Some children will be against being withdrawn from brick and mortar school and being homeschooled. For them, school education is all they know. The may not want to leave their friends and teachers (similar to a move to another school district), they may have fears like not being able to go to college, or they may be afraid of becoming “weird kids” - those who differ from their peers. Especially for teens, there is something to be said about the freedom that comes with school. They may be so used to their lifestyles that the thought of being home for more hours of the day, around their parents and siblings, may sound just plan scary!
Then, there is the child who has been withdrawn, but asks to go back to school. Again, the social interactions and freedoms may be missed, but the child may also miss the structure and organization of brick and mortar schooling. They may miss a certain class, or a teacher’s style,.. they may miss gym class or art class.
It is important to recognize that NONE of these things they miss or are afraid of missing is wrong in and of themselves. They are just not in alignment with the decision to homeschool.
Everyone’s circumstances are different. And, homeschool isn’t for every parent and every child. Some children do better in a more institutional setting. Some parents find that they aren’t able to teach their child, or they aren’t able to take the burden of their children’s education because of work or other obligations. I believe that the opinions of our children are important, and that we as parents should always listen to our children and work to understand where they are coming from. This is for the sake of the mental and emotional well being of our children...
However, at the same time, parents must realize that they are raising their children, and are not their children’s friends. Children are not yet experts in life, and they need steering to bring them up in this world filled with thorns and darkness. Similar to the decision to move to another school district, the children may feel a concern about the change, however that will not be THE determining factor on whether or not the family will move. In the same way, a child’s opposition to being withdrawn from school should not be THE determining factor in whether or not to withdraw them and homeschool.
If you decide to homeschool and your child is not on board with the decision or lifestyle change, examine WHY you want to homeschool. If you have an ethical or moral reason that can’t be changed, then I suggest you gently explain to him or her WHY you are making this change in their life. Explain why this is something that you are compelled to do, and that if they follow your lead in this, then they will be blessed.
Some parent-child relationships are more cooperative - it’s a democracy. This may be the case for the high school senior who is about to enter into the real world. I think wisdom needs to be used for these type of relationships. If you as the parent truly believe the child needs to be withdrawn from school, then you need to make the decision that aligns with that conviction. It may be beneficial for them to meet homeschooled children, go to an event with homeschool children, or making the transition to homeschool a fun and creative one.
Homeschooling is like every decision we make for our children. We do things that we think will help them become the people we are raising them to be. Change in life is inevitable. For some children, the change to homeschooling will be the first major change in their lives. It may be a valuable lesson that they remember for the rest of their lives.
T.E.A. 2018
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