I’ve been missing for a few days. Maybe you’ve noticed. Maybe you haven’t. Maybe you were happy about my absence because you were able to get something else done! Whatever the reaction, I thought I’d tell you where I’ve been.

Chicago.

Yes, we took a long weekend trip to Chicago to visit people that we (gasp) met over the internet! Here’s the Reader’s Digest Version…..

In June of 2003, bookings opened up for a 2004 Christmas cruise on Disney Cruise Line. We secured reservations and then headed over to the DISboards. On the DIS there is a special section to chat with other people who will be cruising with you. For 18 months, I chatted regularly with people from all over the world. At first we only had one thing in common–we all had plans to sail at the same time. As the months went on, we found more and more in common with one another. And, we were always there for one another. We rejoiced with the news of engagements, school awards, and job promotions. We wept with those who had lost loved ones, or who were ill. We knew so much about one another that by the time we stepped foot on the Disney Magic, it was like a family reunion! Hugs and smiles awaited us at every turn. Instead of being “just another passenger” we were greeted frequently by people we knew.

There was one couple in particular. Mark and Mary. They hailed from a suburb of Chicago and our first meeting with them was on the Disney ship. We definitely clicked. Even though they do not have children, we could relate on so many topics. Our attitudes about life and friendship (and Disney) were identical. We never seemed to run out of things to talk about.

Due to that, we rebooked another cruise with them. And another. And another!! We always arranged to have our dinner tables close to one another or we shared a table. They have become fast friends. Last year they even travelled to Ohio and spent some time with us as we showed them the sights. This year, we travelled up to their neck of the woods to share some time with them.

And show us the sights they did! Braving Chicago traffic and the after effects of a terrible storm, they shuttled us around from place to place to place to place to place to place with nary a complaint. There is no way we could have done what we did without them. I’m sure I’d have turned the car right around and admitted defeat when faced with standstill traffic and flooded out roads. They wined us and dined us (ok, no wine, but it sounded better that way). They entertained us and educated us. They humored us by tracking down a Chicago tradition–Garrett’s Popcorn.

They were the ultimate hosts and the best of friends. We’re already planning our next rendezvous together. Hmmmm…..Maybe a meet at Great Wolf Lodge this winter. Or a trip to Australia was also mentioned. Hmmmm……where to go, where to go?

Interestingly enough, this has provided a way to talk to our kids about internet safety. Yes, we have met lots of people that we’ve talked with on the DISboards. We’ve planned cruises together and met at other times too. But we’re always sure to meet people in very busy, very public places. And we’ve always gone as a family. No one has ever gone alone to meet anyone from the internet. And I think that’s a very big distinction to make. In today’s day and age, you never really know who you’re talking to over the internet and people, especially children, should use extreme caution when considering a real life meet.

Of course, maybe Mark and Mary are psycho internet stalkers and they’re just toying with us. I doubt it, but I promise I won’t drink the Kool-Aid just to be safe!

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Today’s theme is “Happy.” I can’t think of a more happy face than that of a young lady who just got her braces off!

For more “Happy” pictures, click here: PhotoHunt

Technorati Tags: photohunt

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Just been overwhelmed lately, so I’m jumping on an open tag by Deb of Mom of 3 Girls…..

Here’s more about me:

Accent–I don’t have one. I’m from Ohio. We’re the only ones who talk “normal.” hee hee

I don’t drink–Shots of whiskey. Never could. And of course, this beast.

Pets–Two cats. One indoor, one outdoor. Wishing both were outdoor.

Essential Electronics–My laptop. My DVR.

Perfume–If I wear it, it’s Beautiful. But that’s rare.

Gold or Silver–Gold.

Insomnia–Happens in phases. Right now I’m in an insomnia phase. Two Benadryl will only keep me asleep until about 4:30 a.m.

Job Title–Thanks to Whitney over at the LD Podcast offering me this title….”Pediatric Logistics Specialist.”

Most Admired Trait–In myself? Or others? I’d have to say honesty. I hate when people lie to me.

Kids–One daughter, one son. And we’re done. We don’t want to be outnumbered.

Phobia–That my house will burn down while I’m on vacation.

Religion–Christian.

Siblings–Two older sisters (10 and 11 years older) and an older brother (6 years older).

Time I Wake Up–Wake up or get out of bed? I’ve been waking up at 4:30, getting out of bed around 6:30. Would like it if BOTH of those times were 6:30

Unusual Talent or Skill–I can write perfect cursive…..backwards. So when you look at it in a mirror, it’s perfect!

Vegetable I Refuse to Eat–Hmmm…..I like pretty much all of them. Never ate a turnip that I know of, so that’s as close as I get to “refusing.”

Worst Habit–Not exercising regularly, although it’s a habit I’m trying to work on.

X-rays–Not in a long time. Fingers and elbows as a kid–that I can remember. Never broke a bone.

My Favorite Meal–Probably pizza.

Leaving this as an open tag. Whoever wants to play is invited.

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It’s been awhile since I had a rant. And the time has come. This time I’d like to call out all of the closed minded people who go through life with their own opinions and refuse to accept that there may actually be more than one way to skin a cat.

How did this all start? I came across a blog post about homeschooling. In it, the writer explained her rational for why she decided not to homeschool her son. Her reasons were valid for her situation. She felt that her and her son’s personalities would clash and that she wasn’t organized enough to do the task well.

I commend her for researching it, thinking about it, and then making an informed decision based on her own family situation. I have no problem with the author of the original post.

What my rant concerns is the comments she received. They were obviously written by people who had little (or no) experience with homeschooling families. The usual stereotypical arguments came up–mostly that the children would grow up backwards and socially inept. The commenters felt that homeschooled children lacked the social skills needed to function in life. Here a a few examples:

DrBookgrrl states, “The main reason it’s not even an option for us is the simple fact that you have to learn, sooner or later, how to relate to all sorts of people and deal with all sorts of situations. There’s no better place to learn these than in public school, and the younger the better.”

JHS continues with, “….but I can’t understand why anyone would choose to keep their kids at home all the time, away from learning to interact with all kinds of folks and deal with all kinds of situations.”

I’m sorry, but this just shows a complete ignorance to what homeschooling is and can be. JHS goes on to say that in his/her part of the country, homeschooling is rare…..and then adds, “thankfully.”

My kids are homeschooled. I dare anyone to go into a situation where my kids are surrounded by public schooled kids and pick them out of the crowd. I can guarantee, they are NOT the children who are sitting by the wall, looking down, fiddling with their hair or clothes. No, those shy, awkward kids are more likely the ones who have suffered years of taunting and teasing by their public school peers–i.e their “friends.” My children, who have been brought up in an atmosphere of love and encouragement, are out mingling and socializing with the others.

My kids are NOT the ones teasing the others and laughing at them for their mistakes. No, my kids are the ones who support those who are having trouble, who comfort those who are sad. Just last night, during auditions for a play, my daughter overheard a group of public schooled girls criticizing every person who auditioned. “She needs to be louder.” “He won’t get cast, he doesn’t even look the part.” “Oh, gosh, that singing was awful.” My kids were encouraging their peers, not cutting them down.

My kids are the ones who don’t need to be spoon fed their information. They can learn independently. Their curriculum is not based on teaching to the test. It’s based on a classic curriculum with good solid foundations. It is tailored to their level of learning. It is neither over their heads nor dumbed down to the slowest student in the class. Time is not wasted on ridiculous state standards and mandates. While we adhere to all of the policies of the state of Ohio with regard to subject matter, we cover it in a way that is interesting and fun.

My children are exposed to people from all walks of life and from all generations. Unlike their public schooled peers who are lumped together with 25 other children of their exact same age, my kids can interact with people of all ages. They can learn from the older generations, and they have opportunities to nurture the younger ones. Their time is not wasted by long bus rides, classroom procedures, and assemblies explaining the latest school fundraiser.

It’d be interesting if research was done on public school kids vs. homeschool kids in areas such as teen pregnancy, smoking behaviors, drug use, reckless behavior, and depression and suicide. We are involved with a very large homeschool group (over 125 families with over 500 children) and I have YET to meet a homeschooled teen who is pregnant out of wedlock. I have yet to see a homeschooled teen who smokes. If public schooling is so wonderful for kids, and “socialization” cannot be taught any other way, how come these problems are seemingly non-existant in the homeschool community? I’m not saying they don’t exist. I’m not that naive. But their prevalence is much much lower.

Stereotypes are dangerous for society. Whether it be about a certain race, a particular religion, or yes, even a choice on how to educate your children. It is ignorant and narrow minded to make sweeping statements about how homeschooled kids are unable to “relate to all sorts of people and deal with all sorts of situations.”

DrBokgrrl thinks that there is “no better place to learn these (skills) than in public school, and the younger the better.” Why not state sanctioned public education beginning at birth? Why wait until children are 5 to teach them how to deal with these types of things? Think of all of that time lost when we could be indoctrinating them into the “system.”

(stepping off of my soapbox now)

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I need to trim some blog reading and commenting. I did a fine job keeping up with 40-50 blogs during the summer, but our home school year has started and on just the second day I’m already finding I just can’t keep up. It’s a difficult choice because I’ve enjoyed reading tons of blogs this summer, but I’ve whittled my reading list down to 30 blogs. I also may not comment on other blogs as much. We’ll see how this works out. It may need to be trimmed more. I hope not, but the education of the kids does take priority.

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