This blog post is for your kids. There are lots of articles for moms on how to transition kids from public school to homeschool. What about all the questions the kids may have about this huge change in their life?
I’m here for you!
Let’s talk about the top 3 concerns kids have when they are pulled out of school (whether they are in favor of the decision or not) and get some solid answers!
I have homeschooled all four of my kiddos since day one, so we know homeschooling inside and out (yes, it can still be challenging and adjustments are still made).
I pulled together information from several sources that will ease the transition for your kids as they move into homeschooling.
#1 I'm going to miss my friends! When will I see them, talk to them, and hang out if they are at school and I'm at home all day?
Indeed, you won’t be with your friends at school all day anymore. This can be a big change and your parents are here to support you through this. No one should minimize that this can feel upsetting. It is a big change!
Let’s think about how much time you actually have at school to do whatever you want and hang out.
The truth is, you have classes and assignments where you are with your friends, but that’s different than being together as friends after school or on the weekends when you can do whatever you want.
That is the part that won’t change!
Your parents are going to be intentional about helping you see your friends for all the fun stuff on the weekends and after school: birthday parties, sleep-overs, movies, ice cream runs, pizza parties, Nerf wars in the backyard, youth retreats, youth group, etc.
You will appreciate and value your friends so much because the time with them is special and important. Taking them for granted will start to fade away (if you have ever struggled with that).
You will begin to value getting your schoolwork done in way less than 6-7 hours and having time to pursue your interests that you never had time for when you were in school all day.
This will keep you busy and engaged and before you know it, school (for your friends) will be over and you can text or call and talk about the day with them!
Your family can think about joining a co-op for community, support, and learning new things.
There you can take classes and be with kids your age and make even more friends that are homeschooled too! Then they can meet your friends from public school and everybody wins!
This happened for my kids who were always homeschooled when they met public school kids who were friends of other kids at the co-op.
It will take time to adjust, but you can do this! Your parents are making a wise decision for your family because they love you!
#2 People are going to make fun of me. What if they think homeschooling is weird or unusual?
Homeschooling is unusual but so is being a billionaire and I don’t think anyone has a problem with that! I do understand no one wants to be thought of as “weird”, and no one wants to be made fun of. This is a valid concern.
I asked some of my kids and they said others sometimes react to the fact that they are homeschooled with surprise and that it seems a little strange and curious. They have never been bullied or teased for being homeschooled kids.
I believe this reaction comes from a lack of understanding since most kids do go to school somewhere other than home. Truth be told, they are pretty curious as to what happens at home during a school day.
I’m pretty curious what it’s like to be a billionaire too, but that doesn’t mean I think it is wrong or bad.
Most of the time kids just don’t get it and it’s easy to act negatively about things they don’t understand in a culture which tends to be very critical. People tend to follow behaviors they see in others especially if they don’t have something better to follow (the Bible).
If you get the feeling someone isn’t supportive of you being homeschooled, it could just be a feeling, nothing more. I always tell my kids to be “warm and friendly”. Tell them a little about your homeschooling. Maybe it will turn into a good conversation.
If you truly are being bullied for being a homeschooled student, that’s not OK. An adult needs to know because the other person is not acting appropriately and adults need to help.
It isn’t about you, it’s about them and something going on in their life.
God asks us to pray for our enemies, and even though they may hurt your feelings and feel like your enemy, there is probably something going on in their life that could use some prayer.
#3 I want to keep playing sports (or music or drama) and I don't want to give that up!
Good news! There are about ten states that have laws giving homeschooled kids access to these things (and more) at the public school (including Washington, where I live).
If you find out your state does not have laws protecting this, you might be able to contact your local school and ask to be allowed to continue participation. (I would love to hear in the comments how this has worked out if anyone has tried it.)
There are also lots of places that offer these classes besides the school. I know that being with the friends you have always done these activities with is important. Everyone around you that loves you is going to do what they can to help.
At the end of the day, your family has decided that homeschooling is important for you to grow up healthy in all ways.
Your health (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual) and education is more important than anything else! Making sure you can be your very best is what your parents want for you!
The transition from public (or private) school to being homeschooled will take some time. Your parents are learning how to homeschool you and will give you time to transition into this new way of life. Give them time to figure it out and work as a team!
Pray and ask God to help you and tell him all the things you are worried about. He loves you and wants to give you peace and calm in your heart. He will show you the answers.
If you are feeling anxious, angry, or sad about leaving school that’s normal. Keep praying and keep talking to your parents and sharing with them your heart. They love you and want the very best for you!
There are also people your family can talk to that can help you sort all this out if it is too hard to do on your own (friends, pastors, counselors, other families who have made the switch too).
Dear Lord,
Please help all the new homeschooling students that are feeling uneasy about this change in schooling to come to you and share their hearts.
Show them how much you love them and will care for their needs every day.
Help open up good conversations with their parents and keep communication flowing.
Give them a willingness to be obedient and trust their parents who you put in charge of their care.
Thank you, Jesus, that these children have parents that care so much they are willing to put many things aside to educate them and love on them every single day.
Amen!