stressed!

[kattallysn]

Hey all, this is my first year homeschooling my son. We held him back a year because he failed his grade in public school last year. He is doing really well homeschooling and I have so many reasons why I think this is the best choice for our family.....however I have a certain family member that hates the fact that I am doing this and they are constantly hounding my husband and I. I was so strong at first and tonight I just ran in the bathroom and bawled. I don't understand why people have such a hard time with this. What am I doing different? I follow a curriculum just like the school teachers. I am bringing up my children the way I think God sees fit. I am removing the things I don't agree with the the public school teaches and teaching him to learn the truth about creation, God, etc. Why do people frown on me so much for trying so hard with my kids? I sacrifice my time, my relaxation to work with my kids. Why am I letting people hurt my feelings by how I raise my kids? :idunno I am just so frustrated. :(

[NewWorldOrder]

:hug kattallysn, I don't know who the family member is, but you may have to get very firm with them, whether it be one of your parents or his parents, or a sister, aunt, etc.. They have no right to say anything, this is your child. If you and your husband are in agreement with your son's education, then what you say goes. I have had to tell certain relatives to mind their own darn (not the word exactly) business or there won't be any visits for a while. They either respect our wishes and leave it alone, or else. They now leave us alone, and know not talk to us about something they don't know anything about. They have since changed their tune on homeschooling and think what we're doing is good for us.

I guess I'm just the type of person to get mad instead of sad, and I won't put up with any garbage from people when it comes to my kids. Hang in there. You know what you are doing is the right thing, so don't let anyone tell you otherwise. :hug

[Biblecat2]

NewWorld hit the nail on the head. It's not their business!

[farmgirl]

You are under attack because you are sacrificing to raise your children in a manner that is obedient to God. Anytime we do something that hinders Satan, it seems like we can almost set our watches by the attacks. I started homeschooling this year too, and immediately after I started we were hit with major financial catastrophes that of course would be solved if I stopped homeschooling and got a job. Hang in there, you know you're doing something really worthwhile when you start getting attacked for it.:hug

[lisaann]

Ditto what NWO said. :thumb

This is between you, your hubby and God and is NONE of their business. If they cannot say anything positive then they need to be told firmly that it is a subject you will not discuss with them. Don't try to convince them, your children will do it as they grow up and prove that you are doing the right thing.

[MochaMel]

:hug kattallysn, I don't know who the family member is, but you may have to get very firm with them, whether it be one of your parents or his parents, or a sister, aunt, etc.. They have no right to say anything, this is your child. If you and your husband are in agreement with your son's education, then what you say goes. I have had to tell certain relatives to mind their own darn (not the word exactly) business or there won't be any visits for a while. They either respect our wishes and leave it alone, or else. They now leave us alone, and know not talk to us about something they don't know anything about. They have since changed their tune on homeschooling and think what we're doing is good for us.

I guess I'm just the type of person to get mad instead of sad, and I won't put up with any garbage from people when it comes to my kids. Hang in there. You know what you are doing is the right thing, so don't let anyone tell you otherwise. :hug

I 2nd what NWO said; She's right! Don't let the doomsayers get you down.. You are doing a VERY most important and selfless job right now for your child.. :hug

[ChayilWoman]

This is a serious subject, and I feel for you Katta. But it reminded me of a funny story... We knew from before we had kids that we would homeschool. We never talked about it much with my in-laws as we knew they wouldn't be as open to it. But when we started with my first dd, my husband's grandma bought a school desk. She asked me if I wanted it. I told her no thank you because we already had a table we sat at to do our lessons. She was mad at me for months. She was convinced no child could be properly educated unless they had a school desk to do their work on. It took years to get past that event.

All that to say, there are a lot of stereotypes to get past when it comes to home educating. Stick in there, Katta. You're doing the right thing regardless of where or why the trials come.

[makarioselpis]

Katta: :hug Tears and homeschooling go together sometimes. At times there will be tears of joy, tears of frustration and in your case tears of persecution. The others are right...it's really none of the relative's business if this is the course you and your husband have decided on. Sometimes when we choose a course different from family and friends they take it as criticism of their choice. It's only human to want others to legitimize our choices and when they don't and do something totally opposite we become insecure. Keep your focus on God...afterall, in the end it will only be His opinion that matters.:hug

[NewWorldOrder]

Katta: :hug Tears and homeschooling go together sometimes. At times there will be tears of joy, tears of frustration and in your case tears of persecution. The others are right...it's really none of the relative's business if this is the course you and your husband have decided on. Sometimes when we choose a course different from family and friends they take it as criticism of their choice. It's only human to want others to legitimize our choices and when they don't and do something totally opposite we become insecure. Keep your focus on God...afterall, in the end it will only be His opinion that matters.:hug

Very wise words. :)

[Goldendinosaur]

Ugh. My parents chose to homeschool me ever since the second grade, and... well, none of our relatives got too pesky about it, but my grandmother and perhaps one or two of my aunts thought that I was being socially deprived and whatnot, and that it was hindering me because I was not doing all the things that kids get to do in public school.

But I turned out okay, I think :) And its' really no one's business how parents choose to raise their kids.