HOMESCHOOLING BEGINS WITH HOME

Homeschooling and Socialization
Answering the often-asked questions

This question about homeschooling and socialization is always one of the first ones asked when a family decides to homeschool.

Since you are reading this article, most likely you have been asked this question already, and you are wise to want to be prepared to answer it.

Personal Testimony

I have found that most people think socialization is putting kids in the same age/peer group when they are young to prepare them for the "real world.”

As I hearkened to the Lord, I drew upon my own experience of the "real world.” I never worked in an environment where everyone the same age as I am. In the “real world” and in the church, I had to get along with people of varying ages, talents, abilities, maturities personalities. Hmmmm….. the “real world” is actually more like the home.

After that observation, the Lord began to renew my mind about what true socialization is.

With this renewed mindset, I began to view the home as the foundational building block for socialization. Homeschooling and socialization actually go hand in hand.

I already had children of varying ages, talents, abilities, maturities, and personalities. And so I began to use what was already at my disposal and develop the tool of home.

Over the years, I have found that

• the home is the place where my precious children have learned to serve each other, and

• the home is a place where they can mature at their own pace without the peer pressure to perform; instead, they have been and are continuing to be transformed by Christ rather than conformed to the world.

Once they are established in Christ and are who they were created to be, then they are ready to find their place in the "real world." Young adults established in Christ will not be influenced negatively by the world but rather influence the world positively.

Those are few of the reasons I cite when answering the homeschooling and socialization question. I'm sure as you continue to hearken to the Lord, you will be established in your reasoning as well.

When I first made the decision to homeschool—still evaluating the pros and cons—I found when others questioned me, my heart was bumped and I became defensive.

But as He renewed my mind, I began to see others' questions in a more positive light—as a way to help me grow. I would encourage you not to close the door to God’s work in other people’s lives nor in your own life by becoming defensive when questioned.

1. LET GOD WORK IN THEIR HEARTS
   through your love and grace toward them

   When answering other’s questions about your homeschooling decisions,

   • look for areas where you can agree and

   • thank the people questioning you for their concern for your children.

   For example, I may say something like,

   "Yes, you are right that it is very important to consider the decisions we make on behalf of our children. I don't take homeschooling lightly, and I am constantly educating myself about it and evaluating the many resources available to help me grow right along with my children. “I enjoy that process of growing with my children rather than letting them grow away from me. I am always ready to hear from others about ways they think I can accomplish this purpose of growing up into Christ my Head and leading my children to do the same. Do you have any ideas to help me along?"

   When we let others know that we are willing to listen to them, it softens their disposition and opens the door for communication. Then if they would still like to ask some questions, we can be prepared to answer them with love and grace.

2. LET GOD WORK IN YOUR HEART

   I have also found that when others question me, often it is the Lord Himself working through them (Christian or not) to help establish me in His truth about the reasons I chose to homeschool.

   It's through relationships and circumstances that He often speaks to us the loudest. So I welcome questioning to polish me, in a way, and strengthen my resolve to continue on in the Lord.

   The "quick witticism" I like to use at some point in a conversation is this:

   "After all, homeschooling begins with home, and so I am developing my home first because once the home is secure, loving, and filled with grace, the school aspect of homeschooling runs more smoothly."

As you continue to abide, may the Lord fill you with His wisdom, grace, and love when responding to others' questions. He will establish you firmly in His truth as you welcome questioning as a means to grow you into Christ your Head.

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