| When you think about needing homeschool help, | | | | our children by. Never mind that the school |
| you don't often think about peer pressure. After | | | | systems have declared these tests worthless for |
| all, no peer pressure is one of the perks about | | | | years. |
| teaching your children at home. They don't have | | | | Strangers |
| to worry about the class bully. They don't have to | | | | How about the trips to the grocery store? The |
| worry about having the coolest, in-style clothes. | | | | clerk finds out your child is homeschooled and |
| So why worry about peer pressure? | | | | immediately begins quizzing them about who the |
| The peer pressure that I'm talking about is not on | | | | 17th President of the United States was. What |
| your children...it's on you. | | | | was his dog's name? What state was he from? |
| Dealing with Peer Pressure in Homeschooling | | | | Really...does anyone know this off the top of his |
| You love homeschooling. You love being able to | | | | or her head? |
| choose the curriculum that best suits your child. | | | | I'm sure, at one time or another, you've faced |
| You love being able to teach at the speed your | | | | one of these scenarios. If you're like me, it left |
| child needs - giving extra time for difficult | | | | you feeling inadequate, doubtful, and insecure. So |
| subjects. Everything seems to be going just fine. | | | | what's the answer to withstanding this type of |
| That is until you have to face one of these | | | | peer pressure? |
| scenarios: | | | | Confidence in knowing why you homeschool. Take |
| Homeschool field trips, co-ops, and activities. | | | | time to sit down and think about this. |
| As you're enjoying your time visiting and sharing | | | | Do you homeschool to build character in your |
| with other moms, you begin to pay attention to | | | | children? |
| what other homeschooled children are doing. What | | | | Do you homeschool to avoid public school |
| level of math are they doing? How well are they | | | | socialization? |
| reading? What languages are they learning? How | | | | Do you homeschool because your child has |
| well they write, etc., etc., etc. | | | | learning disabilities and you can give individualized |
| Instead of feeling relaxed and uplifted from your | | | | attention to her at home? |
| time visiting, you find yourself stressed out and | | | | Do you homeschool for religious beliefs? |
| doubt begins to creep in about your teaching skills. | | | | Take some time. Remind yourself why it is that |
| Relatives | | | | you home school and build your strength upon |
| Planning on having a pleasant Sunday dinner with | | | | this. I personally homeschool my children because |
| your parents or in-laws? You thought they were | | | | the Lord lead me to do this. Any time I feel peer |
| serving grilled chicken -- turns out you're the one | | | | pressure or feel like giving up, I draw upon my |
| being grilled. What curriculum are you using? Do | | | | faith and obedience to God to keep me going. |
| you follow the school schedule? What if Johhny | | | | Those standardized tests? They don't bother me |
| gets behind? What? Suzy isn't doing Algebra yet! | | | | anymore. I have faith that the Lord will give me |
| Will they be accepted by colleges? Will they get | | | | guidance to prepare my children for the work he |
| scholarships? | | | | has set aside for them to do. Have confidence in |
| Tests | | | | knowing that God gave your children to you to |
| Standardized tests have always been my | | | | raise and He will give you the help and guidance |
| downfall. Nothing bothers me like these tests. This | | | | you need to accomplish the job. |
| seems to be the measure that society grades | | | | |