earning” far more now than I was as a “working” mother. Every day I see my kids do and hear them say things that amaze me. Things I would have missed before. Ok, so some of those things are frustrating but hey, that’s kids/life. But I am able to be THERE for it. Decades from now, when I look back on this time, I will know I gave them my best. It may not be perfect, but it will be my best. That is worth a fortune to me!
Third, I am no slave. I do take time out and go do things just for me, without the kids. Sometimes my DH has to shove me out the door, but I do go. Though I love being a mom, it is only part of the whole me. I look forward to them leaving the nest as much as I look forward to each of their discoveries.
Lastly, it takes two to tango as they say. Without the agreement and support of my husband, this choice would not have been available. I should say that we, my husband and I, chose to homeschool our kids.
Oops, nope… one more thing. I AM NOT saying that one must homeschool his/her kids to give them his/her best. Nope, not saying that at all. K? This is MY BEST as defined BY ME and applies to no one BUT ME. If I could not homeschool, I would find other ways to “be there.”
Ok. Rant is over. I’m going to bed now.
