Up until now my tips have been for the members of your immediate family.  I have covered many, but certainly not all, scenarios that may be in any given family and have offered tips that OUR family has found helpful.  For these last two days of tips I would like to stretch out of the 4 walls of your homeschool classroom and give a few ideas about how your homeschooling family can bless others! 

One of the first fears that I had when beginning to homeschool was whether or not the grandparents and others in our lives would approve.  Some of them did, some of them held a wait-and-see stance and a few objected.  I soon realized that with the exception of general and carefully chosen comments that I really did not need to “defend” our choice so much as to be careful not to offend or condemn those who were on another path. 

While our children are not little geniuses, or perfect angels, over the years our family and friends (for the most part) have become supportive or at least accustomed to our lifestyle and some are even our biggest support system! 

Some ways to get/keep your friends and family on your team: 

1. Do NOT  hurt them with opinions that may sound critical and may put them on the defense. I am not saying to compromise what you believe, but choose your words with grace.
2. Involve them when you can! Invite them to the homeschool band concert.  Have your child show their lapbook to Grandma. Teach your child to write thank-you notes for gifts at a very young age.  (I would even just trace around my child’s hand and let them scribble on a first birthday thank-you note.). Take photos of events and activities to share with others.  Grandparents especially love pictures! I have even been known to copy awards or programs to send to grandparents and special loved ones.
3. Enlist their ideas!  When people feel valued they are free to value you in return!  Ask about their areas of expertise when planning a unit study.  Ask them for field trip ideas. Ask them for a fun recipe that the children can try to make.  Ask them for craft directions!  Have someone help you decorate or organize your homeschooling area.

One word of warning: Be cautious about asking for parenting advice unless you are likely to take it!

4. Request educational gifts!  Look over a catalog with them.  Ask for scissors, glue, construction paper and misc. art supplies when they ask for gift suggestions.  Encourage them to help stock your homeschool library with games and books that enhance your school.  At first they may resist, but soon you may be asking them to stop because you are out of room.  That would be a good time to ask for help builing a bookshelf!
5. Allow your child to share their learned skills and knowledge with the grandparents without being boastful or show-offy, but avoid allowing them to QUIZ your child and TEST whether or not they are learning.   Never make your child feel like a performing circus seal!
6. Share the joys, but be cautious about sharing too much of the frustrations with non-homeschoolers.  They will worry about you and probably won’t be very sympathetic when they see an easy “option” down the street at the local public school.
7. Pray for them and their needs.  Ask about THEIR families.  Remember their special events.  Make an effort to make your family available to bless them whenever possible without over-committing your time and resources.
8. Take time to LAUGH together!  Welcome visitors into your home and let people know when is the best time to call you.  (Be flexible when someone calls with a burden or a need, but try not to take too many phone calls during your direct teaching times of the day.)  

Lovingly and Prayerfully,

Christina

Christina and her family are in their 11th year of homeschooling.  They believe that it CAN be done despite the many challenges of life! Every member of a family brings its own unique needs and blessings.  Maybe some of what they have learned can be a blessing to YOU!

Posted in Tipoftheday, 0 comments, Link
Leave a Comment