Author : Linda Tyler
There is something that has surprised me on my home schooling journey. Home schoolers lack commitment! For some reason I expected better of my fellow comrades. I believed us to be an honorable bunch. True to our word. It didn't take long to see that such is not the case. And I'm convinced that this lack of commitment hurts the home schooling community.I've spent several years trying to grow a park group. You would not believe the number of people who say they will show up at such and such day and time and never do. You would not believe the number of people who say "I'll be back" and they are never to be see or heard from again. Perhaps they fail to remember that there is a person on the other end of that promise. Is it plausible that they knew how to contact the coordinator to set up a plan, but then forgot when they found they had to cancel? Can they really be so clueless as to think other people have nothing better to do with their time than to wait for them?And just try to plan and coordinate a field trip. Goodness me. People don't seem to understand the logistics involved. Field trips usually require exact head counts.Several years ago we signed up for a bird watching trip. This was at a nature sanctuary out in the boonies. The director was expecting a group of 20 people. She called in a bird expert from 30 miles away. Four people showed up for that trip! The director was clearly annoyed and the coordinator was understandably embarrassed.I have seen this happen time and time again.Why?Is it because home schoolers are used to going against the grain? Do they think they are above accountability? Are they so over scheduled that they cannot keep up?What kind of example are they setting for their kids?In my ever to be so humble opinion home schoolers should be raising the bar, not lowering it. When one's word is given one needs to be make doubly sure that word will be kept. Double check your calendar and make sure you are free on the given day. If something comes up for heaven's sake let the person know. If you are unable to get a hold of them be sure you contact them later and apologize for being a no show. Is it just me or is this basic stuff here?There is no doubt that this affects the home school community negatively. Planners burn out quickly when dealing with this lack of consideration. Eventually park groups fizzle and field trips are no more.This lack of commitment truly baffles me. It has always be my wish to form relationships with other home schooling families. I am interested in building a community of friendships for my kids to grow up with and to create memories with. How can that be done when people are so unpredictable?What are these people teaching their kids? Your word is not important? Promises don't matter, you can say and do pretty much whatever you want to other people and it doesn't matter? Is this really the message we want for our kids?It's true, home schoolers do seem to answer to the beat of a different drummer, but does that mean they have a right to throw simple etiquette right out the window? Not in my book.It's time for home educators to change their ways. The day has come when we must be held accountable for the words we give. When we make a promise we simply must follow through. When everyone starts doing this all benefit. Park groups will flourish and field trips will abound. It will be a win, win situation!Linda Tyler
Home schooling mom in San Diego, CA
http://www.home-education-works.com
Keyword : home schooling, home school park days, home school field trips
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