You know you're a homeschooler when....

Last week we went to the Homeschooling EduFair, the brainchild of Pamela Cooper, one of the homeschooling moms in our community. Pamela (who, I might add, gains nothing financially by doing this) organizes Field Trips for homeschoolers, as well. One never has to look far to find an educational outing to parks, factories, retail stores, government offices, etc. Pamela planned 3 Edufairs this year in Springfield, Monett, and Seymour, recruiting vendors and volunteers to bring resources to all who are interested in home educating.

As we were driving to "South Park" in Seymour, I was coaching the kids regarding their behavior. I asked Littlewho to please NOT say "Son of a..!", which he is in the habit of doing at home. He said "OK, I won't". Then I asked him to remember his manners and if he became upset to avoid performing any Karate kicks on any of the kids. He agreed that he wouldn't do that. I then asked the kids to participate in the Mad Science presentation that Pamela had scheduled and to try to do so with ENTHUSIASM! Suddenly Sisterwho started laughing hysterically and I couldn't understand what all of the carrying on was about.

When she was finally able to speak clearly, Sisterwho said "I was just thinking of that joke book you have". You see, I have a book entitled "The Official Book of Homeschooling Cartoons" by Todd Wilson, a homeschooling dad. We bought it at the Homeschooling Convention this year and have been able to relate to the way the cartoons poke fun at what is a reality in our lives.

One of the cartoons has a picture of a mom driving a minivan with the reflection of her face in the rear-view mirror. She is looking back at the kids with eyebrows furrowed as she is lecturing them. The caption at the top of the page reads "You know you're a homeschooler when...." and there is a conversational bubble indicating the words she is saying:

"Now don't mention that we didn't get up till 9:30 or that your little brother can't read...or that we buy our bread from a store...or that you've seen Disney movies...and whatever you do, try not to say the words Batman or Power Rangers...and for goodness sakes try to act SMART!!!!".

The bottom of the page follows up on the previous caption with "...you panic when your kids go to other homeschoolers' homes."

We had a good laugh and for the record, the kids didn't let me down.