I hang out with a lot of PS people now and I find that the most forceful ones can start to do my head in, making it so I question my resolve to homeschool again. They seem to focus on how great the social aspect is of school.
And yes, I can see there are great opportunities at school. I don't think we would have known that one of my sons enjoys choir without that free chance to try out. And there are some friendships forming through regular contact, but if we had been able to access more homeschooling activities in our early days here and there had been social invitations from other families then friendships could have been formed while homeschooling too.
It might be working out here for the boys but I know from attending 13 primary schools and 2 high schools that there are no guarantees of the type of "society" in each one. Some may be good like here, others will not.
I understand why people feel the need to pressure me. Me being different makes them feel unsafe. When I remember that this is how society works to encourage conformity then I get less confused about my choices and goals. And then I get a little angry that our society can't appreciate that what they are standing up for has flaws. They don't want to acknowledge that their "PS god" has flaws. It may work for lots but there are also lots for whom it doesn't work, and it can even go as far as harming.
Sorry, but I am not agreeing with your propaganda! I will not rely on the odds of getting another "good" school. By the time we move I will hopefully have had at least one month of desensitisation to my allergens. With some steely resolve and some improved health I will be homeschooling my boys again.
I know my shortcomings and I also know the PS has them too. There are no schooling gods, just different methods and I get to choose for my children, not others who can not see their schooling "god" has clay feet (and that applies to both camps).
Best wishes
Jen
