Yes we actually leave the house Thankyouverymuch!
Another annoying Homeschool assumption debunked!

Today I took Mendel to the Dentist. I wasn't too horribly pleased with the entire experience though. The major thing that made my day was that they agreed to payments and he is not in pain anymore... Yep, that about ends the happy feeling.

I went back to their little office and spoke to the Dental Assistant and she acted like I was a HORRIBLE mother b/c OHMYGAWD!! My son has a cavity! Actually, his teeth are like mine. I told her point blank, we don't have insurance and can't afford to pay for dental care. He DID go to the dentist and I knew of ONE tooth that needed dealt with. Apparently, obviously, it is worse now. I explained that we have well water and he can't use flouride drops because it burns his mouth... Then she burned my BEEEEP when she acted like that was the strangest thing she ever heard. It wasn't as bad as when she asked if we get out any since we homeschool and stated that even IF he got a little flouride from another water source, then it would be better than none but since we homeschool... I coulda... I guess with a school name of HomeLife Academy it is obvious.

SO... MYTH:

Homeschoolers lock themselves into their home never to leave except for the ONE dentist appointment they make their kids each year to see how rotten their teeth have gotten.

Reality CHECK:

Homeschoolers aren't any different from anyone else. We don't lock ourselves away from society. We aren't hiding our kids from the world. We do go outside the confines of our homes on a weekly/ daily basis. There are many things outside our homes that we do. Church, Homeschool groups, Family get togethers, Park days, Band, Concerts, Ballet, Meetings, Family get togethers, etc etc... Anyone want to name what you do outside your home? Email me if you would like. Your name will not be posted.

Despite the popular belief of my family members (a few, not all) and apparently several people I have run into this week, I do NOT lock myself and my children in the house to do "school". School didn't work for us and I not going to emulate it inside my house. Education happens everywhere! The grocery store, driving down the street, at the lake, walking down the sidewalk, laying in the grass to watch stars, at a friends home, at Nana's house, in the country, in the city, in a suburb, in a nursing home, in the commisary, etc. It happens everywhere. Education is not gained merely from reading print in a book. It is gained through experience, trial and error, and DOING what you are learning. Even math has become a hands on learning experience for us. We are not merely SCHOOLING our child, we are EDUCATING them. There is a difference.

Furthermore! Homeschoolers can run anywhere from filthy rich to dirt poor and anywhere in between. Simply because we have busted our butts to make ends meet because of decline in the economics of this area, does not make us bad parents because we can't afford dental care. We are doing good to afford health insurance and you see where my husband is so we can get that? (Across the country!) Just because they punish intact families by offering NO help where it is truly needed does not mean we are bad parents. It means we are struggling to make ends meet, but bad parents, we are not.

Comments you want to added to this post? Email me and I will add them here (Anon. if need be)