Home’s Cool with Teens

By Jessica Shepherd & Liz Koh

(Note: this event is a re-run of Homeschool SG’s high school day that is part of the Homeschool Convention 2019)

1st Interview {Jessica}:

(Young Couple)

What brought you here today? How did you hear about this or what made you want to come?

we were speaking with a friend whose children were speaking and she invited us to come.

What was something that encouraged you today?

(husband) They were all well spoken, expressive; something we see lacking in ourselves. The speakers were all outspoken but showed individual strengths too.

(Wife) It encouraged me to hear all the things you (the speakers) are involved with, I feel like I didn’t get to explore [such opportunities] when I was young.

Would you attend a similar event again? Or recommend this to others? If so, who would you recommend it to?

Perhaps we would attend again. We would recommend to anyone interested in homeschooling.

2nd Interview {Jessica}

(Homeschool Mum)

What was something that encouraged you today?

The variety of teens speaking how different they were!

Has your perspective changed (On homeschooling, homeschoolers etc)? Or was there something that challenged you?

I can see that they’re able to step up to a lot more responsibility than I anticipated. You all worked on this so hard and you did so well.

Would you recommend this to others? If so, who would you recommend it to?

Yes, anyone interested in investigating homeschooling.

3rd interview {Liz}:

(Homeschool mother)

What brought you here today? How did you hear about this or what made you want to come?

Through Facebook. It was posted on Homeschool SG Facebook and circulated among the mothers. Since I heard so much about it, happen to live nearby, and missed the original session, I decided to come.

What was a highlight from today?

I enjoyed hearing the perspectives from teenagers since it’s usually the moms speaking. The message of responsibility and maturity inspired me…I wished I had brought my eldest along. I think its would be good for him to hear from peers his age.

Would you attend a similar event again? Or recommend this to others? If so, who would you recommend it to?

Yes I would, I enjoyed hearing a change of perspective. I would definitely recommend this to those considering homeschooling, it’s helpful hearing from the kid’s point of view.

4th Interview {Liz}:

(mom and dad considering homeschool for their eldest daughter)

What brought you here today? How did you hear about this or what made you want to come?

We actually heard from two friends who are currently homeschooling their kids. Our eldest daughter wanted us to pull her out of public school to be homeschooled so we are exploring. I (the mom) actually came for the first run but my husband wasn’t there, so this time I brought him to see the teens.

What was something that encouraged you today?

(mom):

It’s great seeing that homeschool teens come out being very normal and in fact they presented themselves very well. I think that in a way assures us that if we homeschool our daughter, she won’t come out weird. It’s also eye opening to hear how close the kids and parents are and basically the whole experience.

Has your perspective changed (On homeschooling, homeschoolers etc)? Or was there something that challenged you?

(mom): its incredible hearing the projects they did and what their parents have done.

(dad): at first, I thought everyone in the homeschool community are just trying to find their way…nobody really knows anything. But after hearing the speeches, I realise that there’s curriculums, co-ops, and actual things. That there’s actually structure. This gives me more assurance and I don’t feel like homeschooling is as haphazard.

(mom): He also realise homeschoolers do have friends *laughs*

(dad): I mean I see all the teens speaking today and realise that they are all actually really eloquent and outspoken. And yeah, they have friends. *laughs*

Interviewer: *laughs nervously*

Homeschoolers from event:

What was a highlight from today?

The authenticity the teens showed. Unlike a parents panel where you feel they’re trying to sell something to you, this felt very real. Like the teens have gone through homeschooling, they lived through it so you really get real stories.

Would you attend a similar event again? Or recommend this to others? If so, who would you recommend it to?

Yes of course! As parents considering homeschooling, this is really helpful. This is great for those trying to find their way. What might be helpful is to have one mom and one dad share a bit…no need a whole panel but to compliment what the teens say.

5th Interview {Jessica}:

(Homeschool teen)

What brought you here today? How did you hear about this or what made you want to come?

I heard about this from my mum and a few of my friends. Since some of my friends were presenting, I decided to attend it.

What was something that encouraged you today?

Something that encouraged me was how all of them were passionate about homeschooling. Since they were so passionate about it, I could tell that they really stood for what they believed in. I guess that was encouraging for me

Has your perspective changed (On homeschooling, homeschoolers etc)? Or was there something that challenged you?

Honestly, my perspective didn’t really change much since I was a homeschooler myself.

What was a highlight from today?

A highlight from the event was the QnA session. It was fun

Would you attend a similar event again? Or recommend this to others? If so, who would you recommend it to?

Yes I would! I would recommend it to parents.

Interview with the Organizer {Liz}

What was the main purpose of this event?

It was a repeat of the very successful high school day spearheaded by Dawn Fung. We did a re run for those who missed the original run. This re run also served as a fundraiser for the teens on the panel who are doing ICC to raise funds for their tournament trip to ICON in the US.

What do you as the organiser hope the participants take away from the session?

I hope that parents will go back feeling encouraged and affirmed – for those who have chosen to homeschool to have faith in your decision to homeschool and that everything will turn out alright. It may not turn out exactly how you expected it but it will still be something wonderful! That though all the teens on the panel were distinctly different, they were all wonderful in their own special way.

Answering Questions from participants:

1. Those who spoke on the stage are probably the creme of the crop. What about the rest who aren’t as accomplished?

I believe that everyone is accomplished in their own ways and it also depends on how you define ‘accomplishment’. The panel were made out of those whose schedules permitted them to speak. I am sure that there are many brilliant homeschoolers who we would have loved to come speak, but aren’t in our circles yet.

1. If I choose to homeschool my child, how much time does it demand?

Homeschooling isn’t much different from parenting. You get out as much as you put in – it’s an investment. It’s investing in your relationship with your child.

1. What if my and my child’s personality clashes? Should I still then homeschool?

Personality definitely is a factor. However, similar to how you wouldn’t choose not to have children for fear they will have different personalities, I feel that this should not be an obstacle to homeschooling. After all, as a parent, you do whatever it takes to give your child the best.