Homeschool Field Trips and Behavior in Public

What Impression of Homeschooling Do You Want to Leave with Others?

We homeschooled our four children for over ten years. We did not choose to homeschool because we wanted to shelter our children or hide them at home. Our motto was 'learn by doing'. We organized 100+ field trips, many as part of a larger group. I've found that one bad apple spoils the bunch. Here is my rationale.

Now there are many more homeschooling families nationwide, but homeschooling in our day earned some frowns and questions when we took field trips and went out in public during the day. 'Shouldn't you be in school? Got the day off from school? Why are you out of school at noon?' We don't homeschool anymore, so I don't know if those questions still arise. But there are some important issues to keep in mind if you homeschool your children and take them out during the normal 'school day' for field trips and other activities.

I've heard homeschooling parents complain about those questions or comments asked when their children 'aren't in school'. I'm sorry to say that usually the more vocal they are about comments from the community, the more ill-mannered their own children. Those many families with well-behaved children welcome questions as an opportunity to share their homeschooling ideas.

The formula is pretty simple here. The behavior that your children display will directly affect how members of your community perceive homeschooling. When you go out in public with your children, you are good will ambassadors. There will always be cranks, but you cannot expect the general public to have a positive image of homeschooling if your children act like brats in public.