Hello-o-o-o! I'm teaching here!

I try not to over schedule myself. Unfortunately, I am horribly over scheduled this week, and I can't really complain as it was self inflicted.  However, it absolutely drives me up the wall when people volunteer me for activities because, "She's home anyway."

Why is it that people seem to think that because I am home with my children all day I have nothing to do? What, exactly, do they think we're doing here? Do they think it does itself?

So, I need some advice. Give me your best responses to people taking advantage of you homeschooling. I want the subtle and the not-so-subtle, the witty and the rude. I want the humorous and the down right obnoxious. Hit me with your best shots. I need some good ones. Boy, do I need some good ones.

Comments

[Aussie Kim]

I'm sorry I can't do it unless it is outside of school hours.

[LeeAnn]

I have a hard time with this one too. Some of the time depending on the request, I call it a science video day. We just got the 6-DVD set Planet Earth that the kids haven't watched all the way through yet. You're right though---too many of those requests, and education goes downhill fast!

[Summer]

I've stopped anwering the phone when I ring during the day. Ill do a once over a coule times during the day ad return any calls that are impornt, but mostly I just ignore people until I ready to call them. It's worked so far. LOL

[Jeannie]

I am now working full-time as a libararian (but still homeschool with the help of my husband who works from home full-time!) but when I was home, I selectively answered the phone and let the others calls go.

I also had to learn to say "no" in order to guard our school time.

[Heather]

How about, "Sure, I can help you out! We're just sitting around being unsociable anyhow." HE!! You said you wanted some sarcasm! =)

Funny though how people really do think you can just drop everything. I run into that too. My Mother in Law loves to call me during our class time. She's actually the worst. I just programmed her a "special" ring tone so I know when it's her calling and just let it go to my voice mail on my cell phone. Others, like my Mom for instance, make sure they only call before we start school, or later in the afternoon, so not to distrub us. To me that's one of the best compliments, that they take our homeschooling serious and make sure to respect it. Oh, if only others would do the same. Looking forward to reading others responses. =)

[Activities Coordinator]

Good ideas! More please!

[Dana]

I was just going to go to bed. It is your fault I didn't. But now I am, and you can read my suggestions on my blog. So there.

[Activities Coordinator]

Oh, Dana. You've made my day! Thanks!

Everybody, the definitive answers can be found @http://principleddiscovery.com/2008/02/17/respecting-your-time-ten-not-so-respectful-answers/

[April]

Never, never, NEVER offer excuse. Just shake your head sadly and say, "I'm so sorry I'm unable to commit to that." If someone else has volunteered you: "I'm so sorry you didn't check with me first. I hope you don't have to much trouble finding a replacement." Sadly shaking your head (at their obnoxiousness, but they don't have to know that) is key. Thus sayeth Miss Manners. Not the obnoxiousness part, but the not giving a reason for your no. But I do like Dana's list better. Much more fun.