random Archives - Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau

Feb 01 2017

One of the most important posts I’ve ever written

{This is a follow-up to a previous article that received so much attention, I knew I needed to post what’s been going on since that time. In the article, below, I share a little of the feedback I’ve received over the last several years. But, if you’d like to read the original article first, click HERE}

In case we’ve never met, allow me to introduce myself as a professional educator and 20+ year veteran homeschool parent. I homeschooled my kids all the way to college, and I remain a passionate advocate for home education and parental rights, working, writing, and, speaking to families coast to coast. I was a college professor for many years, then certified as a school teacher some years later. I have probably spent time in every kind of classroom setting you can imagine. At one point, I even mentored new teachers, too.

My classroom experiences, combined with research and my own instincts are what led me to chose home education for my own children. I eventually left traditional schoolrooms altogether. I couldn’t be part of that malfunctioning (read: harmful) system any more.

I have never looked back on my decision not to send my children to traditional school.

I encourage everyone who feels the same way to make the same decision I did.

When I wrote the article “Why I Quit Teaching” in 2014, I never imagined the response it would get. I wrote it partly to vent my frustration and partly to explain to readers why I left (especially the parents of children in my classes who might be reading). But, mostly, I wrote it for all the other frustrated teachers, frustrated parents, frustrated administrators, and a generally frustrated public — people who might need to read it, people fed up with the state of traditional education, people wondering if they were the only ones thinking there was something terribly wrong.

I wanted people who read my article to understand how difficult / tiring / thankless teaching really is, and how little good teachers can do anything about it.

I wanted people who read my article to understand how hard I tried to make a difference, but how powerless I was, how powerless all teachers are, to do what our hearts originally called us to do.

I wanted people who read the article to know there is something terribly wrong. Worse, that there isn’t anything they can do to change it.

Since writing that post, I’ve received SO. MANY. EMAILS. More than I can count now. Some left comments under the article itself, but most write directly to my Inbox. I read the emails with chills, my eyes welling with tears of empathy and understanding. I write back with as much support as I can muster, as I too experienced many of those same feelings at one time, too.

Though the article is now 2 years old, I continue receiving letters from frustrated teachers about once a week. I can only imagine how many other teachers think of writing to me, or writing to someone else, or speaking out about what they’re going through.

Emails have come from all parts of the country:

“I am a teacher in Texas and have reached that breaking point. I read your article about you quitting and never going back. I feel I am at that point. “

“I’m in Florida and completely understand what you wrote. Your article brought me to tears because of the similarity to my own situation. I finally feel understood.”

“In Michigan it’s the same thing. My colleagues and I are so bunched up in knots over what they’re asking us to do. It’s like we can’t even teach any more.”

From all kinds of teachers:

“I am a new teacher with an assignment to teach two sections of English I and five sections of remediation English in high school. I went into teaching because I love education and partly because I wanted to make an impact… Most of my students despise me and I hate the profession. I am lost and it has only been eight weeks.”

“I am a student teacher and already I’m rethinking my decision to go into this profession. What I’ve seen in the few classrooms I’ve worked have already left me wanting to run in the other direction.”

“I have been teaching for almost 20 years and I am at my breaking point. I used to love my work and felt I was making a big difference. Things have changed so much over the last 20-something years. This is not the job I originally signed up for…”

With all kinds of questions, worries, and frustrations:

“It seems unprofessional but I honestly want to quit and get out asap with little notice. I don’t know if I can even take two more weeks. I have found myself in such a pit of depression I barely want to eat, shower, or get out of bed and no job should ever make you feel that way. I need out now.”

“Quitting is not an option. I search the Internet for ways to help my students but nothing is taken seriously. Is there any way to incorporate a few aspects of the home school model into the public education system?”

“The work load and stress the rest of the year is simply not worth it. I…have to worry about another special education student hitting another student or throwing something at my stomach while I’m pregnant and nothing being done because the rules are different for him.”

“I’ve started applying for corporate jobs as a professional trainer/curriculum designer and I’m hoping I get on somewhere soon because we need the income (I just can’t stay in the school system anymore). I’ve also thought about teaching online college courses or maybe making crafts and selling on Etsy or similar sites. “

“I am going through a mixture of emotions right now: disappointment: I have put forth so much time, money, and energy to become and be a teacher and had such high hopes of what it would be but it is nothing close to what I wanted.”

I personally respond to as many as I can. Sometimes, the teachers and I correspond for a period of time.

I try to create a container where these people can get their thoughts out. Because there really isn’t anything I can do, I can’t make recommendations for or about them. How could I? I don’t know any of these people or their situations.

But, at least I feel I can provide a listening ear. So, I devote 30 minutes a week or so to replying to teachers who write to me about quitting.

Had you any idea our nation’s teachers were suffering in this way?

Were you aware how helpless, hopeless and misunderstood many teachers actually feel?

In case you weren’t, I figured I’d let you know. Looking back now, I know that was one of the most important posts I ever wrote.

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. A homeschooling pioneer and the founder of many groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the public school system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame, with no teaching background whatsoever. A writer, a homeschool leader, and a women’s life coach, Marie-Claire mentors in a variety of areas that impact health, education and lifestyle. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, The Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool Network, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on Holistic Parenting, CONNECT,Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of sites and blogs nationwide. Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

Nov 16 2015

Things I hate about homeschooling

You guys know I love homeschooling. You know I love introducing it to people who are anxious to get started. You know I speak to audiences about the advantages and benefits of graduating from a home education program.

I just can’t say enough about it. Homeschooling is the bomb.

Unless you ask me what I don’t like about it. Which I don’t mind sharing, either. Because I never want you going around thinking, “What a liar. She said it was gonna be easy, and now my kid’s failing Algebra 2” and things like that.

It’s not fair for people to trick you into thinking homeschooling is all unicorns and rainbows. I need you to know it’s serious business, and it can be really, really hard. I should probably also tell you there might be days when you dream about the school bus and getting the house all to yourself. Sometimes, it can get so frustrating you even want to quit.

In case you think I’m joking, I’ve made a list of the things I hate about homeschooling. Well, strongly dislike. These aren’t deal-breakers obviously, but things I could seriously do without.

I’ve written this article so you’ll understand that when homeschooling (as with anything else), you learn to take the good with the bad. If this stuff bothers you a lot, they might be deal breakers for you. But, if you can look past them as I do, they don’t make a bit of difference compared to all the good you’re doing for your kids.

Things I Hate Strongly Dislike About Homeschooling

People who pretend to be supportive but really aren’t

You know those friends and family members who smile politely and ask all the obligatory questions? They really don’t want to hear your answers. Because they’ve already made up their minds that you’re either crazy, or wrecking your kids lives, or both. I try not to waste my time on hypocrisy or negativity. It’s hard to avoid though.

People who ask if there is something wrong with my kids

Like those people who witness a meltdown in public (yours or your kids’) or who see your kids doing something sorta crazy or super-nerdy, and they can’t relate? They assume there is something terribly, terribly wrong because you’re not doing anything about it. Especially if you’re the kind of mom who doesn’t care about that kind of thing because you know your kids are fun and quirky and normal. So, you don’t even try to explain or change what’s happening, therefore they assume you’re really messed up.

Never getting to be alone in my own house

Over the last 20 or 30 years, there has always been somebody at home. And, when you leave the house, you’re usually all together. So, you personally never get any time in your own house, alone, to just do whatever in the heck you want, in your own house, because you can. I distinctly remember all the times this has actually happened in my house, by the way, which is exactly 2. Because I keep track.

Having to answer questions about homeschooling to total strangers just because they ask

Just because we’re doing something that makes people curious doesn’t mean we totally have to drop everything we’re doing. Sometimes we have babies in our arms or it’s at the very second we were just about to make a dash to the restroom. But we can’t always avoid making eye contact with people, or we’re just trying to be polite, and now we have to spend all that time pretending to be nice and telling them everything they want to know. That.

Wondering if people really want to “have coffee” or if they secretly just want to get free homeschooling information

Because you really want to have friends, but when you’ve been homeschooling a while, you start getting the impression that people only love you for what you know. And everybody knows how frugal homeschoolers are, but you simply don’t have time for “quick questions” all the time. Besides, you don’t even like coffee that much, and it’s not worth getting a free cup if it’s going to take 2 precious hours out of your day and you’re not even going to feel refreshed afterwards. It’s just hard to figure out if you’re really friends or if people are just using you to get free information they’re too cheap to pay for from people who actually give that kind of advice for a living.

Feeling like we have to look more perfect or sound more perfect in public because people are really judgmental

You know, because somebody might ask you or your kids a question, or might notice your kid has a bruise on his arm from falling off his scooter and that person might be your pediatrician and you’re afraid he might report you for neglect. Or other people might notice you’re out during the day when all the other kids in town are “in school” and your kids are not. So, you can never truly relax 100% because there’s always that person who’ll think something or say something or spread something that makes homeschoolers look bad, and you feel responsible for making sure that doesn’t happen.

Rarely getting anything for myself

They all take it. And there’s never any left. Even when I put my name on it and hide it aaaaallll the way in the back in the fridge. Because I’m the mom and they don’t care, and that’s the way the world goes ’round. And I’m not supposed to feel bad about it either. Okay, maybe this isn’t just about homeschooling.

Never being able to afford anything, and not being able to show my kids the world

I know people travel on the cheap but the truth is, there’s just never anything extra in the budget (plus, we run a business so we need to be in one place). Which makes me sad, because my kids want to see things and places, and I feel like a big old failure when I can’t provide it. They don’t ask for much, so this is actually a tough one for me. I wish I could’ve figured this one out years ago.

Never enough time to work on marriage and focus on my husband

Everyone knows we’re supposed to work on our marriages and prioritize this very important thing. But, the problem is lack of time to even spend with our husbands (speaking to wives here), let alone read books or study things about marriage. I still manage to do it to some degree, but there’s definitely some frustration over doing it enough.

Not being able to contribute to the family income

Since you were capable of earning a decent income before kids, now you’re feeling like you can’t use your experience or your college degrees to significantly contribute to the family income. Especially when money is tight, and particularly when people ask if “you work” or what “you’re gonna do when the kids move out” and things like that. It’s a decision you made when you had kids, and you know you made the right choice, but there’s still that little feeling that you could be earning money, maybe even lots of it.

So those are my homeschooling pet peeves. Perhaps you agree with some of them, or maybe those wouldn’t bother you at all. Thankfully, mine is a short list. Because, as I’ve said repeatedly, I love homeschooling my kids.

Is there something you hate about homeschooling? Post a COMMENT letting me know. I’d love to compare notes. Or, maybe it’ll end up in my next book.

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago. The founder of homeschool groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast. Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame and with no teaching background whatsoever. A liaison for regional school-to-home organizations and a homeschool leader in Florida, Marie-Claire also mentors homeschool families nationwide. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Home Education Council of America, Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool, and many other events. Her articles have appeared in and on CONNECT, Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of other blogs nationwide. Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.

Feb 09 2015

Things homeschool dads should never say to their wives

As homeschool mammas, our days are really full. From the minute our feet hit the floor in the morning until we (literally) fall into bed at night, life doesn’t stop for a single second.

Why do we do it? Because it’s important, we believe in it, and we love it.

But it isn’t easy. Not by a mile.

That’s why on those days — you know the ones – when we barely manage to get dressed by lunch time, have a sink full of dishes from two nights before, and somehow manage to last all day without a single pee, there are some things we just don’t want to hear.

So, heads up, dads. This one’s for you.

It’s for all the hubs who were only trying to help. All of the spouses who meant well. All of the guys who took one look and decided it was time to step in. Basically, for all those lovable hunks we mammas couldn’t live without, yet know not what they do.

Please, husbands. For the love of all that is good in this world. For a long and happy marriage. You must never utter these words to your homeschooling wife:

#1. That’s all you got done today?

Because when you say: “That’s A-L-L you got done today?” (variations: “She’s still working on that?” and “Yea, you told about that last week.”)

We think: Yea, that’s helpful. Thanks so much for pointing it out. But, in case you hadn’t noticed, that’s almost half a page more than yesterday. And he couldn’t even do this kind of thing last month. And, by the way, do you have any idea what it took to get this page done? <insert gray hair euphemism> Besides the fact that I can actually r-e-a-d the answers this time! And it only took until 4 o’clock. Not 8 o’clock like ALL. LAST. YEAR. Total victory in my book.

#2. Is there any meat?

Because when you say: “Is there any meat?” (variation: “Did you make my lunch?”)

We think: No, hon, sorry I didn’t cook any meat tonight. But I did cook beans (okay, I opened a can) and I put that jar of peanuts on the table over there, so there’s your protein. And I’m trying to save money like you asked me to. And I didn’t have time to run to the store anyway. And don’t you think it’s nice to go meatless every once in a while? Besides, me and the kids happen to love beans. And, by the way, it’s a small miracle I managed to get any dinner on the table after the day I’ve had. Oh, and, sweetheart, if you really want something special for dinner, ~~would it really kill you to make it yourself?~~ make sure to remind me when you leave in the morning, so I can put it on my list of ten thousand other things to do. ‘Cause I love to prepare your favorites <smile>.

#3. You’re just imagining things.

Because when you say: “You’re just imagining things.” (variations: “Remember all those other times you…?” and “I don’t see anything.”)

We think: Any combination of the following: How can you be so blind? How can you be so blind to how I feel? Can’t you tell how I feel? Why can’t you just tell how I feel? You’re supposed to know how I feel! Or, any combination of these statements: Actually, I wasn’t really looking for advice. Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t real. How friggin’ dare you? Hold me. How the heck would you know when you’re not home all day? Mothers intuition trumps everything. Why can’t you just listen without saying anything? Hmmm, maybe I am really crazy.

#4. You should teach that.

Because when you say: “You should teach that.” (variations: “You should teach that.” and “What aren’t you teaching that?”)

We think: Why, thank you, dear. What a wonderful idea! <insert major sarcasm> Let me just add it to my list of 24,995 other things I’m already teaching, so I don’t forget. And, by all means, don’t forget to check back with me every now and then, to remind me, and to let me know if I’m doing it right. I want to be sure I cover it exactly the way you want me to.

#5. I deserve a day off, too.

Because when you say: “I deserve a day off, too.” (variations: “I need a break”, “I’ve been out there busting my butt all day”, “I just got home!”, and “Can’t I just get a few minutes of peace and quiet around here?”)

We think: You’re kidding, right? Of course you deserve a break, dear. Because all I do all day is sit around watching TV and ordering new shoes on your credit card. You do need to relax. After all, your job is more important than mine anyway. Not to mention so much harder. (Seriously? Well at least somebody around here gets a break.)

#6: I’ll show you how to do it.

Because when you say: “I’ll show you how to do it.” (variation: “Lemme show you how it’s done” and “Don’t you remember I showed you this already?”)

We think: Here he goes again. Telling me how to do my job. Was he the one who read all those homeschooling books? Is he the one who goes to all those meetings? Has he ever even heard of Maria Montessori or Charlotte Mason or Emilio Reggio? He’s not the one stuck at home all day with these ~~little brats~~ darling children. Sure, buddy, go ahead and show me how to do it. I dare you.

#7: Is there any way you can get them to stop leaving their stuff all over the floor (table, porch, driveway)?

Because when you say: “Is there any way you can get them to stop leaving their stuff all over the floor (table, porch, driveway)”? (variation: anything containing the word “passage-way”)

We think: Like I haven’t tried? And this is what it looks like on a good day! You should’ve seen the place before we actually picked up <snarky laugh>. You think you can do better? Good luck with that. Besides, we live here, for crying out loud. If I pick it up now, it’s just gonna get messy in another 5 minutes. Sheesh!

#8: Just give him the book and tell him to figure it out!

Because when you say: “Just give him the book and tell him to figure it out!” (variation: “She’s not trying hard enough.”)

We think: If you could only see me shaking my head inside. You think I haven’t tried that? He doesn’t understand it, because he doesn’t understand it! Giving him the book again for the seventeen millionth time isn’t gonna help. What he needs, is for us to help him. We’re his parents — that’s what we’re supposed to do. <under breath> Didn’t you get the memo?

#9: You sure you should be eating that?

Because when you say: “You sure you should be eating that?” (variation: “Why don’t you go for a jog/do some push-ups?”)

We think: Did you really just say that? and Did you really just say that? (Okay, this might just be in our house.)

#10: Aren’t you coming to bed?

Because when you say: “Aren’t you coming to bed?”

We think: Leaving this one up to you, but I suggest something along these lines: “I’ll be right there. I just have a couple of things to do first” followed by a brief period in which you unload the dishwasher, tuck a half dozen kids in, carry in glass after glass of water, send kid after kid back to bed, feed starving pets, check calendar for tomorrow, take your vitamin, turn off a hundred devices left on around the house, hang up the phone, unclog a toilet, put the lid back on the jelly, put the clothes in the dryer, and hop into bed all showered and energized by that tempting invitation to stay up an extra hour and cut in to your sleep just one more time.

Bonus (and my all-time favorite):

#11: “Stop bugging mom.”

Good one. Really, really helpful. Thanks, hon.

P.S. This post was husband-approved (he’s actually pretty great).

P.P.S. Don’t deny it — you know you secretly have these thoughts, too.

P.P.P.S. Stay tuned for my next post, called: “Latest Couples Trend: Trading places for a day”

When you SHARE my posts, it encourages me to keep writing them!

Dec 01 2014

Traditional schools stress kids out

Another infographic crossed my desk this morning. This one caught my eye, as the title was: #1 Thing Kids Want When They’re Stressed”. It illustrates the results of a study in which children were surveyed by a company providing a therapeutic program for anxiety relief. Though the study facts and measures weren’t all that clear, I didn’t for a moment disagree with its findings:

Kids are most stressed by school.

I can’t say I’m surprised. But, I have to say, it really hurt to see that it in print.

I’m sad for those kids, and I’m angry about the whole situation, too. It’s heart-breaking, isn’t it? We’re talking about little kids here.

Think about this for a second: school stresses kids out. Doesn’t that make you sad and angry, too?

You know, when we choose to homeschool our kids, we avoid the stresses of traditional schooling. If grades are stressful, we find other ways to assess our kids. If the work load is too great, we can scale back or switch methods (with no loss of learning or progress). We’re not shielding our children from the real world, but instead helping our kids learn about stressors while they’re still in our care. And we’re giving them the tools to deal with stressors when they’re adults. It’s more gradual, gentle, and studies tell us — works better, too.

So, here’s my question to you today: Are you taking notice? If school is the #1 stressor of our nation’s kids, why aren’t more people standing up for change? Of the zillions of great parents out there — and believe me I know you’re an awesome parent – why aren’t more of you deciding you’ve had enough?

As a nation, we parents need to speak up. We need to look deeper. We need to demand change.

Clearly, given this statistic, not enough of us are noticing what conventional schooling is doing to our kids. Some of us are standing against Common Core, and that’s something. But why still support the system — if you already know it just isn’t working.

If you’re already a homeschooler, I am happy your children are not included in that statistic. But if you’ve got kids in traditional schools, won’t you please take a moment to check in with your children today? Make sure they’re okay — I mean, really okay. Ask them how they’re feeling about school. And please listen hard for what they’re trying to tell you.

Also today, spend some time looking into what is going on in your district, in your state. Volunteer in your local schools. Meet with your neighbors. And read, read, read what other parents have to say.

By the way, the same study also revealed the #1 thing kids ask for when they’re stressed…their parents.

They’re looking to you.

Considering homeschooling? This book tells you everything you need to get started. You’ll be easily homeschooling in under 2 weeks, and your entire family will be enjoying it, too!

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Sep 29 2014

Bullying among homeschool moms

This isn’t the kind of thing I usually write about. If you’ve been here very long, you know my posts are usually informational. I try to be encouraging. And, generally, try not to bring anybody down.

However, something is troubling me today, and I wanted you to know.

It’s time to start a conversation. Because things just aren’t right.

Get ready for a longer post than usual. And thanks for reading all the way to the end.

In the last few years, I’ve noticed something. Or maybe I’m just now paying attention.

More and more rude status updates on social media. More and more mean things written as comments, too.

Have you?

You know what I’m talking about.

Snappy criticisms. Snarky comments. Nasty references to other people.

Sure, sure. They’re JK. Or end with a smiley. But, sincere? I think not.

With the homeschool year just beginning for so many, I’ve begun hearing folks talking about things that went down last year, too. And I have to tell you, I don’t like it. A woman I hardly knew approached me at Target the other day, apologizing for something I wasn’t even aware of. Um, thank you, lady. But, wait…what?

So, I’m a realist. I know this happens. And I know it isn’t limited to homeschool circles, either.

And in case you find me judgmental, let me stop you right now. That’s not what this is about.

But I care. And, the honest truth is, I guess I’m a little over-protective, too.

You see, this is my space. My community. My people. It’s about tradition, too. And it’s undermining a pattern of community and sharing that has been the trademark of homeschooling for so long.

Not to mention, it’s uncharacteristic. Painful to watch. And, okay, I’ll just say it…just plain icky, too.

Why, this summer alone, I have witnessed on my very own screen —

a new homeschool mom ask a question, and be slammed for not already knowing the answer;
a woman asking an innocent question and told said question will not be answered as it was posted it in the wrong place;
a woman talking about other women, no names, yet leaving no doubt as to the identity of her victims;
another woman talking about other women in plain sight — tagging her victims by name;
a mom alluding to a conflict online, then revealing the entire situation on another forum — leaking more than enough to make the connection;
a mom choosing not to take a dispute off-list, instead choosing to update the world with a quote, hidden within a cautionary infographic, with precision aim…;
a woman who posted a vague — yet nevertheless wounding – status update clearly targeted at a nearby group.

It stinks.

And, believe me, I’m not even looking. I’m busy. And, ordinarily, I try to avoid it all.

So, “Mommy Wars, Homeschool-Style” — is LIVE and on the air. Or, maybe, “Mean Girls: Homeschool Edition”? Coming to a homeschool group near you.

Shocked? About this? Or, about me writing about it?

Someone needs to. I volunteer.

It makes me sad to see women — yes, women – do this to one other.

Last I looked, we were in this together.

It makes me sad to see women — yes, women – do this to one other.

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I promised myself I’d never write the, “When I first started” speech…but…this situation really warrants a reminder.

When I began homeschooling, a small group of moms gathered at a nearby park once a month for conversation. Everyone was invited.

There was a sign-up sheet for field trips. No pressure, but everyone was invited.

And, occasionally for a party or two. No pressure, but everyone was invited.

You had a question, it was answered. By another mom who cared. By someone who remembered where you sat, and wanted to make your seat a little bit more comfortable since she’d been in that same seat before.

You had a baby, you got a gift basket. You were sick, you got a meal. You had a question, they gathered ’round to help.

Everyone was invited to everything. And everybody came.

You were supported, you were loved. Everybody cheered. Yea, that’s right — everybody.

Today, the growth of homeschooling equals more people, more groups, more discoveries, more opinions. That’s okay. It’s all good.

But, in another way, it’s also not okay.

It’s not okay for us to compete so much. To clash so publicly. To judge so much.

Actually, it’s not okay at all.

If we have learned anything along the way, ladies, it’s that homeschooling is different for everyone. Surely, we all realize there is no right way, and certainly no wrong way. We know this, right?

If we remember anything, it’s that homeschooling is still good, no matter how it is done, and by whom. We know this, right?

If we do anything right, it is by recognizing that all children deserve the chance to belong, to be included, to be successful, to join in, and that the mistakes of us moms must never impact our kids. We know this, too.

So, I’m thinking some of us have forgotten.

Or we’d never be acting this way.

So, let’s turn this around. I’m happy to shine the light on this problem if it may be of help to others.

I’ve been poking around some, and I don’t find that much has been written about this crisis. I see that Upside Down Homeschooling wrote about it once. And Busy Mom alluded to it, too.

So, I’m writing about it today. And I’m asking you:

If you have an opinion (a helpful, thoughtful, honest one), post a COMMENT.

If you know a solution (a real one, not a cheeky one), post a COMMENT.

If you have a reference to an article, link or blog (one that helps, not for self-promotion), post a COMMENT.

Or, if you just plain old have something to add to this conversation (without bashing), post a COMMENT.

I’ve started it. Now, let’s finish this together.

And if you feel led to share this post with others, do it now. A conversation is only that when we start talking to one another.

Love,