All of these interesting discussions about what is in the news, as well as things happening in my more personal life, have led me to ask this.
Does anyone else feel like like they are stuck between a rock and a hard place?
On the one hand, I want to shout from the rooftops how wonderful early learning has been for my family. I want people to know it’s possible, that it is duplicatable, and most importantly, that it isn’t that hard.
On the other hand, telling the world that your 2-year-old can read usually doesn’t come across as a proselyting mission, it can easily come across as a parent that wants to brag about how smart that their kid is. It can even come off as a little self-righteous. My mom, who knows nothing of EL besides what she sees in my kids, has warned me to be very careful. hmm. 
This was brought up recently because of a discussion on my local homeschooling group. They talked about what is the natural age for children to read, and one mother said that it really bothers her when she sees a parent brag about how their 3-year-old can read and write, and then she sees that same child being rude or disrespectful in the playground to other kids. It was agreed that we need to place a higher value on building moral character than on academics. Well, I do agree, and I strive to teach my kids to be good, but words like that can be very hurtful. Said in that context, it comes across like these parents think that EL families don’t care about instilling virtue because reading is more important. Um, hello! No. That’s not it at all. I called her on it, and said that if I saw a 3-year-old acting up in the playground, I would think that child might need a nap, was hungry, or was just having a bad day. We are talking about a 3-year-old! Being able to read doesn’t make them super kids, or take away their basic needs. The mother apologized and referenced her sister-in-law who doesn’t discipline her children at all. Those also admitted that those children aren’t early readers either. Unfair bias, but I give her credit for apologizing.
It’s kind of a big issue in our community, and not an isolated case. I think it’s hypocritical to praise the mother who “teaches her children the value of hard work” by having them help on the farm (I live in that kind of community), but then go on to challenge the next mother’s priorities because they teach their children high academic standards. Any kind of work, whether it be manual labor or practicing the piano, or what have you, will build character. Yet comments have been made like “That’s nice that you teach you children to read, but I think that teaching them moral character is more important”. It almost makes me not want to do anything at all with the local homeschoolers, even though I highly admire many of them and like them generally. I just don’t feel like I fit in. 
But then there are some beautiful experiences that have happened because I am willing to tell people that we do early learning. I have been able to act as a mentor to a few mothers, pointing out books and products, and lending my materials. I have even made a little money as a BrillKids affiliate, and that has been a great blessing for us because my husband lets me use any money I make to buy more school materials, which we wouldn’t have otherwise. So it has helped our homeschooling, and more importantly, it has helped a few more tiny children learn how to read. I love that! I love sharing what I have learned. As much as I am grateful to know that my kids will very likely get scholarships when they go to college, I would much rather see a whole generation of kids who learned to read from infancy. Can you imagine the wonderful changes that would bring to the world? For me, I just had to come across someone’s side comment that babies can read on some online forum, and I was hooked. I researched and found what I needed to know. But it started with a hearsay comment that it might be possible. People NEED to know that it’s possible, and they won’t find out unless we are willing to talk about it. That’s why I am glad to see early learning being publicized, even if it’s with a negative slant.
On the other hand, a lot of people don’t WANT to talk about it or hear about it. At Thanksgiving my husband and I started talking about how the BrillKids software works, and both of my brother-in-laws immediately pulled out their iPhones and started reading their e-mail. It was weird. I don’t know if they were trying to be rude or not, but the conversation came to a dead halt when EL was brought up. And there are so many misconceptions to be overcome! So much un-learning that some people need before they can learn what EL is all about.
It’s such a hard balance to find. Sometimes I think about keeping our program a secret, but I don’t because my silence could take away some child’s opportunity. But by speaking up, I might offend someone, like the homeschoolers who are struggling to teach their 10+ kid to read, or just the average mom who thinks I’m challenging her worth as a mother, which I truly am not. I’m not self-righteous. That’s why I love being on BrillKids so much. I’ve been here a lot recently because I’ve needed that pick-me-up in my personal life. I hope you all know how wonderful you are, and how you inspire me. I’m not doing a fraction of what some of you are, and it’s exciting to think that I still could be raising the bar, even with the success we have already had. When I say my 2-year-old can read, you are all supportive without thinking I’m here to boast or brag about what a wonderful mother I am. hehe, have you seen my kitchen sink?
So now I’m done venting (thank you), I come to the question again. I think the only down-side to EL is coming up with a balanced way of talking about it to family and friends. I struggle with it. What do you do?
but I just dont care what people think of me lol
But I think some of that is just my personality. I don’t socialise much and I rarely give my opinion unless I’m actually asked (and I think they want to listen). So much of what we (my husband and I) believe is not mainstream any more and I simply can’t be bothered putting energy into trying to discuss something with people who have no interest in listening and at least considering the ideas. I need all my energy for my kids lol If someone is open to discussing (and I do mean discussing not just justifying their view) then I love to talk about EL and all that involves but unfortunately I find that rarely happens.
I just let my daughter demonstrate that, yes, she can read! I have several people who are very interested in EL. I think a few of them are held back by fear of their own inabilities. Others are held back because they hear other naysayers talking about me and my daughter. And yet, everyone of them will admit that my daughter is the happiest child they know. (She really is the best advertisement for EL. She just has a super personality!)