Going Against the Grain

Several years ago, I called into a talk radio show to answer a question the host was asking.  During the conversation, I said that I home schooled my children.  The next caller said he felt sorry for my kids because I was stifling their imagination.

That conversation is one that I relive on a fairly regular basis.  Right now, my oldest son is using old soda boxes to fabricate a costume (Cardboard Man) and the middle child is building a domino structure complete with Lego ramps.  This is one of the days that I smile at the thought of my kids not having an imagination.

It’s not the first time that I dealt with a prejudice towards homeschooling, nor do I think it will be the last time.  People have heard the few horror stories about homeschoolers (or any group for that matter) and that’s all that they see.  The press doesn’t swarm all over the good stories.  Even the positive press that the Duggars are getting is almost in a mocking tone.

When other people are putting you down it can be easy to get discouraged or even misdirected from doing the things you know you should be doing.  That is why it is important to surround yourself with other people who will lift you up and carry you when “they” beat you down.

That talk show is now off the air – which is just fine with me.  I’m sure that the person who thought my children were deprived still prays for their release from homeschooling prison – and he can keep praying until the cows come home.  As for me, I learned long ago that going against what “they” have to say can be a fun and exciting adventure.  I’m not about to stop now.