Vanessa Pelo | Introduction
Growing up, I never knew what the inside of a public school looked like. From the time I was supposed to start preschool, my mother decided she was not ready to give me up to strange teachers and so began researching something known as "homeschool."
At the time, very few people in Utah homeschooled their children. It was almost a new experiment and parents were not sure how their children would turn out if they were taught in the home. My mother had a difficult time the first few years as she experimented with the concept of homeschool. Neighbors criticized her for the fact that I was not reading by age five, and commented consistently on my lack of a "social life." However, I still do not believe I "missed out" on anything.
By age sixteen, I was actively involved in my college career and very successful in it. I am still frequently asked if I feel like I missed out because I did not attend public school. I can confidently answer "No." My parents made sure I was involved in extra-curricular activities, such as ballet, piano lessons, study groups and church events. I had plenty of time with my peers, but better yet, I was able to spend time with adults and my nine younger siblings. As a family, we are all very close. We consider each other our best friends and do everything together. I was also able to spend quality time with those older than me and learn from their experiences, as well as learn how to interact and communicate with adults.
Growing up as a "homeschooled" child, I was labeled as many different things. Stupid, shy, and awkward being a few. Overcoming these stereotypes strengthened me as a person and made me really discover who I am. When I began attending college, I felt I had an advantage--I already knew who I was and what I believed. I did not have to experiment and get into trouble to find out what my beliefs were. I already knew.
I do not by any means feel that I am better than other people or even that I know more than them. I am constantly learning from life, but I will always be grateful for the things homeschooling taught me. It taught me who I am, what I believe, how to be happy, to love learning and seek that knowledge.
Do I feel like I missed out? Not at all.
At the time, very few people in Utah homeschooled their children. It was almost a new experiment and parents were not sure how their children would turn out if they were taught in the home. My mother had a difficult time the first few years as she experimented with the concept of homeschool. Neighbors criticized her for the fact that I was not reading by age five, and commented consistently on my lack of a "social life." However, I still do not believe I "missed out" on anything.
By age sixteen, I was actively involved in my college career and very successful in it. I am still frequently asked if I feel like I missed out because I did not attend public school. I can confidently answer "No." My parents made sure I was involved in extra-curricular activities, such as ballet, piano lessons, study groups and church events. I had plenty of time with my peers, but better yet, I was able to spend time with adults and my nine younger siblings. As a family, we are all very close. We consider each other our best friends and do everything together. I was also able to spend quality time with those older than me and learn from their experiences, as well as learn how to interact and communicate with adults.
Growing up as a "homeschooled" child, I was labeled as many different things. Stupid, shy, and awkward being a few. Overcoming these stereotypes strengthened me as a person and made me really discover who I am. When I began attending college, I felt I had an advantage--I already knew who I was and what I believed. I did not have to experiment and get into trouble to find out what my beliefs were. I already knew.
I do not by any means feel that I am better than other people or even that I know more than them. I am constantly learning from life, but I will always be grateful for the things homeschooling taught me. It taught me who I am, what I believe, how to be happy, to love learning and seek that knowledge.
Do I feel like I missed out? Not at all.
Labels: interesting thing, introduction, Vanessa Pelo
posted by Sunshine | 10:17 PM
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