If you homeschool- have you ever noticed that diabetes and homeschooling have quite a few things in common?
I was contemplating this the other day and surprised myself by how many things really are similar.
#1 People ask the same exact questions all the time:
'What about socialization?"
"Is she on a special diet?"
#2 I have 3 or 4 versions of my answer- and I use the exact same words each time!
I feel like I have a 'we homeschool' track and also a 'she has diabetes' track.
When my kids hear someone ask me one of these typical questions I can feel them roll their eyes and walk away. They don't want to hear me recite my answers.
I don't know why I always say it the same way... I guess I'm boring. With homeschooling, my girls joke that they can and have given 'my speeches' for me, down to the curriculum I usually recommend. They have role played this for me and it was pretty funny... but I digress... diabetes is the same-
I have my short version response: 'She has diabetes. She's fine.' (I know she isn't 'fine, but this is my 'I don't really feel like talking to you answer)
Then I have my more usual long answer.
I'm not sure the girls have these memorized yet...
#3 Community
Homeschool Community = very important ! We have been part of a homeschool co-op for 9 years and have such dear friends there. People in the homeschool community are close, we encourage each other, share with each other, learn from each other. We have to seek out community.
Diabetes Community = very important! Need I say more? We have learned so much here with the whole DOC.
In both cases, community has been a huge part of finding answers and support!
#4 Temptation to compare
This is the one that got me thinking about how homeschooling and living with diabetes are similar. Along with community, there is a temptation to compare myself to others.
In homeschooling, I'm totally familiar with thoughts of comparison and I know how to ward them off.
I'm a little newer to the whole diabetes community and the feelings of inadequacy that catch in my throat from comparing took me by surprise. The nice thing was the weapons to fight it are the same-
-every family is different
-my child's needs can be different from another child's
-my children have their own individual strengths and weaknesses
- God chose me to be the Mom to my children, He knows what He is doing!
These truths have helped me combat comparisons in homeschooling and so I pulled them out to squash comparing myself to other D-Moms and families too.
#5 People outside of it tend to 'not get it.' They usually don't know a lot about it or have misinformation. It makes us sort of.... different, not the norm
I think this is why the community is so important.
And, you know what?
Maybe, for those of us who do homeschool, maybe God has used homeschooling to prepare us, in a way, for the challenges we would face in living with diabetes.
Just a thought.
#6 People feel a need to tell you of anyone else they know in the same boat:
'Oh, my sister homeschools, maybe you know her.'
'Oh, my uncle's brother's son has diabetes.'
Both of these situations always make me laugh!
There have got to be more similarities... can you think of any more?
I was contemplating this the other day and surprised myself by how many things really are similar.
#1 People ask the same exact questions all the time:
'What about socialization?"
"Is she on a special diet?"
#2 I have 3 or 4 versions of my answer- and I use the exact same words each time!
I feel like I have a 'we homeschool' track and also a 'she has diabetes' track.
When my kids hear someone ask me one of these typical questions I can feel them roll their eyes and walk away. They don't want to hear me recite my answers.
I don't know why I always say it the same way... I guess I'm boring. With homeschooling, my girls joke that they can and have given 'my speeches' for me, down to the curriculum I usually recommend. They have role played this for me and it was pretty funny... but I digress... diabetes is the same-
I have my short version response: 'She has diabetes. She's fine.' (I know she isn't 'fine, but this is my 'I don't really feel like talking to you answer)
Then I have my more usual long answer.
I'm not sure the girls have these memorized yet...
#3 Community
Homeschool Community = very important ! We have been part of a homeschool co-op for 9 years and have such dear friends there. People in the homeschool community are close, we encourage each other, share with each other, learn from each other. We have to seek out community.
Diabetes Community = very important! Need I say more? We have learned so much here with the whole DOC.
In both cases, community has been a huge part of finding answers and support!
#4 Temptation to compare
This is the one that got me thinking about how homeschooling and living with diabetes are similar. Along with community, there is a temptation to compare myself to others.
In homeschooling, I'm totally familiar with thoughts of comparison and I know how to ward them off.
I'm a little newer to the whole diabetes community and the feelings of inadequacy that catch in my throat from comparing took me by surprise. The nice thing was the weapons to fight it are the same-
-every family is different
-my child's needs can be different from another child's
-my children have their own individual strengths and weaknesses
- God chose me to be the Mom to my children, He knows what He is doing!
These truths have helped me combat comparisons in homeschooling and so I pulled them out to squash comparing myself to other D-Moms and families too.
#5 People outside of it tend to 'not get it.' They usually don't know a lot about it or have misinformation. It makes us sort of.... different, not the norm
I think this is why the community is so important.
And, you know what?
Maybe, for those of us who do homeschool, maybe God has used homeschooling to prepare us, in a way, for the challenges we would face in living with diabetes.
Just a thought.
#6 People feel a need to tell you of anyone else they know in the same boat:
'Oh, my sister homeschools, maybe you know her.'
'Oh, my uncle's brother's son has diabetes.'
Both of these situations always make me laugh!
There have got to be more similarities... can you think of any more?
4 comments:
And I always think God had us homeschool so I didn't have to worry about writing school plans for my t1. The ironic thing is, if I would send any of my children to school, it would be him! Every kid is different, and I have a feeling he would love school. At least for the early years.
Another great post!
I used to homeschool Matthew. Now he goes to a school 2 days a week. Kind of a cross between regular school and homeschool, since he's home 3 days.
Anyway, I remember when I homeschool exclusively, it felt like I was so misunderstood. Always having to explain my reasons...
I've often thought that diabetes is just like that. I'm always having to explain. UGH!
That is cool, Tracy. What kind of school/homeschool is it?
Oh I'm excited that you homeschool! We have homeschooled for 1 year and are now 6 weeks into diabetes. When we got the dx I was SO happy that we are homeschooling now and I don't have all the concerns of school added on top of everything.
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