being out in public during school hours

[Ellie]

I can see that, but I thought the person I quoted was saying she wouldn't let her kids go play in her own yard during the day for fear of the police. I just can not imagine that being a problem.

 

That you cannot imagine it is a good thing. :-) Believe me when I tell you that it *has* been a problem in some communities in the past. Not one that cannot be overcome, you know, but still a problem. And I didn't say "police." :-)

[twoxcell]

 

That you cannot imagine it is a good thing. :-) Believe me when I tell you that it *has* been a problem in some communities in the past. Not one that cannot be overcome, you know, but still a problem. And I didn't say "police." :-)

I believe it Ellie, I just can't imagine it. I wasn't quoting you it was someone else who said she was afraid of police who patrol her neighborhood. It looks like I misunderstood what she said anyways. I thought she said going out in her yard but she did say out of her yard. Woops.

[KrissiK]

We go out. I don't have a problem with that. I let the kids play out in the front, but they are not allowed to leave our general yard/street area.

[Susan in TN]

I have no problem with it, though I do live in an area where homeschooling is somewhat common.

 

I find it more concerning when I get into a conversation with a store clerk or similar who asks me how many kids I have (in addition to the one I have with me) and I tell them I have 5 more at home. And then they give me a look that says "why did you leave 5 children at home by themselves?" And I hastily explain that they are home with either my 18yo or 15yo (or both) who are very responsible babysitters, etc. etc.

[Guest]

I honestly never cared.  Our first year or two, homeschooling wasn't as common, so we got the occasional question as to why they weren't in school.  All I said was "we homeschool" and left it at that. It really isn't anyone else's business.  Now, homeschooling is HUGELY on the rise, so seeing kids out during school hours doesn't even blip most people's radars.

[bobbeym]

I believe it Ellie, I just can't imagine it. I wasn't quoting you it was someone else who said she was afraid of police who patrol her neighborhood. It looks like I misunderstood what she said anyways. I thought she said going out in her yard but she did say out of her yard. Woops.

 

That was me you quoted.  

 

I'm not afraid of the local police, but with a daytime curfew I don't believe in giving them a reason to bother my kid.  

[happi duck]

We go out and about whenever we need to. Honestly, in our area there are so many different schools that it's very rare any more that anyone even asks me why they aren't in school.

 

I am truly amazed that anyone keeps their kids from playing outside in the front during the day! In fact, we have a tradition on the first day of school that involves my kids going outside in the front driveway and whooping loudly as they ride their bikes or scooters while the bus goes by. I've honestly never even thought about it. They are often out playing during the day and we live on a relatively main thorough fare for our area. They've also been known to take short bike rides through the neighborhood without me during our morning break or at lunch . . . never thought I should keep them home. We've never had a problem.

I just can't wrap my head around this tradition. What's the spirit behind it?

[Amy in NH]

Your Police Officers would actually stop and harass children about not being in school? :huh: We have police driving up and down our street at all hours of the day and they have never said a thing to my children or even stared at them. At most they smile and wave.

 

My oldest son used to do a 2 hour private art lesson in the next town over - about 7 miles away.  I dropped him off one morning, and after I drove away he realized he had forgotten his key to the studio.  He had also left his cell phone at home, so he walked home.  When he was about 2 miles from home a police officer stopped him and asked what he was doing out of school.  DS explained his situation, showed the officer his ID, and the officer kindly drove him the rest of the way home. 

 

They have to stop and ask sometimes to prevent truancy.  If you are reasonable about the question, they are usually friendly and polite.

[twoxcell]

 

My oldest son used to do a 2 hour private art lesson in the next town over - about 7 miles away.  I dropped him off one morning, and after I drove away he realized he had forgotten his key to the studio.  He had also left his cell phone at home, so he walked home.  When he was about 2 miles from home a police officer stopped him and asked what he was doing out of school.  DS explained his situation, showed the officer his ID, and the officer kindly drove him the rest of the way home. 

 

They have to stop and ask sometimes to prevent truancy.  If you are reasonable about the question, they are usually friendly and polite.

I'm guessing it is different for teenagers. My oldest is only 10 and he doesn't go anywhere alone except for when I drop him off at the Y. I was thinking of people who said they were afraid of letting their kids play out in their own yards during the day alone. :)

[FO4UR]

We go out and about.  I am careful about the kids playing during the day.  I'm not afraid of police.  I'm mindful that if my kids play loudly, a disgruntled neighbor (who is accustomed to complete silence during the school day) might make a call to CPS.  Stranger things have happened.

 

 

We just walked to the park at lunch today though.  There were several people there, and no one even questioned us.  I think as long as the kids are with a parent, they are OK.  They can be as loud as they want at the park.

 

 

 

[73349]

We have some year-round elementary schools here, so people assume he's tracked out. But if they ask, he'll often reply that we homeschool, and he's done for the day.

We're complying with state law, and HSing is becoming more and more popular, so I don't worry about it any more.

[JennyD]

I never even think about it.  We just do our thing.

 

I do remember reading a few years ago on a homeschool listserv in NYC about problems with homeschooled teenagers being stopped by truant officers, but I don't know if that's still an issue, and I've never heard of that where I live now.  

[catz]

I don't even think about it.  My kids had a morning eye appointment and then we went out to lunch afterwards at a regular restaurant.  We'll get the once in a blue moon comment too.  We have so much school variety around here, I don't think it's weird to see kids out and about.  We are urban.

[Myeightkiddies]

There was definitely a time when I did not have my children play in the yard/neighborhood without me being with them (during school hours).  It was because homeschoolers were questioned all the time - throughout the country.  It was a different time back then because, as I mentioned before, many officials - school board members, truant officers, CPS, etc. - did not know homeschooling was legal.  Answering their questions involved more than just saying that one was registered with the state. It often required educating the "officials" on homeschooling, including a copy of the state law.  Many times the officials stayed until they reached a county/state official who could verify the legality of it all.

 

I remember when the school board sent the truant officer along with a police officer to my house to hand-deliver me a notice saying that my yearly reporting was due on June 6.  It wasn't a late notice or a notice of violation of state law.  It was just a letter saying they wanted it on June 6 (I think this was during the end of April).  Of course, the state law had no due date.  They could have mailed it via USPS Certified mail.  It was just extra drama.  I reported as usual, which was not on June 6, and included a copy of the law with every correspondence that I sent.  There was that time when the county officials required homeschoolers to meet with a school psychologist for a portfolio review on top of the certified teacher review.  The psych review was not in the law.  It was an interesting time.

 

Today, I do let the children play in the backyard with no problem.   During school hours, they don't usually play in the front by themselves. It has nothing to do with homeschooling.  The neighborhood is busy with strangers - lots of construction, service vehicles,  and deliveries -  along with faster than normal traffic.  I do it for safety.  It's not a big deal as I am home and usually want some sun, and there is often one of my adult children home as well.  

[mamajag]

I go out and completely forget it's school hours. I sometimes get a comment, but I just tell them we homeschool and are finished for the day. The afternoon before school lets out is the BEST time in the world to get errands done. You're not doing anything wrong! Go for it!

[Gentlemommy]

It honestly never crosses my mind. Homeschooling is perfectly legal where we live, so I have no reason to hide. We've had a few questions, mostly what school they attend, and when my kids respond with homeschooling, it's usually a positive reaction. I have been questioned before, negatively, but she was so very uneducated on the whole thing I didn't give it much energy or effort to try and convince her.

[Forget-Me-Not]

If we get questions (and we usually don't) I just say that we homeschool. People are always positive about it.

[Tangerine]

I'm another who seriously wouldn't even think twice.  Or once.  The only time I thought about it was when DD painted her face and it stained and she looked like she had 2 black eyes.  :huh:

[PinkyandtheBrains.]

We go out all the time, and I met my boys play outside and at the park during school hours. We live in a small town, I'm not concerned. DS14 even volunteers during the day down at the local nursing home.

[Joanne]

I went out with my kids without a second thought.

 

Sent out into the world "alone" my kids had a few encounters.

 

Texas is homeschooling friendly and familiar but school district police are vigilant.

[Reefgazer]

Totally comfortable.  In fact, my homeschooled DD has a brother who is still in public school and I take her to his daytime school events (awards ceremonies, running races, etc..).  Not only, the guidance counselor at my DS's school invited my DD and I (she knew DD from her time there) to the school to participate in a "career day", where parents talk about their careers to the younger kids.  I should add that we live in a very homeschool-friendly state. 

[Tenaj]

I just can't wrap my head around this tradition. What's the spirit behind it?

No deep meaning.  Just a bit of fun that they enjoy.  We always start school earlier than the local kids so they just go out and play the day the buses go by.

[ThisIsTheDay]

I got tired of the questions and finally began answering, "They have a day off. They go to a small private school."  This was true, sometimes.

[texasmama]

I am comfortable with it.  Homeschooling is accepted and common here, so I'm sure that helps.  I don't give it a second thought.

[NoseInABook]

I never even thought about it. We go about life as normal, we don't focus much on the public school hours unless it's see when Dad's going to be home. We were playing out front this morning/afternoon when we had a neighbor with her kids come over to introduce themselves because they had noticed us playing a lot. Not a blink of the eye when she heard we were homeschoolers.

[lea_lpz]

I've never even thought about it, beyond that school hours are the best times to run errands because the stores are less crowded! My kids play out front, ride bikes, and my oldest even walks up to the local Starbucks on occasion. What with early dismissals, inservice days, private schools, alternative learning option schools, charter schools, and virtual schools most people don't even think to ask. Oldest, when out on his own, did get stopped by a truancy officer once. Son said he was homeschooled, officer asked his name and punched it into his little computer, said "yep, you don't show up on my list" and that was that.

I'm the same. My kids are very frequently outside playing at their AM break while I do some quick chores and make them a snack. They are usually back out after eating lunch. If someone calls them in as truent what do I care? They are enrolled in a public charter. I have no worries.

[jelbe5]

Never bothered me. My kids are all older now. Sometimes we would tell curious strangers who asked "No school today?" that we homeschool. Other times we would say "shortened school day" or "Teacher Institute Day."

[myfunnybunch]

You aren't doing anything wrong, so go out and enjoy. :) After a while, it will feel normal.

 

People do ask sometimes, usually something like, "Do you have the day off school?" But here homeschooling is not uncommon, so when they hear we homeschool, I'm most likely to hear how welcome homeschoolers are or how "my daughter/niece/neighbor/friend homeschools and her children are such nice children."

 

Cat

[mama mills]

We almost always have something we need to get done during ps hours. This was our first year homeschooling so I was a bit nervous at first but quickly got over it! I like to call it field trip Friday. î—î—î—

[teachermom2834]

I homeschooled for 11 years without giving this a thought. The other day my oldest got his license. He had reason to be out and about from 11:00 am on today. I did mention to him to not do anything to draw attention to himself as people would question why he wasn't in school. Funny how I never worried about until he was a teenager out on his own.

[sewingmama]

Well homeschooling is not common in Australia...at all...but I still have no problem taking my kids out and about during school hours. We get the occasional comment from a chatty cashier and when the kids say they are homeschooled the cashier usually answers something along the lines of them being lucky.

 

Every year I get an official permission letter from the education department saying my kids are exempt from going to school so if I had major trouble I would just whip it out...but I can't imagine I would ever need too unless it was some sort of official business...like a doctor who was going to report me for not sending them to school or something.

 

We live in the country with few neighbours and they know we homeschool so my kids run around the yard and yell and scream as much as they want.

 

Being out in the community is part of their education...if people question you on it...tell them they are having their "socialisation" lessons LOL

 

In fact my education advisor likes to see the kids...especially the younger ones ... doing a lot of outside activities and being out and about. It's one of the things they ask at review time... they really frown on the little ones being kept indoors for all the school hours.

[Miss Peregrine]

I never feel weird about it. If people are curious I have few answers. "This is school." We finished school already."

"We're on spring break."(any time of the year)

[Elfknitter.#]

*If* we get out of the house by noon, it's a good day. :lol: Honestly, if I'm with my kids, I have no thoughts on it. If anyone asks, which rarely if ever happens, I tell them we homeschool.

 

My concern now is, as that they are getting older, dealing with a daytime curfew.

[Χά�ων]

This have never been an issue and we live unconventional hours. When I was house sitting a while back DS would finish his school work and go for a run around the neighborhood or walk to the library. The city even had a daytime curfew and it was never an issue. 

[MrsMommy]

I thought of this thread this morning when I took my children grocery shopping with me. A lady stopped me in the dairy department, and asked me if we were homeschoolers. I answered honestly, even though I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into...

 

It turned out that she's thinking about homeschooling her child next year for kindergarten, and had a ton of questions. I was happy to be able to answer them for her (and tell her to read The Well-Trained Mind!), and she left with my blog address so she could read about our experiences, and contact me if she wants. Her husband is hesitant about the idea of homeschooling, and she was so glad she could talk to me, and get some information to share with him. I'm just happy my children were all well-behaved when she saw us, or she might have changed her mind about the whole homeschooling thing! :)

[Mergath]

It's not an issue here.  We're out during the day all the time, and I see older kids out too.  No one ever looks twice.  

 

The only risk around here is that if you're out with your kids during school hours, I might start chatting with you to see if you're hsers.  I'm always looking for new homeschooling friends. :D

[AMJ]

This is our first year homeschooling, having switched from brick & mortar private school before.  I used to be self-conscious when taking the kids out in public during "school" hours, but I've found that the vast majority of people don't say a thing.  Bank and store personnel are quite accustomed to homeschoolers here, apparently, and the general public who usually give us a second glance seem to take their cues from the workers at the places we frequent.

 

In fact, the only time I was ever out with a kid and had someone comment was years ago when I visited my best friend, in Colorado, the first year they did distance learning with their only child.  They took me to the local airport for my flight home, and one person there, assuming my friend's DD was mine, asked me why my DD wasn't in school.  I simply replied, "She's homeschooled," and the person left us alone (she was surprised, but not going to make anything of it).

 

At this point I would be more surprised if someone commented.  Between the nearby city being an "international" city and the prevalence of homeschoolers people are very used to seeing kids who are not physically "in school" during the usual school days.

[mom2scouts]

Reading this made me realize that I may never even have to worry about my teenagers being questioned.  I live in a University community and people are so used to seeing college students (often older teens) that they probably wouldn't even notice a teenager walking around town during PS hours.  They will probably just assume it's a young looking college student.

[AMJ]

We almost always have something we need to get done during ps hours. This was our first year homeschooling so I was a bit nervous at first but quickly got over it! I like to call it field trip Friday. î—î—î—

 

Until my infant nephew joined us we were homeschooling 4 days per week, with Fridays reserved for non-classroom stuff.

First Friday of the month was Field Trip

2nd Friday each month was home blessing (housework we didn't get done during the rest of the week, or house/yard projects that needed doing)

3rd Friday was for shopping and errands (DD12 liked knowing once per month she could count on going to the mall)

4th Friday was homeschool catch-up/project day (or movies in the theater, if there wasn't anything needing catch-up)

5th Friday each month, when it occurred, was Bonus Day, and the kids and I decided together what to do that day.

[IHaveNoIdeawhatIAmDoing]

I feel super uncomfortable taking my children out before public schools end for the day. I'm not even sure that I can justify it. It just makes me anxious. 

[Violet Crown]

I've always allowed my kids to be out alone during daylight hours. Traffic is the main danger here: once I'm secure in their ability to not get hit by a car, they may go to the park or store alone. Great Girl was once stopped on her way to the museum by the campus police, who (after a year of her tooling around campus) noticed that a 13-year-old on a pink bike seemed out of place. GG explained she was homeschooled and offered dh's phone number and office address; the officer declined and told her to get a better bike lock or even a pink 3-speed would be stolen.

[Wabi Sabi]

We are out all the time, and no one has ever said a single thing to us. We've never even gotten the ubiquitous, "Oh, is school out today?" question. I've never given second thought to letting the kids play outside alone during the day either. Now, granted, we do live in a town with a very large homeschooling population, and I'm sure that has something to do with it. 

[Rebel Yell]

Do you feel comfortable running errands,going to lunch etc during ps hours?   we are pretty much finished with school but i am trying to convince myself to just go out and do what we want to do with out feeling like I am doing something wrong, kwim.     so, help me feel better about going out and ignore what people may think..    After all if they must know my dd completed grade 2 doing mostly grade 3 work and 8th grade ds did 9th grade this year.

 

I am just as comfortable being out with my girls during school hours as I am doing school work with them on Saturdays, in the evenings, and even on days public schoolers are off. No one questions a Science lesson at 7pm, so why question a dentist appointment follwed by lunch at 1pm? We do what we need to do when we need to do it. Works for us. :coolgleamA:

[Hoot]

It has never bothered me in the least.  We go out during school hours all the time and I think we've only been asked about school once or twice.  There are tons of homeschoolers in my area though, so it isn't uncommon to see kids out during the day.

[Seeking Squirrels]

We were questioned by a waiter once...when dd was THREE. I thought at first he was kidding when he asked "why isn't she in school?" until I looked at his face and realized he was serious. I stared blankly for a minute then said "Um, maybe because she's three?!"

 

Dd is only 5 now but we've still been asked many times. Usually just the conversation starter of "school out today?" Or "are you in school yet?" But a couple have seemed a little overbearing. Doesn't bode well seeing as how compulsory age here is 6 so we're not even legally homeschooling yet. Oh well, I'll be going out when I need to anyway! Guess I will be giving notice of intent though, I'd considered going under the radar.

[Mimm]

It would never have occurred to me to stay in during school hours. People sometimes ask if there's no school, I say we homeschool and the response is always something like, "Oh, my sister/neighbor/friend/Sunday school teacher does that." It's very common here, if I was homeschooling to be different, I'd be disappointed. :-)

[journey00]

Ha! We got asked today! We were delivering mobile meals to shut-ins and one of them asked my 14 y/o dd "Is school out?"  Without missing a beat, she responded with a smile "It is for us!" and walked away. :)

[Elisabet1]

I have never ever had an issue with going out in public during school hours.

 

I could not imagine feeling any shame or fear of going out during public school hours.