The Pilot recently published a three part series on alternative education that covered homeschooling, unschooling and classical education. I had read the the homeschooling article but hadn't read the others. I didn't think much of it until I read Sunday's Column by Karen Evans apologizing to the family featured in the unschooling article.

Much to my suprise, I knew the family she was talking about. So, I quickly jumped online and found the article in question. After reading it, I realized why Wendy and her family were under fire. The article didn't paint a very positive picture of their education choice for their son. It focused on items such as playing with his friends or the fact that he plays video games. What was missing were all the things that Wendy and her husband do with their son that is educational. Their son learns each day just not with a text book.

I haven't known Wendy very long but I can say that she is a caring, loving parent. She is also a great resource for this community. Without her help, SandhillsKids could not have collected all the resources and contacts for the different homeschool groups in the area as well as the state resources outlining requirements for homeschooling. She also sets up field trips and activities for the Moore for Homeschoolers Network. Even though she is "unschooling" her child, she is teaching him everyday and his education is important to her.

Whether or not you or I agree with her choice, we should respect it. As parents we all want the same things for our children, but we often take different paths to get there. So, please don't be to quick to judge her family until you've taken the time to talk to her.