I am sure many of you have been accused of SHELTERING your child/children because you homeschool.  This is one of those words that makes us homeschoolers cringe...right up there with the word SOCIALIZATION.

Why is it that the fact that we like our children, want to have them near us, and actually enjoy parenting them has the rest of the world in an uproar?  But, what is even more disturbing to me is the reaction some homeschoolers have to the accusation of sheltering their children.

In response, many homeschoolers have tried to "prove" they are not sheltering their children.  They come up with a myriad of ways to look just like the rest of the world, demonstrating that somewhere within them, they too FEAR their children are too sheltered.  Maybe it is the countless anecdotal stories of the child who was "sheltered" only to rebel wildly once 18.  Maybe we don't truly believe home is the best place for our children.  Maybe we fear they will not know enough of the world to function once out on their own.  Whatever the reason, far too many of us are buying into the idea that shoving them out of the nest before they know how to fly is a good way to teach them to soar.

Rather than preaching at you, I thought I would link to two articles from Jonathan Lindvall's website Bold Christian Living that address the sheltering of our children.  I'd love to hear your comments on this issue!

Sheltering our Children Part 1 ~ God's Mandate to Holiness

Sheltering our Children Part 2 ~ Parental Responsibility for Influence