An Unexpected Challenge
Tuesday, August 15th, 2006By Mimi Rothschild
Two of the major reasons why many parents choose homeschooling are the ability and freedom to instill in our homeschooled children the values we prize and the ability to adhere to those values throughout their lives in spite of outside pressures. It is a constant battle to resist a society of exceptions.
I was less than surprised when a friend asked if we would allow our homeschoolers a reprieve from being vegetarians. The issue was over Halloween candy. Apparently they felt sorry for our homeschoolers for being “forced” to adhere to a seemingly cruel prohibition against sweet and sugary snacks. I was not so surprised by this request, but still shocked that it had come from someone I had known for years and who knew the commitment that we have had to keep our homeschoolers healthy and free of junk food.
As homeschooling parents we had enjoyed the ability to control what our homeschoolers eat to a degree that other parents have not. Without the parental supervision, other kids were free to gorge themselves on fatty, salty and sugary snacks at school and elsewhere. My friend had been around when I had made these diet changes to our lives. Had they not noticed the healthy weight loss or the increased energy levels? Even in the homeschool support groups and at homeschool events I have seen a lack of respect for our family’s choices. Group activities are invariably strewn with junk food.
On the whole, our children are proud of our values and our ability to remain faithful to them, but the lack of respect shown by others has sometimes created rifts in friendships. The insensitivity to our chosen lifestyle has sometimes bordered on mean-spirited rudeness. Some parents look at us like we are torturing our children or forcing our beliefs upon them. Being a homeschool parent has helped make us stronger and aided us in helping our children to understand the value in standing by our convictions. Our children are proud of our values and we are proud of them.