Introducing…the “Brats”

By  Cindy Burlingame

Every month, we will spotlight our “experts” in this section. The “brats” themselves! This month, I have interviewed 2 experts. They are siblings, and the military lifestyle is all they know. My favorite part of this is how we can always count on children for honesty! 

We’ll call our first “brat” SB. He is 12 years old. 

Cindy: “SB, how long have you been homeschooled?”

SB:  “3 years. My mom pulled me out in the middle of my third grade year.”

Cindy: “What is your favorite part of homeschooling?”

SB:  “Meeting other homeschoolers.”

Cindy:  “Why is that your favorite thing?”

SB:   “Because, I really don’t like being the only homeschooler around.”

Cindy: “What is your least favorite thing about being homeschooled?”

SB:   “Doing math. It’s too frustrating.”

Cindy: “What has been your favorite field trip?”

SB:  “Going to Jamestown settlement in Virginia.”

Cindy:  “Why was that your favorite?”

SB: “It had 3 ships, and a Indian smokehouse where they pat their skins. It was cool.”

Cindy “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

SB: “Either a fireman or a pro soccer player. It’d be good to get a soccer scholarship for college, then I could get a fire science degree and still play soccer.”

Cindy: “Which parent is in the service, and what branch are they in?”

SB: “My dad is in the military. The Marine Corps.”

Cindy:  “What duty stations have you lived at? Which was your favorite, and why?”

SB: “We’ve lived at Camp Lejuene, Parris Island, Camp Pendleton, Quantico, and back to Camp Pendleton. I like Camp Pendleton best. It’s close to my grandparents, I’ve grown up there, and its close to the beach. I can play sports on base, too, so I like that.”

Cindy: “Last question. What is your favorite part of being a military brat?”

SB: “Well, its good, but I don’t like not seeing my dad a lot. He has to leave a lot. That’s kinda hard. I like my dad wearing his uniform. It makes me proud of him. I just don’t like how much he’s gone. 

SB’s sister, AB, is 9 years old. 

Cindy: “AB, how long have you been homeschooled?”

AB:  “2 years. I went to public school until I finished first grade, then I came home to be with my brother.”

Cindy:  “What is your favorite part of homeschooling and why?”

AB: “Doing the activities. We learn a lot of stuff when we do activities. We did this one experiment it was so cool. The colors moved all around the milk. It was fun.”

Cindy: “What is your least favorite part of homeschooling?”

AB: “I get frustrated sometimes. Sometimes its not easy to have your mom be your teacher.”

Cindy: “What was your favorite field trip?”

AB:  “Jamestown was my favorite. They had these really tall ships we got to go in and explore. The stairs were very steep. I was afraid I would fall down them. Also the Indian huts were cool. I would like to live in one of those!”

Cindy: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

AB: “I’m going to be a chef.”

Cindy: “What was your favorite duty station?”

AB: “Camp Pendleton is my favorite. I have friends here and my nana and bopa are here, too.”

Cindy: “What is your favorite thing about being a brat?”

AB: “We get to do stuff other kids don’t get to do. Like, I got to go to the First Lady’s Christmas Party at the White House. President Bush was there. They had cookies shaped like their dog, and we got to watch a ballet. When we left, they gave us these art kits. Only military kids got to go, so if my dad wasn’t in the military, I couldn’t go. 

Stay tuned to future interviews with other “brats.” All of our “brats” are well spoken and have their own opinions. If you would like your “brat” to be spotlighted, please contact me at www.homeschoolblogger.com/cre8ivemom

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