Randi asked the questions below in a comment earlier today. We thought the subject was important enough to have each of the kids weigh in with their thinking. They post their insights below. "Did your kids ever want to attend public school? We have gone back and forth with our older girls and have explained that homeschooling is what God wants us to do. But we do not have very many homeschooling families in our area who go through high school. This means that our girls are surrounded by people who go to school--causing them to feel left out. My hubby and I still feel strongly that this is the path for us, but I don't want my girls to resent this decision. Have you had this struggle with your kids? Any suggestions?" Sarah (19) says...I've never wanted to go to public school! :) For as long as I can remember, I've known my parents' convictions and held them myself. Added to that, I have had no desire to be in the public school atmosphere. I've seen and heard the types of things that go on there. I had to go to the local high school to take the SAT test...the desks in the classroom had stuff carved and written on them; the bathrooms were likewise defaced, and the whole atmosphere just seemed oppressive. I was so glad to get out of there - and grateful that I hadn't had to spend 4 years of school in that building. Something that may have helped me was that I was in the same grade as my brother Jonathan. It was nice to have someone else doing the same things with me. I liked having some "competition." :) Anyway, I've always enjoyed homeschooling and wouldn't trade it for anything! Hannah (22) says...I, too, never felt "left out" being homeschooled through high school because I wasn't attracted to what the public school experience had to offer. The benefits of being taught at home, to me, outweigh any misconceptions of losing out. For me it was especially important to enjoy and be content at home as a young lady, learning what it means to be a godly woman, instead of spending most of my waking hours around those who would not share these same goals. I'm thankful for the wisdom of my parents in following God's plan for our family. Jonathan (20) says...Boy, I can answer that question quickly! No, I have never, ever wanted to attend public school. Even when I was fairly young, I could see the attitudes and character (er...lack thereof) of many non-homeschooled kids. I have not been impressed, to put it simply. That feeling has only grown as I have become older. I see that my parents have protected me from the decidedly anti-Christian influences that so devastate impressionable children. Homeschooling acts as a strong "glue" between family members. Thus, I have grown up in a setting where siblings and wise parents were more important than peer-oriented relationships. When this mentality was instilled in me at a young age, I had no trouble being homeschooled through high school; in fact, it was normal and natural! I had no desire to leave my family to be taught hours on end by a teacher who probably did not share my worldview. I was more than satisfied to be a part of my parents' vision to fufill God's commands in Deuteronomy 6:6-7, and I hope to do the same with my children if and when God gives me a family. Deb says...Randi, I think most of the articles I found that write about this subject assume that the parents themselves have to be talked into homeschooling through high school. Most of what I found when I searched my files were articles dealing with encouraging parents to realize they were qualified..."yes, you can do it!" type of articles. From your comment though, I see that's not the case. Since it's your children you need to convince, your tactic could be to get your children to realize all the benefits to them and to your family by continuing to homeschool and not to focus on what they're missing by not being with their friends. In fact, even when children are homeschooled but spend vast amounts of time with their friends and separated from you and family activities, it will affect their relationship with you. We've seen teens who have spent time in youth groups and are constantly with their friends, and they start pulling away from their families and start trying to "fit in" with the group they're with. They are thrown into situations like boy/girl preoccupation, focus on clothes, and pressure to conform in appearance and music. We feel that family unity is one of the most important "by-products" of home education. Teens need to feel that they are a necessary part of the family and need to support and encourage each other rather than being ashamed to be seen together as a family. Planning occasional family activities and possibly including your daughters' friends (one or two at a time) will help them to see being with a family and doing things together can be fun! I would encourage more and more "family and friends" times rather than "teens with their friends without the family" times.
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