I have learned in the last couple of years how much different it is for a child that is home schooled and one that is not. I am not here to debate whether a person should home school or send their child to school. Where a child goes to school has to be the decision of each parent and it is different for each one. I am just here to share what I have observed.
I remember when two of my boys were younger. They were home schooled. I think they were around 7 and 9. We live right next to paper company land, so the mountain behind our house became their playground. They would spend hours hiking and exploring hundreds of acres of land.
They were hiking one day and they ran into an older gentlemen on the mountain, on one of the many logging roads. They spent a little time visiting with him and then they were on their way.
I don’t remember how we connected with this gentleman later or found out he was a piano tuner; it was maybe through the boys. We needed our piano tuned so we got a hold of him. We have been so blessed to know him. All my boys have had the privilege of working for him every summer.
What was interesting is not only was he a piano tuner, he was also a retired teacher. And this is what he said to us later, “When I met the boys on the mountain I knew right off that they were home schooled because they carried on a conversion with me, an adult. Kids that are in the school environment only related to their peers.”
Now I am sure there are exceptions but I now have seen both sides of the picture because, after homeschooling one of my boys for many years, I sent him to school. His life changed. It was slow but the change took place.
It seems that the majority of the time those young people who are attending school are more concerned about what their peers think than what the adults think. Those that are Home schooled generally relate better to adults and are more concerned about what the adults think.
There has been a concern that kids will not be well-rounded if they do not have that social life with others their age. What I have seen is that when it comes to real life, it is adults that you really need to learn to relate to. Your not going to work for another kid, you’re going to work for an adult.
There is nothing wrong with young people having friends their own age, my kids did, just not very many. They were free to be who they wanted to be without other young people looking down on them. They could dream and pursue those dreams without condemnation.
It made me think about Christians. How are we coming across to other people? When someone walks away from us do they have a sense that we are “home schooled” (Christians)? Or are we concerned about what others think of us?
This can be an area of difficulty for us as Christians. We need to be so schooled in Christ that we reflect Him. We need to be so connected that when “peers” (those who are not closely connected with Christ) want us to join in their pursuits we will not be drawn in. And when someone walks away they can say, “I was just with a Christian.” Or “They were so loving and kind I want to be more like they are. I want to learn more about what makes them that way.”
Dear Father,
Whether we are young people or adults, help us to realize that the best approval we can have is Your approval. If we follow our “peers” we are doomed to die. But if we follow You we will be able to live eternally with You. Thank You for loving us so much to send Your son to die to make this possible.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Stay connected with God so that He can refine your character for heaven. And you will reflect His character and win others to Him.
Love you all.
Have you ever struggled with being pulled in by your peers, whether it was young people or adults? What helped you through it?