FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

 

The Homeschool Minute ~ Extended Family Is Not Supportive

/ / Advertisement, Blog, Weekly Newsletter-The Homeschool Minute

Mother's Day Gift

When Your Extended Family Is Not Supportive of Homeschooling
The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine is YOUR trade magazine for family education. Stay subscribed to this newsletter because this is the place where we give FREE education gifts on a regular basis. Read the magazine anytime, 24/7, at www.TOSMagazine.com. It’s the Family Education Magazine!

Mercy Every Minute   
The Wuehler Family

There seems to be, in every extended family, someone who saps all your joy and drains all your energy. You don’t even have to be in their presence to feel this way! Just the thought of them makes you sigh with discouragement. That someone might just be a family member who does not support your homeschool decision.

I have had that person in my life as well. That someone trying to place unwarranted guilt on me once again. That one that thinks I should follow the world’s ways instead of what God is calling me to do. I used to spend time thinking of all the things I really wanted say to them, but one day, I stopped in the middle of my angry thoughts. What should I do about them? Rather than meditate and fume, I knew I needed to “Do the Word.” 


In Matthew 5 we are told to
pray for those who speak all manner of evil against us. That doesn’t mean the kind of prayer that says, “I hope you change them before I blow up on them again!” It’s the kind of prayer for their very souls; that God would draw them to Himself; that God would give you wisdom in dealing with them; that God would open their eyes to see Him; that God would soften your heart towards them; that God’s Word would reveal to them what your words have failed to reveal to them. 


What I’m talking about here is a change of focus. Rather than focusing on how much they hurt you, or how much they don’t understand you, or how wrong they are, the focus changes to God. How much He loves them, how much value He places on them. He places so much value on them that He died for them as well as you. He desires their change of heart even more than you could begin to realize. 


There’s a reason we are admonished in Philippians to “think on those things that are pure and lovely and of a good report.” There is a reason we are told to “cast our cares” on Him. The reason is our freedom–freedom from the discouragement that could so easily swallow us up; freedom to praise God instead of ponder that other person’s actions; freedom to pray for those whom no one else may be praying for; freedom to follow God’s commands rather than our own emotions. 


Yes, it’s hard. But know this, you are not alone. We are in this together. And guess what? It’s been years since that day I stopped in my angry thoughts. And in those years my children have grown in grace and truth. And their example has won over that hard heart. 


Let’s stop dwelling on those negative people in our life, and let’s turn our eyes upon Jesus together. He is positive about what you are doing and has not left you alone. 


“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” 


~Deborah
dwuehler@theoldschoolhouse.com

Advertisement

Spring Super Sale!
Only 48 hours remain for incredible savings on
SchoolhouseTeachers.com memberships. Try a
membership
for $1 and keep it for just $7.77/mo.
(regularly $12.95/mo.-a 40% discount).

OR save $55 on an annual membership and

pay just $84 per year (normally $139).

Hurry! Sale ends April 30.
Join now!

Advertisement

PBS Learning Media
Discover how PBS connects directly with homeschools through
 PBS LearningMedia, offering free access to educational content
from programs like Curious George, NOVA, and more!

Raising Real Men    
 

It’s just not realistic to expect that everyone in your family’s on board and cheering for your decision to homeschool. They may be actively arguing against it, or they may have quiet reservations about your choice, but either way, most of us have some skeptics in our lives. What can you do about it? And should you do anything at all?

  • Your first responsibility is to God. If He’s leading you to follow this path, He’ll not only guide but strengthen and protect you. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous,” (Joshua 1:9, ESV) 
  • Be patient and be at peace! The traditional school model is so ingrained in the culture; it’s hard to break free from that mindset–that “school” means “rows of desks” and “the place you find friends.” Give family time to re-think that assumption … and let the results in your family speak for you.
  • Thank them for their interest. Sometimes people complain and question because they’re concerned. A polite but non-committal answer, “Thank you, I’ll consider that,” says that you hear their concern and take them seriously, but you’re not going to make a snap decision or argue with them.
  • Remember the benefits you’ve experienced and share them when appropriate. The apostle Peter said to “Be always ready to give a defense … for the hope that is you.” (1 Peter 3:15). This isn’t an argument, but a testimony of what God’s doing in your family.
  • Get them involved! Often their criticism is simply unfamiliarity. Invite a family member to a field trip, an event with your support group, or a performance. Or you can invite them to check out Grandparents of Homeschoolers for ideas about how they can build closer relationships with their grandkids, nephews, or nieces!
  • Discern between worry, concern, and troublemaking. Most family members are just uneasy about your unknown pathway. Some relatives love to stir up a fuss and play the troll. Occasionally they actually see something you may have missed. Consider which you’re talking to but be gracious to all.

We’ve had all kinds–from retired public schoolteachers who purchased lab equipment for our high schooler, to a dear worrier who kept asking, “Aren’t you ever going to let them go to school?” when we’d been successfully homeschooling for years. Don’t let the latter ones get you down–keep on course!

How to manage that–dealing with critical family–is one of the things we talk about in our book, My Beloved and My Friend: How To Be Married To Your Best Friend Without Changing Spouses. And guess what? It just won Christian Small Publishers 2015 Book of the Year! Check it out!

Yours in the battle,

Hal & Melanie Young
info@raisingrealmen.com

Advertisement

 
The Perfect Mother's Day Gift!

Give a Molly Green membership to each special woman in

your life at almost 50% off for new subscribers! Includes the

quarterly print magazine! Click here to purchase!

Announcement
 

Hey Mama! Devotional

Are you weary or looking for encouragement? This 31-day devotional will help you to stop and gain a little perspective as you hang out with Gena Suarez, publisher of
The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine (TOS).
Compiled from Gena’s popular Hey Mama! posts, you can enjoy this eBook free as a Mother’s Day gift from TOS.

Click here to get your copy!

The Familyman 

This shouldn’t surprise you, but extended family is RARELY supportive of homeschooling. Why would they be? It’s new to them and seems “unnatural.” After all, just about everyone they know sends their kids to a normal school.

They sometimes say harsh, unthinking things and even when they don’t say something … you can tell they’re thinking it.

Now the natural thing would be to defend yourself … to fire off a bunch of statistics or pepper them with Bible verses, but resist the urge. Instead, let your children do the talking (not literally) for you.

Just plug away, and let the difference between your homeschooled children and other schooled children speak for itself, because it will. Your family will eventually see a difference between those who are schooled with the masses and those who are schooled at home.

In fact, I would just about bet that those who are the biggest skeptics will become your biggest allies and proponents of homeschooling.

Just keep being real and enjoying your children and read the P.S. below!

Todd

familyman@familymanweb.com

P.S. Need more encouragement in homeschooling? Here are TWO ways that I can help!

  1. My NEW book 365 Day Homeschool Mom is hot off the press. Written in my own brand of “real” fun, no rules, and laugh-out loud encouragement, this book is tailored for your 365 day homeschool journey. Order it in time to have as a Mother’s Day gift to yourself. Believe me; it’s better than a flower in a cup.
  2. Have me speak to your homeschool group!! I’m scheduling now for my annual October loop. If you live in or around the cities below, I’d love to speak to your group. If you’re interested, contact me.
  • Oct. 4 – Huntsville, AL (Sunday morning – church)
  • Oct. 5 – Chattanooga-ish
  • Oct. 7 – Ashville, NC
  • Oct. 9 – Atlanta, GA
  • Oct. 11 – Atlanta, GA (Sunday – church)
  • Oct. 13 – Tifton, Valdosta, Savannah, GA
  • Oct. 14 – Jacksonville and Tallahassee, FL
  • Oct. 15-16 – Gainesville/Ocala, FL
  • Oct. 17-19 – FLORIDA

Advertisement

 
History comes to life with the new Roman Town app from Dig-It!
Games. Roman Town is a social studies-based game that creates
an immersive learning experience primarily for players ages 10-15. Discover the ancient Roman culture through an engaging storyline
and fun interactive games. Visit
Roman Town App in the iTunes Store and start the adventure!
 

A division of
The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine
SchoolhouseTeachers.com
Did you know? Every class is INCLUDED for members! No limits

ATTENTION SchoolhouseTeachers.com members! We need you to vote for your favorite Schoolhouse Teachers! Voting will only be open until Monday, May 4. This is your chance to say thank you to the incredible team of teachers who make our site possible. Let them know how much you appreciate them. We will announce the results next week in our Facebook group.

Cast your vote today!

Not a member yet? Try SchoolhouseTeachers.com for thirty days for only $1 during our Spring Super Sale. Keep it and pay just $7.77 a month (normally $12.95/month) and lock in that rate for as long as you keep your membership, no matter how many new classes and features we add. Hurry, this offer ends May 2, 2015.

One membership to SchoolhouseTeachers.com serves your entire family, regardless of how many children you are homeschooling or their ages. There are no per-child fees, and courses are not live so you can start them any time.

 
Vote for Teacher of the Year!

Announcement

Sign up now for the upcoming FREE
Schoolhouse Expo – Reading Clinic!
Schoolhouse Expo
 

Thursday, May 7, 2015 – 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM CST

The Reading Clinic will feature the following speakers and topics:

Reading and Writing the Natural Way – Dr. Mary Hood
What to Do When Mothering is a Mess – Christine Field
Understanding Your Boy’s Learning Style – Hal and Melanie Young
Overcoming Obstacles – Deborah Wuehler
Why the Orton-Gillingham Approach to Reading Is So Powerful – Marie Rippel
 
Plus giveaways and a chance to win a Kindle fire!
 
Go to
schoolhouseexpo.com
for more information.

Announcement

Free eBook!
Click here and get your free eBook
7 Things You Should Know When Choosing Homeschool
Curriculum
from Excellent Quests.

 

Announcement

The Activity That Transformed My Life
The Activity That Transformed My Life
in the latest issue of
The Old Schoolhouse
®
Magazine.

 

Announcement

Now you can be a TOS affiliate and earn some extra cash!

Would you like to earn 20% commission on TOS items that family and friends purchase through an affiliate website? It’s easy, check out
this page for more information. Once you are signed up, you simply share your unique affiliate link with family and friends. If anyone purchases anything from the TOS website using your affiliate link, you receive a 20% commission. There are even buttons available to help you promote your affiliate link on your website or blog.

Sign up today
here.

 
Click here to get access to back issues of
The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine.

Like TOS on Facebook

The Phonics Road
 
Read the article
   Education is All About Discipleship
in the Winter issue of

The Old Schoolhouse® 
  Magazine.

TOS Magazine

Read the

Winter 2015

issue free at
www.TOSMagazine.com

or download the free mobile apps at

VIEW BACK ISSUES:  

Current subscribers go here to access all back issues.

Molly Green Magazine is now in PRINT. Click the graphic below to sign up.

Molly Green Magazine

You can also get
Molly Green Magazine
on these free mobile apps:

Take a look at
what’s new now at
SchoolhouseTeachers.com

The Old Schoolhouse
®
 has MORE for you!

Check out these resources:

Who We Are:

“I am amazed at the number of times I open The Homeschool Minute newsletter and have the opportunity to read EXACTLY what I need that day! Thank you so much for putting a real face on homeschooling.” 

  –Michelle Sager   

Liberty Twp, OH

“I really appreciate all the information and the many uplifting articles in your magazines. Invaluable. Thanks for all you’re doing to help us homeschoolers.

   

 –Kathy P.
Stanton, TX 

“Only just this past week have I seriously checked into the content of the SchoolhouseTeachers.com site … May I just say wow?!”

  –Janelle Chille   

Mason City, IA

“I really enjoy reading all the THM articles. I learn a lot from Todd Wilson’s column. [He’s a] funny guy who speaks the simple truth! Thank you very much!”

–Charlene

Brandon, FL

“I look forward to THM every Wednesday. I really enjoy Deborah’s articles. For some reason, it must be God, she always writes about what I am needing to hear. Her ability to put scripture and God in the middle of all her articles keeps me coming back. I recently have been enjoying the Youngs’ [articles] because I have a young man (10) in my house. The encouragement of the Youngs is fabulous. I thank God for parents like them that pave the way for parents like myself and my husband.”

–Racheal Fowler

 Glen Burnie, Maryland


So love reading TOS on my iPad from cover to cover every month!!!”  
–Leigh Anne McGrady
Dunwoody, GA

“I love the new TOS app! So convenient. So quick. All the encouragement I need at my fingertips … any place at any time.”     

–SpunkyHomeschool

“I absolutely love Todd’s column. He always seems to put things in the proper perspective, and it keeps me from getting all stressed and anxious. Thanks Todd, and thanks TOS!!”

–Johnne Orelchikov

East Texas

Have you been blessed by

The Homeschool Minute?® 

"Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6).
TOP